Communities in Queensland and NSW have been spotted panic buying, and stripping supermarket shelves bare, as they brace themselves for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Because while the cyclone has already whipped up waves more than eight metres tall, in one area off the coast of Queensland, it’s expected to hit land tomorrow, or Friday. But just how bad might the damage be, this time around?

Today, senior meteorologist Angus Hines, from the Bureau of Meteorology, on why Tropical Cyclone Alfred is so unusual, and where it’s expected to hit. And on the increasing numbers of Australians who are looking to social media, and storm-chasing websites, rather than government trackers, for information about this cyclone.

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A meeting of world leaders is an ordinarily staid affair. With much hand-shaking, head-nodding and talk of ‘friendship’. But not this one between American president Donald Trump browbeat and Ukrainian president Vlodomir Zelensky.

So what happens now?

Zelensky flew to London and attended a critical summit with European leaders, who have sworn to support him and Ukraine, and draft a new peace plan.

Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, on the so-called 'coalition of the willing' and whether it might be enough to protect Ukraine from Russia, without U.S support.

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The world is full of doom and gloom, so today we're bringing you something a little bit different for your Monday.

It's a conversation with David Wenham, the Australian actor who has starred in blockbusters like Lord Of The Rings, Pirates of The Carribean, and the Spartan epic, 300.

More than 20 years ago, though, he played a character by the name of John Frances Spiteri, a two-bit criminal and ex-addict in the Aussie indie classic Gettin' Square.

Wenham now stars in a spin-off about Spiteri, called Spit, which debuts this week.

Today, David Wenham on why, here in Australia, and unlike North America or the United Kingdom, we celebrate the downtrodden, the criminal and the devastated, rather than classic success stories.

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