Podcast appearances and mentions of nathanael cooper

Today, we're bringing you an episode from our archive. One of Australia's most decorated soldiers, Ben Roberts-Smith, sued our newspapers over a series of articles alleging he had committed war crimes. The defamation trial became one of the longest and most expensive the world has seen.  Nick McKenzie, the reporter who broke the Ben Roberts-Smith story, discusses the trial, the courtroom dramas and the moment a soldier, known as Person 7, outed himself as a whistleblower in court. Roberts-Smith denies all allegations that were published by The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. This episode was hosted by Nathanael Cooper and first aired on March 17, 2022.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're bringing you an episode from our archive. In the lead-up to the federal election in May, we turned the Please Explain spotlight on ourselves: the media. How do journalists and editors decide what to cover and what to skip? How do we address bias? And are we looking for gotcha moments? Then-editor of The Age Gay Alcorn and Sydney Morning Herald editor Bevan Shields discussed these thorny questions with host Nathanael Cooper. This episode first aired on April 22, 2022.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're bringing you an episode from our archive. In the lead-up to the federal election in May, we turned the Please Explain spotlight on ourselves: the media. How do journalists and editors decide what to cover and what to skip? How do we address bias? And are we looking for gotcha moments? Then-editor of The Age Gay Alcorn and Sydney Morning Herald editor Bevan Shields discussed these thorny questions with host Nathanael Cooper. This episode first aired on April 22, 2022.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're bringing you an episode from our archive. In late February, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced his country would begin a “special military operation” in sovereign Ukrainian territory. Almost immediately, Russian troops began attacking various parts of the country, starting the most significant conflict in Europe since World War Two. International editor Peter Hartcher gave listeners a rundown on how Russia and Ukraine reached boiling point. This episode was hosted by Nathanael Cooper and first aired on February 25, 2022.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're bringing you an episode from our archive. In late February, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced his country would begin a “special military operation” in sovereign Ukrainian territory. Almost immediately, Russian troops began attacking various parts of the country, starting the most significant conflict in Europe since World War Two. International editor Peter Hartcher gave listeners a rundown on how Russia and Ukraine reached boiling point. This episode was hosted by Nathanael Cooper and first aired on February 25, 2022.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After hosting 185 episodes of Please Explain and 20 years as a journalist, Nathanael Cooper bids farewell to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. In this special episode, Tory Maguire joins Nathanael to chat about his favourite episodes and looks at how Please Explain has unpacked the biggest stories over the last few years, from the war in Ukraine, to the federal election, and the pandemic.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After hosting 185 episodes of Please Explain and 20 years as a journalist, Nathanael Cooper bids farewell to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. In this special episode, Tory Maguire joins Nathanael to chat about his favourite episodes and looks at how Please Explain has unpacked the biggest stories over the last few years, from the war in Ukraine, to the federal election, and the pandemic.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the economy slips and slides through pandemics, wars, inflation, wage stagnation and other calamities, a certain word keeps popping up: productivity. If you look it up in the dictionary, the definition is, “the state or quality of being productive,” which isn't especially helpful to understanding what it means when you're talking about the economy. Does it mean working harder to get more stuff done? Does it mean cramming more work into your day so you are seen as being more productive so your boss gives you more money? Today on Please Explain, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Nathanael Cooper to get to the bottom of what productivity is, and what it's important.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the economy slips and slides through pandemics, wars, inflation, wage stagnation and other calamities, a certain word keeps popping up: productivity. If you look it up in the dictionary, the definition is, “the state or quality of being productive,” which isn't especially helpful to understanding what it means when you're talking about the economy. Does it mean working harder to get more stuff done? Does it mean cramming more work into your day so you are seen as being more productive so your boss gives you more money? Today on Please Explain, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Nathanael Cooper to get to the bottom of what productivity is, and what it's important.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She may be the reigning queen of pop but that hasn't stopped Beyonce from becoming a target of activists over offensive language in her latest release Renaissance. The chart-topping album includes the track Heated where Beyonce uses the ableist slur spaz. She has since changed the lyrics. But it comes weeks after Lizzo was also slammed online for using the word in her track Grrls, leading her to change the lyrics. The brouhaha has also started conversations around the fact that both artists who have been attacked for the language have been women of colour despite the fact men have used ableist language in their lyrics for decades. But now rapper Eminem has also been called out. Today on Please Explain, culture news editor, and host of our sister podcast The Drop, Osman Faruqi joins Nathanael Cooper to talk us through the controversy.