Every Friday, Jacqueline Maley hosts an “Inside Politics” panel discussion, wrapping up the week. Today, she discusses the rising tide of far-right extremism, the NSW state election, and the Voice referendum question with David Crowe and Alex Smith. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, North Asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw described his months-long investigation, which has revealed that 82 Australian children have been snatched by Japanese partners, never to see their Australian parents again. Today, he joins host, Chris Zappone, to discuss the people trying to change the system that allows this to happen. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now, there are hundreds of parents across the world whose children have been abducted. Not by a stranger - but by the other parent. A months-long investigation by The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes has revealed that Japan is home to a system of parental abduction that has driven dozens of Australian parents to breaking point, created immense psychological distress for children, and torn families apart. In part one of this two-part series, North Asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw joins host, Chris Zappone, to discuss his investigation. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year, Australians put 125 billion dollars through the pokies - and over half of that is in NSW alone. The state has more poker machines than any jurisdiction in the world outside Nevada. This billion-dollar gambling industry will be in the spotlight when New South Wales goes to the polls this weekend. So, how did NSW become the pokies capital of Australia? And will this election mark a turning point in the debate around poker machines? Today, reporter Angus Thomson travels to the border of NSW and Victoria, where the legacy of decades of loose regulation of gambling machines is still being felt today. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank - the second biggest in US history - has triggered fresh fears the entire financial sector may be under threat. Depositors lined up to withdraw their money from SVB and other banks before they folded within days. But should Australians be concerned about our own financial institutions? Today, technology editor for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Nick Bonyhady joins Julia Carr-Catzel on the fragility of the financial sector. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is already being used to make incredible memes, hilarious videos and fascinating art. But what are the downsides, and how will AI challenge the world of art, and society and politics more generally? The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Friday, Jacqueline Maley will host an “Inside Politics” panel discussion, wrapping up the week. Today, she discusses the AUKUS fallout with Peter Hartcher and David Crowe. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On US election night in 2020, American TV network Fox News declared Democrat Joe Biden had defeated sitting Republican president Donald Trump in the crucial swing state of Arizona. The declaration infuriated the president and his allies, and set in motion a chain of events that are now haunting his one-time biggest supporter, Rupert Murdoch. A $2.4 billion lawsuit by voting machine maker Dominion claims Murdoch’s Fox News repeatedly aired unsubstantiated election accusations that Dominion had rigged the vote against Trump. Fox argues it was just doing its job. Today, media and telecommunications reporter Zoe Samios tells Chris Zappone about the case that has brought renewed scrutiny to the Murdoch media empire. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood in front of the world's media, next to US President Joe Biden and the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. They were announcing details of the AUKUS agreement which will see Australia acquire and build eight nuclear-powered submarines over the next three decades at a cost north of 350 billion dollars. Today, foreign affairs and national security correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Matthew Knott on what we now know about the AUKUS deal. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Israel, a recently elected government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is proposing a law that is so controversial it is pushing the nation to a breaking point. The proposed law would allow parliament to overturn decisions of the Supreme Court, effectively crippling its judicial oversight. Seen as a naked power grab, Israelis have taken to the streets in protest. The government under Netanyahu has responded with tear gas, batons and riot police. Israel, once seen as an island of democracy among Middle Eastern autocracies, is in a profound crisis. Today, political and international editor Peter Hartcher on the grave situation in Israel. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historically, egg freezing has been expensive, invasive and often unsuccessful. While new technology has improved the thawing process, leading to dramatically higher pregnancy rates from frozen eggs, there are still questions about whether the industry exploits or empowers women. Today, social affairs writer for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Wendy Tuohy on the egg freezing industry - and whether the fertility treatment is worth the cost. