The Front

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has missed out on a meeting with US President Donald Trump yet again, but he’s keeping busy in New York City. Plus, a fresh scandal envelops the Duke and Duchess of York. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geoff Chambers, Political Editor at The Australian and foreign policy expert, joins from New York to discuss Anthony Albanese's push for Palestinian statehood. He analyzes the significance of Albania's recent UN recognition of Palestine, framing it as a symbolic yet politically driven milestone. Geoff delves into the realities on the ground, including Hamas's control and the Palestinian Authority's challenges. He also explores whether this recognition might pressure Netanyahu and raises questions about Albanese's broader diplomatic ambitions.

Grief, vengeance and mercy are the themes of huge Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona, as Donald Trump announces Presidential medal of freedom and Kirk’s widow Erika says she forgives his alleged killer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Less than two years after an historic outage blocked Australians from contacting emergency services, Optus is once again scrambling to regain the public’s trust.  Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and original music is composed by Jasper Leak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a song by Benson Boone and Amy Allen, plus a heap of raw talent and years of grind, an Australian-US boy band stands on the cusp of stardom - but can they break through in today’s fragmented, algorithmic, AI-tinted music business?  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 produced by 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.

Stephen Colbert’s gone, Jimmy Kimmel is suspended - now Donald Trump’s war on late night hosts continues, with the President demanding NBC sack Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.  Plus, Brittany Higgins' husband, David Sharaz, has been ordered to pay Linda Reynolds $92,000 in damages for defamation, with Higgins also facing a substantial payment and launching an appeal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve got to halve emissions in a decade in order to hit the Government's bold new climate goal - so what’s really behind the target, and will climate policy kill off any more leaders?  View an edited transcript of this episode, plus photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions must halve in the next decade to reach the Government’s big new goal of 62 to 70 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2035. Why not faster? Why not slower? And how will we get there?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have agreed to sign a sweeping mutual defence treaty - but it could all be scuttled by China.  There were awkward scenes in Port Moresby as the planned signing ceremony fizzled out - the second time Albanese’s been snubbed by a Pacific partner this month. Today - what the deal would mean - and why it could all go badly wrong.  View an edited transcript of this episode, plus photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prosecutors say the alleged assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk confessed to the crime in text messages to his roommate. Plus, the PM’s PNG defence deal fails to launch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.