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She may be the reigning queen of pop but that hasn't stopped Beyonce from becoming a target of activists over offensive language in her latest release Renaissance. The chart-topping album includes the track Heated where Beyonce uses the ableist slur spaz. She has since changed the lyrics. But it comes weeks after Lizzo was also slammed online for using the word in her track Grrls, leading her to change the lyrics. The brouhaha has also started conversations around the fact that both artists who have been attacked for the language have been women of colour despite the fact men have used ableist language in their lyrics for decades. But now rapper Eminem has also been called out. Today on Please Explain, culture news editor, and host of our sister podcast The Drop, Osman Faruqi joins Nathanael Cooper to talk us through the controversy.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jobs scandal engulfing the New South Wales state government that saw deputy premier Stuart Ayres resign from cabinet this week is not going anywhere fast. The crisis began when former Nationals MP John Barilaro was appointed to a $500,000 a year New York trade role nearly seven weeks ago and continues today, amid further revelations this week about how involved Ayres was in the controversial appointment. The belated dumping of Ayres, after he insisted for weeks that he played no role in the recruitment process, is just the start of problems the besieged coalition faces. Premier Dominic Perrottet's standing and authority has been weakened, and with further damaging revelations being made daily in the parliamentary enquiry into Barilaro's appointment, questions are being asked about the future of his leadership. NSW state political reporter Lucy Cormack joins host Nathanael Cooper on today's Please Explain to bring us up to speed on the evolving scandal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jobs scandal engulfing the New South Wales state government that saw deputy premier Stuart Ayres resign from cabinet this week is not going anywhere fast. The crisis began when former Nationals MP John Barilaro was appointed to a $500,000 a year New York trade role nearly seven weeks ago and continues today, amid further revelations this week about how involved Ayres was in the controversial appointment. The belated dumping of Ayres, after he insisted for weeks that he played no role in the recruitment process, is just the start of problems the besieged coalition faces. Premier Dominic Perrottet's standing and authority has been weakened, and with further damaging revelations being made daily in the parliamentary enquiry into Barilaro's appointment, questions are being asked about the future of his leadership. NSW state political reporter Lucy Cormack joins host Nathanael Cooper on today's Please Explain to bring us up to speed on the evolving scandal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament descended into momentary chaos yesterday when Nationals MP Pat Conaghan called a point of order objecting to the state of undress of the member for Griffith, Greens MP Mex Chandler-Mather - because he was not wearing a tie. Speaker Milton Dick dismissed Conaghan's concerns and allowed the young Greens MP to proceed with his question to the Prime Minister on public housing. But the fracas has raised a question about what counts as proper work attire post pandemic, after we all worked in our pyjamas for two years. Is the noose that has hung around the necks of men for centuries an antiquated relic of times yore? Will judges don jeans and public servants get about in Reebok pumps? and does this all mean that society is disintegrating even further than it already has? Or is it that men and women's formal fashion has evolved beyond what has passed down from Croatian mercenaries who wore traditional knotted neckerchiefs to hold the top of their jackets together? Today on Please Explain, national fashion editor Damien Woolnough joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the history and the future of men's formal fashion.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament descended into momentary chaos yesterday when Nationals MP Pat Conaghan called a point of order objecting to the state of undress of the member for Griffith, Greens MP Mex Chandler-Mather - because he was not wearing a tie. Speaker Milton Dick dismissed Conaghan's concerns and allowed the young Greens MP to proceed with his question to the Prime Minister on public housing. But the fracas has raised a question about what counts as proper work attire post pandemic, after we all worked in our pyjamas for two years. Is the noose that has hung around the necks of men for centuries an antiquated relic of times yore? Will judges don jeans and public servants get about in Reebok pumps? and does this all mean that society is disintegrating even further than it already has? Or is it that men and women's formal fashion has evolved beyond what has passed down from Croatian mercenaries who wore traditional knotted neckerchiefs to hold the top of their jackets together? Today on Please Explain, national fashion editor Damien Woolnough joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the history and the future of men's formal fashion.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 37 years, 63 weddings, 20 births, 68 deaths, nearly 9000 episodes and one very bizarre dog dream sequence, iconic Australian soap opera Neighbours comes to an end tonight. It made stars of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie, Daniel MacPherson and Toadie Rebecchi's mullet. And it launched the pop careers of Delta Goodrem, Natalie Imbruglia, and at for at least one magnificent single, Holly Valance. But more importantly it turned the camera back on ourselves and made Australian suburban life fascinating in a way shows like EastEnders and Coronation Street had in the UK. It also did more for Australian tourism and immigration than Lara Bingle could ever have dreamed of. And now the show and its stars take their final bows, as Neighbours enters the history books. Today on Please Explain, senior culture writer Karl Quinn joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the final episode and what the show's legacy will be. Correction: An earlier version of this episode credited Guy Ritchie as having started his career on Neighbours rather than Guy Pearce. This was incorrect. We apologise for the error, which has now been removed.