Donald Trump didn’t like the numbers, so he sacked the messenger. 

So, what are the implications of the US President’s decision to get rid of the nation’s chief statistician, who dared to release revised jobs figures? 

Today, Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic on the jackhammer Trump is taking to democracy. 

Featured: 

Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic

This week a Chinese woman was charged with foreign interference, accused of spying on Buddhists in Canberra. 

Separately, the boss of Australia’s spy agency has warned that other nations are spying in Australia at unprecedented levels, with unprecedented sophistication. 

Today, ABC foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic on the allegations against the woman in Canberra, how it affects the China-Australia relationship and the growing cost of espionage. 

Featured: 

Stephen Dziedzic, ABC foreign affairs reporter

If reports are correct, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu wants to expand the war in Gaza so his forces fully occupy the strip. 

As international outrage grows about the devastation and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, could more countries recognising a Palestinian state make a difference? 

France, Canada and the UK are trying to pressure Israel by announcing plans to do so in the coming months and Australia could join them at some point.

Today, Guy Ziv, associate professor at American University’s School of International Service on what recognising statehood means and the elusive two-state solution in the Middle East. 

Featured: 

Guy Ziv, associate professor in the School of International Services at the American University and associate director of the university’s Center for Israel Studies

It was a protest the New South Wales government and police tried to stop but couldn’t.

In the end, more than 100,000 protesters were permitted to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge demanding an end to the war in Gaza. 

But should we be concerned that organisers had to fight in court for the right to hold the rally? 

Today, associate professor in law at the University of South Australia Sarah Moulds on our right to protest and the barriers in the way. 

Featured: 

Sarah Moulds, associate professor in law at the University of South Australia

On average there’s a class action lodged in Australia every week.

But do they really help bring justice to groups of Australians exposed to wrongdoing? 

Today, Anne Connolly on her Four Corners investigation into the class action traps leaving victims short changed and lawyers richer. 

Featured: 

Anne Connolly, Four Corners reporter

Donald Trump has spent another week fielding questions over the release of the so-called Epstein files. The saga even followed him to Scotland.

Now he has sent the US Deputy Attorney-General to interview Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell who is in prison for sex trafficking. 

Today, Jill Wine-Banks, one of the prosecutors during the Watergate scandal, on whether Trump could pardon Maxwell and whether it could help him.

Featured: 

Jill Wine-Banks, Watergate prosecutor and legal analyst

Donald Trump’s latest trade deal with the European Union is said to be really bad for Europe. 

So, why did the EU agree to a 15 per cent tariff on almost all goods entering the United States and does it signal a troubled road ahead for us? 

Today, the ABC’s Chief Business Correspondent Ian Verrender on where all the Trump trade mess is up to.

Featured: 

Ian Verrender, Chief Business Correspondent

Once a sceptic, now a convert, Donald Trump is embracing crypto currency and making a tidy profit on the side. 

The US president’s newfound love has seen crypto currencies like Bitcoin skyrocket in value and now he’s passing bills through US Congress to change the sector entirely. 

Today, Ross Buckley, Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales on whether it’s still just a bubble waiting to burst. 

Featured: 

Ross Buckley, Laureate Fellow and a Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales 

Israel says there’s no starvation in Gaza, but the pictures tell a very different story and there’s now growing condemnation from some of Israel’s supporters, including Australia.

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the images of suffering are ‘completely indefensible’. 

Today, Global Affairs Editor Laura Tingle on the mounting pressure and the one person who could force Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to change course. 

Featured: 

Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor

Fraudsters have found it surprisingly straightforward to get thousands of taxpayer dollars deposited in their accounts by just making a few false declarations to the Australian Taxation Office about the amount of GST they’re owed because of fake businesses. 

It adds up to billions of dollars that are unlikely to be recovered. 

Today, Angus Grigg on his Four Corners investigation into the biggest GST scam in history and how the ATO dropped the ball.

Featured: 

Angus Grigg, Four Corners reporter