The Front

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly gravely injured in a strike during the Middle East conflict. Plus, Qantas settles a covid legal challenge for $105m and Bluesfest bites the dust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two years, 500 gigabytes of audio, and more than 200 voice actors. The Australian’s podcast adaptation of Hedley Thomas’ best-selling book Sick to Death is nearing its conclusion. It’s the story of the havoc wrought on the Queensland medical system by the incompetent surgeon Jayant Patel 20 years ago – and there’s still more to come. Today, Hedley and our production team get together to discuss this epic project – and why it still resonates in 2026. 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 Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes is shedding 10 per cent of Atlassian’s workforce. Also today in The Front’s afternoon headlines, Australia will lower stringent sulphur standards in petrol and diesel to increase fuel supply to the regions. That’s as the International Energy Agency agrees to the biggest ever release of emergency public oil stocks - but jittery markets are already sending prices up, not down. Plus, what now for the Bondi Royal Commission?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

45-year-old economist Matt Canavan, once the apprentice to Barnaby Joyce, takes the fight for regional Australia to One Nation and his old master. Dennis Shanahan - who routinely shredded the National Party’s ‘stupid’ ex-leader David Littleproud, says it’s at last a proper fight.  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 and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack.  Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should the world release public emergency oil supplies to deal with wildly fluctuating oil prices, diesel shortages and petrol station queues? Plus - two more Iranian soccer representatives seek asylum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go home to war and oppression - or live in fear for your family’s life: that’s the terrible dilemma faced by Iran’s women’s soccer team. Today we go inside their incredible bid for freedom, and explore what happens next with Asia-Pacific correspondent Amanda Hodge.   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 Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes  Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why republican protesters are demanding answers from King Charles - plus, Australia’s missiles are rerouted to the Middle East, and Donald Trump’s latest declaration on Operation Epic Fury. That’s all in today’s afternoon headlines from theaustralian.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As one half of radio’s warring superstar duo lawyers up, the other says everyone’s got it all wrong. Media Diary editor Steve Jackson is here with the latest Kyle and Jackie O drama, plus an ABC reporter’s very sweary outing on social media - and is Karl Stefanovic an anti-vaxxer now?  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.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khameini, the hardline son of the assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is elevated in Iran thanks to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Today in The Front’s headlines edition: the immediate crises on his desk, from ballistic missiles to fury from Iran's Gulf neighbours.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran has reneged on a promise to stop attacking its neighbours and assaulted the Gulf states with an array of drones and missiles - that’s as the US indicates the war is nowhere near over. Today, our correspondent in the Middle East, Yoni Bashan, is here to talk about the mood in Israel as this war widens. Spoiler - it involves a lot of chocolate.  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 with Lia Tsamoglou and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new generation of the Fiennes family is taking on the most-adapted role in entertainment, with Hero Fiennes Tiffin playing Young Sherlock in Amazon Prime’s new series, directed by Guy Ritchie with all the British director’s characteristic fast-moving smart-talking attitude. Today, we rate this Gen Z take on the 1870s Holmes origin story.  You can watch The Front on our YouTube channel anytime Read more: Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock is finally here. Will you watch?  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 Josh Burton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a televised speech, Houthi rebels leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said the Iran-backed proxy militia had their “fingers on the trigger, ready to respond at any moment, should developments warrant it”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White House compares Operation Epic Fury to the video game Call of Duty. Pete Hegseth says ‘no mercy’. Should any of that make us squeamish? And can the Iranian people possibly pull a secular democracy out of the rubble? Greg Sheridan is here.   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.

War secretary Pete Hegseth goes on the offensive, saying Operation Epic Fury is not a fair fight - and America will show no mercy. Also in The Front’s afternoon headlines, more stranded Australians make their way home from the Gulf. Follow our Middle East live blog here Read more of our coverage on the Middle East: Carney trip long on symbolism, short on substance If at first you don’t succeed, die, die again Decisive, devastating and without mercy: Hegseth’s update on crushing Iran Canadian PM Mark Carney urges new ‘trusted coalitions’ across critical minerals, defence, AI Iran regime removal will cut global antisemitism, Ryvchin saysSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of laughing along, the highest-earning woman in media finally gets sick of her loudmouth co-star’s antics and walks away. But what’s really fuelling the drama - and why are their bosses secretly delighted?  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.

Reports are emerging that the so-called Assembly of Experts has elected a new supreme leader: Motjabah Khameini, the son of slain Ayatollah Ali Khemenei.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iranian rockets on one side, Houthi terrorists on the other - the Arabian peninsula has suddenly become the flashpoint we all need to know about, because its waterways determine everything from petrol and grocery prices to inflation bills and when your new sofa is going to arrive. But is this a real threat - and when will everything go back to normal? Chief international correspondent Cameron Stewart is here. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Follow our Middle East live blog here Read more of our coverage on the Middle East: How Donald Trump rewrote the rules of war with his Iran campaign Defence taskforce on standby for Middle East evacuations Trump defends his record and vows to overcome tariff setback in fiery speech Cameron Stewart: How Israel’s enemies helped it dominate the Middle East Asian economies brace for deep economic pain as Iran war threatens oil supply 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 and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Gulf airlines - Etihad, Emirates and Qatar - reel from Iranian attacks across the Persian Gulf, travellers and expats are stranded and looking for answers. Today - what’s causing the uncertainty, and the scenarios that could see the chaos stretch for months or years. Follow our live blog here. Read more on this developing story: Gulf states in race against time to repel Iran’s counterattack Sydney mayor backs Shi’ite memorial for ‘martyred’ Ayatollah Khamenei, lashes Chris Minns The case for cautious optimism in Trump’s war against Iran How will the war in Iran end? The scenarios explained Dubai travel warnings: What to do if your flight is cancelled or you’re strandedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From wearing a bulletproof vest to the ‘We will decide who comes to this country’ speech, John Howard’s prime ministership, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, had mistakes and triumphs aplenty - and today Australia’s most experienced political journo, Paul Kelly, is here to reflect on today’s lessons from a remarkable story of leadership. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Follow our Middle East live blog here Read more of our coverage on the Middle East: Australians stranded in Middle East as main evacuation route collapses ‘Several’ US fighter jets crash in Kuwait amid Iran conflict Ali Khamenei ‘will not be mourned’: Anthony Albanese condemns Iranian regime after Iran strikes Cost of war: US and Israel hit more than 2000 Iranian targets with relatively minimal counter-hits Khamenei’s death closes a painful chapter for my parents and other 1979 revolutionaries 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.

Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuwait City, Bahrain and Jeddah are all under attack as Iran’s desperate regime fires drones and missiles at its neighbours across the Persian Gulf: punishment for hosting American forces as Donald Trump’s Operation Epic Fury continues to pound Iran’s territory and assets, sinking at least half of the Iranian navy fleet alone. Follow our live blog here. Read more on this developing story: Australian mosques, organisations slammed for events honouring ‘martyrdom’ of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Conflict spreads as Hezbollah weighs in, ‘drone strike’ on British base in Cyprus, new Israeli salvo Trump says he has fulfilled his promise to the Iranian people, but the rest is up to them Ayatollah’s son or ‘Iranian Putin’ could step into power A weakened Iran will have ripple effects across the Middle East  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.