The Front

The Strait of Hormuz will reopen for two weeks as Iran agreed to a ceasefire deal on Wednesday – but the regime warned it’s a temporary pause in hostilities, not a permanent end to the war. Plus, Gina Rinehart lashes Ben Roberts-Smith arrest and Commonwealth lawyers seek more time on Naveed Akram brief of evidence. Read more:  Ceasefire doesn’t cover Lebanon, says Netanyahu; PM attacks Trump’s apocalyptic rhetoric Gina Rinehart slams prosecutors over BRS war crimes charges Lawyers need more time to review ‘voluminous’ evidence against Naveed AkramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians know him as the affable mining billionaire Twiggy - but is Andrew Forrest living a double life as a top-level diplomatic powerbroker? Our North Asia correspondent, Yoni Bashan, spent a while at the court of King Twiggy and joins us to discuss this charming, confounding character. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Moving beyond mining, Andrew Forrest is trying to broker peace between superpowers Fossil fuels a ‘weapon of war’ Forrest warns global CEOs at the the China Development Forum Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest takes aim at powerful Beijing-backed entity battling with BHP This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Victoria Cross recipient who has always denied being a war criminal has been arrested over five alleged war crimes murders, including two he’s accused of committing himself. Today - the case against Ben Roberts-Smith, and how he will defend himself.  Read more:  Roberts-Smith faces life in prison if convicted  War crimes prosecutors will face challenges convicting Ben Roberts-Smith Hanson: I won’t abandon BRSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only now is it becoming clear how Iran has survived the combined might of the US and Israeli military for over a month: cast underground tunnel systems, packed with fuel, drones and missiles. Our reporter Shokoofeh Azar is here.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Revealed: Iran’s secret missile ‘megacities’ that are ‘built for war’ Open the Strait: Trump’s foul-mouthed warning Inside story of US colonel’s incredible rescue behind enemy lines This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Iran has yielded its most dramatic survival story yet, with the United States pulling off a high-stakes rescue mission for a fighter jet crew member who was shot down by Iranian forces.  Read more: US aviator has been rescued How elite US forces survive behind enemy lines Trump’s foul-mouthed threat to IranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents are busy hiding them, kids want all of them. But for author Charlotte Ree, she’s freezing them. It’s Easter and we’re talking about eggs - and how these little ovoid shapes can take on a whole different meaning to single women in their 30s.  Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. The weekend edition of The Front is co-produced by Claire Harvey and Jasper Leak. The host is Claire Harvey. Audio production and editing by Jasper Leak who also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UN Security Council will this weekend vote on a bid by Bahrain to use “defensive” force in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, part of Blake Lively’s claim against Justin Baldoni is dismissed and property prices wane.  Read more:  UN Security Council to vote on authorising force in Hormuz Iran drafts plan with Oman to charge ships for Strait of Hormuz passage Bowen delivers update on petrol station shortages Blake Lively’s harassment claim against Justin Baldoni dismissed, but the trial goes on Sydney and Melbourne to lead housing downturn as interest rate rises spook buyersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has declared the war with Iran a, quote, “decisive, overwhelming victory”, and says America’s objectives in the Middle East are nearing their conclusion. Read more:  Donald Trump says US objectives in Iran ‘nearing completion’ in address to Americans Premiers strike deal to turn GST windfall into petrol cut Alleged Bondi shooter Naveed Akram’s bid to hide family’s identity denied by judgeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The promise of ultra-productive workplaces fuelled by AI giants and big data centres is very tempting for government - but in return, AI companies want a copyright law change to allow them to hoover up art, music, Indigenous heritage, architecture and pretty much everything else for free.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Labor signs MoU with AI giant Anthropic that wants Aussie creatives’ work for free What Anthropic really wants from Australia AI giant Anthropic says 'exploring' Australia data centre investments ‘Days ahead won’t be easy’: Anthony Albanese addresses the nation on the Iran War fuel crisis This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Joshua Burton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two weeks, and the US is out of the Iran war: that’s Donald Trump’s blunt message. So why are there 50,000 US military personnel in the Middle East? Plus, sources say slain fugitive Dezi Freeman was shot more than 20 times in a dramatic shootout with police. Read more:  UAE willing to join the war; Albanese to address the nation on Iran crisis Is Trump planning a ground invasion on Good Friday? Dezi Freeman looked like ‘Swiss cheese’ after police shot him 20 timesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.