From Jean-Claude Van Damme's Bloodsport to the Iran war, this episode explores the dangers of confusing spectacle with strategy, humiliation with victory, and refusing to flinch with actual courage.

How did America win every battle but still end up negotiating over the Strait of Hormuz? And what can an '80s martial arts movie teach us about modern geopolitics?

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From multiculturalism and immigration to childcare, abortion, transgender rights, and the meaning of “Australian culture”, Hanson’s speech offers a masterclass in the political lessons democracies keep refusing to learn from Donald Trump.

What does “monoculture” actually mean? Is Australia already a shared civic culture? And why do major parties keep responding to populists by adopting parts of their argument?

And one more thing: News Weakly is now completely ad-free. No sponsors. No mining companies. No meal kits. No cryptocurrency exchanges run by fugitives. Just listener support through Patreon and the ongoing collapse of civilisation.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Dave Hughes goes viral railing against Labor’s housing policies, permanent residents, and falling property values, accidentally arriving at the same talking points that have fuelled One Nation’s resurgence. Meanwhile, anti-immigration riots erupt in Belfast after a violent crime becomes a vehicle for broader fears about migration, identity, and social decline.

The episode explores why housing affordability, wage stagnation, and cost-of-living pressures keep getting reframed as migration problems instead of policy failures, and how media personalities help launder increasingly extreme ideas into “common sense”.

Plus: Pauline Hanson’s political comeback, Barnaby Joyce’s confusion about what a permanent resident actually is, and the algorithmic pipeline turning ageing celebrities into grievance influencers.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ABC finds itself under fire after commissioning a podcast hosted by Grace Tame, despite controversy surrounding her comments about October 7, Hamas sexual violence, and the phrase "globalise the intifada". Meanwhile, Charlie Pickering discovers the dangers of talking to Avi Yemini, and Australia once again debates whether disagreement should be answered with argument or unemployment.

Along the way, Sami examines the Jayson Gillham controversy, the limits of institutional neutrality, why cancellation campaigns rarely achieve their stated goals, and the difference between offensive speech, political speech, artistic speech, and work that is itself the speech.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Abbott returns as Liberal Party president, raising questions about whether the Coalition plans to solve its existential crisis or simply appoint it to a leadership role. Meanwhile, sweeping changes to the NDIS could see hundreds of thousands of Australians lose access to support, generating considerably less outrage than proposed tax changes affecting property investors.

Plus, BHP’s green ambitions collide with leaked internal documents, KPMG discovers the risks of ignoring whistleblowers, and Donald Trump attempts to resolve the Iran conflict by threatening… Oman.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal government tweaks negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions, triggering a media meltdown from a property-owning class suddenly discovering class warfare. Meanwhile, Pauline Hanson unveils a gas policy so interventionist it accidentally sounds Scandinavian.

Australia also discovers compassion for “boat people” when the people on the boats happen to be Australian activists detained by Israel during the Gaza flotilla interception.

Plus: literary fiction panics after an allegedly AI-generated short story gets shortlisted for a major prize, and Elon Musk’s gutting of USAID collides with a growing Ebola outbreak in Africa.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labor’s latest budget is compared to the brutal Abbott-Hockey austerity budget of 2014, revealing how conservative outrage mysteriously only appears when wealthy Australians lose tax advantages. Meanwhile, the Albanese government finally responds to gambling reform recommendations with a plan so timid it feels focus-grouped by Sportsbet itself.

In the UK, Labour MPs appear ready to repeat the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years at high speed, threatening to hand Nigel Farage the easiest political opening of his life.

Plus: Coles gets caught playing games with “Down Down” pricing, and the Royal Commission into antisemitism exposes something darker than political disagreement — a growing public instinct to explain away Jewish fear rather than confront it.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of Kumanjayi Little Baby reignites debate around Indigenous communities, systemic neglect, Welcome to Country ceremonies, and the country’s ongoing inability to confront its own contradictions. Sami explores the idea of the “Pink Flamingo”: the national dysfunction everyone sees but nobody meaningfully addresses.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party responds to electoral collapse by considering a return to Tony Abbott, because apparently the answer to political failure is expired yoghurt conservatism.

And in journalism, former Age editor Michael Gawenda and writer Jeff Sparrow collide in a debate over objectivity, activism, and whether journalists still know the difference between reporting facts and performing politics online.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Using the comparison between Pakistan and Israel, this episode reframes the discussion away from slogans and toward something more useful: treating countries like countries, not symbols.

From the legacy of Partition in 1947 to the ongoing realities of Gaza, the West Bank, and global politics, Sami explores why some states are criticised for their actions, while others are endlessly debated for their right to exist.

Plus: what the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 can teach us about Palestine, the limits of American protection, and why “impossible” states have a habit of becoming real.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UAE exits OPEC, raising the prospect of cheaper oil and a full-blown Gulf power shuffle. Pauline Hanson receives a $1 million plane from Gina Rinehart, because nothing says anti-elite politics like private aviation funded by billionaires.

Meanwhile, a royal commission into a deadly terror attack finds no systemic failures, which is somehow more disturbing than finding some. And the government’s new plan to tax tech giants to fund journalism raises a bigger question: in 2026, what even counts as journalism anymore?

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal government plans to remove 160,000 people from the NDIS, citing unsustainable costs, while economists and crossbench MPs push for higher taxes on gas companies making billions from public resources. Meanwhile, a children’s book is pulped after controversial comments by its illustrator, reigniting debates about censorship, free speech, and artistic hypocrisy.

Plus, FBI Director Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for $250 million, and the strange politics of diaspora conservatism takes centre stage.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah returns to a world that somehow got worse while he was away.

The Middle East descends into a surreal loop of ceasefires, blockades, and immediate betrayals, with Trump now proposing to “blockade the blockade.” In Australia, Ben Roberts-Smith is granted bail on serious war crimes charges, raising questions about justice, power, and who pays for it all.

Meanwhile, the NDIS is once again under fire for being “too expensive” just as the government quietly commits $53 billion to defence spending. And in Iran, executions hit their highest level in decades, with over 1,600 people killed in a system built less on justice than control.

All that, and more.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah breaks down the biggest news stories in Australia and around the world, including the latest Middle East ceasefire developments, the rise of One Nation in South Australia, the Rio Tinto bailout, and major strike action by teachers and ABC staff.

The Iran–Israel–US conflict continues to escalate, with ceasefire negotiations collapsing amid ongoing military strikes, rising oil prices, and global economic uncertainty. What does the failure of diplomacy mean for the region, and why does every “peace deal” sound like it was written by one side and emailed to the other?

In Australian politics, the South Australian election result has triggered intense debate about populism, voter behaviour, and the future of the Liberal Party. Is this really a political shift, or just another cycle in Australia’s long history of voters making entirely predictable bad decisions?

Meanwhile, the Australian government has announced a $2 billion bailout for Rio Tinto’s Boyne aluminium smelter, raising serious questions about corporate welfare, public ownership, and why multinational companies receive taxpayer support while continuing to minimise tax obligations.

Plus, thousands of teachers across Victoria go on strike over pay and conditions, while over 2,000 ABC staff walk off the job, exposing deeper issues in public sector funding, cost of living pressures, and the sustainability of essential work in Australia.

What’s covered in this episode:

• Middle East ceasefire collapse and Iran–Israel conflict update
• One Nation surge in South Australia and Australian political analysis
• Rio Tinto bailout and corporate welfare in Australia
• Victorian teacher strikes and ABC staff walkout
• Cost of living crisis and public sector pay disputes

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The sharpie is mightier than the ballistic missile.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Support independent Australian satire by joining Patreon.com/samishah. Your support helps fund weekly episodes covering politics, media, and global news with absolutely no corporate spin.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah breaks down the escalating Iran-Israel-US conflict, Australia’s latest interest rate hike, a Sydney Biennale DJ controversy, and the war in Afghanistan that no one seems to remember exists.

Sharp analysis, dark satire, and global chaos, all in one episode.

