Saturday Extra - Full program podcast

Donald Trump is about to embark on a week-long trip through Asia to attend ASEAN and APEC. He'll meet the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and there's also an anticipated meeting between the US President and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea. Unpack what's ahead with Demetri Sevastopulo, the US-China Correspondent for The Financial Times and Susannah Patton from the Lowy Institute. History’s most audacious art heists with art historian Pamela James. Arctic expert Elizabeth Buchanan explains why Greenland is much more than a desolate blob at the top of a world map in her new book, So you want to own Greenland? Signs of populism and discontent in Australian democracy with two former state premiers Mike Baird and Jay Weatherill. And India's biggest pop star and fashion icon, Diljit Dosanjh, is touring Australia and has local fans desperate for tickets - find out more from fan and musician,  L-Fresh the Lion.

One the show: The significant week in Middle East politics with the BBC's Tom Bateman who was part White House press corps travelling on Air Force One to Israel. Foreign affairs journalist, Elise Labott also unpacks the week including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to discuss whether the US will arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russia. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also heads to Washington, what gift should he take along? Paul Brummel, the author of Diplomatic Gifts: A History in Fifty Presents has some gift giving stories and tips. Kate Mulvany on the new Sydney Theatre Company production of the Australian classic, The Shiralee. And Griffin Dunne on coming of age in Hollywood and the many twisting branches of a Hollywood family tree.

On the show: Palestinian aid worker in Gaza City, Hanya Al Jamal, and Israeli journalist, Amir Tibon, on public reactions to the ceasefire. Ghaith Al-Omari, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, analyses what the future of Palestine will look like now the war has ended.  We also look at the Gen Z protests sweeping the globe from Indonesia to Morocco, calling out inequality and corruption. Plus, who are Australia’s Gen Z political influencers, and what are they saying about the movements that are coalescing around them? The complications blowing out the new Snowy River Hydro scheme and botanist Professor Stephen Hopper on the ancient stories embedded in Australia's iconic Eucalyptus trees.

On the show: Palestinian analyst Khalil Sayegh on Hamas announcement that it has accepted some elements of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, but that it will seek negotiations over other terms. Hope for the families of Israeli hostages and for peace in the region with Efrat Machikawa, whose uncle was held hostage in Gaza. A new documentary celebrates the much loved restaurant M on the Bund in Shanghai, run by Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut. Might President Trump win a Nobel Peace prize? Can democracy survive AI with Peter Lewis and Lizzie O'Shea. And the death of leggings! Fashion writer Gynis Traill-Nash tries to make sense why leggings are out and baggy work-out gear is in. 

James Lindsay from the Council on Foreign Relations and the ABC's Laura Tingle wrap up the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Virginia Hausegger's history of feminist activism in Australia. Accounting academics dispute the extent of financial crisis at the University of Technology Sydney, Jennifer Byrne shares some of her favourite books for the Top 100 Books of the 21st Century and budgie smugglers are back in fashion in Europe.

Anthony Albanese is about to embark on a trip to the United States, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. After a series of diplomatic disappointments in the Pacific, Arthur Sinodinos discusses how important a meeting with Donald Trump will be. Jon Sopel from the News Agents podcast catches up with Nick to talk UK and US politics. Amanda Cahill explores how regional Australia is working to meet climate targets. Richard Gowan previews the UN leaders week and we have a sing-along with Tricia Paoluccio, who plays Dolly Parton in "Here you come again", a musical about a Dolly Parton super fan. 

Over the past year, the US has seen political assassination attempts and murders - the latest being Charlie Kirk, a leading, young conservative activist. Nick Bryant delves into the history of American political violence with historian Jeremi Suri from University of Texas at Austin. Also, filmmaker Max Uechtritz's new documentary PNG The Road to Independence screens on ABC TV this week, he joins PNG lawyer Serena Sasingian to discuss independence. And 25 years on from the Sydney Olympics, we take a walk down memory lane.

Harvard historian Rana Mitter, on China’s war experience and the parade in Beijing this week. One of America’s most seasoned diplomats, Nicholas Burns gives his perspective on the parade and President Trump's order to rebrand the Department of Defense to the Department of War. Big picture thinking to tackle the problem of invasive species in Australia with Jack Gough, from the Invasive Species Council.  And Transylvania in a tutu - Joel Burke the director and choreographer of Dracula the ballet.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

This show features Catherine Benelpeg, Australia's first female astronaut, who shares her groundbreaking journey and the importance of encouraging women in STEM. Gershon Baskin provides gripping insights into hostage negotiations with Hamas amid a declared famine in Gaza. Rose Gottemoeller assesses the delicate situation between Russia and Ukraine, while economic experts Allegra Spender and Innes Willox discuss pressing reform initiatives. Lastly, Drew DeCavallo talks about AI's profound impact on voice acting, offering a glimpse into the future of the industry.