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you noticed a lack of prestige TV on your favourite streaming platforms lately? You're not alone. The good news is, some of the most critically acclaimed shows of the past few years are about to return, including Succession and Ted Lasso. Plus, a whole bunch of brand new series are set to drop in the next couple of months. On today's episode: our guide to best upcoming TV shows. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legal case brought by prominent social campaigner Sally Rugg against her former employer MP Monique Ryan has captured the public’s attention. Not only is it a story of a working relationship gone bad, but the legal fall out could have implications for employment law for all Australians. At the heart of the case is how much overtime, if any, should an employee be expected to work. Today, federal politics reporter Paul Sakkal and The Age’s chief reporter Chip Le Grand on the workplace drama that has riveted the public. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women wanting to terminate their pregnancies are still being turned away from public hospitals, despite abortions being decriminalised across Australia. Private clinics are often booked up and if you can find an appointment, it’ll cost you upwards of $600 for a surgical abortion. If you’re in regional and rural Australia you’ll likely have to drive hundreds of kilometres to get to the nearest abortion provider. So why is it still so hard to get an abortion in Australia? And could a decision due any day by the Therapeutic Goods Administration change that? Today, health editor Kate Aubusson, on the long road to free and equal access to abortion. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women’s sport has seen a momentous rise in recent years - and many women have had a hand in that change, from athletes to administrators, journalists to sports agents and sponsors. Some have taken a stand on issues that transcend sport, some made the decisions that determine where the money goes or what sports we see on TV, and others worked in the background to keep the major codes rolling along. On International Women's Day, sports reporter Georgina Robinson joins Marnie Vinall to talk about the women changing Australia’s sporting landscape - and the most influential of them all - international soccer star, Sam Kerr. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we on a collision course for war with China? Does our military have the weapons it needs to fight a modern war? How useful will the much hyped AUKUS submarines be in a potential conflict? For a day and a half in February this year, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald hosted a gathering of experts to examine Australia’s most urgent & dangerous national security threats. Today, political editor and international editor at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Peter Hartcher joins Matthew Knott to discuss their latest editorial project - Red Alert. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decades ago, scientists looked at psychedelic drugs as tools that could help improve people’s mental health. Then came counterculture, Woodstock, hallucinogenic trips - and a backlash against the drugs. But now hallucinogens are once again being examined for their unique ability to treat mental health issues that existing pharmaceutical drugs cannot. And Australia is at the forefront of this research. The Age social affairs editor Jewel Topsfield joins Chris Zappone to discuss medicinal psychedelics. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Academy Awards are just two weeks away. Will Everything Everywhere All At Once clean up? Could Top Gun: Maverick sneak ahead? Will Cate Blanchett pick up her third Oscar? Today on The Drop, a deep dive exploring the state of the race, who's likely to win and the potential upsets. Plus, an interview with Mandy Walker, the Oscar-nominated cinematographer behind Elvis. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been exactly one month since a train carrying hazardous material came off the tracks in Ohio in the United States. Many residents in the affected town of East Palestine say they are still feeling the effects, from respiratory problems and rashes to headaches and unusual odours. But East Palestine isn’t just another story of an American environmental disaster. It’s also a tale of corporate profits, regulation and communities that feel “forgotten”. Today, North America correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Farrah Tomazin - joins us to discuss Ohio’s toxic disaster. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the pandemic, an estimated 1 million Australians had an eating disorder. But this week, we learned that the number of eating disorder patients has exploded over the last three years. Australian children as young as eight are being diagnosed with eating disorders. It's a horrifying scenario for their families who would go to extraordinary lengths to get them the treatment they need. So what happens to these families when the healthcare system buckles under the pressure of overwhelming demand? Today, Health Editor for The Age Aisha Dow on the unbearable burden of eating disorders in Australia, and a warning this episode deals with suicide and self harm. If this episode brings up any concerns for you or a loved one, you can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Lifeline on 131114, The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. You can also visit Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au, Kids Helpline at kidshelpline.com.au, The Butterfly Foundation at butterfly.org.au or Lifeline at lifeline.org.au. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.