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 37 years, 63 weddings, 20 births, 68 deaths, nearly 9000 episodes and one very bizarre dog dream sequence, iconic Australian soap opera Neighbours comes to an end tonight. It made stars of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie, Daniel MacPherson and Toadie Rebecchi's mullet. And it launched the pop careers of Delta Goodrem, Natalie Imbruglia, and at for at least one magnificent single, Holly Valance. But more importantly it turned the camera back on ourselves and made Australian suburban life fascinating in a way shows like EastEnders and Coronation Street had in the UK. It also did more for Australian tourism and immigration than Lara Bingle could ever have dreamed of. And now the show and its stars take their final bows, as Neighbours enters the history books. Today on Please Explain, senior culture writer Karl Quinn joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the final episode and what the show's legacy will be. Correction: An earlier version of this episode credited Guy Ritchie as having started his career on Neighbours rather than Guy Pearce. This was incorrect. We apologise for the error, which has now been removed.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia might have the strongest jobs market in years, but young people will struggle with the side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research. The research, compiled by the e61 Institute with the Paul Ramsay Foundation, says young workers are less likely to transition to employment during the pandemic, partly due to the closures of sectors such as hospitality. Despite the recovery in the jobs market over recent months, the number of young people out of work for more than two years hasn't changed. The pandemic also caused an increase in the number of students who have not completed their studies. Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins host Nathanael Cooper for a special Please Explain, which includes news from culture news editor Osman Faruqi from the very wet grounds of the Splendour in the Grass festival. Day one of the music festival in North Byron has been cancelled following heavy rain, following two years of total cancellations due to the health crisis. People who began arriving at the site on Thursday faced delays of up to 12 hours to get into the campsite, and early acts on Friday were postponed before headliners for the first night including Gorillaz, The Avalanches, DMA's and Kacey Musgraves, were notified the first day of the festival would not be going ahead.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia might have the strongest jobs market in years, but young people will struggle with the side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research. The research, compiled by the e61 Institute with the Paul Ramsay Foundation, says young workers are less likely to transition to employment during the pandemic, partly due to the closures of sectors such as hospitality. Despite the recovery in the jobs market over recent months, the number of young people out of work for more than two years hasn't changed. The pandemic also caused an increase in the number of students who have not completed their studies. Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins host Nathanael Cooper for a special Please Explain, which includes news from culture news editor Osman Faruqi from the very wet grounds of the Splendour in the Grass festival. Day one of the music festival in North Byron has been cancelled following heavy rain, following two years of total cancellations due to the health crisis. People who began arriving at the site on Thursday faced delays of up to 12 hours to get into the campsite, and early acts on Friday were postponed before headliners for the first night including Gorillaz, The Avalanches, DMA's and Kacey Musgraves, were notified the first day of the festival would not be going ahead.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Wednesday, more than 53,000 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 and daily case numbers are rising. As case numbers rise, so do deaths and hospitalisations, and for some people recovering from COVID isn't simple. One in 20 people who contract the virus are suffering from what is called long COVID. Based on Wednesday's numbers, that means 2700 people who are diagnosed will have enduring COVID symptoms. Today on Please Explain, health reporter Kate Aubusson joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss long COVID, the strains of the virus causing the current wave and what's ahead in the pandemic.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Wednesday, more than 53,000 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 and daily case numbers are rising. As case numbers rise, so do deaths and hospitalisations, and for some people recovering from COVID isn't simple. One in 20 people who contract the virus are suffering from what is called long COVID. Based on Wednesday's numbers, that means 2700 people who are diagnosed will have enduring COVID symptoms. Today on Please Explain, health reporter Kate Aubusson joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss long COVID, the strains of the virus causing the current wave and what's ahead in the pandemic.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past week, we have been running a major investigation into war crimes being committed in Ukraine. In March and then again in June, we sent reporter Anthony Galloway and photographer Kate Geraghty into the war zone to speak to the victims of the atrocities that have occurred since Russia invaded. The series of stories they produced has been compelling and heart wrenching as we are introduced to people whose loved ones were abducted and killed by Russian soldiers and people who have been tortured. This morning, The Herald and The Age exclusively revealed that Australia has been asked to help the European Union in recording the eye witness accounts of victims in the hope of one day bringing war criminals to justice. Today on Please Explain, Kate Geraghty joins Nathanael Cooper to tell us more about the war crimes investigation she and Anthony conducted and to share some of what she saw.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past week, we have been running a major investigation into war crimes being committed in Ukraine. In March and then again in June, we sent reporter Anthony Galloway and photographer Kate Geraghty into the war zone to speak to the victims of the atrocities that have occurred since Russia invaded. The series of stories they produced has been compelling and heart wrenching as we are introduced to people whose loved ones were abducted and killed by Russian soldiers and people who have been tortured. This morning, The Herald and The Age exclusively revealed that Australia has been asked to help the European Union in recording the eye witness accounts of victims in the hope of one day bringing war criminals to justice. Today on Please Explain, Kate Geraghty joins Nathanael Cooper to tell us more about the war crimes investigation she and Anthony conducted and to share some of what she saw.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the official five-year scorecard on the state of the environment, Australia has suffered catastrophic losses of wildlife and habitat with scientists pleading with the government to ramp up protections to halt the escalating rate of extinction. More than 80 per cent of Australia's nearly 400 mammal species, from furry greater gliders that fly across treetops to egg-laying, poisonous platypus, are found nowhere else.  Already, 39 mammal species have disappeared since colonisation, representing 38 per cent of the world's mammal population. Since 2016, when the previous State of the Environment was released, 17 mammal species were either added to the endangered list or upgraded to the critically endangered list, as well as 17 birds and 19 frogs. Today on Please Explain, climate and energy correspondent Mike Foley joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the threat to Australian wildlife.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the official five-year scorecard on the state of the environment, Australia has suffered catastrophic losses of wildlife and habitat with scientists pleading with the government to ramp up protections to halt the escalating rate of extinction. More than 80 per cent of Australia's nearly 400 mammal species, from furry greater gliders that fly across treetops to egg-laying, poisonous platypus, are found nowhere else.  Already, 39 mammal species have disappeared since colonisation, representing 38 per cent of the world's mammal population. Since 2016, when the previous State of the Environment was released, 17 mammal species were either added to the endangered list or upgraded to the critically endangered list, as well as 17 birds and 19 frogs. Today on Please Explain, climate and energy correspondent Mike Foley joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the threat to Australian wildlife.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Vice President Kamala Harris announced this week the United States' biggest Pacific push since World War 2 by returning Peace Corps to the region. The move is designed to head off Beijing's increasingly assertive Pacific agenda, after the Chinese government signed a security deal with Solomon Islands in April and pushed for a regional economic block in May. In Washington on Tuesday, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles used his first post-election trip to the US to warn that both countries must lift their games in the Indo-Pacific to avoid a catastrophic failure of deterrence in the face off growing threats. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has now arrived in Fiji for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting where he will attempt to negotiate with Solomon Islands, sell a climate package and convince Pacific leaders that Australia will remain a valuable security partner in the region. Today on Please Explain, North Asia correspondent Eric Bagshaw, who is in Fiji covering the forum, joins Nathanael Cooper to unpack everything that's happened. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Vice President Kamala Harris announced this week the United States' biggest Pacific push since World War 2 by returning Peace Corps to the region. The move is designed to head off Beijing's increasingly assertive Pacific agenda, after the Chinese government signed a security deal with Solomon Islands in April and pushed for a regional economic block in May. In Washington on Tuesday, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles used his first post-election trip to the US to warn that both countries must lift their games in the Indo-Pacific to avoid a catastrophic failure of deterrence in the face off growing threats. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has now arrived in Fiji for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting where he will attempt to negotiate with Solomon Islands, sell a climate package and convince Pacific leaders that Australia will remain a valuable security partner in the region. Today on Please Explain, North Asia correspondent Eric Bagshaw, who is in Fiji covering the forum, joins Nathanael Cooper to unpack everything that's happened.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a mass mutiny within his own government, British prime minister Boris Johnson has announced his resignation. Less than three years after winning a sweeping majority at the general election, Johnson's position as conservative party leader became untenable following the resignation of more than 50 ministers in the past few days. Johnson has been engulfed in scandals of sleaze and allegations of lying for the past nine months, including the so-called partygate affair which led to Johnson himself being fined for attending his own surprise birthday party. The tipping point this week was the latest scandal surrounding Tory MP Chris Pincher, who quit last week as deputy chief whip following accusations that he assaulted two men while drunk. Today on Please Explain, Europe correspondent Rob Harris joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the latest developments from Downing Street. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a mass mutiny within his own government, British prime minister Boris Johnson has announced his resignation. Less than three years after winning a sweeping majority at the general election, Johnson's position as conservative party leader became untenable following the resignation of more than 50 ministers in the past few days. Johnson has been engulfed in scandals of sleaze and allegations of lying for the past nine months, including the so-called partygate affair which led to Johnson himself being fined for attending his own surprise birthday party. The tipping point this week was the latest scandal surrounding Tory MP Chris Pincher, who quit last week as deputy chief whip following accusations that he assaulted two men while drunk. Today on Please Explain, Europe correspondent Rob Harris joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the latest developments from Downing Street.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being the very public face of the Australian music industry's #MeToo movement, singer Jaguar Jonze still feels gagged by the country's onerous defamation laws. The Taiwanese-Australian indie-pop darling was among the first to speak out against the poor treatment of women in the local music industry when she posted allegations on Twitter about being sexually assaulted by two producers in 2019. Jonze speaks to host of sister podcast Please Explain, Nathanael Cooper about the cost of speaking out about poor behaviour in the music industry, in this episode of Good Weekend Talks. Good Weekend Talks is a weekly podcast featuring conversations between journalists from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age with extraordinary people from across the country and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost forty per cent of the population of Nauru is currently infected with COVID-19, and with prices of food and water soaring, refugees still detained on the tiny Pacific Island nation say they are struggling to access food, water and medicines. More than 100 refugees are trapped on the island after more than nine years of detention, and the surge in coronavirus cases combined with difficulties accessing essentials has prompted the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to issue an urgent plea to the government to evacuate the refugees to Australia. Prices for fresh food has skyrocketed and bottled water on the island, which doesn't have a piped fresh water distribution system, is double the price in Australia in some places. Today on Please Explain, senior writer Bianca Hall joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the dire situation on Nauru. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost forty per cent of the population of Nauru is currently infected with COVID-19, and with prices of food and water soaring, refugees still detained on the tiny Pacific Island nation say they are struggling to access food, water and medicines. More than 100 refugees are trapped on the island after more than nine years of detention, and the surge in coronavirus cases combined with difficulties accessing essentials has prompted the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to issue an urgent plea to the government to evacuate the refugees to Australia. Prices for fresh food has skyrocketed and bottled water on the island, which doesn't have a piped fresh water distribution system, is double the price in Australia in some places. Today on Please Explain, senior writer Bianca Hall joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the dire situation on Nauru.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A national surge in coronavirus cases driven by newer variants of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 is raising concerns about the impact on the health system over winter. The BA4 and BA5 variants have seen case numbers similar to those seen during the original Omicron wave in summer and has prompted health officials to call for eligibility for a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine to be expanded and better access to anti-viral treatments. So far, only those aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over and those with conditions that increase the risk of severe illness are eligible for a fourth “winter” dose. Today on Please Explain, health reporter Mary Ward joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss whether there'll be a wider rollout of a fourth dose. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A national surge in coronavirus cases driven by newer variants of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 is raising concerns about the impact on the health system over winter. The BA4 and BA5 variants have seen case numbers similar to those seen during the original Omicron wave in summer and has prompted health officials to call for eligibility for a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine to be expanded and better access to anti-viral treatments. So far, only those aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over and those with conditions that increase the risk of severe illness are eligible for a fourth “winter” dose. Today on Please Explain, health reporter Mary Ward joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss whether there'll be a wider rollout of a fourth dose.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent weeks, life in the Ukranian capital Kyiv has been relatively normal. Streets, cafes, restaurants and beer gardens have been packed as residents made the most of the northern summer. The heart of the city bustled with locals getting on with life as best they can.  But at the weekend, war returned to Kyiv and air raid sirens rang through the capital once more. Believed to be retaliation for the EU granting Ukraine candidate status, Russian forces fired long-range missiles from the Caspian Sea hitting at least two residential buildings killing one and injuring six others. Today on Please Explain, foreign affairs correspondent Anthony Galloway, who was in Kyiv as the attack took place, joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the war. