Chasing the story of the 'forever chemicals'

This week in politics was dominated by the tragedy of gendered violence, and what measures the Albanese government will adopt to tackle it. Hit by a wave of national anger over a spate of murders of women by men, the PM convened an emergency National Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. So what did he announce, and how much can the federal government do on this issue of domestic violence? We also examine how a released immigration detainee was able to allegedly attack and severely beat a 77-year-old woman in Perth. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the public’s safety was the government’s priority. But now she is facing calls to resign, along with Immigration Minister Andrew Giles. Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss is national political correspondent David Crowe, and federal reporters Natassia Chrysanthos and Angus Thomson.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.

Nearly 200 years ago, the industrial revolution radically upended how people experienced the world - where they lived, what work they did, and the sort of stress they endured. And now? We’re on the precipice of the next industrial revolution. The advent of quantum computers will likely be able to help countries win wars and solve some of our trickiest social problems, according to experts.Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on just how soon the technology that Albert Einstein once called “spooky” could change our lives. And what its inherent dangers might be.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think about live streaming, you might picture mainstream social media sites, but its popularity has skyrocketed on other platforms. With a focus on gaming, Twitch emerged as a live streaming giant over the past decade. Now, there’s a new player making noise – and some of it’s troubling. Edward Craven, the founder of Stake.com and the youngest billionaire in Australia has gone on to co-create the streaming platform Kick. Today, investigative reporter Patrick Begley on a platform described as a “playground for degenerates”, and the risks it poses to vulnerable people.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So far this year, 27 Australian women have been murdered. Nine of the alleged perpetrators were under the age of 30.  Erica Hay, Molly Ticehurst, Emma Bates and Hannah McGuire were all allegedly murdered over the past few weeks. And in the horrific stabbing spree at Bondi Junction, five of the six victims were women. Politicians at the state and federal level are now facing pressure to take action and deliver real solutions to what’s been described as a national crisis. Today, chief reporter Jordan Baker on Australia’s shame and the entrenched culture of misogyny and gendered violence that continues to shape young men.If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of well, almost everything, has skyrocketed. From petrol prices, to rent and mortgages, to insurance premiums and to the supermarket shop with cereal, bread and eggs all costing more. And now, a new report says Australians have suffered the biggest increase in the average tax rates in the developed world, with New Zealand a close second. So why did we end up with the biggest tax increase? And what have been some of the worst price increases we’ve seen over the last few years? Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright on these pressures, and what the government could do about it.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A video of a violent attack on a Sydney bishop has sparked an international fight over free speech, censorship, and the potential threats such videos could pose when spread on social media. US billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform X was ordered by Australia's E Safety Commissioner Julie Inman grant to take down some copies of the clip, amid fees it could be used to radicalise more people. Musk has been fighting the takedown drawing criticism from politicians across the spectrum, including from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The Coalition wants young children blocked from social media to protect them from harmful content, while the country's top policing and spy agencies have vowed to protect children from extremist poison, and called on platforms to do better. Today political correspondent Paul Sakkal and chief political correspondent David Crowe join Rachel Clun on this week's Inside Politics. 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.

After more than a decade of weakening strategic resolve under the Obama and Trump administrations, the United States is showing signs of re-emerging as an indispensable power to the world. The United States helped to curtail broader conflict in the Middle East by rallying a coordinated response to Iran’s attack on Israel, and passed a 95 billion dollar aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. This willingness to again embrace its role as the gamekeeper and gardener of the international order comes after years of miscalculations that served only to embolden the world’s autocrats and their ambitions. Today, international editor Peter Hartcher on three key positions taken by the United States and what this may mean for its allies and the world order.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week, the woman at the centre of the mushroom deaths case that captured the attention of the country, attended court for the second time. Erin Patterson was arrested and charged in November last year with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in the small-town Victorian case tracked around the world. Legal teams are now focusing their efforts on the timing and location for a committal hearing, which could be impacted by a request from Patterson’s legal team to have the case tested in front of her peers in a local court. Patterson has already spent five months in custody, and may spend many more waiting for a hearing that could be pushed out to 2025. Today, crime and justice reporter Erin Pearson on everything we know so far, and what we can expect next.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After seven months of war in the Middle East, the world again held its breath when news emerged that Israel had struck inside Iran. This followed an unprecedented attack by Iran on April 14, when it launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli military targets. What appeared on Friday to be a major response from Israel, and a signal of potentially a significant escalation in the region, then gave way to conflicting reports and confusion. So what actually occurred, and what might happen from here? Today, digital foreign editor Chris Zappone on the history of tension between Iran and Israel, a proxy war, and what both sides seek to gain from conflict.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Donald Trump became the first current or former US president to face a criminal trial, charged with falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Allegations he has denied. The first hurdle of the trial was jury selection, but finally, a 12-person panel was sworn in. But it took laborious vetting by the legal teams to get there. Prospective jurors took themselves out of selection because they professed they couldn’t be impartial, while a rigorous survey of candidates included questions such as: Have you ever read the ‘Art of the Deal’ or attended a Proud Boys rally? Today, US correspondent Farrah Tomazin on the highlights from week one, and what to expect from the next six to eight weeks.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.