For decades, these chemicals were miracle ingredients for 3M, a company that has made billions from the products that used them such as Scotchguard and Teflon pans.

Nicknamed “forever chemicals”, they repel everything from grease, to water and stains - and are found in everyday items like frying pans, household cleaning products, and even school uniforms.

Now 3M is at risk of bankruptcy, with allegations that the company deliberately deceived the public from being aware of the serious risks posed by forever chemicals, with a growing body of science linking these chemicals to adverse health outcomes, including cancer.

Today, investigative reporter Carrie Fellner on the factory that contaminated the whole world - including many Australian communities.

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When Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election against Hilary Clinton it wasn’t just his grabbing the top spot in the White House that shocked Americans.

So, too, did allegations by intelligence agencies that Russian President Vladimir Putin directly ordered a campaign to interfere with the election. 

This would play out on social media via troll factories, with fake profiles befriending real people to spread Kremlin propaganda. 

And now, only seven months out from the next American election with Donald Trump ramping-up his campaign against Joe Biden, interference like this is happening again.

Today, digital foreign editor Chris Zappone on the new tactics being used by Russian operatives, to disrupt democracy.

Zappone's podcast, Dark Shining Moment, can be found here.

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This week, national affairs editor James Massola and political correspondent Paul Sakkal join Jacqueline Maley to look at how the Albanese government is going ahead of the next election, likely to take place next year, after an interesting few months of political ups and downs.

They also to examine the ups and downs of political behaviour, after leaked documents revealed potential punishments for MPs and senators who are found to breach parliamentary standards.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

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Later today, we were meant to be hearing Justice Michael Lee’s judgment, in the multi-million dollar defamation case that Bruce Lehrmann has brought against Network 10.

But then, in a surprise turn of events on Tuesday evening, lawyers for Network 10 made an eleventh-hour bid for Justice Lee to re-open its defence, and admit new evidence.

This is just the latest twist in a case that has its origins more than five years ago, when former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins alleges that Lehrmann raped her in an office in parliament house. Bruce Lehrmann has always strenuously denied the allegations.

Today, legal affairs reporter Michaela Whitbourn on the explosive new evidence, and why it might be key to Justice Lee’s decision.

And just a heads-up, this episode contains references to allegations of sexual assault.

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One-time Sydney real estate agent Sarah Dougan always dreamed of making a life for herself in the United States. At one time, her goal was to make it as an actress in New York City.

That never happened. Instead, she’s become a successful CEO in the US, and the owner of a multi-million dollar mansion. 

There’s just one problem. Australian authorities have been combing through her Australian business records since 2011. And the results have been damning.

Not only did she leave Australia, in 2012, owing half a million dollars. But from the next year on, she was a wanted fugitive, with a warrant out for her arrest.

Today, crime reporter Perry Duffin on what constitutes fairness in our legal system, and whether Sarah Dougan is obliged to return to Australia to face court. Or whether - as she argues - it would mean sacrificing her right to equality, and lead to her losing everything she has in the United States.

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When Independent MP Andrew Wilkie made claims of secret illicit drug testing within the AFL, the sporting community went into damage control.

At the centre of his parliamentary speech was a whistleblower - a former doctor for Melbourne Football Club who alleged that players in some instances underwent off-the-book drug testing ahead of a game.

If they tested positive, he claimed, the player might fake illness or injury in order to avoid match-day testing conducted by the independent sporting integrity body.

So what’s behind these allegations? And why does it matter what players do in their own time?

Today, chief reporter Chip Le Grand on the latest AFL drugs scandal.

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More than two years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have become accustomed to seeing vision on the news of drone attacks and bombed out buildings.

But what of the psychological, emotional and physical toll on the country’s children? 

Do they sleep safe at night? Do they go to school? Do they play? 

Their experience has been lost in the fog of war, say teachers on the ground, who are struggling to give these children, and their mothers, a sense of normalcy.

Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, who has just travelled to Ukraine, on how this war is affecting the country’s most vulnerable people. And what the impact on them might be for years to come.

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In the final days of Parliament before a long break, the federal government tried to rush through drastic new deportation laws that would give it the power to threaten people with jail if they are not deemed refugees and refuse to leave the country.

Labor says the laws close a loophole that prevents the country from deporting people who have exhausted all legal avenues to stay in Australia and are refusing to leave.

But the move was met with strong opposition, and in a bruising loss for the government, all opposition and crossbench senators teamed up to send the laws to a committee for further scrutiny in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the federal government is also hoping to get its long-awaited fuel efficiency standards through the parliament soon, after making changes to get more car manufacturers on board.

Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss is chief political correspondent David Crowe, federal migration reporter Angus Thompson, and climate and energy correspondent Mike Foley.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

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For decades, a downturn in the Chinese economy has meant a boon for investors in the West. But then came an unwelcome announcement, earlier this month, from the Chinese government. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on why this announcement isn’t just bad for our economy, but is a reminder of China’s dramatically revamped - and dangerous  - geopolitical goals.

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It’s a church that preaches a hatred of people outside of its own flock. Women are treated as second-class citizens. And homosexuality is not tolerated. 

So why does the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church have such extraordinary access to political power brokers? And does it actually perform the acts of charity that it says it does? For which it receives multi-millions of dollars in government funding and tax exemptions?

Until last week, many remained questions without answers. That is, until the Australian Tax Office performed an astonishing raid on businesses owned by the church.

Today, investigative reporter Michael Bachelard on the Plymouth Brethren Church, which has long flown under the radar, but is now being exposed to the light.

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