The US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with colourful and controversial characters. 

From Steve Witkoff, who once bought Trump a sandwich and is now taking the lead on peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine, to Howard Lutnick, the tariff tsar.

How did they secure their key roles and what effect are they having on the policies of the most powerful nation on Earth?

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.

Today, Matt Bevan, host of the ABC's If You’re Listening podcast, on the cast of characters in Donald Trump’s orbit.

ABC foreign correspondent Stephanie March has explored the tensions between elephant tourism in Botswana and the destruction the creatures bring to local communities. 

She's brought us a glimpse of Gaza, where children live in tents and she's walked the streets of Georgia, as fears grow about the influence of Russia and a slide towards autocracy. 

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.

Today, Stephanie March from the ABC’s Foreign Correspondent program on her heart warming and heart breaking global stories.

The continuing rise of artificial intelligence was one of the big stories of 2025. But how long until humanoid robots, with an AI brain, step into the limelight and take our jobs?

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from the past year. 

Today, ABC finance presenter and commentator, Alan Kohler, looks at Elon Musk's robot ambitions, how robots could be the new slaves, and what it could mean for all of us.

Do we need a Universal Basic Income, can we tax robot and AI companies to pay for it and why professional sports player may be one job that's safe for a while yet. 

What actually works to prevent terrorist attacks and is Australia up to challenge in a complex threat environment?

The Prime Minister says new laws to tackle antisemitism will include powers to deport so-called hate preachers and a new criminal charge for those advocating "racial supremacy".

He’s also been pressured into adopting in-full the recommendations from the Special Envoy's Plan to Combat Antisemitism.

Today, the Lowy Institute's Lydia Khalil on how to stop the next terror attack.

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Lydia Khalil, extremism and counter terrorism expert and the director of the transnational challenges program at the Lowy Institute

Catastrophe has a way of shaping leaders. Winston Churchill during World War Two, George Bush during 9/11 and Scott Morrison during the Black Summer bushfires.

It may define Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership too, as he comes under pressure to respond to the antisemitism crisis and the Bondi Beach terror attack, in which 15 people were killed.

Today, the chief political correspondent at The Conversation, Michelle Grattan on whether Anthony Albanese can rise to the challenge.

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Michelle Grattan, chief political correspondent at The Conversation and a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra

Who could do such a thing? It’s the question Australians are asking after Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

How did they radicalise? Who did they associate with? And what drove them to plan and execute the worst terror attack in Australia’s history?

Today, investigative reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop on what we know about the shooters and the unresolved questions for our security services.

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Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop, ABC investigative reporter

Sydney’s Jewish community is in shock after Sunday's mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

It was an act of terrorism that Jewish leaders long feared. So, in the depths of their sorrow, how are they coping and what are they asking for?

Today, Rabbi Mendel Kastel from support group Jewish House, whose brother in law Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed in the attack.

Also, Liberal MP Julian Leeser, who is Jewish himself, on where Australians outraged at this attack should direct their anger.

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Rabbi Mendel Kastel

Julian Leeser, Liberal MP

The terrorist attack targeting Jewish people at Bondi is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre.

Sixteen are dead and many more injured at a place special in Australia's heart, at an event special to the Jewish community, Hanukkah. 

Today, extremism expert Dr Josh Roose on whether authorities failed to heed the warnings. 

Also, Bondi local and Sydney cardiologist Dr James Otton who rushed to assist the wounded.

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Dr James Otton, cardiologist

Josh Roose, associate professor of politics at Deakin University

Streaming giant Netflix is battling Paramount for control of the historic Warner Bros studio, which includes HBO and a treasure trove of film and TV content.

Warner Bros has backed the $72 billion US Netflix bid, despite Paramount offering billions more in a deal that would include the television assets, including news network CNN and the Discovery channel. 

Today, Chris Bumbray, editor-in-chief of entertainment news website JoBlo.com on what it means for how we watch shows and movies and whether this moment marks the end of cinema as we know it. 

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Chris Bumbray, editor-in-chief JoBlo.com

Imagine being able to claim thousands and thousands of dollars in expenses so your family can join you on work trips, or to fly business class to New York, or for private drivers to take you to the biggest sporting events. 

Well, Minister Anika Wells is under intense pressure to justify her use of taxpayer funds, even if it’s all within the rules.

Today, the chief political correspondent at The Conversation, Michelle Grattan on why the perks for politicians are a honey pot and a trap. 

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Michelle Grattan, chief political correspondent at The Conversation and a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra

In the first week of summer, dozens of homes have been destroyed in bushfires; at Dolphin Sands in Tasmania, on the New South Wales Central Coast, and at Bulahdelah, north of Newcastle where a firefighter also died.  

A local builder at Koolewong in New South Wales noted that a recently constructed home, built to modern fire safety standards, was left standing while others around it burned to the ground. 

Today, the ABC’s Central Coast reporter Sarah Forster on the homes that were lost in Saturday’s fire and an expert on building houses in high bushfire risk areas.

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Sarah Forster, ABC Central Coast reporter 

Colin Wood, member of the Standards Australia committee for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas