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Marine Le Pen is topping France’s presidential polls as her National Rally party’s anti-immigration, economic nationalist, law-and-order policies are supercharged by student riots and a crippling cost of living. Today - how a woman convicted for embezzlement became a serious contender for President of France. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Marine Le Pen seizes on French chaos to present herself as leader in waiting City of Light turns grey as Paris licks its wounds Emmanuel Macron bans French protests as heavy police presence swarms Paris students 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.

Most critics have Digger down as a dud. But what if they’re wrong? Ben Affleck says Digger’s a “pretty ambitious, interesting movie made by interesting people that have talent”, and our guest Jill Rowbotham, Senior Editor of Culture agrees. With Oscar-darling Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directing and Tom Cruise leading a cast of heavy hitters, Digger’s pedigree is undeniable. So are the rough reviews justified, or are we really just seeing a schoolyard-style pile-on among critics?  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Tom Cruise has made a colossal flop. It’s brilliant Tom Cruise delivers an exhausting misfire in new satire Digger 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.

Labor is on the defensive over a so-called “dirt file” compiled about independent MP Helen Haines just weeks before she was attacked outside her electorate office. Plus, a world-first cancer vaccine delivers astonishing results, and Rebel Wilson’s latest legal win. Read more:  It’s not a dirt sheet, says Marles, as Hanson calls for end to ‘grubby’ politics ‘Not good enough’: Helen Haines ally David Pocock queries Anthony Albanese’s dirt sheet defence World’s first cancer vaccine slashes death risk in stunning findings Analysis by Natasha Robinson: New vaccine pushes hopes of melanoma cure even higher Rebel Wilson awarded $359,000 after winning legal battle over movie The Deb See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As young men increasingly drift towards conservative political worldviews, young women are becoming more progressive - and they’re increasingly unwilling to consider partners with opposing views. They call it the relationship recession - and Louise Perry has a thesis that notions of love, sex and politics are all being radically redrawn.  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.

Disgraced commando Ben Roberts-Smith told 2GB’s Ben Fordham he doesn’t know if he’ll get a fair trial when he faces court on war crimes charges. He’s consistently denied wrongdoing and has indicated he’ll defend the charges.  Plus, AI detects a bug that could cripple 70 per cent of the internet’s websites.  Read more:  Ben Roberts-Smith breaks silence to slam AFP over dramatic Sydney Airport arrest Ben Roberts-Smith to see secret evidence in alleged war crimes case Ben Roberts-Smith kept in dark over 500 secret war crimes witnesses AI just found a bug that puts up to 70pc of the world’s websites at risk Australian government websites go dark after AI finds critical flaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a whole subculture out there of points junkies - the people for whom every purchase is a tactical opportunity. Today - the frequent flyer hacks complicating the Tax Office’s war on plastic - and why there’s a secret points goldmine that’s just opened up thanks to the Government’s bid to manage the problem.  Read more: Card u-turn opens up a points bonanza Mulino says ATO can’t cop credit card fees PM walks away from credit card boast Watch The Front on video at our YouTube channel. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Nugent, the man accused of deliberately running over independent MP Helen Haines with his car, has a rare neurological disorder. That’s according to his lawyer, who didn’t apply for bail when Nugent appeared in court on Wednesday. Plus, Prince Harry says it’s not about him - it’s the rest of us.  Read more:  Nugent’s lawyer cites neurological disorder, no bail sought Brendan Nugent faces court after alleged attack on MP Helen Haines This time it’s not about Harry, he says – it’s about us   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turn the temperature down - that’s the refrain from Anthony Albanese as independent MP Helen Haines battles to survive injuries sustained in a shocking vehicle attack. But what does that actually mean? What did Haines’ alleged attacker believe in? Can we draw reason and meaning from online rants or a grab-bag of grievances - and even if we can, how does it help us? And when the target of political violence is a mild-mannered grandma from the country, how do we find optimism?  Today, political editor Geoff Chambers joins us to think through all these big ideas.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Message to the left - stop minimising threats Why Helen Haines is the best of us Experts warn of the conspiratorial multiverse   This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Jasper Leak and edited by Tiffany Dimmack.  Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou and Joshua Burton. Our music is by Jasper Leak.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What could motivate someone to mow down a grandma, nurse and widely respected MP? Although no charges have been laid, questions emerge about the alleged grievances of Brendan Nugent.  Read more:  ‘Plant person’ and ‘pro-Gaza’ radical Brendan Nugent arrested over Helen Haines attack Helen Haines attack sparks political rivals to rally behind ‘one of the finest’ Barber Ricky Jefferies recalls disarming driver after alleged Helen Haines attack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the most French of stories: a public grievance blows up into a major conflagration with town halls burnt and synagogues ransacked. This time, anger over classroom conditions in history’s hottest summer has become a public order catastrophe. So who’s really to blame? Greg Sheridan is here.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Further reading:  Rule of law? Far too bourgeois Synagogues ransacked, Jewish businesses burnt Stunned Macron seeks answers This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Jasper Leak. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Joshua Burton. Our theme is by Jasper Leak.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Backflipping and confusion over credit card surcharges seem to have left points junkies able to pay their tax on plastic and reap a one-time-only points haul. Plus, Vladimir Putin’s plan for Ukraine peace that doesn’t involve Ukraine.  Read more:  Taxpayers pocket free frequent flyer points as government subsidises ATO credit card fees Putin floats summit with Trump and Xi to decide Ukraine’s fate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody thought Benjamin Netanyahu could survive the Hamas onslaught, a scandal over unheeded warnings and the sprawling Gaza-Iran-Lebanon-Houthi conflicts that have arisen. As Israel’s October 28 elections near, rivals Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid say it’s time to end the Bibi era - but there is a wild possibility Netanyahu could survive yet again. Julie Szego is here. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. What will decide Israel's election psychodrama? Israeli settlers in new wave of violence  Simon Schama: The lies and laziness fuelling Jew-hatred 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.

French DJ Florent Hugel has a monster global hit on his hands - and now he’s frantically trying to refute claims the whole thing came from artificial intelligence. Today, Claire and Jasper Leak peel the layers off ‘Movin’ to the Sun’ to work out what’s real and what’s audacious spin.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. 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 media mogul accused of attacking his wife, Anthony Catalano, now says he wants to move overseas with her and their children. Plus, the jury in the double-murder trial of Beau Lamarre-Condon visits the scene of the alleged crime, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make their first public appearance since returning to the UK.  Read more:  Australian media mogul Antony Catalano to move overseas with family amid assault allegations, court told Beau Lamarre-Condon jury visits Paddington terrace where couple was allegedly shot Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stage mock royal visit in UK amid palace tensions Commentary by Hilary Rose: Sussexes fool no one as they launch their faux-royal comeback at Nottingham   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fear, exhaustion and elation combine on the 96-kilometre Kokoda Track, where trekkers honour one of our greatest military victories. But is this ultimate immersive experience being forgotten by Australians, as tourist numbers dwindle and PNG is gripped by extreme poverty and violence? Our own John Ferguson reports, fresh from his own Kokoda adventure - and 5 kilos lighter than when he set out.  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 Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Joshua Burton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.