The Morning Edition

The melon story – Is the prime minister just really bad at saying sorry?

We’re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister. Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called ‘Bush Deep’ and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister. What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week. So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese’s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it? While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management. Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she’d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values – aren’t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy? Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Trump’s USA: Republican revenge and a Democratic Hail Mary

In a win that has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, an unabashedly left-wing epidemiologist has been chosen as the Democrat nominee to fight for a senate seat in Michigan in November. Some see it as a desperate move at a time when the Republican Party is moving full steam ahead to prosecute opponents such as Dr Anthony Fauci, Joe Biden's former COVID tsar, who was browbeaten just over a week ago in a heated Senate hearing. Today, North America correspondent Michael Koziol discusses why Democrats are gambling their ability to regain power in November on an insurgent who has argued for the US to cut military aid to Israel. And why Republicans are grilling Fauci on his decisions during the COVID pandemic. The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris [https://www.smh.com.au/by/samantha-selinger-morris-p4yvwp] from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald [https://www.smh.com.au/] and The Age [https://www.theage.com.au/], weekdays from 5am. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/smh-the-age/id6442611511], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0tWOA2mdi5WU9hvjJ3da?si=f4b8d7fafdf5495d], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrLulycax3584BxKI1ZqSySsouknCWiUa] or whichever platform you find your pods. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

‘Explosive’ evidence heard as Alan Jones’ trial begins

Is Alan Jones [https://www.smh.com.au/topic/alan-jones-1vz] guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault? Or are the allegations against him - by six men - the result of treachery, desperation and opportunism, as Jones’ barrister has argued? Today crime reporter Clare Sibthorpe on the allegations aired in court, so far, in the trial of Alan Jones, which began this week. If you like this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/smh-the-age/id6442611511], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0tWOA2mdi5WU9hvjJ3da?si=f4b8d7fafdf5495d] or whichever platform you find your pods. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Better sex life, mood and muscles, but there are risks to our testosterone obsession

It’s the latest health buzzword, proposed as a magic cure for everything from dementia to low libido. But is it safe, or even advisable, to take supplementary testosterone [https://www.smh.com.au/national/can-testosterone-improve-your-sex-life-and-boost-your-mood-and-what-are-the-risks-here-s-what-the-science-says-20260609-p60543.html]?  Today, we talk to Madeleine Heffernan [https://www.theage.com.au/by/madeleine-heffernan-j7gc5] on what the experts want us to know, and what this latest cultural obsession says about us right now. If you like this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/smh-the-age/id6442611511], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0tWOA2mdi5WU9hvjJ3da?si=f4b8d7fafdf5495d] or whichever platform you find your pods. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

What really happened to Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre

Virginia Giuffre was fearless in taking down some of the world's most powerful people. As Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent victim, she helped expose his crimes and hold his friends to account, including the man formerly known as Prince Andrew. But despite her heroic battle in the most notorious sex trafficking case of the 21st century, few knew about one of her toughest fights. It was one she fought privately, at home in Australia. Today, Good Weekend magazine senior writer, Melissa Fyfe, and WA Today reporter, Carla Hildebrandt, on their four-part investigative podcast, Virginia. [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/virginia-i-the-age-smh-investigates/id1616444281] And just a warning, this episode contains mentions of suicide, domestic violence and other content that may be distressing to listeners. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.