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The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories, journalists’ candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.
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Ariana Grande is a 33-year-old superstar who is vanishing before our eyes. Are we allowed to say that? Is it OK for the rest of us to have opinions about the body of one of the world’s most photographed women? By expressing concern – or something else – about someone who looks so unwell, are we making things worse: projecting our own problems and hang-ups on the most talented among us? Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical, seeks to 'step back' Commentary by Bianca Farmakis: Ariana Grande is the latest symbol of an issue we still haven’t resolved This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta has been ordered to pay $1.34 billion in penalties for social media harms to children. Plus, a new defence pact has been established against Iran, and significant staff shortages have caused delays at Sydney Airport. Read more: Saudi, Pakistan, Turkey to sign defence pact amid warnings of attacks by Iran proxies Meta ordered to pay $1.34bn to address harm to kids from social media Sydney Airport chaos strands passengers as major airlines face widespread delays See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emotions are running high at the Bondi Beach massacre Royal Commission, with accusations of grandstanding and the pursuit of clickbait - and even the commissioner’s getting fired up. In today’s episode, how one Jewish leader found himself being cross-examined about the actions of Israel at a forum that many thought would be about easing tensions, rather than inflaming them. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Royal Commission: Peak Jewish body slams protest lawyers’ ‘clickbait theatrics’ NSW Premier Chris Minns slams lawyers for ‘disappointing’ royal commission questions Teen misogyny fuels rise in racism and extremism in schools, expert tells royal commission ‘We were the bad guys’: Former neo-Nazi tells royal commission how he was radicalised 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.

The ABC’s managing director Hugh Marks has told Gina Rinehart the broadcaster is sorry for a skit aired in the Race Around The World program on July 12. Plus, experts say Australia should be urgently vaccinating birds and other animals against the H5N1 bird flu, and Geelong’s secret concussion deal with player. Read more: ABC apologises for airing ‘disgusting’ Gina Rinehart video on Race Around the World Our bird flu vaccinations are grounded while Kiwis fly AFL club Geelong strikes secret deal to make player liable for future brain injuriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the bombshell report sending shockwaves through Victorian politics. After an eight-year investigation, findings by Operation Richmond into dealings between the Andrews government and the United Firefighters Union are out in the open. And though no findings of corruption have been made, it’s creating a massive headache for Victoria’s new premier, who’s preparing to hit the campaign trail. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. ‘Serious concerning conduct’: IBAC slams Dan Andrews, his ministers and Peter Marshall over union dealings UFU chief Peter Marshall slams damning IBAC report as ‘creative writing’ ‘C-bombs, f-bombs and secrets’: Inside the backroom deal that landed Dan Andrews and Peter Marshall in IBAC Commentary by Damon Johnston: A 116-page guide to how Dan Andrews stuffed Victoria ‘We are extremely proud of Jane, we miss her every day’; family’s tribute to courageous minister This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has lost billions of dollars in profits as bills from multiple lawsuits stack up. Plus, the government winds back its so-called “widow’s tax”, a new desl to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and Jetstar passengers facing a new fee for using overhead lockers, Read more: Meta’s soaring $2.4bn legal bill wipes out profit growth amid multiple lawsuits Labor moves to neutralise ‘widow’s tax’ and testamentary discretionary trust issues US aiming for Hormuz deal on Wednesday: Axios Jetstar to charge passengers for using overhead lockers for carry-on bagsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multi-lingual migrant students are boosting literacy and numeracy results in schools across Australia. That’s according to the latest results from the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy, released on Wednesday. Education Editor Natasha Bita unpacks this year’s NAPLAN results – and goes inside one school that’s boosting skills the old-fashioned way. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Bilingual students top the class in surprise NAPLAN results Old-school teaching methods paying off with startling results This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of Qantas back office roles could move offshore as the airline scrambles to save on costs. Plus, Acting PM Marles plays down Australia’s property slump, new Victorian Premier Ben Carroll braces for the release of a bombshell anti-corruption report, and Australian cinema sees its second-biggest day in box-office history. Read more: Qantas in talks with Accenture to move hundreds of back office roles overseas Richard Marles downplays $230bn housing slump Bombshell IBAC report on Daniel Andrews-era union scandal set for release Spider-Man and The Odyssey smash records in second-biggest weekend for Australian cinema See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Albanese government wanted to turn down the temperature on Australia’s housing market and help young people get a foot on the property ladder. But just months after Labor’s property tax shake-up, home values are crashing, investors are running scared, and taxpayers are underwriting billions of dollars of debt. So, was this all part of the plan? The Australian’s political editor Geoff Chambers is here. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Sydney and Melbourne lead property slump as investor confidence collapses High earners flood first-home buyer scheme after Labor axes income caps ‘Two years to sell or face 10 years’ jail’: One Nation housing plan update clarifies non-permanent residents Commentary by Geoff Chambers: Labor plays roulette with fragile housing market This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet with assistance from Lia Tsamoglou, and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was once the most-powerful man in Australian broadcasting. Now, Alan Jones will defend himself in court against accusations of indecent assault and sexual touching dating back decades – allegations he strenuously denies. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. 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.