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Michael Gow's Away is celebrating its 40th year in theatres.  It is Australia's most produced play, and for the first time it is being interpreted through an Indigenous lens. Guest: Rachael Maza, actor, director of Away at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and former creative director of Ilbijerri theatre company.

Donald Trump has a long history of challenging election outcomes and encouraging supporters to contest results he views as unfavourable. Ahead of next week's midterm elections, he's pressed for restrictions on mail-in ballots and deployed federal law enforcement to pursue discredited fraud claims. If Trump wanted to follow through, could the president disrupt the election and how?

The search for the next James Bond is entering its final stages, with screen tests now wrapping up in London. Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor are the three actors believed to be in the running for the coveted role of 007. So who's likely to emerge as the next suave British spy?

South Korea is pledging to become an Artificial Intelligence powerhouse, as it rapidly rolls AI out across the entire economy. The President's policy pledge of 'AI for All' centres on developing a sovereign AI model and giving all citizens free access to a chatbot. Will Korea's rapid embrace of AI ensure economic competitiveness and greater security in an increasingly unstable world, or does the plan invite cybersecurity hacks and apocalyptic threats?

Supporters of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have been partying in true Brazilian style after his historic comeback in last weekend's presidential election. Lula secured a fourth term just days before his 81st birthday, having come from behind in the second round of voting. Meanwhile, Flávio Bolsonaro has fled the country after becoming the subject of investigations for corruption and money laundering. What comes next for Brazil?

The final vote count in Israel's election has confirmed that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition nor the main opposition alliance, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has won enough votes to form a government. Negotiations are underway between parties about who could form a minority government — and it could be the country's Arab parties that emerge as kingmakers. Only one thing is certain, says Tamar Ish-Shalom, the election is a hugely consequential for the future of Israel.

It's been more than three years since former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was jailed on corruption charges. His family and supporters have taken to the streets, demanding his release and more humane treatment in jail. We speak with his 27-year-old son, Kasim Khan, about his father's ongoing imprisonment, declining health, and the campaign to secure his release.

Australia continues to reel after the devastating alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta on Monday, the most serious act of violence against an Australian politician since the 1990s. Brendan Cox knows better than most the impact such an attack can have on a family, a community and a nation's politics. His wife, British MP Jo Cox, was murdered by a far-right extremist in 2016 while carrying out constituency work.  Since then he has worked tirelessly to push back against division and reaffirm a collective commitment to democratic values and what unites us.

Thick smoke haze is blanketing Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, enveloping entire cities with dark clouds, and an acrid smell of burned rubber and wood. It irritates the lungs and eyes, leaving millions of people experiencing health problems, while critically endangered orangutans are losing their forest habitats and their lives. According to Nusantara Atlas satellite imagery, over 1.9 million hectares of forest have burned across Indonesia since January, that's eight times the area of the ACT. This week, Indonesia finally accepted Singapore's offer of assistance to fight the fires. But is the government doing enough to solve this intractable and growing problem?

Next Tuesday, Israelis will cast their votes to elect the 26th Knesset. Polls show the race is too close to call, giving Benjamin Netanyahu a real shot at his seventh election victory. Revered by some, reviled by others, what happens if Netanyahu wins and what happens if he loses?

France has endured a week of extraordinary unrest, with mass demonstrations over education and the cost of living erupting into widespread violence. Now, with more protests looming, President Macron is tightening restrictions as authorities mount a massive security operation to prevent another weekend of chaos.

Cassie McCullagh, from The Bookshelf on Radio National chats about her favourite book, we share listener texts and preview what's ahead on this weekend's  Top 100 Australian Books Countdown.

Many of us develop a love of reading at school. Perhaps a special teacher or a favourite book made a lasting impression. But many of us also develop an aversion to reading in high school. Generations of Australians have studied the classics at school, Shakespeare, George Orwell, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mocking Bird. But how much space is given to Australian literature, and what impact does it have on young readers?

The US Congress is the institution that most directly represents the will of the people: 535 representatives divided into two houses. Despite the importance of Congress, there's been an increasing trend for presidents to bypass the body and issue executive orders to achieve political goals. US historian Gary Gerstle unpacks the shrinking role of Congress, political polarisation, and whether the centre-left is the Democrats' sweet spot.

Next month, the United States congressional midterms will decide which party controls the Senate and House of Representatives. Both are currently held by the Republicans.  With rising grocery and petrol prices, the election comes as Donald Trump's approval rating reaches an all-time low.  Will the poll reveal the future direction of both major political parties in the USA?