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    • Oct 1, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
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    Latest episodes from ABC News Top Stories

    Australian share market closes at four-month low | ABC News Top Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2026 1:35


    The Australian share market has closed at a four-month low, falling 2 per cent to 8,614 points and wiping tens of billions of dollars off the boards. It was a sea of red, with all 11 sectors finishing in negative territory.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it is too early to know the exact motive of a pilot who allegedly attacked his co-pilot on a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. The plane was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when one of the pilots is alleged to have stabbed the other as he tried to take control.The body of a 13-metre humpback whale has been taken to a waste facility after days spent rotting on a popular Perth beach. The carcass was first reported washed ashore at City Beach early on Monday morning.Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode.For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.

    Questions after Christa Pike survives lethal injections in Tennessee

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2026 3:57


    Christa Pike, who has spent more than three decades on death row in Tennessee, survived two doses of what was supposed to be a lethal injection and was taken to hospital.A court-ordered pause was lifted by the US Supreme Court before the attempt, and the state's governor has halted executions for the rest of the year and ordered a review.So how can an attempted execution go so wrong?Be aware that this story includes disturbing details of a crime and how the death penalty is administered.

    Is it time for an e-bike crackdown?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2026 3:06


    The New South Wales government has crushed its first batch of illegal e-bikes into scrap metal under tough new confiscation laws.The 23 high-powered e-bikes were seized by police on Sydney's northern beaches, as more children are being injured on e-bikes and scooters.Laws vary widely across the country, so should e-bike rules be the same everywhere?

    How much further could house prices fall?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2026 2:52


    Australian house prices fell for a sixth straight month in September, and experts say the property market could experience falls of up to 15 per cent in the coming months off the back of higher interest rates and cuts to housing tax breaks.Cotality's Home Value Index fell 1.1 per cent in September taking cumulative declines to 5.2 per cent below March's peak.Editor's note: An earlier version of this story suggested the auction resulted in investors purchasing the property, the audio has been changed to reflect it was actually won by first home buyers.

    What we know about the mid-air incident on a flight to Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2026 3:30


    Investigations are continuing after a pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed his co-pilot.The attacker allegedly tried to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew stormed the cockpit and intervened.Two off-duty pilots then stepped in and brought the plane in for an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

    Why an NRL Grand Final means so much for Newcastle

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 4:58


    The NRL season is nearing its conclusion.The Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights will battle it out in Sunday for a shot at glory.And while grand final appearances have been fairly common in recent years for the Roosters, it's been a long time between drinks for the Knights: a quarter of a century.

    What new inflation data means for the next RBA rate decision

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 3:07


    Inflation rose to 4 per cent in the year to August, slightly lower than many expected, and market odds of another rate rise in November have fallen to 20 per cent.Housing costs are up 5.7 per cent and transport is up 5.6 per cent over the year, while trimmed mean inflation, the measure the Reserve Bank watches most closely, is steady at 3.6 per cent.ANZ says a November hike is more likely than not and Westpac expects one unless energy costs fall, while the Commonwealth Bank expects a hold, so will the Reserve Bank raise rates again?

    Trump's pact with 'super intelligence' leaders to self-police AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 3:42


    The leaders of some of the world's most powerful AI companies have signed a voluntary agreement to 'self-police' their technology, following mounting warnings about its risks.US President Donald Trump hosted the accord's signing at the White House, declaring it 'morally binding' rather than a matter for government regulation.OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Google, xAI and Nvidia have committed to internal risk reviews, external audits and board oversight of their AI systems, according to Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The agreement comes amid a string of AI security incidents, including an OpenAI agent's unauthorised access to an Australian government Medicare portal.Is self-regulation enough to keep AI safe?

    How Manchester City was found guilty of football's 'biggest scandal'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 3:29


    Manchester City has been found guilty of arranging 'sham' sponsorship contracts as part of financial breaches worth about $1.7 billion, in what's been described as the biggest scandal in Premier League history. An independent commission found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of the league's financial rules, spanning a nine-year period from 2009.It's not yet clear what penalty the club will face, with points deductions, suspension or relegation all possible. 

    Was Netanyahu warned about the October 7 attack?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2026 4:02


    It was the worst ever breakdown of Israel's national security, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack, killing more than 1,200 people, and taking over 200 hostage.Now, with only weeks to go until elections in Israel, and as the anniversary of the October 7 attacks looms, pressure is mounting on the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what he knew and when in the lead up to the attacks.A stream of well-sourced, detailed stories has appeared, documenting alleged failures by the PM prior to October 7 to heed warnings of a possible Hamas strike.

    Could the RBA's rate hikes tip Australia into recession?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2026 3:54


    The Reserve Bank has raised the cash rate to a 15-year high of 4.6 per cent, a move economists widely expected given persistent inflation and rising Middle East oil prices.Governor Michele Bullock says the rise had to happen to bring inflation down, and conceded a recession was possible if inflation expectations get away from the bank.Economist Cherelle Murphy from EY Oceania says the reasons behind high inflation are not easy to reverse, and further rate rises can't be ruled out. 

