After fighting all the way to the UK’s High Court to protect his identity and warning he was suicidal, the world’s most successful living children’s author and wildly popular entertainer David Walliams has lost his legal bid to silence the media. In this episode of The Front, host Claire Harvey and The Australian’s literary editor Caroline Overington break down the lifting of reporting restrictions, the explosive allegations of predatory behavior that followed, and the wider cultural reckoning that has stemmed from his dumping by publisher HarperCollins and hot mic disaster on Britain’s Got Talent.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Crude jokes and TV winks: David Walliams’ circle of enablers Ice cream and wildly inappropriate jokes: my day with David Walliams 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Jones has announced the closure of 19 stores and the shedding of thousands of jobs as FTI Consulting attempts to navigate the retailer's difficulties. Also in The Front’s afternoon headlines, documents from Anthropic reveal federal government plans to consider an AI copyright 'opt out' model for Australian creators. Read more:  David Jones to close 19 stores, thousands of jobs axed David Jones collapse signals wider retail crisis as changing consumer habits hit stores Anthropic reveals plan to compromise creator copyright for AISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Usman Khawaja has re-opened Australian cricket's deepest wound, revealing in his new autobiography Sabr that the entire team knew about the 2018 Sandpaper-gate ball-tampering plot in Cape Town. With former teammate David Warner publicly endorsing his claims and fresh pressure mounting on current test captain Pat Cummins, does Australian cricket finally have to face a complete investigation? Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Every other bombshell in Khawaja’s book Sabr  Damning silence as the building burns down: Andrew Webster comment Why Cricket Australia is holding the line 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entertainer Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison following his convictions for rape and sexual assault. Meanwhile, Qantas is cutting 850 jobs and outsourcing backend technology work to Accenture in India as part of an increased push into automation and artificial intelligence Read more:  Russell Brand jailed for 10 years and six months Man accused of bashing One Nation volunteer remanded in custody until next year Qantas lay-offs: 850 corporate jobs set to be replaced by AI in Accenture dealSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has admitted to an affair with a woman American investigators allege is a Chinese spy. As tech stocks slide and Washington faces calls for a congressional investigation, what does this high-stakes espionage scandal mean for global artificial intelligence and your superannuation? The Australian’s technology editor Jared Lynch joins Claire Harvey to break down the tech world's biggest shock, the geopolitical fallout, and why Australia is right in the crosshairs. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Nvidia faces its supernova moment as Huang battles ‘spy’ allegations Australia’s slow energy grid the problem, says Jensen Huang The ‘multitrillion dollar opportunity’ in AI’s future 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 theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Front’s afternoon headlines: Usman Khawaja opens up about the 2018 sandpaper scandal in his new autobiography, accusing teammates and Cricket Australia of dodging responsibility. Plus, food prices could surge by seven per cent as suppliers grapple with soaring diesel and labour costs. And, rock legends including Jimmy Barnes are begging the Prime Minister to block AI companies from using Australian art and music without pay. Read more at theaustralian.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JD Vance thought he had a Donald Trump-endorsed golden ticket to the White House - but after the Republicans got hammered in the midterms, it looks more like golden handcuffs. So can JD still be president? And with the Democrats riding high, could Kamala Harris really try again? Or is it time for someone else to have a go? Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Democrats seize US congress in massive backlash against Donald Trump Republicans eye break from toxic Donald Trump agenda What a Democratic congress means for Trump’s foreign-policy agenda Commentary by Cameron Stewart: Republican midterm disaster signals beginning of the end for Donald Trump MAGA era Commentary by Cameron Stewart: JD Vance scrambles to protect 2028 presidential ambitions as Trump suffers midterm wipe-out Commentary by Greg Sheridan: How Donald Trump crushed the Republican Party and handed power to US Democrats 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 theme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine: the ‘bloody buddy comedy’ taking on the Oscars.Senior reporter Sarah Elks joins host Claire Harvey on The Front to break down one of the most talked-about films of the year. Set in 1973 on the eve of Pinochet’s takeover of Chile, Wild Horse Nine follows two CIA agents—played by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell—who find themselves on assignment on Easter Island. With a stellar cast including Steve Buscemi, Parker Posey, and Tom Waits, the movie blends dark comedy, high-stakes political intrigue, and existential questions about mortality and redemption. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. How a $500 cheque from the ABC helped launch a Hollywood heavyweight - by Sarah Elks Martin McDonagh has been telling the same story for years. Is the joke wearing thin? - by Nikki Gemmell How woke politics are reshaping the Oscars - by Rosemary Neill 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.

Accused double murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon admits he’s responsible for his ex-boyfriend’s death – but claims it was a tragic accident.  He’s pleaded not guilty to two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of aggravated break-and-enter related to the 2024 deaths of TV presenter Jesse Baird and his partner, flight attendant Luke Davies. Plus, Helen Haines condition is ‘stable’, and 90-year-old woman becomes Bondi massacre’s 16th victim.  Read more:  Accused cop killer Beau Lamarre-Condon says he ‘didn’t want to’ kill ex-boyfriend Jesse Baird Helen Haines condition changed to 'stable' 90-year-old Eva Geller dies from medical complications after being shot during Bondi terror attack  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private equity, foreign owners, terrible service, real estate missteps, angry landlords and bemused customers: David Jones died a slow and ugly death and now we’re asking: can anyone revive this 18-year-old legacy retailer? The Australian's DataRoom columnist Bridget Carter has been breaking all the scoops and joins Claire Harvey today.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. ASX rallies; David Jones landlord Vicinity reviewing earnings guidance The brutal private equity playbook behind David Jones’ demise David Jones collapses into administration after private equity owner runs out of cash The Front is presented by Claire Harvey. Jasper Leak is The Australian’s audio lead. Our team also includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Joshua Burton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.