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For four years now, Joe Biden has had a niggling problem that has threatened his ability to function as president.   Since 2019, there have been rumours floating around that his son, Hunter Biden, has capitalised on access to his famous father in business dealings with people in Ukraine and China. Then, last week, Hunter was indicted on federal firearms charges, for which he faces a possible criminal trial. Today, digital foreign editor Chris Zappone on whether the activities of Hunter Biden could sink his father's bid for a second term as president. And why Hunter’s laptop is at the centre of everything. You can read Chris' piece here: https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/how-hunter-biden-s-laptop-plugs-into-joe-biden-impeachment-talk-20230915-p5e51v.htmlSubscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A number of Pacific Island nations, which sit right on our doorstep, are dangerously close to slipping into the oceans, as they continue to rise.  In response, a number of their governments issued a proposal last week to Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong. They want their citizens to enjoy visa-free travel to and from Australia and New Zealand. But, how much support do these nations have from us? Today, political and international editor Peter Hartcher on who is standing in the way of helping these nations. And what we will lose, if we don’t.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate of any continent. And cats are high on the list of just who, or what is to blame. Various politicians have been bemoaning this reality for years. But the killing of our native wildlife has continued, virtually unabated. Now, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has a new plan of attack. It targets not just feral cats, which Plibersek called walking, stalking, ruthless killers, but pet cats, too. The move is pitting wildlife researchers, who are happy with the new plan, against cat lovers. Today, federal health reporter Natassia Chrysanthos on what happens when the government targets your tabby as public enemy number one. And whether this new plan will justify the cost to pet owners.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been 17 years since Julian Assange created Wikileaks, the online publisher of classified documents that has changed politics forever. For eleven of those years, Assange has either been in hiding, or in prison. But why is Assange still in prison? When American whistleblower, Chelsea Manning, who was sentenced to 35 years for leaking secret government files to Wikileaks, has already been set free? Today, foreign affairs and national security correspondent Matthew Knott on the unusual group of Australian politicians visiting Washington on Wednesday, in a bid to finally free Assange. And whether his fate will ultimately be determined by whoever holds the American presidency.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is back with her second album Guts, and it’s receiving rave reviews. Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss reaction to the album, the drama surrounding it, and what it says about the state of pop music right now. Plus, some of the insane celebrity relationship drama making headlines recently, and what it tells us about the state of humanity and our own brains. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dirty tactics and accusations of racism: after months of increasingly strident argument, this might have been the week that debate about the Voice referendum officially got nasty.  On Tuesday, our reporter Paul Sakkal published a story about the deceptive tactics of the No campaign - Its volunteers are instructed to ring voters and sow misinformation, by telling them the Voice might be used to push for financial reparations.  Then it was reported that Indigenous leader Marcia Langton told a forum in WA that the arguments of the No case were grounded in “base racism” or “sheer stupidity” - comments she later said were misreported. Today federal politics reporter Paul Sakkal and chief political correspondent David Crowe join Jacqueline Maley to discuss the week in politics. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. 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.

Australians haven’t been shy in expressing their rage at Qantas, and the fact that the company made billions in profits over the last year, while it continues to leave them stranded and frustrated.  But, here’s the thing. Qantas is far from the only big business behaving badly. The list has been growing for years now. Today, economics editor Ross Gittins, on how big business got out of control - and why it should be serving, rather than enslaving us.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been hearing, for a while now, about how China is making moves consistent with its intention to become a global power, to rival the United States. How it’s beefing up its military arsenal. And claiming sovereignty over more and more areas in the South China Sea, which other countries say belong to them.  But if this is the case, why did China’s president, Xi Jinping, ditch one of the most important yearly summits, with other global leaders over the weekend? Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on what Xi Jinping was up to instead. And whether his activities signal an increasing likelihood of a new cold war between the United States and China.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re now less than five weeks away from the referendum on the Voice to parliament. But as a new and exclusive poll for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age revealed yesterday, voters continue to walk away from supporting the proposed amendment to the constitution.This comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the splashy ‘Yes’ video campaign, featuring the iconic John Farnham song You’re The Voice. And, after the prime minister has stated that we’re now in the period when the Yes campaign will be shoring up its support.Today, chief political correspondent David Crowe on just how many voters are swinging away from supporting the ‘Yes’ campaign. And why support for the prime minister continues to tank.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a controversial new industry being built right under our noses. By a cast of characters who sound like they’re straight out of an Agatha Christie novel. We’re talking about deep-sea mining.  It is the last frontier on earth yet to be mined for riches. Many argue that deep sea mining will benefit the environment. But others, like world-famous environmentalist David Attenborough, say that it’s unthinkable to embark on this practice until its environmental impact is better understood. Today, journalist Sherryn Groch, on the privatisation of the world’s seabed that is happening behind closed doors.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.