The Morning Edition

Since the Cold War ended more than 35 years ago, many of us have likely not given much thought to Bloc warfare. Those nuclear threats that the Western and Eastern Blocs hurled at each other? A thing of the past.
But lately, the beginnings of a return to Bloc warfare have revealed themselves.
Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the group of countries that are assisting each other to fight wars. And why few have heard of their grouping.
Next Thursday, we'll be airing a special episode with Peter, in which he will be answering your questions. So if you have any questions about the state of our world that you've been dying to ask Peter, or a topic you'd love him to discuss, emails us at [email protected] and we may feature it on air next week.
Background reading
Peter Hartcher's article: Trump’s madcap folly emboldening this ‘axis of upheaval’
Peter Hartcher's columns and stories.

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers is slated to make a big change to the tax system, with the centrepiece of the May budget a change to taxing capital gains on property.
Will the likely tweaks reduce skyrocketing house prices, or address intergenerational inequality?
Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright talks about who this change will cost, who it will benefit, and by how much.

Background reading:
Shane Wright's story, 'CGT like it's 1999.'
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's up-to-date political coverage.
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There’s been something of a revolt in women’s basketball in the United States, and two Australians – Alanna Smith and Ezi Magbegor – are among the biggest winners.
Today, sports reporter Frances Howe on the multimillion-dollar deals netted by these Australian stars, as a result of a very simple demand, and what it means for women in sport.

Background reading
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's series on Australia's richest athletes.
Frances Howes' story on the WNBA.
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Just picture it: under the cover of night, police detectives raid a clandestine drug lab in Melbourne belonging to an organised crime gang. But instead of picking through just the usual: beakers, wads of cash and perhaps the unmistakable acetone odour of ICE, they stumble on something else.
Boxes upon boxes – upon BOXES – of Lego.

Today, senior reporter Chris Vedelago on why your kids’ favourite toy has become the underworld’s new favourite currency, and why it’s so good for laundering dirty money.
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A fire at a Geelong oil refinery - one of two refineries left in Australia - has heightened anxiety around fuel supply.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen joins the Inside Politics podcast today to address the impact of this fire and the scramble for petrol and diesel imports as the nation grapples with one of the most severe oil shocks in history.
The pugilistic minister, a lighting rod in the debate about Australia's renewable energy transition, joins chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and energy correspondent Mike Foley to discuss the rocky path to a green economy, and Australia's position to deal with the war and subsequent energy crisis.
You can read Sakkal and Foley's story on our websites here, and all our federal political coverage here.
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