A meeting of world leaders is an ordinarily staid affair. With much hand-shaking, head-nodding and talk of ‘friendship’. But not this one between American president Donald Trump browbeat and Ukrainian president Vlodomir Zelensky.

So what happens now?

Zelensky flew to London and attended a critical summit with European leaders, who have sworn to support him and Ukraine, and draft a new peace plan.

Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, on the so-called 'coalition of the willing' and whether it might be enough to protect Ukraine from Russia, without U.S support.

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The world is full of doom and gloom, so today we're bringing you something a little bit different for your Monday.

It's a conversation with David Wenham, the Australian actor who has starred in blockbusters like Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Spartan epic, 300.

More than 20 years ago, though, he played a character by the name of John Frances Spiteri, a two-bit criminal and ex-addict in the Aussie indie classic Gettin' Square.

Wenham now stars in a spin-off about Spiteri, called Spit, which debuts this week.

Today, David Wenham on why, here in Australia, and unlike North America or the United Kingdom, we celebrate the downtrodden, the criminal and the devastated, rather than classic success stories.

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Remember Anthony Albanese’s Copacabana house drama? The PM was dragged in the media for buying a 4.3 million dollar home on the NSW central coast in the middle of a cost of living crisis. 

Well now the opposition leader is facing a few questions of his own. This week, our national affairs editor James Massola has done a bit of digging, and has revealed Peter Dutton’s extensive, and rich, history of property dealings. 

At the same time, News Corp has published allegations about Dutton’s share trading in the middle of the global financial crisis. Aside from denying he’s done anything dodgy, he’s also argued  that the  information is the work of Labor’s “dirt unit”.

Today, our intrepid reporter James Massola joins us to talk through these stories, and delves into this mysterious “dirt unit”. 

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When three Chinese warships sailed within 150 nautical miles of Sydney, last week, it was enough to make global headlines. Indeed, our defence force chief admitted just yesterday hat the Australian military didn’t know that these ships were conducting a live-firing exercise, while off the coast of Sydney, until 40 minutes after it began.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on what it means that China’s stepping up its aggression towards us, at the same as Donald Trump is treating his allies like a mob boss running a protection racket.

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Pope Francis is in critical condition. Which means that cardinals from around the world will, more likely than not, soon congregate in the Vatican, to choose his successor. This event, called a conclave, isn’t just the subject of a new political thriller starring Ralph Fiennes; it’s a private ceremony that has long fascinated the religious. Cardinals are sworn to a lifetime of secrecy, after they cast their vote.

But what impact does the pope have on any of our lives, whether we’re Catholic or not?

Today, Barney Zwartz, a senior fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity, and a former religion editor of The Age, on the history of popes who have wrangled with world leaders. And the mixed legacy of Pope Francis.

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For many Australians, waking up to news - week after week - about yet another antisemitic attack has been confronting. 

Is hatred against Jewish people, in our very own country, more prevalent than we thought? Or are these attacks the work of puppet masters, offshore, who might be pulling the strings behind the scenes, for their own nefarious - and mysterious - reasons?

Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, on how our spy agency, ASIO, is now investigating bikie gangs as it combats antisemitic attacks and plots by hostile nations to harm our national security.

For more:

• ASIO warns bikies, organised crime linked to antisemitism, hostile nations,The Age, Sydney Morning Herald
• Facing our threats, targeting Australia, where there's a will, 60 Minutes

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We know that our political climate has been particularly febrile lately in the climate of the Gaza conflict.

So was it political pressure that led an Australian federal arts body to pull an accomplished artist from appearing at the so-called Oscars of the art world? 

Today, senior culture writer Kerrie O’Brien, on Khaled Sabsabi. And whether it was his art, or stance on the Middle East, which has led to his shock dismissal.

For more:

• Major gallery says Venice row endangers Australia’s global reputation, Linda Morris and Kerrie O'Brien, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

Audio credit:

• Khaled Sabsabi & Tim Gregory - Interview excerpts from Resilient Landscape Documentary, Michael Pansini.
• Khaled Sabsabi: Creative Australia Award for Visual Arts | Arts Week,ABC Arts
• Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi pulled from global exhibit, ABC 7.30, Sarah Ferguson
• Who Was Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of Hezbollah? New York Times
• Changing Australia: Ben Quilty on fighting for the future of Australia's artists, Radio National, ABC

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Well, the Reserve Bank finally answered our fiscal prayers this week, and announced an interest rate cut of 0.25 percent, providing relief to stretched mortgagees across the land.

But arguably no one was sweating on the rate cut more than the Albanese government, which desperately needed a strong sign that the cost of living crisis has turned a corner, and things are going to get easier for working Australians.

But is the rate cut enough, and will they reward the government for it by voting Labor at the next election? And what about the curious anomaly in the figures that has stumped even the experts.

Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright unpacks this with Jacqueline Maley, while national security correspondent Matthew Knott discusses the landmark national security speech given by ASIO boss Mike Burgess.

Audio credit:

• 'Everything everywhere all at once': ASIO details multiple security threats to Australia. SBS News.

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There is one political taboo in Germany that is so strong, it’s stood since the end of World War II. Never to allow a far-right party to rule. But as Germans head to the polls this weekend, to choose a new national leader, many do so with great anger over immigration and rising prices.

Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, on who is likely to win this weekend’s election. And whether the rising power of the AfD, which has used rhetoric tinged with Nazi overtones, marks the country’s return to its dark past.

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We already knew that many Australians are often eager consumers of illicit drugs, with Sydney sometimes referred to as a Cocaine Capital. The only place where it’s more expensive to buy cocaine, in the world, other than Australia, is Saudi Arabia. That’s how sought after it is. 

But our police now have a new frontier in cocaine trafficking that’s keeping them on their toes. 

Today, crime reporter Sally Rawsthorne on the most fearsome drug cartels that are using submarines and other methods, to bring massive amounts of cocaine into Australia. 

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Did the nation’s biggest taxi company fail to stem the rampant rorting of passengers?

Leaked documents to investigative journalist Nick McKenzie allege Australians are being ripped off by drivers at a massive scale, from everyday passengers going to and from work, to vulnerable people travelling from disability services and aged care homes. 

In one of the most shocking cases, a cabcharge account belonging to an elderly person who had died was charged dozens and dozens of times over just a few days. 

Today, McKenzie on his joint investigation with The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes, and what happened when they sent someone undercover to expose the scam. 

For more

Read McKenzie's stories here.

Watch the 60 Minutes here.

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