Top Stories of the Week

• Iran War Update – The US and Israel claim success, while Iran remains “intact but degraded” and the Strait of Hormuz crisis rattles global oil markets
• RBA Interest Rate Rise – Australia’s cash rate hits 4.1% as cost of living pressures continue to climb
• Sydney DJ Investigation – Police probe Biennale performance by DJ Haram over alleged hate speech
• Pakistan–Afghanistan Conflict – Civilian deaths rise in a war that barely registers in global attention

Episode Breakdown

Iran War: Strategy Without a Strategy

The war between Iran, Israel and the United States enters a phase where “winning” appears optional. Key Iranian leaders have been assassinated, oil markets are unstable, and even US intelligence admits Iran remains operational.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump treats foreign policy like a loyalty test, NATO allies hesitate, and civilian casualties continue to rise across Iran, Israel, and Lebanon.

Afghanistan: The War Everyone Forgot

A major strike in Afghanistan kills hundreds of civilians, reportedly at a drug rehabilitation centre. Pakistan claims it targeted militants.

Unlike other global conflicts, this war generates almost no outrage, no online campaigns, and no cultural backlash. The episode examines why some conflicts dominate attention while others disappear.

Sydney Biennale DJ Controversy

A performance by DJ Haram at the Biennale of Sydney sparks political backlash, police investigation, and visa scrutiny.

The reaction raises questions about free speech, artistic responsibility, and why a DJ saying something inflammatory is treated like a national security threat.

Meanwhile, corporate sponsors withdraw support, highlighting familiar contradictions in public morality.

RBA Interest Rate Hike Explained

The Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates to 4.1%, continuing its effort to curb inflation.

The episode breaks down why rate hikes are being used to fight a supply-driven inflation problem and what that means for mortgages, rent, and everyday Australians already under pressure.

Quote of the Week

“Intact but largely degraded is basically how we all feel these days.”

Support the Show

If you enjoy News Weakly, support the show on Patreon and help keep it independent:

http://patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I step away from the headlines to tell one of the most powerful stories in the Muslim world: the Battle of Karbala. The death of Husain ibn Ali in 680 CE shaped the split between Sunni and Shia Islam and created a moral narrative about power, justice, and martyrdom that still echoes through modern politics, from Karachi to Tehran.

It's a very different episode, but I feel like it's a central element missing from the analysis and understanding of Iran and the IRGC's self perception, global Shia empathy towards the Ayatollah, and how the Iranian government has become that which it purports to hate.

Shenanigans and tomfoolery will be back next week. 

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Summary

Missiles fly, oil markets panic, reality television becomes a geopolitical framework, and Queensland decides the best way to fight hate is by outlawing metaphors about rivers.

This week, News Weakly explains the escalating Iran–Israel–US conflict using the only analytical tool Australians truly understand: Married At First Sight. Meanwhile, Australia may already be involved in the war in the most Australian way possible, Melbourne accidentally saves the nation from three more decades of commercial radio brain rot, the federal government discovers “social cohesion” is harder than it sounds, and Queensland enters the bold new frontier of criminalising specific slogans.

It’s geopolitics, media collapse, diaspora politics, and the strange ways governments try to regulate speech, all punched in the headlines weakly.

Top Stories of the Week

Married At First Strike: Iran, Israel, America and the Middle East Dinner Party

Missiles, air strikes, Khamenei’s death, regional militias circling, and oil markets panicking. Why the current escalation looks less like careful diplomacy and more like the most explosive MAFS dinner party ever broadcast.

Melbourne Saves Australia

After nearly three decades of scandal, humiliation and cultural decline on breakfast radio, the Kyle and Jackie O empire finally hits a wall. Not because of regulators, outrage or consequences. Because Melbourne changed the station.

Social Cohesion, Australian Style

The federal government cancels funding for a Shia community centre after reports it mourned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The political logic might make sense in Canberra, but the way it will be heard across Muslim communities is another story entirely.

From the River to the Sea… or the Lake to the Bay?

Queensland passes sweeping hate speech laws banning specific protest slogans. A legal innovation that raises an important question: if metaphors about rivers are illegal, what exactly counts as a body of water?

Quote of the Week

“Nothing says ‘we’re not involved in the war’ quite like Australian sailors possibly helping fire the torpedo.”

Support the Show

If you enjoy News Weakly and want to support the show, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Paying members get ad-free episodes and bonus content.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everything escalates, no one learns, and somehow the only consistent casualties are civilians.

This week, News Weakly looks at the wars you are obsessing over, the wars you have forgotten, and the deeply online way Australians are processing both.

Top Stories of the Week

Pakistan vs Afghanistan: The War You Forgot Was Happening

Cross-border strikes, Taliban accusations, militant blowback and strategic depth coming home to roost. A conflict with decades of history that barely trends, even as both sides accuse the other of harbouring terrorists.

Iran, Israel, America and Everyone Having an Opinion

Khamenei is dead. Strikes escalate. American bases get hit. Diaspora celebrations clash with anti-war outrage. From Iranian expats to The Greens, Labor, pro-Israel hawks and The Australian’s columnists, everyone finds a way to cheer something while claiming the moral high ground.

Bad vs Bad: How We Turn Foreign Wars into Domestic Culture Wars

What happens when geopolitical catastrophe becomes suburb-specific moral panic? A look at how Australian political factions filter Middle East conflict through their own tribal lenses.

Quote of the Week

“You can oppose illegal wars and also oppose theocratic fascists. But that requires holding multiple uncomfortable truths at once.”

Support the Show

If you enjoy News Weakly and want to support the show, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Paying members get ad-free episodes and bonus content.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode title: Difficulty Level: National

Hello and welcome to News Weakly, where we punch the news in the headlines weakly. This week, the world is in multiple active spirals, but Australia has bravely chosen to centre a word association game like it is the Cuban Missile Crisis with better catering.

Top Stories of the Week

1) Things get difficult for Albo

Anthony Albanese describes Grace Tame as “difficult” during a Herald Sun conference word association game, and suddenly the nation discovers that adjectives can carry freight. The real story is not just the word, it is what the word has historically meant when men apply it to women, and how quickly a flimsy media moment becomes a full week of moral theatre. Then Tame responds on Instagram, politicians demand titles be stripped, commentators run their diagnostics, and Australia convinces itself it is doing political analysis while mostly doing a social media reading comprehension test.

2) Geneva Conventionally Insane

The US and Iran meet in Geneva for indirect nuclear talks, mediated by Oman, with messages passed back and forth like divorced parents refusing to make eye contact at a school recital. Everyone says they want to avoid war while moving military hardware around like it is a hobby. The argument is about enrichment and rebuilding, but the anxiety sits in the region, especially Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Israel both know how quickly “posturing” turns into “miscalculation.”

3) Can we ban all teenagers

NSW Police data records 197 incidents of anti LGBTQIA+ hate related violence since 2023, with a disturbing pattern of teenage boys luring victims on dating and hook up apps, then assaulting and robbing them, sometimes filming it. The ideology varies, the method does not. Extremism is a franchise model now. Different uniforms, same obsession, same fixation on queer bodies as a site for performance, humiliation, and cruelty.

Quote of the Week

“We are treating a throwaway word in a word game as if it were a constitutional crisis.”

Support the show

You can back the show on Patreon.com/samishah.

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly: Australian values get workshopped into meaninglessness, Pauline Hanson re-releases her Greatest Bigots collection, ISIS brides become the nation’s worst dating story, and Victoria’s Big Build proves the only thing constructed efficiently is defensiveness.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

AUSTRALIAN VALUES GET DEVALUED!

Angus Taylor rediscovers the Liberal Party’s “centre of gravity,” which turns out to be immigration anxiety with better lighting. We revisit the official Australian Values Statement and ask the obvious question: why are migrants the only ones being tested on it?

PAULINE PAULINES!

Pauline Hanson declares there are no “good Muslims,” the ABC obliges, and the outrage machine spins up like it’s 2015 again. Is she a politician, or just a human push notification powered by grievance?

SWIPE RIGHT FOR THE CALIPHATE!

Anthony Albanese has “nothing but contempt” for Australian ISIS brides attempting to return. But if citizenship collapses under the weight of terrible romantic decisions, half the country is in trouble.

BIG BUILD, BIG TANTRUM!

Explosive allegations of corruption on Victoria’s Big Build projects meet a Premier more offended by tone analysis than by bikie infiltration. When the scandal costs $15 billion, the real emergency is apparently eye direction.

AND ENGLAND GETS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEHEADING A ROYAL AGAIN!

