Saturday Extra - Separate stories podcast

This week, the prime minister was whisked away from the Lodge in Canberra in response to a security threat. In the wake of the Bondi terror attack and the latest threats, what can be done to address an increasingly fractious political and national security environment?

These days, if you want to "become Chinese" on social media, your race doesn't matter.It's all about wearing slippers inside, drinking hot water, using a rice cooker, and shopping at Asian supermarkets.Chinamaxxing is the social media trend that's somewhere between a joke, a wellness goal and a triumph of soft diplomacy.

It is one of the most shocking sexual abuse trials the world has seen.Dominique Pelicot drugged his wife and invited at least 70 men into his home to violently rape her while heavily sedated between 2011 and 2020.Gisele Pelicot could have remained anonymous, but in 2024 she chose to have an open trial, and with that a movement of supporters rallied around her — her bravery instantly made her a global feminist icon.Gisele Pelicot released her memoir this week, telling her side of that harrowing story, and she also gave her first English interview to Lulu Garcia-Navarro for The Interview podcast from The New York Times.The Interview can be found at nytimes.comAudio excerpts © 2026 The New York Times Company

A group of former international cricket captains are calling for better treatment of Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister — and cricket legend — Imran Khan.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested this week, so what's next for the former prince and the monarchy?

This week, the Northern Territory government will swear in a new administrator — it is the highest office in the territory, and the equivalent of a state governor.Former president of the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association David Connolly, is Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro's pick for the job, but the appointment is proving divisive. Indigenous leaders and some politicians are asking the Prime Minister and Governor General to intervene and rescind the nomination, describing his past social media posts as demeaning to women and Indigenous culture.However David Connolly says he will be a 'fierce advocate for all Territorians.'

President Trump is considering committing the United States to another military campaign against Iran, telling reporters this week that he would decide his next moves on Iran "within 10 days".On the diplomatic front, senior US officials have held talks with Iranian counterparts to push for an end to Tehran's nuclear work and constraints on Iran's ballistic-missile program and regional armed proxies. This far, Iran has only offered modest concessions on its nuclear efforts.With the Iranian regime weakened, what are the scenarios that may unfold?

The US Supreme Court has deemed President Donald Trump's global tariffs illegal. Trump responded by attacking the court's justices and vowing to resurrect the tariffs.It could be a big inflection point for the president's second term.

Acclaimed tenor Allan Clayton and pianist Kate Golla are touring A Winter's Journey, a reimagining of Schubert's Winterreise for Opera Australia and Musica Viva Australia.Blending powerful performance with Fred Williams' animated landscapes, the production traces love, loss and longing through a strikingly Australian lens, showcasing Golla's artistry and unique skills as a repetiteur.

The police response to those protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog may have marked an inflection point in Australia.But has this been a long time coming? How have anti-protest laws expanded over recent years, and where are they most severe?