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Hosting the Olympics is an honour that cities have competed for over a century. It’s seen as recognition of a nation’s economic superiority, and a source of national pride. 

But, is winning the bid to host the Games really worth it? 

As some cities are finding - dealing with the International Olympic Committee can leave them financially and legally ruined.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the power of the IOC, and its vice president, John Coates. 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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Every two years the Australian and US defence forces engage in a massive military exercise called Talisman Sabre.

It's about strategising for potential conflict - and this year, many observers say the focus has been on China.

The wargames haven’t gone unnoticed - in fact, the Chinese navy sent two spy ships to monitor the situation.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Brian Toohey on the danger of these military maneuvers and the espionage arms race taking place in our region.

Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Brian Toohey

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The original Gossip Girl debuted 14 years ago and quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

Now the show is back with a brand new cast and brand new storyline, along with promises of more politically correct storylines. But do we need a new version of the show in 2021? And is it even any good?

To answer these questions, and more, New York City based culture writer Tara Kenny joins the show.

Guest: Tara Kenny, culture writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper

Background reading: Gossip Girl in The Saturday Paper

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While many Australians were focused on watching the Olympics this week, the federal Labor Opposition quietly made some significant policy changes.

The party has now fallen in line with the government's tax cuts for the wealthy, despite previously labelling them unfair and ineffective.

The backflip comes as Labor tries to minimise potential attacks from the Coalition, ahead of the next election.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Labor’s small-target strategy, and if it will work.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Last weekend thousands of people marched across Australia to protest against lockdowns.

Officially the rallies were called “Marches for Freedom”... but attendees represented a wide cross-section of the community, from anti-vaxxers, to conspiracy theorists, and the far-right.

But the sheer size of the protests suggests that the anti-lockdown movement might also be crossing over into the political mainstream.

Today, journalist and disinformation researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy institute Ariel Bogle on the different groups behind these marches, why they’re growing, and the Australian politicians trying to capitalise on lockdown discontent.

Guest: Journalist and disinformation researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy institute, Ariel Bogle.

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Over the past few weeks a slow-moving weather event has led to record high temperatures across North America.

This kind of event is known as a heat dome, and it’s breaking existing models that try to predict the weather.

Today, journalist for The Saturday Paper Max Opray on why this particular heat even is alarming climate scientists, and what it means for the next Australian summer.

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Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper, Max Opray.

Background reading: Welcome to the heat dome in The Saturday Paper

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If there’s a state government the Prime Minister has spent the most time talking up over the past year it’s the one led by Gladys Berejiklian. 

Scott Morrison has regularly praised the NSW Premier for her government’s so-called ‘gold standard’ approach to contact tracing, and unwillingness to enter lockdown.

But behind the surface there are growing tensions between key Liberal party figures in NSW and the federal government. 

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how factionalism and mishandled pandemic are weakening Scott Morrison’s influence in his home state.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

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In Australia, DNA testing has been routinely used for decades in deciding who can and can’t enter the country.

The tests can be used to unify families, but they can also tear them apart.

The story of one couple trying to make a new home in Australia has raised new questions about how exactly the tests work, and if they discriminate against people from certain racial backgrounds.

Today, writer Oscar Schwartz on the faulty science that is keeping families separated.

Guest: Writer for The Monthly Oscar Schwartz.

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Britney Spears is one of the biggest music stories in the world right now, but it’s not because of her music.

It's to do with the saga of her controversial 13 year long conservatorship.

In 2019 the Free Britney hashtag and movement went viral. More recently we’ve seen a series of documentaries covering the issue, and the story has grown and grown.

Then, a few weeks ago, after years of silence, we saw Britney finally speak out publicly. 

She confirmed years worth of speculation regarding her conservatorship, and perhaps most importantly, the role her father Jamie Spears has played in all of it.

So could the 13 year battle to free Britney finally be coming to an end?

Guest: Editor of Music Junkee, Jules LeFevre

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After being postponed last year, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games officially begin tonight in the middle of Japan’s third wave of Covid-19 and amidst a pandemic that is still raging across the world.

Tens of thousands of athletes and officials have poured into Tokyo, but stadiums will be empty, with fans prohibited from taking part.

But, with athletes pulling out and more and more participants testing positive for Covid-19, are the games worth it?

Today, journalist Kieran Pender on what it’s like to have front row seats to the biggest experiment in the world right now.

Guest: Journalist Kieran Pender.

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