We briefly consider the monarchy, remember Charles I, and decide unless limbs are involved, we simply do not care.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Citizenship is not a vibe-based subscription you cancel when someone makes a catastrophic life choice.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

News Weakly is independent and powered by listeners who prefer their news punched gently but repeatedly.

If you’d like to support the show and keep it free of corporate chairmen’s lounges and vibe-based patriotism, join the Patreon:

patreon.com/samishah

You’ll get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and the warm glow of knowing you are funding sarcasm in dark times.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

A suicide bombing in a Shia mosque barely registers before the algorithm moves on, and that erasure opens the door to something darker. This episode looks at why conspiracy thinking no longer lives on the fringes, but feels increasingly rational in a world where intelligence agencies really do assassinate, destabilise, and lie, and institutions keep getting caught doing exactly what they deny. From Pakistan to Australia, from foreign policy to arts boards and police crackdowns, the show unpacks how incompetence, cowardice, and risk-aversion get misread as secret coordination, and why that misunderstanding doesn’t challenge power but lets it off the hook. When everything feels orchestrated, accountability disappears. And once reality becomes optional, nothing democratic survives for long.

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 199 – 07 Feb 2026

This week on News Weakly:

Australia discovers its newest national value, which mostly means everyone should stop talking while the government imports a global conflict and acts surprised when it doesn’t calm anyone down.

The Epstein Files, News Now…

Three million pages confirm the problem was never just Epstein, it was the elite ecosystem that kept letting him back into respectable rooms, plus Deepak Chopra turns out to be exactly who you thought he was.

Everything Is Fine, News Now…

The media panics over One Nation polling, Cori Bernardi returns from irrelevance, and Australian democracy once again proves it prefers furniture to fascism.

Oman Is the New Geneva, News Now…

The US and Iran meet in Oman to not start a war yet, with Trump threatening bombing as a confidence-building exercise and everyone pretending this is diplomacy.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly:

• Scott Morrison resurfaces to reform Islam, Western civilisation, and reality itself, proposing authoritarian religious controls while insisting this is what freedom looks like.

• A bomb is thrown into a First Nations gathering in Perth, and Australia carefully waits to see who did it before deciding whether terrorism is the correct word.

• Iran may have killed tens of thousands of protesters in weeks, but struggles to compete with America for global attention, airtime, and moral urgency.

• The world watches state violence selectively, proving outrage is less about scale and more about proximity to English-speaking cable news.

• Why I’ve stopped following American politics altogether, while people drown quietly in the Mediterranean and the global order reshapes itself off-screen.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly:

• George R. R. Martin gives an interview that finally, definitively kills The Winds of Winter and with it the last surviving shard of millennial optimism.

• The Coalition explodes over hate-speech laws it demanded, negotiated, diluted, then rage-quit anyway, proving opposition is harder than outrage.

• Australia passes its “strongest ever” hate laws, handing vast discretionary power to the state and asking everyone to trust the vibes.

• Davos assembles the world’s elites to solve distrust, only for Donald Trump to confuse allies, geography, and colonialism with branding.

• Gaza is reimagined as a luxury real estate opportunity, because nothing ends mass trauma like a PowerPoint and a beachfront casino.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top Stories of the Week

Running From Iran

A nationwide internet blackout, mass killings, exile fantasies, and the danger of confusing silence for stability.

Albo Hates Hate

After Bondi, Australia reaches for sweeping hate laws that try to arrest a feeling instead of fixing a mechanism, while New Zealand’s Christchurch response still quietly embarrasses us.

Writers Read the Room

Adelaide Writers’ Week is cancelled, apologised for, then retroactively justified, proving once again that institutions love free speech right up until they have to defend it.

Kevin Oh Succession

Kevin Rudd exits Washington and Canberra realises the next US ambassador’s main qualification is surviving Donald Trump without triggering an alliance incident.

Plus

A deep dive into how “foreign meddling” narratives poison solidarity, why cultural institutions keep mistaking safety for optics, and how despair gets rebranded as pragmatism.

And at the end of the episode, a bonus feature:

Mocking the News – Sami’s documentary exploring how satire collides with journalism, objectivity, and power, and why jokes sometimes end up telling the truth faster than headlines.

Quote of the Week

“Silence isn’t stability. It’s just what violence sounds like once it’s done its job.”

Support the Show

patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, the empire stops pretending, the internet gets unplugged, a royal commission settles in for the long haul, and a writers’ festival demonstrates once again that its strongest literary skill is drafting a press release explaining why someone has been quietly uninvited.

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

• Trump abandons subtlety entirely, floats Greenland acquisition, and introduces the Donroe Document, which sounds less like foreign policy and more like a hostile takeover clause.

• Iran responds to nationwide protests by pulling the internet plug, proving once again that authoritarian crisis management always starts with “have you tried turning the country off and on again?”

• A long, uncomfortable look at how free speech gets hollowed out not by ideology, but by boards, risk assessments, and the quiet terror of a bad headline.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Trump didn’t end the international order. He ended the bedtime story version of it.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you enjoy long arguments disguised as comedy, consider supporting the show on Patreon: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

03 January 2026

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

• A terror hero meets Australian media ethics

• Humanitarian aid fails an ideological compliance test

• Iran’s economy collapses again

• Australia’s regulator regulates itself

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You don’t pay for interviews. Not in cash. Not in gifts. Definitely not in hotel suites.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

News Weakly is listener-supported and ad-light by choice.

If you’d like to support the show and keep it independent, you can join the Patreon at:

http://patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Temporary Democracy, Permanent Consequences

This week on News Weakly, grief turns into legislation at speed, history offers an inconvenient warning, and Australia tests whether banning protest actually makes anyone safer.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You don’t delete anger by banning protest. You just move it somewhere else.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you value sharp analysis without billionaire backing or emergency legislation energy, consider supporting the show on Patreon.

👉 https://patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

A national tragedy becomes a political talking point

Also, why the antisemitism plan didn’t come with a time machine

All that, and more, on News Weakly.

Quote of the Week

“You can’t spend a decade attacking the fire brigade and then act shocked when the hose pressure isn’t what you wanted.”

Support the Show

If you value independent satire that takes the news seriously without treating it gently, you can support News Weakly on Patreon.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conditional Condolences

17th December, 2025

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah delivers a long-form editorial on the Bondi attack and the reaction that followed, focusing not on the crime itself but on the way grief gets filtered, qualified, and politically managed online.

Support the show

If you value independent, listener-supported satire, you can support News Weakly on Patreon.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top stories of the week

TEENS UNPLUGGED, NATION UNBOTHERED

RECEIPT OF THE WEEK

BEHIND BARS AND BEYOND SCRUTINY

BETTING ON THE APOCALYPSE

Quote of the week

“Advertising people will arrive like seagulls at a chip shop.”

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

SOUTHEAST ASIA SINKS WHILE THE WORLD SCROLLS!

ALSO, DUMBASS IN THE DONBAS!

AND, THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE DEFENDS ITSELF FROM THE INDEFENSIBLE!

All that and more on News Weakly!

Hello and welcome to News Weakly, where we punch the news in the headlines weakly. I’m Sami Shah, a journalist and comedian who still hasn’t got his Christmas shopping sorted and is now starting to fully panic.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Climate change is the villain, but Australian mining is the guy standing nearby holding its bag."

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you want to help keep the show going, consider joining the community on Patreon.com/samishah.

CLOSING CREDITS

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• Joyce Makes A Choice
• Niqab-solutely Not Helping
• Fraudshore Processing
• Inferno of Neglect

Quote of the Week

“We’re essentially running the world’s most expensive Patreon, but instead of supporting artists we’re funding a government that appears to convert public money directly into cash withdrawals.”

Support the show

If you want News Weakly to keep punching the news in the headlines weakly, keep it independent by joining the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. You get bonus content, discounts for live shows, and the warm glow of knowing your money is not being laundered through a dodgy island nation. As far as you know.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Epstein’t Going to Change a Damn Thing!

Peace Plan, War Everywhere!

COP-ping Out!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“That is not peace, that is a diet war.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

News Weakly is kept independent and listener funded, thanks to the generosity of paid supporters on Patreon. Join at patreon.com/samishah to keep the show going and to access bonus content, early episodes, and other perks.

CLOSING CREDITS

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special commemoration of my 20 years in standup comedy. Bit of a weird episode this one! Hope you enjoy it!

