Over the past decade, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has poured billions of dollars into global sport, hugely influencing the governance and growth of football, golf, boxing and tennis.

In 2034, the once closed-off Kingdom will host the world's most-viewed sporting event — the men's FIFA World Cup — all part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's grand plans to modernise the country.

But what is the benefit of sport to Saudi Arabia? And what is sport's role in influencing global politics?

• GUEST: James Montague, journalist and author of Engulfed: How Saudi Arabia Bought Sport, and the World

“Fortress WA”  is how Western Australia's Treasurer Rita Saffioti described how her state will use its huge budget surplus to insulate the state from global tensions.

WA has reported its seventh consecutive surplus of $2.5 billion for 2024-25, with a further surplus forecast for the following year.

This budgetary position continues to be the envy of other states and territories, and the Labor state government is moving to future-proof its economy by investing billions of dollars in infrastructure projects.

European officials have lined up behind the Trump administration’s demand that Iran stop its uranium-enrichment program, increasing pressure on Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was in Geneva for the talks. 

So far, Iran is refusing to end uranium enrichment or negotiate with the US unless Israel halts its attacks on the country. 

Meanshile, Presdient Trump has said that he will decide whether the U.S will join Israel’s attacks within two weeks to give time for negotiations to work.

A winter feast of sea urchins, wallaby wings and whisky pudding is on the menu in Hobart this weekend.

Niyati Rao travelled across India in search of unique ingredients and cooking methods, and her Mumbai restaurants celebrate humble regional snacks.

For Dark MOFO, Rao is teaming up with Launceston chef Craig Will to infuse fresh Tasmanian produce with big bold Indian flavours.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will face a tricky moment at the G7 in Canada this weekend, forced to confront the Pentagon's decision to review AUKUS. 

The Trump administration is sending a strong message to Canberra, leveraging for greater Defence spending. But could this be the off ramp for the controversial nuclear subs deal?

Virgin Australia is returning to the Australian stock exchange, a rare listing on the ASX and an opportunity for everyday investors.

Over recent years several big companies have left the exchange to go into private ownership. Now, the corporate regulator ASIC has introduced measures to streamline new listings, in an attempt to revitalise the ASX.

Centre-left parties the world over are lamenting the loss of their heartland, as low paid, working-class and non-graduate voters defect to the right.

Claire Ainsley was a key aide to the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and is now part of the Progressive Policy Institute, a US-based group with close links to the former US president Bill Clinton.  She's been in Australia speaking to voters about Labor's election victory.

Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks against Israel, after Israel carried out its largest attack ever against Iran.

Waves of coordinated Israeli airstrikes hit nuclear sites and killed much of the country’s military chain of command along with several nuclear scientists.

A military parade in Washington this week will mark the 250th anniversary of the US army, and it will coincide with President Trump's 79th birthday.

The fanfare follows a week of civil unrest, with President Trump deploying US Marines and the National Guard in Los Angeles, against the wishes of California's Governor Newsom.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has reopened The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, following the completion of a major renovation. 

The wing includes the collections in the Arts of Africa, the Ancient Americas, and Oceania galleries,and features over 1,800 works spanning five continents and hundreds of cultures.