Barely a week into the Gaza ceasefire, one thing has become clear - despite 15 months of war and intense bombardment from Israel, Hamas is still in control of the territory.

So what do the next weeks and months look like, assuming of course the three stages of the ceasefire are met?

As Australians come together to mark the national day and celebrate, the date and meaning of the day have been the subject of debate.

What is the history of the national day, and when did it become such a contentious date in the calendar? 

Katty Kay is one of Washington's most plugged-in journalists and the host of the hit podcast, The Rest is Politics: US. She joined Saturday Extra to discuss the mood shift in DC after the second Trump inauguration.

Journalist Noah Rothman describes the changes already underway as corporate America rejects the cultural goals of diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Mark Humphries presents his Christmas gift ideas.

Tom Rogers is a former military man, so perhaps it made sense for a one-time soldier to be manning the ramparts of Australian democracy at a time when it's coming under assault from misinformation and disinformation. 

Peter Hartcher and Anna Henderson join Nick Bryant to discuss how the Liberal Party is changing following the retirement of moderate MPs Paul Fletcher and Simon Birmingham.

Joe Biden leaves the White House as an unpopular one-term president who oversaw multiple issues including a cost-of-living crisis. But how will US history remember the man who sought to "restore the soul" of the nation?

The unravelling of the brutal Assad regime prompted celebrations and hope this week in Syria. But horror quickly followed for families and friends, searching for their loved ones who'd been 'disappeared', arrested and tortured. Syria's human rights network says it's likely as many as 90 percent of the 130 thousand citizens imprisoned by the regime are dead. 

From 'Bush Christmas; in 1947 to 2024's 'Nugget is Dead', what are the ingredients for an Australian family Christmas movie?

Guests:  Vic Zerbst and Jenna Owen, ‘Nugget is Dead’ co-writers and actors