Support the Show

Keep News Weakly independent, and fuelled by sarcasm!

Join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top Stories of the Week

One Dick Less in the World!

Don’t Mess with the Zohran!

Platforms of Our Discontent!

Streaming the Nation!

Quote of the Week

“Dick Cheney was, without question, the most powerful vice president in American history—which is like being the world’s most dangerous koala. You’re not meant to do anything, but somehow you’ve become a drop bear.”

Support the Show

Keep News Weakly independent, and fuelled by sarcasm!

Join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This

13 Nov, 6:30pm — Comedy Republic (Melbourne)

Tickets via comedyrepublic.com.au.

Top Stories of the Week

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Andrew

Ceasefire Withdrawal Symptoms Erupt

Sudan’ed If You Do, Sudan’ed If You Don’t

You Can’t Spell Sussan Without SS

Babies, Barnaby & Bullshit

Quote of the Week

“Barnaby Joyce is 80% liver damage and 20% child support."

Support the Show

If you want to support News Weakly, join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. You’ll get bonus content, early releases, and the smug satisfaction of knowing your money isn’t going to Barnaby Joyce’s bar tab.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Also: I’m doing a one-night-only 20th anniversary stand-up show:

You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This

13 Nov, 6:30pm — Comedy Republic (Melbourne)

Patreon members get a discount code (see the pinned post at patreon.com/samishah). Otherwise, tickets via comedyrepublic.com.au.

Top stories of the week

• Ceasedfire, News Now…
• Israel and Hamas sign onto Phase One of “The Comprehensive End to the Gaza War”: hostages (living and deceased) returned, prisoner releases, and an IDF pullback to the “yellow line.” Trump promises a pyramid-side signing ceremony, because of course he does. Netanyahhu’s far-right partners rage; Gaza readies aid corridors; everyone reads the fine print with a magnifying glass and a migraine.
• “A Piece Prize”
• Nobel Peace Prize goes to Venezuelan democrat María Corina Machado. The Trump White House responds with “politics over peace” energy; Trump congratulates Machado while implying the medal would look better on his mantelpiece.
• The Ballad of David Pocock
• Kicked out (then re-invited) to the Australian Parliament Sports Club after asking why a gambling lobby is a sponsor. PM—who’s listed as club president—says everyone should be welcome. Pocock’s holding out for transparency; Canberra discovers “conflict of interest” isn’t just a footy penalty.
• Brides, Bombs & Bureaucracy
• “ISIS brides” and children returned to Australia without formal repatriation—Home Affairs knew for months; two children granted citizenship by descent. Government says “we didn’t help,” which is interesting given how many forms got stamped. Opposition reaches for the Temporary Exclusion Orders talking point; AFP preps for more “self-managed returns.”
• Artificial (and Financial) Intelligence
• Deloitte refunds part of a $440k report after AI-generated howlers (fake cases, phantom sources). Senate calls it a “human intelligence problem”; consultants reassure us they’d never, ever do that (again).
• French Kisses Goodbye
• France clocks five prime ministers in two years. Latest: Sébastien Lecornu quits 14 hours after launching his cabinet. Macron’s minority arithmetic meets Parisian patience: both collapse spectacularly.
• No Wi-Fi, No Worries
• Taliban filters throttle social media in Afghanistan; videos stop loading, women lose a key lifeline. It’s the world’s harshest digital detox: great for screen-time stats, catastrophic for rights.

Quote of the Week

“Peace isn’t a miracle, it’s a temporary pause between tragedies.”

Support the show

• Keep News Weakly healthy: patreon.com/samishah
• One-night-only stand-up special (13 Nov): comedyrepublic.com.au
• Share the episode, leave a review, and tell a friend who argues in comment sections for sport.

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pro-Israel voices call it a war for survival.

Pro-Palestine voices call it resistance against colonialism.

And somewhere between the slogans and the hashtags, the dead keep multiplying.

In this News Weakly special, Sami Shah steps back from the noise and looks at the long view — drawing lessons from the Thirty Years’ War, Northern Ireland, and moments of fragile hope in Israeli and Palestinian history.

From Westphalia to Belfast, from Gaza to Melbourne, this episode explores what centuries of conflict teach us about exhaustion, reconciliation, and how peace survives when certainty doesn’t.

TOPICS COVERED

• The Thirty Years’ War — how Europe learned that faith without restraint leads to ruin
• The Troubles — how Ireland turned fatigue into peace
• The Children of October 7 — what two years of war are teaching a new generation
• Australia’s role — how to keep our empathy from collapsing into imported hate
• Glimpses of the impossible — moments when Israelis and Palestinians found shared humanity against the odds
• 
  

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You don’t make peace with your friends—you make it with your enemies.” Jonathan Powell

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Help keep News Weakly independent and ad-free by joining at

👉 patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This

13th November, 6:30pm

Comedy Republic Theatre, Melbourne

It’s twenty years of stand-up crammed into one night—a greatest hits, a worst-of, and some brand new material, all about surviving two decades of comedy, hecklers, pandemics, marriages, divorces, and jokes that should have stayed in the notebook.

Tickets are just $25. But if you’re a member at patreon.com/samishah, you’ll get a special discount code, plus that smug glow of knowing you’re keeping this podcast alive and healthy!

NEWS WEAKLY – 03rd October, 2025

This week on News Weakly:

• In Manchester, a synagogue attack on Yom Kippur leaves two dead and reignites debates about solidarity, antisemitism, and the perils of bad baby naming.
• Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan turns out to be less peace deal, more investor pitch, complete with a “Board of Peace” chaired by Tony Blair.
• At Quantico, Trump and Pete Hegseth summon America’s generals for a loyalty test that felt alarmingly like Saddam-lite stagecraft.
• Greta Thunberg is detained after joining a flotilla trying to break the Gaza blockade, proving she’s still willing to put her boat where her mouth is.
• Saudi Arabia launches the Riyadh Comedy Festival, featuring world-class comedians and world-class hypocrisy.
• In Australia, Optus blames “human error” for a 000 outage while its parent company Singtel keeps racking up billions without paying tax.
• 
  

Quote of the Week:

“When a government points a broad sword inward, it can’t help but cut too deep."

Support the Show

Want to enjoy News Weakly ad-free? Head over to patreon.com/samishah. Your support keeps the podcast alive, independent, and fuelled by sarcasm.

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram.

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi everyone, This year marks my twenty years in comedy, and to celebrate I’m doing a one-off, one-time-only anniversary comedy show called:

You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This

13th November, 6:30pm

Comedy Republic Theatre, Melbourne

It’s twenty years of stand-up crammed into one night—a greatest hits, a worst-of, and some brand new material, all about surviving two decades of comedy, hecklers, pandemics, marriages, divorces, and jokes that should have stayed in the notebook.

Tickets are just $25. But if you’re a member at patreon.com/samishah, you’ll get a special discount code, plus that smug glow of knowing you’re keeping this podcast alive and healthy!

So, if you want cheaper tickets and better karma, sign up to Patreon. Otherwise, grab your tickets now, because once this show’s done, it’s done.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

• UN Turns 80, Still Doesn’t Look a Day Over Irrelevant!
• Pakistan Offers Saudi Arabia a Bomb Shelter, with Actual Bombs!
• Andrew Hastie Says Cut Immigration or the Liberals Die, Which Honestly Sounds Like a Win-Win!

All that, and just a little bit more, on NEWS WEAKLY!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Optus is the only telco where ‘Can you hear me now?’ is a philosophical question.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent and ad-free by joining Patreon: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sami Shah’s 20th anniversary stand-up show You’d Think After 20 Years I’d Be Better At This is happening on Thursday 13 November, 6:30pm at Comedy Republic, Melbourne. Tickets are $25—but Patreon members get a special discount code. Join at patreon.com/samishah for cheaper tickets and better karma.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

U-TURN ON TURNING POINT!

Charlie Kirk gets shot, mourned, memed, and immediately turned into a martyr—because in America, tragedy is always a prelude to propaganda.

DISCORD ON DISCORD!

Gen Z in Nepal just toppled their Prime Minister using Discord. Forget bad anime avatars—this server brought down a government.

NET ZERO TIMES NET ZERO EQUALS NOT ZERO!

Australia’s shiny new 2035 climate targets are “ambitious yet achievable”—which is also what I say about finishing a pack of TimTams and a bottle of wine in one sitting.

