Us Of Ed

"This is what I call good trouble." A massive heatwave strikes the northern hemisphere, as Europe and the US swelter and the UK experiences its hottest day on record. In the fist bump felt around the world, President Joe Biden had an ill-advised 'bro' moment with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but did much else come of his Middle Eastern travels? Also talking about the latest from the January 6th Committee, protecting same sex marriage, Joe Manchin, and Australia's progress on climate change.

"The law is reasserting itself, particularly around Trump. I think inside the party they're doing everything they can to kill him, and cripple him." Before getting into domestic news this week, we look at some major international stories, with the murder of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the resignation of Boris Johnson, and upheaval in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, on the US homefront, little to be surprised about coming from the January 6th Hearings. Also talking defiance over Roe v. Wade, the Iran nuclear deal, and Joe Biden's 2024 prospects.

"What can be done? That's what I ask everyone, what can be done?" A wave of mass shootings across the country on the July 4th holiday weekend leaves Americans... What? Indifferent? Unmoved? Meanwhile, the Georgia Grand Jury subpoenas Trump allies, and a lot of upset but little action following the reversal of Roe v. Wade. We also discuss, NATO, North Korea and the Asia-Pacific Region, and the latest troubles for British PM Boris Johnson.

"Democracies require heroes." The destruction of Roe v. Wade and Americans' constitutional right to abortion has led to widespread condemnation and protests around the globe, as well as questions about the continuing legitimacy of the Supreme Court. We look at all the ins and outs, but first the most damning testimony to come out of the January 6th hearings yet regarding Trump's role in the attempted coup, Plus, QAnon returns, gun control, NATO, and sentencings for Ghislaine Maxwell and R.Kelly in a massive news week this week.

"Trump is absolutely mercurial... the sooner he's off the stage, the sooner the democracy can be repaired." Fresh evidence this week in the January 6th televised hearings, with the reveal that Donald Trump and his family invited a documentary crew along on their efforts to overturn the 2020 election, of which most of their team were unaware. Meanwhile, Trump-Republicans and more moderate voices within the party are turning on each other, threatening violence and an irreparable tear in the Grand Old Party. Also talking Uvalde police, Ukrainian refugees, religious separation, primaries, and Biden's challengers in 2024.

"The issues of truth or not truth have nothing to do with this, what they want to do is have an internal revolution in the United States." Televised hearings into the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol have largely confirmed for us what we already knew, but new heroes, and more so villains, are emerging from the saga. Meanwhile, some small actions have been taken in the Senate on gun control following the Uvalde Massacre, but little appears poised to change. Also talking Ukraine, inflation, Saudi Arabia, and latest from the Supreme Court.

"Things are getting bad in Russia, but they never were that good." Russia is struggling under sanctions, and other nations are threatened with hunger as grain exports are unable to ship, but there is no end in sight for the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has passed measures on gun control following the Uvalde Elementary School Shooting but the Senate is unlikely to cooperate. Also talking a lack of climate action in New York, recall for San Francisco's DA, survival for Boris Johnson, and the January 6th televised hearings about to kick off.

"The problem is deeper than this one incident, as we know." Fallout continues over the Uvalde Elementary School Shooting that left nineteen children and two teachers dead with details emerging about the actions of police while the shooter was active, and those same police now refusing to cooperate with investigators. Meanwhile, oil prices have surged amid Russian sanctions and inflation is gouging people's hip pockets. Also discussing student debt forgiveness, California water restrictions, China's attempt at a new deal with Pacific Island nations, and Aussie PM Anthony Albanese's first week in office.

"It's too late, too long... until the gun manufacturers are held accountable nothing's going to happen." Tragedy in Texas as a lone gunman kills 21 people, 19 of them children, in an elementary school two days before Summer vacation. While the attack is reminiscent of Sandy Hook almost a decade ago, the shooting itself and the reaction is almost routine at this point as advocate for gun control despair over the lack of concrete action. In Australia, we discuss the results of the federal election which has seen Anthony Albanese installed as PM with a mandate for climate action. Also talking about Monkeypox, Ukraine, religion in politics, and Trump's outright calls for civil war.

"It's an equal opportunity to hate." A shooting in Buffalo, New York, allegedly inspired by white supremacist ideology has left ten dead and three wounded in the latest in a series of escalating terror attacks. Joe Biden has condemned the poison of white supremacy but it's a poison many Americans continue to willingly imbibe. And we look at how midterms are taking shape with the latest Senate primary results. Plus, talking Ukraine, Roe v. Wade, the need for baby formula, and Australia heading to the polls this Saturday.