    Should OpenAI have to report an AI hack the moment it happens?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2026 2:47


    The federal government is exploring whether to force tech companies to immediately report it when an artificial intelligence agent breaches a website, after OpenAI took months to reveal one of its agents had accessed a Medicare data portal.An OpenAI agent got into public and private files containing information about government health programs in June, but the company didn't tell Services Australia until September.Cybersecurity expert Vanessa Teague says mandatory reporting is a good start, but argues the public also deserves a clearer account from the government of what actually happened. 

    What do we know about the RAF Fairford incident in the UK?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2026 4:37


    The arrest and subsequent release of five men in the UK over a suspected terror plot on an air force base has led to plenty of speculation... and confusion.They were detained after three vans were found close to the air base - which has been used by the US air force to attack Iran.But questions remain over the men and what information intelligence authorities relied on.

    uk iran incident raf fairford
    Why the RBA is expected to raise interest rates

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2026 2:42


    The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to raise the cash rate this afternoon to its highest level in almost 15 years.Economists say inflation remains stubbornly high, and with the continuation of elevated energy prices due to the war in the Middle East as well as A-I-related infrastructure demand, the central bank has little choice but to move.

    Why credit card rewards schemes are being slashed

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2026 3:06


    Banks are cutting credit card rewards points, increasing fees and trimming travel insurance perks ahead of a ban on card surcharges.The Commonwealth Bank has wound up its Qantas Frequent Flyer partnership in favour of a new in-house program called Yello.So will Australians put up with smaller rewards, or start shopping around?

    Would you buy a COVID shot for $150?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2026 3:43


    From Thursday, most Australians will have to pay for their COVID-19 vaccine, with one community pharmacist estimating it could cost people up to $150.Free vaccines will still be available to anyone 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, and people with immunocompromised conditions.So will Australians still bother getting the jab once it is no longer free?

    The fallout after OpenAI agents bypass security around the world

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2026 3:10


    OpenAI says it has notified dozens of organisations worldwide after autonomous AI agents bypassed security controls, days after revealing one of its agents had breached an Australian government Medicare data portal.The company has paused training and testing of some of its systems as it reviews their behaviour, while the Australian government says the incident strengthens the case for new AI guardrails. So is tough regulation of the AI industry now inevitable?

    What's with all the moths in Australia's south-east?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2026 4:00


    After a devastating population crash around 2017, the endangered Bogong moth appears to be making a remarkable comeback.Researchers have a few theories about what's behind the explosion in numbers this year, from good rainfall to unusual wind patterns.The moths are a crucial part of the alpine ecosystem, but there's still a lot scientists don't fully understand about them and their extraordinary journey.

    Card surcharges are gone, but will consumers actually save money?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2026 3:30


    Card surcharges are banned from Thursday, in one of the biggest shake-ups to Australia's payment system in years.The change is expected to save consumers around 1.6 billion dollars annually, but businesses and banks are already responding in ways that could affect what you pay and how.What does the ban actually cover, and what could it mean for prices, credit card rewards, and the way Australians pay?

    Why Trump rejected Iran's deal to re-open Strait of Hormuz

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2026 4:08


    Iran says diplomacy is the only way forward with the United States after US President Donald Trump rejected its latest deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

    Drivers wince as diesel threatens to hit $4 a litre

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2026 3:49


    Drivers, farmers and the transport industry can't help but notice the price of diesel at the moment.It's been rising again as the war in Iran shows no sign of stopping and now Donald Trump is considering cutting off US exports of diesel.But could it really hit four dollars a litre? 

    What Albanese and Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2026 2:06


    Australia wants a say on the biggest issues in the world as it pitches for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council.In a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the world must unite to tackle climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence and the breakdown of international rules.Despite the huge issues being discussed by Australia's Prime Minister, most attention at the United Nations was on Benjamin Netanyahu and his firey defence of Israel, in the face of global concern about Israel's actions in its war in Gaza. 

    Why Fat Bear Week is about personalities, not just fatness

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2026 4:05


    It's Alaska's most-watched popularity contest: Fat Bear Week is back for its 12th year at Katmai National Park.Sixteen brown bears are competing and millions of people worldwide are voting online for their favourite after watching them on the park's live webcams.Mike Fitz, the former park ranger who started the tradition in 2014, says fatness isn't the only thing that matters - a bear's story counts too.So what does it actually take to become a Fat Bear Week champion?

    Could training AI models in Australia make us safer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2026 3:20


    Is Australia at the "mercy" of foreign AI?The Open Ai breach has exposed Australia's current reliance on voluntary disclosure of incidents and raises questions around protections against overreach in Australia.Now, there's suggestions one way the government could better succeed in regulating and shaping the technology's use in Australia, is by hosting the frontier AI learning models themselves here.  So could that make a difference? 