Plus: Gaza burns, Sudan starves, and the world still manages to look the other way.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Because people on the Left weren’t sad enough about Charlie Kirk’s death, she’s going to vote for One Nation. That’s like cancelling your Disney Plus account because the cashier at Woolies didn’t tear up when Matthew Perry died.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly ad-free and alive by joining the Patreon: patreon.com/samishah. Members get bonus content, book reviews, and discount codes for live shows.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:520/38:1821/

Sami Shah: You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This

Thursday 13 November, 6:30pm

Twenty years. That’s how long it’s been since Sami Shah first stepped on stage, told a joke, and thought, “This’ll be easy.”

Two decades later, he's got the stories, and the heckler scars to prove otherwise. In that time, comedy’s changed, the world’s changed, and he's changed. None for the better.

This 20th anniversary show is a greatest hits, a worst-of, and a brand-new set all rolled into one. It’s about survival: surviving bad gigs, hostile audiences, global pandemics, marriage(s), divorce(s), and jokes that should never have made it out of the notebook.

Expect sharp new material, ancient callbacks, and the kind of honesty that only comes from being too tired to lie anymore.

Two decades of stand-up. Zero chance Sami's stopping now.

• $25.00
• 13 November 2025
• 60 minutes
• 18:30
• Comedy Republic Theatre

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Wannabe Dictator Dan!

Also, why read a literary journal when you can watch a TikTok instead!

All that, and more, on News Weakly!

Quote of the Week

“The government says this is to help public servants be more ‘frank.’ Which is true, they’ll be frank, because every document will now say: ‘Frankly, fuck off.’”

Support the Show

Did you know you can support News Weakly by giving it a 5-star rating and review in your podcast app? Or better yet, join my Patreon at patreon.com/samishah for ad-free episodes, full scripts as newsletters, free short stories, and updates on upcoming shows. Keep the satire free-range and cruelty-free!

CREDITS

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORY OF THE WEEK

March of the Meatheads!

Also, NOM NOM NOM!

And, Katter Does Jefferson!

All that, and more, on News Weakly.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“So no, it’s not an invasion—it’s just registered nurses, accountants, and software engineers. If that’s your idea of a hostile takeover, then your enemy is Excel spreadsheets.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly ad-free and independent by joining my Patreon: patreon.com/samishah

CREDITS

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

From Tehran With Hate!

Also, Sovereign? More like SoveRUN! Amirite!

And, Things go sideways in Nauru!

All that and more on News Weakly!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Just because Israel’s committing genocide in Gaza doesn’t make Iran freedom fighters. Pretending otherwise is like cheering for the Hindenburg because you hate planes.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Hi, did you know you can support News Weakly by giving it a 5-star rating and review in the Podcast app? You can also join my Patreon, where you’ll find ad-free episodes, scripts in newsletter form, plus free short stories and updates. Support free-range, cruelty-free news satire at: patreon.com/samishah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Bibi bullies Albo!

And, Fuck off we’re full of rallies!

Also, What’s the deal with beheading dissidents!

All that, and more, on News Weakly.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Yo mama so weak, she calls it appeasement when people recognise Palestine, but negotiation when Trump offers Gaza as a casino franchise.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Hamas and Albanese sitting in a tree! R.E.C.O.G.N.I.S.E

And, Tickle vs. Giggle 2: Giggle Harder!

Also, Writers tell Bendigo to get bent!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“When your lead story collapses, just add ‘more’ and hit publish.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly:

BIBI’S ALL YOU CAN OCCUPY BUFFET!

2 ROBOTDEBT 2 FURIOUS!

PRETTY BLOOMIN’ HEALTHY!

TRUMP’S PUTIN IT TO MODI!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“When the government automates welfare, it doesn’t create efficiency, it just creates poverty at scale.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly:

TRUMP KEEPS IT AT TEN!

STATEHOOD WITH STRINGS ATTACHED!

LABOR TAKES THE BRIDGE!

SPY HARD: ASIO STRIKES BACK!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Australia: not important enough to punish further. Put that on a tourism billboard.”

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, I go gonzo about my recent trip to America.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, I talk to one of my favourite comedians and human Alice Fraser

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, an editorial edition that's a dramatic reading of a new short story I've written. It's about how what happens after AI takes over.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

Sound design: 'AI-Generated Ambient Music Experience: Journey Through Sci-Fi Worlds' by PintoCreation SciFI AI Video

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, I talk to satirist and tall guy Mark Humphries

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, the punk gets the headlines while the IDF gets the body count.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

VYLAN’CE AND SILENCE

LOSE MY LUGGAGE, NOT MY DATA

FAST, FURIOUS & FROM FAR AWAY

PRADA PUTS ITS FOOT IN IT

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"We’ve reached a point where words cause more headlines than war crimes."

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Keep News Weakly independent!

Support Sami at: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi, did you know you can support News Weakly by giving it a 5-star rating and review in the Podcast app? You can also join my Patreon, where you’ll find the ad-free version of every episode along with the entire script formatted as a newsletter—plus you get short stories and updates on upcoming shows! So support free-range, cruelty-free news satire over at patreon.com/samishah.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

If a bunker buster drops on Fordow and no one can confirm it, did it really happen?

Also, ABC management knows what they’re doing and are very good at their jobs!

And, Trump is your NATO Daddy now!

All that, and more, on NEWS WEAKLY.

Closing Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi, did you know you can support News Weakly by giving it a 5-star rating and review in the Podcast app? You can also join my Patreon, where you’ll find the ad-free version of every episode along with the entire script formatted as a newsletter—plus you get short stories and updates on upcoming shows! So support free-range, cruelty-free news satire over at patreon.com/samishah.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Destruction in Tel Aviv! Tehran! Preston?

Also, the Mad Bastard Theory of International Relations!

And, if everyone has a nuke then no one has a nuke!

All that, and more, on NEWS WEAKLY.

Quote of the Week

"Northland is no longer a shopping centre. It’s an immersive theatre experience in chaos. A Westfield-themed dystopia." – Sami Shah

Closing Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, it’s bombs, bullets, and broadcast farewells as Israel goes full Mission: Impossible in Tehran, Donald Trump liberates LA from the tyranny of democracy, and Australian TV finally kills the panel show—freeing up at least 40 vaguely progressive journalists to start Substacks.

Top Stories of the Week:

Everything is fine in the Middle East! Israel totally didn’t just bomb another country! Why are you even worried?

Also, America invades LA!

And, Australian TV forces more journalists on the dole! 

Quote of the Week:

“If your security plan requires bombing five countries before breakfast, you might not be the victim—you might be the geopolitical equivalent of a guy who’s been through five messy breakups but insists all his exes were crazy.”

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, an editorial edition that's more of a dramatic reading of a short story I've written. It's about how a utopia slides into dystopia with the best of intentions.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

Sound design: 'Creation' by Dana HaDani & 'Winterlight' by Brianna Tam

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, we dive into a whirlwind of political betrayal, retirement robberies, literary cancellations, and Oval Office psychodramas—with more twists than a Barnaby Joyce comeback tour.

Top Stories of the Week:

• ARE LIBS AND NATS ON THE NEXT SEASON OF MAFS?
• TAXING MODELS MODEL TAXES!
• TRUMP FINDS A GENOCIDE HE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE!
• 
  

Quote of the Week:

“Michael McCormack says he’s ‘ambitious for’ David Littleproud—the same way Brutus was ambitious for Caesar.”

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A podcast where we punch the news in the headlines… weakly.

Title: The Hypernormalisation of Journalistic Jingoism 

Summary:

A few weeks ago, India and Pakistan were one bad decision away from nuclear war. But you wouldn’t know that from the news coverage. You’d think Karachi had been flattened, Pakistani generals were surrendering en masse, and Indian fighter jets had laser-blasted their way to the gates of Islamabad—if you watched Indian TV news, that is. Spoiler: none of it happened. What did happen was a masterclass in disinformation, state propaganda, media jingoism, and the dangerous, ridiculous, terrifying theatre of war-as-content.

In this special editorial edition, Sami Shah takes a blowtorch to the concept of hypernormalisation—where fake news becomes realer than truth, and everyone knows it’s bullshit but plays along anyway. From the USS Maine to Vietnam, from Colin Powell's slideshow to Karachi’s imaginary destruction to from Pakistan’s own delusions—we trace the long, painful, deeply stupid history of war narratives shaped not by fact, but by flag-waving fantasy.

