The Morning Edition

After months of criticism, and two significant scandals, Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as British prime minister.So, why is the country on the cusp of having is seventh prime minister in only 10 years?Today, Europe correspondent David Crowe on Starmer’s drastic fall, and on Andy Burnham, the unconventional politician who’s expected to take his place.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades now, if someone died, there were two choices: burial, or cremation. But soon, Australians may get a third choice for how they choose to farewell their loved ones, thanks to a growing trend overseas.Today, senior writer Bevan Shields on human composting: a method of burial that may give you the ick, but that is giving many others profound peace of mind.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big first-game upset over Turkey sets the scene perfectly for a grudge match in Australia’s crucial game against the World Cup hosts at 5am on Saturday morning (AEST).Behind the scenes, a fiery cocktail of history, spiteful friendlies, and straight-up disrespect from American soccer pundits has turned this Group D clash into a highly personal grudge match.In this bonus episode, host Samantha Selinger-Morris talks to sports reporter Vince Rugari, who will be on the ground in Seattle, to break down the trash talk, the tactical madness of Tony Popovic, and why this insanely talented, multicultural Australian squad might just have the youth and stoicism to silence a hostile American crowd.Background reading: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/yank-hypocrisy-why-mike-grella-s-socceroos-slander-rings-so-hollow-20260615-p606xk.htmlSubscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend thousands of teenagers will sit the entry exam for one of four select-entry government schools for high-achieving students in Victoria. It’s a nerve-recking experience and the stakes are high. Many students will miss out on a place.In NSW, competition is also fierce for a spot at select-entry schools. Students in both states spend countless hours preparing for the exams. Today, Age education reporter Jackson Graham and Sydney Morning Herald education editor Christopher Harris explain how select-entry schooling became such a big deal and such big business.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week there were a couple of shocking crimes in Sydney. In one, a father and his 15-year-old daughter were forced to flee when a gunman approached them at school pick-up time. In another, assailants in a car filmed themselves as they sprayed bullets from a high-powered firearm into a funeral home.Today, crime reporter Perry Duffin discusses the gang war in Sydney, and how the underworld is still accessing military-style guns after Port Arthur, and in the wake of the Bondi massacre.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially in week two of budget backlash, and both sides seem pretty dug in. Today we’re talking about the disagreements about the capital gains tax - the most controversial part of the budget - and if, as some critics said, it will kill business aspirations. The other news that sparked our interest was the tantalising prospect of the Teal independents forming a party to consolidate their power in the face of a rising One Nation. Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State of Origin is rugby league’s night of nights, with Queensland and New South Wales battling it out for supremacy. But as the teams take to the field tonight, there’s a battle of a different kind taking place in the NRL as power swaps between the biggest names in sports administration - Peter V’Landys and Andrew Abdo. Today, national head of sport Neil Breen on the politics of the NRL, and whether too much power may land in the hands of one man. For more: 'Peter V’landys says the NRL needs ‘Superman and Jesus’ as CEO. That person will be Peter V’landys.' Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a police officer who investigated sex crimes, Graeme Simpfendorfer was accustomed to helping victims on what might be the worst day of their life. He found meaning in tracking down the criminals who’d hurt them.But then came the day when he realised that he, too, was an alleged victim.The former detective sergeant – who appeared on the reality television show Hunted – talks about what happened when he decided to report his alleged abuse to police. And what it was like to experience the justice system from the other side.Today’s episode is hosted by Samantha Selinger-Morris.And a warning, this episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse. Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 and Lifeline 13 11 14.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.