Annie Jacobsen describes in chilling detail the steps that might lead to nuclear war and Mark Rank explains why some people are more vulnerable to the vagaries of luck and randomness than others.

Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robinson on whether the international community is equipped to respond to war crimes being committed in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. He also speculates on what would happen to Julian Assange, should he be extradited to the United States. Plus Boyan Slat, Dutch inventor and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, on their quest to rid the oceans of plastic.

The conservative think tank - the Heritage Foundation - has issued a policy manifesto for 2025. Bruce Shapiro and Emma Shortis give their analysis. Flooding, failing dams and melting Siberian permafrost are causing real issues for water quality in Russia. Can Putin take his eye off the war to deal with critical domestic issues like water? 

Laura Tingle previews the federal budget and whether Labor can manage to navigate burgeoning cost demands in defence, housing and health and the need to bring down inflation. Plus what do Israel, Mexico and Israel have in common? David Adler from the Reactionary International reveals the shadowy networks helping helping governments to spy on their citizens, their adversaries, and their friends. 

The Pacific has the world’s lowest rate of women’s representation in Parliament, but local women are working to change that, with some innovative - but contentious - approaches to elections. And Australia's leading social psychologist Hugh Mackay is nearly ninety. His latest book examines our society today and asks timely and urgent questions about its future. 

Japanese Philosopher Kohei Saito makes the case for degrowth communism as the radical transformation required to save our planet. Roger Pulvers looks to the past to understand the future of Australia's relationship with Japan.

Ian Dunt reports on the recent UK council elections and how the Tory Party are trying to spin the disastrous results. The uses and abuses of diplomatic asylum in Latin America, and Robyn Davidson shares how she ended up having such a nomadic life including her trek across Australia.

7:30's Chief Political Correspondent Laura Tingle on the government's response to the impending ground invasion in Rafah, and what's coming up in the federal budget. Plus, Austin Frerick on the rich, powerful and occasionally corrupt corporate giants who control what we eat.

Lorraine and Shaan Peeters are helping to heal the stolen generations and their families with their organisation Marumali. Plus a new book by Susan Wyndham and Brigitta Olubas called "Hazzard and Harrower: The Letters" tells an extraordinary account of two literary luminaries, their complex relationship and the times they lived in.  

Johann Hari explains the health risks and rewards of the new weight loss drugs and looks at the causes of the high demand for these drugs in the affluent west. Brendan Kennedy argues for water rights for native title owners in the Murray Darling Basin.