And we end where it matters most: here in Australia. With one last bastion against this wave of reality-denial. A flawed, bald-headed, beige-toned but vital institution: the ABC. Why public broadcasting matters more than ever. And why we lose it at our peril.

Quote of the Week:

“I don’t know why but there needs to be a study into whether approving another season of Hard Quiz results in male pattern baldness or being bald predisposes one to approving another season of Spicks and Specks.”

Support the Show

Like your news satire free-range, cruelty-free, and ad-free?

Join the News Weakly Patreon at patreon.com/samishah for scripts, exclusives, and bonus content.

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A podcast where we punch the news in the headlines... weakly.

Top Stories of the Week

Liberals and Greens crowd the glass cliff!

Donald Trump goes shopping for Gulf influence and possibly a jet!

Instagram’s algorithm recommends children to predators!

Quote of the Week

“Women aren’t being given opportunities for leadership—they’re being forced into disaster babysitting.”

Support the Show

Like your news satire free-range, cruelty-free, and ad-free?

Join the News Weakly Patreon at patreon.com/samishah for scripts, exclusives, and bonus content.

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A podcast where we punch the news in the headlines... weakly.

Top Stories of the Week

India and Pakistan compete in new drone-catching sport!

A collection of post-election misconceptions!

A Woke Pope!

Quote of the Week

“NewsCorp is the herpes of media empires: just because you can’t see it right now doesn’t mean it’s not about to flare up again.”

Support the Show

Like your news satire free-range, cruelty-free, and ad-free?

Join the News Weakly Patreon at patreon.com/samishah for scripts, exclusives, and bonus content.

Credits

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, Sami Shah (ABC, The Gadfly)—comedian, journalist, and award-winning writer of words—copies the news stories off of a website then pretends like he wrote them himself, then starts a debate about who actually does own the news, while claiming he didn't copy, just takes inspiration very very literally.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Peter Dutton gives orgasms!

The Greens are green with envy!

Who polls the pollsters!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“A man whose idea of unity was dog-whistling so loudly even actual dogs said, ‘Mate, bit much.’”

– On Peter Dutton's leadership style

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Love News Weakly? Keep it funded by joining the Patreon:

patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Election Shenanigans!

Also, India and Pakistan rattle sabres!

And, Canada votes, no one cares!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It’s American culture without the calories and chronic diarrhoea.” – On Australia’s election season cosplay chaos

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Love News Weakly? Keep it funded by joining the Patreon:

👉 patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Consistency of Hypocrisy” – 19 April, 2025

TOP OPINION OF THE WEEK:

Guantanamo never closed, the rules-based order never applied, and now the cruelty once exported is finally coming home.

Also:

• Australians detained and deported from the US despite valid visas
• Transgender travellers profiled and imprisoned in Villawood
• Peter Dutton wants to cancel your citizenship
• And Trump’s latest plan? Outsourcing US citizens to El Salvadoran prisons!

From offshore detention to ICE raids, from CIA coups to the maskless face of empire, this week we look at what happens when systems built for them start turning on us—and why moral consistency, not just outrage, is what really matters.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“If you only care when it’s you, that’s not morality. That’s narcissism with an accent.”

Support the Show:

Listen ro News Weakly ad-free by joining Sami on Patreon: patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music: “Historic Anticipation” by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

TRUMP’S ART OF THE NEW TARIFF!

DEBATE CLUBBED!

DEATH ZONE DIPLOMACY!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Wall Street shat itself. But I invest in 90s comics, so I’m recession-proof and emotionally bankrupt.”

— Sami Shah on the Trump tariff fallout

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Love News Weakly? Keep it funded by joining the Patreon:

👉 patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Riffing Tariffs!

Monsters in Mandalay!

Le Love and Le Law is Blind!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Fairness is for nerds and this school runs on vibes and vengeance.”

— On Trump’s lunchroom approach to global trade policy.

💸 SUPPORT THE SHOW

Join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Budget Bribes Australians for Cheap!

Salmon Fishing in The Tassie!

Pro-Palestine Protests Rock Gaza—Against Hamas!

Meta’s Literary Heist!

Support the Show!

• Ad-free episodes & discounts ➡️ Patreon.com/SamiShah

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the big 150th episode of News Weakly—and we’re celebrating with the usual mix of headlines, satire, and one possibly horny space capsule.

🧨 Top Stories of the Week

Dutton’s Referendumb!

The Ceasefire That Couldn’t Cease Fire

SpaceX or Space Sex?

🧠 Quote of the Week

“Dutton isn’t trying to be America’s Trump. Trump is America’s Dutton.”

💥 Support the Show!

Join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah for bonus content and the warm feeling of morally superior support.

🎟️ Also: The 150th episode was recorded LIVE at Comedy Republic in Melbourne! If you were there, you’re part of history. If not, you’re part of regret.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

🎵 Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎟 Live Show Alert! Tickets for the News Weakly 150th episode live show are on sale now! March 21st, 6:30pm, at Comedy Republic, Melbourne. Get them at ComedyRepublic.com.au, or join Patreon for a discount: Patreon.com/SamiShah.

🗞 This Week on News Weakly:

• An editorial rant about free speech, comic book legal defence, Neil Gaiman, and the right to blasphemy.

🎧 Support the Show!

• Ad-free episodes & discounts ➡️ Patreon.com/SamiShah
• 🎟 Live show tickets ➡️ ComedyRepublic.com.au

Thanks for listening! See you next week!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎟 Live Show Alert! Tickets for the News Weakly 150th episode live show are on sale now! March 21st, 6:30pm, at Comedy Republic, Melbourne. Get them at ComedyRepublic.com.au, or join Patreon for a discount: Patreon.com/SamiShah.

🗞 This Week on News Weakly:

• Terror Plot or Marlboro Smuggling Ruse? – The Sydney "terror" caravan was actually a bikie gang ploy, but Peter Dutton won’t let that stop him from stoking paranoia.
• Victoria’s Bail Laws: Tough, Then Soft, Then Tough Again! – Because why fix the justice system when you can just keep reacting to headlines?
• Trump’s Tariffs Hit Australia! – Albanese had a lot to say about a viral wombat video but not much about the US making our steel and aluminium exports 25% more expensive.
• Syria: The War After the War – The new government promised peace, but instead, they’re carrying out sectarian massacres. So… progress?
• Justice for Some, Not for All – Duterte gets arrested for war crimes, but Netanyahu remains untouchable. Because international law is just vibes now.

🎧 Support the Show!

• Ad-free episodes & discounts ➡️ Patreon.com/SamiShah
• 🎟 Live show tickets ➡️ ComedyRepublic.com.au

Thanks for listening! See you next week!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎟 Live Show Alert! Tickets for the News Weakly 150th episode live show are on sale now! March 21st, 6:30pm, at Comedy Republic, Melbourne. Get them at ComedyRepublic.com.au, or join Patreon for a discount: Patreon.com/SamiShah.

This Week:

🔹 Australia’s new anti-terrorism strategy: Hope that Barry is on your flight!

🔹 Israel-Hamas peace talks continue! Just kidding!

🔹 Trump is America’s Hydra Cap, and Ukraine is realizing they’re in a Marvel villain origin story.

Quote of the Week:

"You don’t think, you act." – Barry, Legend of Avalon Airport.

🎧 Support the Show!

Join Patreon.com/SamiShah for the ad-free version!

🎟 Live show tickets: ComedyRepublic.com.au

Thanks for listening! See you next week!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎟 Live Show Alert! Tickets for the News Weakly 150th episode live show are on sale now! March 21st, 6:30pm, at Comedy Republic, Melbourne. Get them at ComedyRepublic.com.au, or join Patreon for a discount: Patreon.com/SamiShah.

This Week:

Australia finally lets Qatar Airways expand its flights—but only after blocking them for a year, proving once again that our government moves at the speed of a dial-up modem.

Peter Dutton somehow managed to play the stock market like a pro during the 2008 crash. Inside trading? Luck? Just another case of a politician accidentally getting richer while the rest of us suffered?

