Full Story

This week, the Trump administration announced that it would be the White House, not the independent journalists’ association, that decides who gets to cover the president up close. The unprecedented move comes as the Associated Press continues to be barred from the Oval Office and Air Force One, after it refused to follow Trump in renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. And just yesterday, Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post declared that only opinions that support ‘personal liberties’ and ‘free markets’ would be welcome in the pages of his newspaper. Bridie Jabour talks with editor-in-chief of the Guardian Katharine Viner about the increasing threat to press freedom in the wake of these attacks on the media

Within a month of returning to the White House, Donald Trump has upended decades of American foreign policy on Russia and Ukraine – and his unpredictable rhetoric and abrupt policy changes have also raised questions about US support for Taiwan against China, leaving people on the island on edge. The Guardian’s correspondent in Taipei, Helen Davidson, tells Nour Haydar what we know so far about Trump’s stance on Taiwan – and what’s at stake

Last month, fourteen adult members of Australian religious sect the Saints were found guilty of the manslaughter of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs. Today they are due to be sentenced for their crimes. Queensland state reporter Andrew Messenger, tells Reged Ahmad about why insulin was withheld from the eight-year-old type 1 diabetic, and what we know about the sect

Jo Nemeth has lived without money for 10 years. When her story was recently published in the Guardian, some readers were critical of her decisions and described her as a “bludger”. Jo speaks to Reged Ahmad about living and working in a nine-person household, the importance of community and the limits of moneyless living You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

In a matter of days, Donald Trump has completed the most radical shift in US foreign policy in decades, bringing Putin back into the fold while sidelining Europe. He claims to have brought the end of the war in Ukraine in sight. But with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the rest of Europe excluded from the US-Russia talks, are we really any closer to peace? And at what price?Jonathan Freedland speaks to veteran US diplomat Kurt Volker, who served as Trump’s special representative for Ukraine during his first term, and the Guardian’s US live news editor Chris Michael You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

The election is right around the corner and politicians are hitting the campaign trail – but what are they really up to? Guardian Australia’s new podcast Back to Back Barries will examine the strategies behind the campaigns in the 2025 federal election with co-hosts Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry. Barrie Cassidy has covered 14 federal elections as a political journalist, and two from the inside as a senior press secretary to then prime minister Bob Hawke. He is also the former host of ABC TV’s political discussion program Insiders. Tony Barry is a former Liberal party strategist who has worked for Christopher Pyne and Malcolm Turnbull. He now runs political research company RedBridge Group and is also a regular media commentator. Back to Back Barries will be with you every Saturday as the election fast approaches. This week they discuss whether a minority government will be good or bad for the country.

Acts of hate, antisemitism, as well as Islamophobia, are on the rise. For months, the Coalition has accused the Albanese government of making the country less safe for Jewish people. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has written to Anthony Albanese, calling for urgent action to tackle Islamophobia. Pre-existing dividing lines are being inflamed by our politicians, and by the media, leaving the country further polarised.Bridie Jabour talks with the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about how to report on the rise in acts of hate without further inflaming tensions

Predictions of an election announcement by Anthony Albanese are reaching fever pitch after the RBA announced a cut in interest rates. Many had forecast this would prompt him to name a date but the decision is not a guaranteed win for Labor, with recent polls pointing to a minority government for both parties.Political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to Nour Haydar about how the prime minister and Peter Dutton are both eyeing the crossbench

Laws on political donations, often seen as the murky underbelly of politics, are getting a rewrite. Labor – with the help of the Coalition – has brought in new legislation but some of the changes have infuriated the crossbench. Reged Ahmad speaks to former judge and now chair of the Centre for Public Integrity Anthony Whealy on what we know about those who donate to political campaigns and whether the new laws could lock out independents

Since the failure of the voice referendum, the government has been very quiet when it comes to Indigenous affairs. But the prime minister has given an update on what he plans to do next to close the gap on outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.As she farewells Guardian Australia, Indigenous affairs editor Lorena Allam talks to Reged Ahmad about why there’s a leadership vacuum when it comes to First Nations policy

On Tuesday the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia will announce the board’s first – and highly anticipated – decision on interest rates for the year. Chief economist at the Australia Institute and Guardian columnist Greg Jericho tells Nour Haydar why he thinks a failure to cut rates would be misguided You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Journalist Antoinette Lattouf’s unlawful termination claim against the ABC has been heard in the federal court over the past two weeks. The lawsuit has brought former chair Ita Buttrose and the outgoing managing director, David Anderson, into public view – to give testimony about what happened in the lead-up to Lattouf being pulled off air after she posted on social media about the Israel-Gaza war. Guardian Australia’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, and reporter Kate Lyons speak to Reged Ahmad about the key moments of the dramatic case You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

This week, Anthony Albanese faced his first Trump test. The prime minister tried to carve out an exception for Australia from Trump’s promised 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. And while Trump is giving the request ‘great consideration’, it won’t be the last time the Albanese government will be subjected to the whims of what has already been a chaotic and volatile presidency. Bridie Jabour talks with the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about how Albanese is dealing with Trump

Matildas captain and Chelsea skipper Sam Kerr’s trial for racially aggravated harassment has ended with a not guilty verdict. Sport reporter Jack Snape tells Nour Haydar what lies ahead for the soccer superstar now that she’s free to return to the pitch You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Has the US president won the battle against diversity, equity and inclusion? Lauren Aratani reports You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

More councils across Australia are rolling out food organics and garden organics (Fogo) collections to address the enormous problem of food waste. It’s a move that divides suburbs – with supporters pointing to the environmental benefits of removing organics from landfill, and detractors claiming the mess and stench is simply not worth it. But once collected, where does all the Fogo go? How is it processed? And what is it turned into? Reporter Kate Lyons tells Reged Ahmad how a major shift in waste management is turning food waste into compost. You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport You can subscribe for free to Guardian Australia’s daily news podcast Full Story on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Very few victims of sexual assault will report the crime to police and even fewer alleged perpetrators are found guilty. A special series by Guardian Australia now looks at why victim-survivors are instead put on trial and further retraumatised by Australia’s criminal courts. Associate editor Lucy Clark and Victorian state correspondent Benita Kolovos tell Reged Ahmad what needs to be done to save a failing justice system You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

With the rise of hair transplants, many men are opting out of baldness. But why is it so hard to accept this natural part of ageing? Stuart Heritage and Rudi Zygadlo explain

Western Sydney artist Khaled Sabsabi’s work spans more than 30 years, exploring themes of multiculturalism, racism, Arab identity and spirituality. After applying four times to the world’s most prestigious contemporary art exhibition, he thought he had missed his chance. Until this week when Creative Australia announced Sabsabi as Australia’s representative for the 2026 Venice Biennale, alongside curator Michael Dagostino. Sabsabi tells Nour Haydar about his journey to becoming an artist, where he finds his inspiration, and navigating the current political climate You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

The perks of public office were cast into the spotlight this week after the NSW transport minister, Jo Haylen, was forced to resign. The Labor veteran used her ministerial driver as a chauffeur over the Australia day long weekend. But Hayden is not the first state or federal member of government to lose their job over the use of the public purse. Bridie Jabour talks with Guardian Australia’s editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about why politicians find it so hard to pass the pub test