We know that our political climate has been particularly febrile lately in the climate of the Gaza conflict.

So was it political pressure that led an Australian federal arts body to pull an accomplished artist from appearing at the so-called Oscars of the art world?

Today, senior culture writer Kerrie O’Brien, on Khaled Sabsabi. And whether it was his art, or stance on the Middle East, which has led to his shock dismissal.

For more:

• Major gallery says Venice row endangers Australia’s global reputation, Linda Morris and Kerrie O'Brien, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

Audio credit:

• Khaled Sabsabi & Tim Gregory - Interview excerpts from Resilient Landscape Documentary, Michael Pansini.
• Khaled Sabsabi: Creative Australia Award for Visual Arts | Arts Week,ABC Arts
• Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi pulled from global exhibit, ABC 7.30, Sarah Ferguson
• Who Was Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of Hezbollah? New York Times
• Changing Australia: Ben Quilty on fighting for the future of Australia's artists, Radio National, ABC

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, the Reserve Bank finally answered our fiscal prayers this week, and announced an interest rate cut of 0.25 percent, providing relief to stretched mortgagees across the land.

But arguably no one was sweating on the rate cut more than the Albanese government, which desperately needed a strong sign that the cost of living crisis has turned a corner, and things are going to get easier for working Australians.

But is the rate cut enough, and will they reward the government for it by voting Labor at the next election? And what about the curious anomaly in the figures that has stumped even the experts.

Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright unpacks this with Jacqueline Maley, while national security correspondent Matthew Knott discusses the landmark national security speech given by ASIO boss Mike Burgess.

Audio credit:

• 'Everything everywhere all at once': ASIO details multiple security threats to Australia. SBS News.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is one political taboo in Germany that is so strong, it’s stood since the end of World War II. Never to allow a far-right party to rule. But as Germans head to the polls this weekend, to choose a new national leader, many do so with great anger over immigration and rising prices.

Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, on who is likely to win this weekend’s election. And whether the rising power of the AfD, which has used rhetoric tinged with Nazi overtones, marks the country’s return to its dark past.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We already knew that many Australians are often eager consumers of illicit drugs, with Sydney sometimes referred to as a Cocaine Capital. The only place where it’s more expensive to buy cocaine, in the world, other than Australia, is Saudi Arabia. That’s how sought after it is.

But our police now have a new frontier in cocaine trafficking that’s keeping them on their toes.

Today, crime reporter Sally Rawsthorne on the most fearsome drug cartels that are using submarines and other methods, to bring massive amounts of cocaine into Australia.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did the nation’s biggest taxi company fail to stem the rampant rorting of passengers?

Leaked documents to investigative journalist Nick McKenzie allege Australians are being ripped off by drivers at a massive scale, from everyday passengers going to and from work, to vulnerable people travelling from disability services and aged care homes.

In one of the most shocking cases, a cabcharge account belonging to an elderly person who had died was charged dozens and dozens of times over just a few days.

Today, McKenzie on his joint investigation with The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes, and what happened when they sent someone undercover to expose the scam.

For more

Read McKenzie's stories here.

Watch the 60 Minutes here.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I call it the madman theory, Bob”

These words, supposedly uttered by Richard Nixon, and recounted by his chief-of-staff Bob Haldeman, have perhaps never been as relevant as they are today.

And they go to the question: Can a powerful leader who we think is a bit crazy, actually make the world a better place? As Nixon thought he might be able to achieve?

Enter Donald Trump.

The current president of the United States is set to put to the test what’s dubbed the ‘madman theory’ like never before.

Today, foreign affairs correspondent Matthew Knott on whether Trump’s volatile approach to geopolitics will produce vital victories, or whether his perceived crazy is just a little too…mad.

For more:

• 'Trump’s happy to play the ‘madman’ to restore global order. But will it work?'

Audio credit:

• 'The truth about the "madman theory'', Richard Nixon Foundation

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring you this episode of Inside Politics on Valentines Day, but right now the trade relationship between Australia and our closest ally is at a delicate juncture.

This week President Donald Trump declared his intention to impose tariffs on aluminium and steel imports from all countries, no exceptions. And the pressure was on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to negotiate a way out.

Albanese had a long, and reportedly warm conversation with Trump about the tariff issue, with Trump saying he would consider an exemption for Australian steel and aluminium.

But no promises were made, and in the volatile landscape of Trump 2.0, nothing is certain except we will have more uncertainty.

This week, Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley is joined by chief political correspondent David Crowe, and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gone are the days of the simple sunscreen where the choices were between, say, SPF 15, or 30 or 50. Now, at least according to the marketing, you protect your skin from the sun, and also moisturise it, hydrate it, illuminate it and anti-age-it.

The Australian Tax Office now has all these fancy sunscreens in its sights, looking at whether the companies that are pumping out these products need to pay more tax.

Today, consumer affairs reporter Madeleine Heffernan on what happened to the humble sunscreen and whether luxury creams protect your skin just as well.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.