Meanwhile, Donald Trump shares an AI-generated fever dream of Gaza as a luxury resort, featuring yachts, bearded belly dancers, and Netanyahu sipping cocktails. Is this dystopia or just another day in the Trump multiverse?

Quote of the Week:

"I haven’t seen logic this inconsistent since the last time the Federal Government did anything."

🎧 Support the Show!

Support News Weakly! Join at Patreon.com/SamiShah.

🎟 Live show tickets: ComedyRepublic.com.au

Thanks for listening! See you next week!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎟 Tickets to the News Weakly 150th Episode Live Show are ON SALE NOW! 🎟

📅 Date: March 21st, 6:30pm

📍 Venue: Comedy Republic, Melbourne

🎟 Tickets: comedyrepublic.com.au

💸 Patreon members get a special discount code and the joy of keeping News Weakly ad-free at patreon.com/samishah.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

🚨 Do as Trump says but don’t do as Trump do be do!

All that, and more, on NEWS WEAKLY!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"We’ve had to say that Israel isn’t an apartheid state, it’s just a state that’s committing apartheid. It isn’t committing genocide in Gaza, it just says it wants to and acts like it wants to. And now this won’t be US and Israel committing ethnic cleansing, it’ll just be a general cleansing of one ethnicity."

EPISODE SUMMARY:

🗺️ From the River to the Casino, News Now…

Remember when people said Israel wasn’t going to take over Gaza? Well, surprise! That’s exactly what’s happening! Pro-Israel voices who dismissed concerns of annexation now have the same credibility as a guy swearing he doesn't watch porn. Meanwhile, Trump voters who thought he’d be softer on Gaza than Biden are discovering that ‘5% of the population left’ is somehow worse than ‘100% of the population bombed’.

Trump’s latest grand idea? The United States should take control of Gaza, because nothing screams stability like an American occupation. While Netanyahu struggles to hide his glee, even Trump’s own press secretary had to issue an immediate "What he meant was…" statement. But don’t worry, Trump himself clarified in the best way possible—with a deranged social media post about turning Gaza into a luxury development project.

Meanwhile, the Arab states have condemned Trump’s statement, but let’s be honest—the Arab states are as reliable as a weather app predicting Melbourne’s forecast. And while some optimists still think Trump is just saying things, history tells us when authoritarians move fast and break things, they don’t rebuild them with democratic values in mind.

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

If you enjoy News Weakly, help keep it ad-free and independent by supporting on Patreon:

🔗 patreon.com/samishah

🎟 Get your tickets now for the 150th Episode Live Show!

🔗 comedyrepublic.com.au

🎵 Theme music: "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

📝 Written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎟 Tickets to the News Weakly 150th Episode Live Show are now available! 🎟

The show is on March 21st at 6:30pm at Comedy Republic, Melbourne.

🎟 Grab your tickets at comedyrepublic.com.au

🎟 Patreon members get a discount code and the warm glow of knowing they keep News Weakly ad-free and listener-supported! Sign up at patreon.com/samishah.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

🚨 Nothing good ever happens in a caravan!

🚨 Trump wants Hamas to have more babies!

🚨 You can’t spell China without A and I!

All that, and just a little bit more, on NEWS WEAKLY!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"If it looks like a hate crime, smells like a hate crime, and involves explosives targeting a synagogue, there’s a fairly high chance it’s not a quirky art installation."

EPISODE SUMMARY:

🔴 Explosive Discourse, News Now…

A caravan full of explosives, a synagogue on the target list, and some TikTok drifters caught in the middle—Australia’s antisemitic attacks are either the worst-organized hate crimes in history or proof that someone is paying people to be Nazis. Meanwhile, Peter Dutton continues his one-man mission to make everything worse.

🎭 Lights, Camera, Prisoner Exchange, News Now…

The Gaza ceasefire continues, with more hostages and prisoners swapped, while Hamas turns every handover into a Broadway production. Netanyahu, not to be outdone, delays releases for maximum drama, because in this conflict, optics matter more than human lives. Meanwhile, Israel keeps arresting more Palestinians just in case they need a fresh batch for future swaps, and America wants Hamas to use less contraception.

🔥 Swedes Didn’t Start the Fire, News Now…

Sweden’s most controversial amateur arsonist, Salwan Momika, has been shot dead, and now everyone is using his death to confirm their worst fears.

🤖 My AI is Cheaper Than Your AI, News Now…

Nvidia, once the golden god of AI stocks, just lost $600 billion in market value—because China’s AI game just levelled up. DeepSeek made waves with a cost-effective AI model, then Alibaba swooped in with something even better than GPT-4. Meanwhile, Trump isn’t thrilled about America losing its AI dominance, but instead of doing something productive, he’s probably going to start a trade war with China instead.

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

If you enjoy News Weakly, help keep it ad-free by supporting on Patreon:

🔗 patreon.com/samishah

🎟 Get your tickets now for the 150th Episode Live Show!

🔗 comedyrepublic.com.au

🎵 Theme music: "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

📝 Written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was MAGA!

Also, the government solves antisemitism!

All that, and more, on News Weakly!

Summary:

This week, News Weakly plunges into the biblical chaos of Trump’s inauguration as he resurrects 1500 January 6th rioters and brings an unholy mix of executive orders to life, from TikTok bans to climate carnage. Meanwhile, antisemitic incidents in Australia rise, with an investigation uncovering a dark twist: hate outsourced to paid actors. Yes, bigotry is apparently on payroll now. Sami Shah unpacks it all with biting satire and the sharp edge of truth.

Quote of the Week:

"Nothing screams 'commitment to the cause' like subcontracting your racism."

Stay Tuned for More:

Don’t miss out on the News Weakly 150th live show, coming March 21st at Melbourne’s Comedy Republic! Patreon supporters get early ticket access and discounts. Sign up now at patreon.com/samishah.

For the full breakdown of the stories shaping your world—and ruining your faith in humanity—catch the latest episode of News Weakly!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram.

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Sami Shah as he punches the news in the headlines weakly! This episode dives into the latest on the Gaza ceasefire negotiations and Peter Dutton's "Back on Track" campaign strategy.

Top Stories of the Week

Ceasing to Cease Fire

Hamas and Netanyahu might be edging closer to an agreement that could stop the bloodshed – at least temporarily. But is this deal about hostages and humanity, or just egos and political survival?

Back Off Track

Peter Dutton’s campaign slogan sounds like a railway PSA, but it’s aimed at derailing Labor’s momentum. Sami breaks down the slogans, culture wars, and pithy phrases Dutton hopes will steer Australia into his corner.

Quote of the Week

“Maybe his plan to help with the cost of living crisis is all the money we’ll save on flags.”

Support the Show

Keep News Weakly ad-free and independent by joining Sami’s Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.

Paying members get exclusive access to discounts for the upcoming live show celebrating 150 episodes of News Weakly on March 21st, 2025, at the Comedy Republic in Melbourne.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: thesamishah.com

Theme Music: Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week’s Punchlines in the Headlines: Trump goes full Risk with a bizarre annexation plan, LA faces literal hellfire while Steve Guttenberg makes a surprising cameo, Zuckerberg taps out on fact-checking but not on his MMA delusions, and Justin Trudeau says "au revoir" to the Canadian Dream.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Trump’s Anschluss Ambitions: Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration antics take a surreal turn as he announces plans to annex Greenland, the Panama Canal, and parts of Canada. We unpack the logic—or lack thereof—behind his geopolitical Monopoly game.
2. Flame of Thrones: The LA fires wreak havoc, claiming homes, billions in damages, and even some celebrity anonymity. Steve Guttenberg gets unrecognised, but Hollywood’s burning continues.
3. Meta Taps Out: Mark Zuckerberg ends Meta’s fact-checking program and appoints Dana White as his fact-checker, but not in the way you’d expect.
4. Justin Time to Leave: The rise and fall of Justin Trudeau, Canada’s progressive poster boy. From yoga poses to blackface scandals, we chart his complicated legacy.

Quote of the Week:

“Justin Trudeau’s time as Prime Minister has officially come to an end. And like the maple syrup Canada is famous for, his tenure started sweet but ended in a sticky mess.”

Support the Show:

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution keeps us ad-free and sharp!

About the Host:

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme Music:

"Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram.