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent weeks, life in the Ukranian capital Kyiv has been relatively normal. Streets, cafes, restaurants and beer gardens have been packed as residents made the most of the northern summer. The heart of the city bustled with locals getting on with life as best they can.  But at the weekend, war returned to Kyiv and air raid sirens rang through the capital once more. Believed to be retaliation for the EU granting Ukraine candidate status, Russian forces fired long-range missiles from the Caspian Sea hitting at least two residential buildings killing one and injuring six others. Today on Please Explain, foreign affairs correspondent Anthony Galloway, who was in Kyiv as the attack took place, joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the war.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In another explosive hearing into last year's Capitol Hill riot in Washington, a former top aide in the Trump administration revealed details of what occurred in the Whitehouse in the lead up to events on January 6. Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Donald Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows, said that the former president knew his supporters had weapons and body armour when he asked them to march to the Capitol building and asked authorities to remove metal detectors. Hutchinson also testified that after the Rally where he addressed the crowd, he wrestled with his security guard after being informed they would be returning to the West Wing instead of heading to the Capitol where Biden's victory was to be certified. Today on Please Explain, national correspondent Matthew Knott joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss what was heard in the sixth public hearing by the January 6 committee. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In another explosive hearing into last year's Capitol Hill riot in Washington, a former top aide in the Trump administration revealed details of what occurred in the Whitehouse in the lead up to events on January 6. Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Donald Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows, said that the former president knew his supporters had weapons and body armour when he asked them to march to the Capitol building and asked authorities to remove metal detectors. Hutchinson also testified that after the Rally where he addressed the crowd, he wrestled with his security guard after being informed they would be returning to the West Wing instead of heading to the Capitol where Biden's victory was to be certified. Today on Please Explain, national correspondent Matthew Knott joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss what was heard in the sixth public hearing by the January 6 committee.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the annual Logie Awards found itself in the middle of a major controversy that has seen a significant trial in the ACT that was due to begin next week, delayed until October. The ACT Supreme Court on Thursday set a new date of October 4 for the trial of former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who is accused of raping then colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty.. The delay came after Lehrmann's defence team asked for a stay following Lisa Wilkinson's speech at the Logies after she won the award for most outstanding news coverage or public affairs report. Chief Justice Lucy McCallum ruled on Tuesday the trial should be delayed because “the distinction between an untested allegation and the fact of truth has been lost”. In this episode of Please Explain, Larina Alick, who is The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's top lawyer, joins host Nathanael Cooper to talk through this complex area of law. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the annual Logie Awards found itself in the middle of a major controversy that has seen a significant trial in the ACT that was due to begin next week, delayed until October. The ACT Supreme Court on Thursday set a new date of October 4 for the trial of former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who is accused of raping then colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty.. The delay came after Lehrmann's defence team asked for a stay following Lisa Wilkinson's speech at the Logies after she won the award for most outstanding news coverage or public affairs report. Chief Justice Lucy McCallum ruled on Tuesday the trial should be delayed because “the distinction between an untested allegation and the fact of truth has been lost”. In this episode of Please Explain, Larina Alick, who is The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's top lawyer, joins host Nathanael Cooper to talk through this complex area of law. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being around for decades cryptocurrencies have only really increased in popularity to the point that countries began accepting them as legal tender in the last few years. From Bitcoin, to Ethereum, to Nano and Zcash, the race to invest in crypto has made some people very rich. But now the crypto winter has arrived. In November last year one bitcoin was worth more than ninety one thousand dollars…. Earlier this week its value dropped to less than thirty thousand dollars. Today on Please Explain, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss to big flaw of cryptocurrency and why it will never replace normal money. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being around for decades cryptocurrencies have only really increased in popularity to the point that countries began accepting them as legal tender in the last few years. From Bitcoin, to Ethereum, to Nano and Zcash, the race to invest in crypto has made some people very rich. But now the crypto winter has arrived. In November last year one bitcoin was worth more than ninety one thousand dollars…. Earlier this week its value dropped to less than thirty thousand dollars. Today on Please Explain, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss to big flaw of cryptocurrency and why it will never replace normal money. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A perfect storm of factors including the war in Ukraine, the sudden cold weather and years of government incompetence have met to create an energy crisis that has seen the national regulator take control of the electricity grid for the first time in history. Without their intervention, the warnings of gas shortages and blackouts could have become a reality. While the imminent risk of running out of power has been stymied by the intervention of the regulator, the problems are far from over. Today on Please Explain, chief political correspondent David Crowe joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss why despite Australia being a country rich in resources, we have somehow managed to find ourselves in the midst of a genuine energy crisis. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the number one song in Australia isn't the latest rap from The Kid Lario, it's not Lizzo's TikTok hit About Damn Time and Post Malone's collab with Doja Cat hasn't made it up there either.  In fact, it isn't even Harry Style's global hit As It Was, which was the number one song last week. It's a 37-year old track from art-rocker Kate Bush with Running Up That Hill knocking Styles from the top of the chart. In the US it has given Bush her first top 5 single and on Spotify the track now has more than 200 million streams, nearly double the next most popular song in her catalogue - Wuthering Heights. So how, you may ask, has a track from nearly four decades ago, found its way back into such popularity that it can top the charts. That's thanks to its usage on the Netflix series Stranger Things, a science fiction series that has introduced the 80s, and Kate Bush, to a whole new generation. Today on Please Explain, culture news editor Osman Faruqi joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss theongoing trend of classic bangers getting a second life after being used to underscore iconic moments in film and television. Listen to the Heartstopper: Official Mixtape here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX5KARSfd7WcM?si=1d7fcd715e7741ad Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians spend more than one billion dollars a year on body-altering cosmetic procedures. From Brazilian butt lifts to fat-zapping procedures, breast enhancements and facelifts, the cosmetic surgery industry is huge.  Now, a joint investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and 60 Minutes has uncovered how the industry leaves patients unprotected, puts profits before safety and the laws that allow doctors with minimal surgical training to call themselves cosmetic surgeons. Adele Ferguson is the journalist who investigated Australia's cosmetic cowboys and she joins host Nathanael Cooper for today's episode of Please Explain. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global fast food giant KFC revealed to customers this week it would be using a curious blend of lettuce and cabbage on its burgers as the result of supply chain disruptions. The fried chicken purveyor has struggled to get enough lettuce to meet the demands of its hungry customers after heavy flooding on the east coast wiped out much of this year's lettuce crop, while intermittent rains have made it harder to replant fresh crops as well. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has even weighed in on the discussion, describing cabbage replacing lettuce on burgers as a crisis during a radio interview. Today on Please Explain, tech editor Nick Bonyhady joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the astonishing price of the humble lettuce. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison has lost the prime ministership after the coalition failed to secure enough seats to form a government. Now Labor leader Anthony Albanese will become Australia's thirty-first prime minister but what shape that will take remains unknown. Whether he will be able to form a majority government in his own write or a minority government with the support of the greens and independents could take days to ascertain as postal votes and pre-polls are counted. To look at what has happened and what will happen over the coming days, Nathanael Cooper is joined by National affairs editor James Massola, Chief Political Correspondent David Crowe and executive editor Tory Maguire. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The grand finale of an election campaign that officially began six week ago, but informally has been dragging on for months is nearly upon us. It's a campaign that has been dominated by gaffes, gotcha moments, crash tackles and divisive and damaging debates on trans issues. Today on Please Explain, national editor David King joins Nathanael Cooper to look at the biggest issues of this election as we prepare to make the decision about who will lead the country. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a deal Australia had been trying to shore up for more than four decades, and this year, following a series of secret meetings, it finally became a reality, revealed by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's international and political editor Peter Hartcher. The deal, which was part of an enhanced trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, allows Australia to have conventionally armed, nuclear powered submarines for the first time. The announcement in September saw the end of a $90 billion deal with the french to build submarines, causing major diplomatic fallout and prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to describe Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a liar. Until now the full details of how the French deal unravelled and how the new arrangement with the US came about were shrouded in mystery.  Today on Please Explain, Peter Hartcher joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss how it all came to pass. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the launch of Liar, Liar: Melissa Caddick and the Missing Millions, investigative reporter Kate McClymont joined Please Explain's Nathanael Cooper to talk about the podcast and how the investigation came about.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.