How much say does the new Pope have in Australians’ lives?

It was high drama this week with the Nationals telling the Liberals they wanted a political divorce.But by Thursday, the separation – like a marriage on the rocks – was placed on hold while further conversations took place.So what happened? And what’s going to be better for both parties, and the political health of the nation?To discuss the drama in this special early episode of Inside Politics, chief political commentator James Massola, and political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos join host Jacqueline Maley.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, global sporting events like the Olympics and the Tour de France have been rocked by doping scandals that elicited a collective gasp. If the odd athlete used performance enhancing drugs, how was this a fair test of athletic greatness?  But there’s a new event that will turn all of that on its head, where athletes will compete while intentionally on performance enhancing drugs. The “enhanced games”, as they’re called, will take place in Las Vegas next year. The prize money has already drawn top athletes, including Australian swimmer and Olympic medallist James Magnusson. Today, sports reporter Tom Decent talks through one of the most provocative and polarising sporting concepts in recent history.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know, we know, Donald Trump has gone gangbusters in the Middle east, inking hundreds of millions of dollars worth of deals left, right and centre.  But hidden within all the details about Trump’s whirlwind trip - the Qatari jet, his bromance with the Saudi crown prince - is one deal that you might have missed. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on Donald Trump’s microchip deal with the UAE government. Its inherent risks, for the world. And potential opportunity, for Australia.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From afar, many of us saw the odd agitator pop up on the federal election campaign trail, where they yelled at politicians, or others, like an indigenous elder on Anzac Day. They looked like the actions of random ratbags. But watching on was crime reporter, Sherryn Groch, who discovered something unusual. A small but sophisticated group of people, involved in many of these incidents, had links to Neo-Nazis.  Today, Groch joins me to discuss the rise of neo-nazis in Australia. And the steps they’re taking to form a political party.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40/20 is a brand new NRL podcast from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. During this year's State of Origin and Finals series we'll be breaking down the biggest stories from across the game with the best journalists and NRL insiders from around the country. We'll be giving you press pass access as we breakdown the latest news, controversy and performances from the biggest matches in the Rugby League calendar. To listen to our episodes as soon as they drop follow 40/20 wherever you listen to podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is one of life’s agonising scenarios; your puppy gets hit by a car. Or your cat develops a tumour. Of course, you want the best care. But what if you’re being quoted $10,000?  Or more? And why do prices vary so much from vet to vet? Today, senior reporter Henrietta Cook and national science reporter Liam Mannix on why veterinary bills have skyrocketed over the last few years. And the people who have to sell their furniture, or struggle to make rent, in order to care for their beloved pets.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins chief political correspondent David Crowe and federal political reporter Paul Sakkal for an exclusive interview on Inside Politics. They chat about the new Labor cabinet, Albanese's thumping mandate, plans for the term ahead and a new phrase the prime minister is trying out - progressive patriotism.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this time of political and economic chaos, we arguably need our allies more than ever. So let’s cut to Tuesday evening, when prime minister Anthony Albanese flew to Indonesia, to meet its president, Prabowo Subianto. It was notable; Albanese’s first overseas trip since being re-elected. But recent waves of protests against Subianto have erupted in the country, amidst fears that the president is taking Indonesia back to its authoritarian past. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on what sort of ally Anthony Albanese has in Indonesia’s leader Prabowo Subianto.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, Sean “Diddy” Combs was a music mogul unlike any other; once described as a “zeitgeist-dominating colossus” who helped hip hop become a global cultural force. But peppered throughout his years of living to extraordinary excess, were allegations of violence, and misconduct. He managed to escape much time in custody, until September, when he became inmate 37452-054 at a Brooklyn detention centre, after he was charged with federal crimes. Today, we speak to North America correspondent Michael Koziol, who’s on the ground in New York City, where he has attended the first day of Diddy’s trial, and learned what the prosecution, and defence, plan on arguing in one of the biggest celebrity trials of the decade.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pope may seem like a distant figure. But the newest one has wasted no time making waves. It’s not just the social media posts riffing on what vibe a Pope who originally hails from the south side of Chicago might bring to the Vatican. Because, even before Pope Leo the 14th slid the Papal ring on his finger on Friday, he launched something of an attack on American vice president JD Vance, angering many within the MAGA movement. And in Australia? Many Catholics have already begun questioning how the Pope’s personal views will impact our churches, and even school curricula. Today, chief reporter Jordan Baker on what we can expect from Pope Leo the 14th. And how he may - or may not - intervene in our local religious stoushes, as the Vatican has done, in the past.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.