Listen Now and Stay Weakly Updated!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah kicks off the new year by questioning what even counts as terrorism anymore, breaking down Labor’s attempts to scare voters into loving Medicare, and saying goodbye to two world leaders who somehow managed to avoid causing the downfall of democracy.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. White Guys Can’t Terrorism

Two terrorist attacks in the US reveal that anyone – even a Tesla-driving Trump supporter – can now join the ranks of extremists, leaving Republicans struggling to decide whether the real enemy is ISIS or Granny Smith apples.

2. Labor Digs Up Old Campaign Tactics

Labor revives their favourite election scarecrow – MediScare – with a new spin on an old warning: if Peter Dutton wins, say goodbye to Medicare and hello to $7 GP visits and scary hospital bills.

3. Dead Presidents (And Prime Ministers)

Jimmy Carter and Manmohan Singh pass away, reminding the world that not all leaders end their terms with fascist uprisings. Sometimes, you just retire and quietly build houses.

Quote of the Week:

“What is this diversity and inclusion in terrorism?” – Sami reflects on the unsettling fact that terrorism is no longer the exclusive domain of angry brown guys with student visas.

Enjoy News Weakly?

Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps keep the show ad-free and full of weak punches at the news.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sami Shah is untangling the dramas behind an Olympian's defamation threats and Bluey's cinematic debut. Join the satire as Sami breaks down Australia’s cultural priorities with humour, insight, and a little existential despair.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Breaking Badly: How Raygun managed to turn Olympic mediocrity into a full-blown musical lawsuit.
2. Bluey’s Big Screen Bark: Can a cartoon dog save Brisbane’s animation industry and Australian kids’ TV?

Quote of the Week:

"I mean, I thought my understanding of relationships going into my last marriage was very strong too, but there I was a few weeks later Googling 'how quickly can you get divorced?'"

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps keep us ad-free and committed to bringing you the sharpest satire.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sami Shah dives into Melbourne’s synagogue attack, Australia’s tech tax aimed at social media giants, and the seismic shifts in Syria following the Assad regime’s collapse. With sharp wit and in-depth analysis, Sami breaks down the news, punches up the headlines, and brings a satirical lens to another chaotic week.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Synagogue Firestorm

Was it arson, terrorism, or just a chance for politicians to grandstand? Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue attack sparks controversy, confusion, and questionable calls for protest bans.

2. Taxing the Tech Titans

The government proposes a “pay or play” tax for social media companies to fund journalism. But is it really about saving small-town newspapers or propping up big media monopolies?

3. Syria Later

As the Assad regime collapses, celebrations turn to chaos. HTS steps in with promises of mercy and diversity, while regional powers move in for their slice of the pie.

Quote of the Week:

“Albanese’s gotta have a better response to problems than just banning things. He’s really putting the ‘ban’ in ‘Al-ban-ese.’”

Enjoying News Weakly?

Keep the podcast ad-free and independent by supporting Sami on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Your contributions ensure we can keep punching the news in the headlines, weakly.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music: "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

Written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Weakly, hosted by multi-award-winning comedian, writer, and broadcaster Sami Shah, is Australia’s sharpest news satire podcast. This week, Sami unpacks corporate greed, political chaos, and Middle Eastern conflicts with his signature wit and insight.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Woolies Workers Strike Back

Sami takes on Woolworths’ union clashes, CEO salaries, and the Fair Work Commission’s controversial decisions. Is this a win for corporate greed or a wake-up call for worker rights?

2. When a Coup Isn’t a Coup

South Korea’s martial law fiasco and France’s government collapse reveal the political chaos gripping global powers.

3. Things Get Scary in Syria

The Syrian civil war reignites with new twists, leaving us all wondering: does anyone care about the Kurds?

Quote of the Week:

"It’s sweet how worried Woolworths’ CEO is about customers not being able to overpay for basic essentials."

Enjoying News Weakly? Keep the podcast ad-free and independent by supporting Sami Shah on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.

About News Weakly and Sami Shah:

News Weakly is Australia’s leading news satire podcast, delivering biting commentary on politics, culture, and global affairs. Hosted by Sami Shah, the show combines comedy, fact-checked journalism, and sharp social insight, making it the go-to podcast for fans of news satire and comedy.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram.

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Why Listen to News Weakly?

• Australia’s funniest news satire podcast.
• Fact-checked commentary on the week's top stories.
• A fresh, comedic take on politics and current affairs.

Listen, laugh, and stay informed with News Weakly!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sami Shah dives into Labor’s last-minute legislative frenzy, controversial social media bans for kids, and the latest parliamentary antics courtesy of Lidia Thorpe and Pauline Hanson. Get ready for sharp satire and biting analysis on the stories that matter most.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. A Frenzied Final Sitting

Labor pushes through 32 bills in 24 hours, proving they’re as adept at procrastination as they are at lawmaking. From social media restrictions to multinational tax reforms, Sami breaks down the highlights—and lowlights—of this legislative marathon.

2. Parliament Gets Thorped (Again)

Lidia Thorpe steals the spotlight with her latest parliamentary outburst, while Pauline Hanson does her usual racism routine. Sami dissects the mess and wonders if anyone involved remembers why they’re there in the first place.

Quote of the Week:

"Labor just pushed 32 bills through in 24 hours, with all the energy of a Masters-level university student who spent the entire term skipping class and smoking weed."

Support the Show

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us ad-free and independent by supporting Sami on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sami Shah records a special editorial edition from the iconic Raffles Bar in Singapore, weaving tales of overpriced cocktails, relentless humidity, and the Singapore Writers Festival. Between peanuts and jazz setups, Sami reflects on media, bias, and the complexity of modern news consumption.

Highlights:

• The Singapore Sling Debacle: Why some overpriced cocktails are worth it, if only for the experience (but not this one).
• Architecture of the Future: Singapore’s vision of a retro-future versus the LED-filled dystopias of China, the UAE, and the West.
• News Narratives Gone Awry: A deep dive into the Amsterdam riot story, examining media bias, misinformation, and how the rush to break news is breaking journalism.
• Lessons from Pakistan’s Media Evolution: How 24-hour news, sensationalism, and competing realities transformed the news landscape in the Global South—and what it tells us about the West.

Sami also takes a reflective turn, advocating for slow journalism, the virtues of newspapers, and a life less cluttered by social media doomscrolling.

Quote of the Week:

"Real life is what you escape to when Twitter gets too much to handle."

Whether you're here for the rants or the laughs, don't forget to:

• Support on Patreon.
• Leave a 5-star rating and review.
• Share the podcast with your friends.

No episode next week as Sami takes a short break but will return the week after with your regularly scheduled News Weakly, where we punch the news in the headlines, weakly!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah brings us a special editorial edition, delivered right from the OzAsia Festival in Adelaide, where he’s been curating the Weekend of Words event. The episode splits into two parts to give listeners the option to tune out or dive deep into the U.S. election aftermath. Here’s what’s in store:

• “The Anti-Trump Segment”: Sami kicks off with a section where he avoids any mention of the U.S. election or Donald Trump, fulfilling a listener’s wish for a political escape. Instead, he explores lighter fare, responding to questions from Patreon supporters and discussing personal topics like the quirks of toothpaste, beloved pets, and the origins of his ultimate “porn name.”
• Reflections from OzAsia: In a touching segment, Sami reflects on his experience at the OzAsia Festival, sharing the gala’s theme, “I Was Supposed to Be…” and reading a poignant speech he gave on the value of storytelling, art, and hope in a world that feels increasingly dark.
• “The Trump Section – Enter If You Dare”: For those who want a cathartic take on recent events, Sami reluctantly dives into Trump’s re-election and his own missed predictions. From the pitfalls of punditry to the human psychology behind backing strongman figures, he tackles the complexity of democracy and the allure of authoritarian promises, using his own experience with Pakistan’s political history as context.

Enjoy a uniquely structured episode designed to satisfy political junkies and avoiders alike, packed with humor, introspection, and sharp commentary on the state of the world.

And don’t forget, if you’re in Adelaide, swing by the OzAsia Weekend of Words for Sami’s book club, panels, and stand-up shows, all happening November 8th-10th!

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps us stay ad-free and focused on bringing you the best in satire and news commentary.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted and produced by Sami Shah.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Description:

This week on News Weakly's bonus edition, we get the lowdown on the upcoming US Election with The Dollop's Dave Anthony.

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps us stay ad-free and focused on bringing you the best in satire and news commentary.