"On these culture war issues they're voting the way they're voting because they think there's something in it for them, which is a shame. It should be on the law." After last week's Supreme Court leak signalled a massive threat to abortion rights in America, both sides have now mobilised. But while Democrats attempt to keep the outrage hot, Republicans are avoiding the discussion altogether. In Ukraine, the US continues to take an active interest in helping defend against Russia but is their involvement in danger of mission creep? Also talking record high gas prices, Lauren Boebert, Madison Cawthorn, and the Australian election campaign.

"You can have Planned Parenthood in Botswana but you can't have it in Georgia. Wild." Unpacking the leaked document from the US Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade, we look at the obligations at federal and state levels, what can be done next, the implications of the leak happening at all, and what it will mean for midterms. Plus we discuss the latest on Ukraine, Trump's continuing influence over Republican candidates, Boris Johnson's continuing survival, and the dearth of ideas or policy in the Australian election campaign.

"The Soviets said very few people were killed in the Afghan campaign but when they looked for their sons they weren't there, and it's beginning to happen again." Russian casualties in the Ukraine invasion have now exceeded the nearly 15,000 lost over all nine years of the Soviet-Afghan War according to independent estimations, which was a factor in the downfall of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, Biden may finally, sort-of, perhaps be looking at canceling some student debt, maybe, or is he holding out to make the biggest splash for cash before midterm elections? Also talking California's drought, Florida's election police, the French election, Boris Johnson, and our own election campaign here in Australia.

"At some point, Russia will not have the money to replace men or materials. And I don't think that day is far off." Bad news for Ukraine as fighting intensifies around the Donbas region, and Vladimir Putin once again threatens to take conflict nuclear following the support of western nations. Meanwhile, a security pact between China and the Solomon Islands has security experts nervous about the implications for Taiwan, the United States, and Australia. Plus talking about environmental protections, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Biden in 2024, and the Australian election race.

"We may have crossed a line in America, where it's going to take another civil war to get things back in order." A shooting on a subway platform has left zero dead but the city of New York shaken, while investigations continue into finding multiple gunmen involved in a mass shooting in Sacramento that saw six people killed. In better news, we look ahead to the new perspective Ketanji Brown Jackson will bring to the US Supreme Court. Also, the latest on Ukraine, culture war in Texas, damning texts from Trump Jr and Australia kicks off its election campaign.

"People will vote for anything to keep their base together, that is the new modus operandi." Following the lead of neighbouring Texas, Oklahoma has essentially outlawed abortion within the state as part of conservatives ongoing war on abortion rights. Meanwhile, associate justice Clarence Thomas has expressed fears the Supreme Court could be compromised by political interference. Also talking about the latest on Ukraine and Russia, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Amazon workers unionising, and Republicans willing to go to war over Donald Trump.

"A black woman looks a lot better than a black male right now on the Supreme Court." Peace talks allegedly continue between Ukraine and Russia but with claims Putin has been receiving false reports on the conflict from his own military to hide the extent of their failure, do said talks even involve their supposed leader? And as Ketanji Brown Jackson makes history as the first black woman nominated to the Supreme Court, another judge, Clarence Thomas, could be on his way out with calls for him to resign after failing to recuse himself on matters concerning January 6th. Also talking about inflation, Hillsong, China and Solomon Islands, and that infamous Oscars slap.

"For Putin, this begins to smell like defeat." The United States has formerly labelled Russians as war criminals for actions undertaken in Ukraine, but while the accusation seems more than justified is America the one qualified to make it? Ketanji Brown Jackson has faced marathon grilling sessions over her nomination to the US Supreme Court but even as political theatre the questions seem wildly off course. Also talking about a record Antarctica heatwave, voter intimidation, Boris Johnson, and the passing of Madeleine Albright.

"[Putin's] assets are being stripped, his power is being curtailed, and his ability to make an agenda that people are buying is diminished." Both Ukraine and Russia have cited progress in peace talks between the two nations this week, as Russia continues to grind its way through the neighbouring sovereign state. But with the unexpected cost and difficulty of the campaign, as well as unrest at home and long term instabilities, will Putin be able to hold onto his position going forward? And what might he do to keep it? Also looking at talks with China, fuel costs, inflation, Sarah Bloom Raskin's failed nomination, and Chris Cuomo.

"The Ukrainians are doing more than putting up a fierce resistance, they're doing damage." We've been away for a couple of weeks and all the news of course is about Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. We play catch up on what's happening, and look at just how far the conflict could escalate. Plus Joe Biden's first State of the Union attempts to recapture some of the momentum he had when beginning the presidency but does he have anything of substance to offer? Also talking China and Taiwan, Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, attacks on trans kids in Texas, and the January 6th Commission nearing a close.