American debt is growing, fast. As we record this, the United States federal government has borrowed about 36.2 TRILLION American dollars in order to cover its expenses. But, by the time you hear this - that is, less than 24 hours since recording - it will have shot past this. 

OK, I can hear you asking: So what? Why should we care? What does it matter to us if Donald Trump has a bill passed that will add another three trillion dollars to that debt, as he’s hoping? 

Because these figures point to an empire in decline, according to international and political editor Peter Hartcher. 

Today, he joins me to discuss what it would take to pull the American empire back from the brink. And what it all means for the rest of us if the United States ceased to be a great power.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few years ago, Australia earned the unenviable title of allergy capital of the world. 

This could well have been true, with a World Allergy Organisation review finding Australia had the highest rate of food allergies for children under five.

But since then, something happened to turn allergy advice on its head, and parents have been introducing allergens to children at a far younger age than they used to.

So, where are we at now? 

Explainer reporter Jackson Graham is here with us today to discuss whether the new strategy has worked.

To read Jackson's piece in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, follow this link to our websites.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shootings in a warring criminal underworld is not a particularly new thing for cities such as Sydney.

This type of violence exploded almost two decades ago with the advent of the gang, Brothers For Life, whose method of choice claimed the lives of multiple gang members  and seriously injured innocent people in the crossfire.  

But the violence did slow down once major gang figures had either been killed or placed behind bars. 

That is until recently, when, as crime reporter Perry Duffin writes, once again, there’s been a spate of gangland hits killing innocent people or minor criminals by an “honourless” underworld.

For Perry Duffin's latest story, read 'Blood on the streets: gangland shooting sparks fears of tit-for-tat war'.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renowned author Colm Tóibín's international bestseller Brooklyn deals with the agonies of trying to adapt to the customs of a strange new land. When we meet main character Eilis Lacey 20 years later, in Tóibín’s latest novel, Long Island, she again grapples with the pull of her home country Ireland.

So what does Tóibín make of our yearning to belong, and how it can twist us internally? How it can drive otherwise rational people to damn entire groups of people?

In this special episode, Tóibín, who is in Australia for the Sydney Writers’ Festival and the Melbourne Writers Festival, toys with these themes in a discussion on migrants, Donald Trump and the new Pope. And the times when even he can’t find the right words, in his own life.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was high drama this week with the Nationals telling the Liberals they wanted a political divorce.
But by Thursday, the separation – like a marriage on the rocks – was placed on hold while further conversations took place.
So what happened? And what’s going to be better for both parties, and the political health of the nation?
To discuss the drama in this special early episode of Inside Politics, chief political commentator James Massola, and political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos join host Jacqueline Maley.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, global sporting events like the Olympics and the Tour de France have been rocked by doping scandals that elicited a collective gasp. If the odd athlete used performance enhancing drugs, how was this a fair test of athletic greatness? 

But there’s a new event that will turn all of that on its head, where athletes will compete while intentionally on performance enhancing drugs.

The “enhanced games”, as they’re called, will take place in Las Vegas next year. The prize money has already drawn top athletes, including Australian swimmer and Olympic medallist James Magnusson.

Today, sports reporter Tom Decent talks through one of the most provocative and polarising sporting concepts in recent history.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know, we know, Donald Trump has gone gangbusters in the Middle east, inking hundreds of millions of dollars worth of deals left, right and centre. 

But hidden within all the details about Trump’s whirlwind trip - the Qatari jet, his bromance with the Saudi crown prince - is one deal that you might have missed.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on Donald Trump’s microchip deal with the UAE government. Its inherent risks, for the world. And potential opportunity, for Australia.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From afar, many of us saw the odd agitator pop up on the federal election campaign trail, where they yelled at politicians, or others, like an indigenous elder on Anzac Day. They looked like the actions of random ratbags.

But watching on was crime reporter, Sherryn Groch, who discovered something unusual.

A small but sophisticated group of people, involved in many of these incidents, had links to Neo-Nazis. 

Today, Groch joins me to discuss the rise of neo-nazis in Australia. And the steps they’re taking to form a political party.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40/20 is a brand new NRL podcast from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. During this year's State of Origin and Finals series we'll be breaking down the biggest stories from across the game with the best journalists and NRL insiders from around the country. We'll be giving you press pass access as we breakdown the latest news, controversy and performances from the biggest matches in the Rugby League calendar. To listen to our episodes as soon as they drop follow 40/20 wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is one of life’s agonising scenarios; your puppy gets hit by a car. Or your cat develops a tumour.

Of course, you want the best care. But what if you’re being quoted $10,000?  Or more? And why do prices vary so much from vet to vet?

Today, senior reporter Henrietta Cook and national science reporter Liam Mannix on why veterinary bills have skyrocketed over the last few years. And the people who have to sell their furniture, or struggle to make rent, in order to care for their beloved pets.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.