    Lions' three-peat bid meets Fremantle's first shot at glory

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2026 3:00


    It's the AFL Grand Final, and this one's steeped in history.The Fremantle Dockers are chasing a maiden premiership after 30 years in the league, while the Brisbane Lions are one win away from a feat no team has managed since the AFL began in 1990. Here's what you need to know ahead of Saturday's showdown.

    What the OpenAI agent accessed in the Medicare portal breach

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2026 4:23


    An artificial intelligence agent built by OpenAI has accessed non-public Medicare data, in a breach Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says is extremely concerning.The agent got into a Services Australia statistics portal in June after being blocked from public data, and OpenAI didn't tell the government until three months later.The government stresses no individual's personal Medicare details were exposed.

    Could screening new dads' mental health help families?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2026 3:14


    Fathers would be screened for perinatal depression alongside their partners under a new proposal.Many pregnant women are offered mental health screening as part of their care but only about two per cent of men are screened.

    What do we know about the OpenAI-Medicare breach?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2026 4:00


    A swarm of artificial intelligence agents has hacked into protected data on Australia's Medicare portal, one of the first breaches of its kind on a government database.The prime minister says it took OpenAI three months to say anything about it.So what was accessed, and why did it take so long for the government to find out?

    Daylight saving is upon some of us, so how can you prepare?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026 3:10


    The days are getting longer and warmer, and for the majority of the country that means daylight saving is upon us.About two thirds of us will lose an hour of sleep on Sunday the 4th of October, while for others the clock won't move.And as Josie Sargent from the Top Stories podcast explains,  the spring forward has its lovers... and haters.

    What does Australia's largest longitudinal study say about us?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026 3:20


    Australia's cost of living crunch is showing up in more aspects of our lives than ever, including how long adult kids are sticking around at home and what's ending up on the dinner table. But the latest HILDA longitudinal study results show when it comes to our relationships, we might actually be getting happier as the years go on.

    Rock legend Angry Anderson dies at 79

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026 2:59


    Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson has died just weeks after being admitted to a hospital in Germany during the Australian rock band's European tour.The 79-year-old singer spent 50 years in the music industry and also became a television presenter, charity worker and youth advocate.Rose Tattoo's hits included Bad Boy for Love, Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw and We Can't Be Beaten, while Anderson found solo success with the song Suddenly.

    The million dollar plea to help find Gus Lamont

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026 3:01


    South Australia's Premier has announced a $1 million reward for anyone who can provide critical information about the disappearance of Gus Lamont.It has been almost a year since the four-year-old was reported missing from his home at Oak Park Station, a vast property near Yunta in South Australia's outback.The boy's parents have released a video statement desperately urging anyone with information to come forward.

    Why did Tones and I really pull out of the NRL grand final?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026 2:28


    The NRL grand final is set to go ahead without its traditional pre-match entertainment after negotiations with Australian artist Tones and I broke down.Her management says a prior commitment was the sticking point, but the Sydney Morning Herald reports she refused to play her hit song Dance Monkey, despite the NRL's insistence. The NRL boss Peter V'Landys now says the $1 million usually spent on the show will instead fund grassroots rugby league for children who can't afford to play.So who might step in and does it even matter if there's no pre-match show at all?

    Are Australia's alcohol warning labels too easy to ignore?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026 4:00


    When's the last time you noticed the warnings on alcohol labels?New research suggests they're too small, too easy to miss, and don't spell out risks like cancer.With Ireland and the UK about to make health warnings compulsory, the question is whether Australia's next.

    What did Donald Trump say to the UN?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 3:38


    US President Donald Trump has addressed the UN General Assembly in New York - and has used his speech to justify his war in Iran and attempt to rebrand AI.His appearance comes just six weeks out from the US mid-term elections in November.So, has that impacted what he's spoken about?

    Why WA schools are banning smart glasses

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 4:00


    Western Australia is introducing what it says is the nation's toughest ban on smart glasses in schools. Students, staff, parents and visitors will be prohibited from possessing or using devices capable of recording audio and video, amid growing concerns about privacy, deepfakes, and covert filming.

    The new search in the Nannup Four missing persons cold case

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 4:00


    It's been almost 20 years since four people, including a child, went missing from the small regional West Australian town of Nannup. Their disappearance sparked a police investigation and an inquest that heard details of an online cult and a murder suicide pact. So why are volunteers suddenly searching an area just south of where the four were last seen?  

    How Victoria will manage its data centre rollout

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 2:28


    Victoria has become the latest state to nail its colours to the mast with a set of restrictions controlling the rollout of new data centres. 

    Why some US media outlets are suing the Trump administration

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 3:44


    Three US media outlets have hit back at US President Donald Trump after he banned them from the White House last week.

    What's in Princess Diana's brother's bombshell memoir?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2026 4:08


    The late Princess Diana 's brother has released a memoir that drops some bombshell claims about the royal family.And Earl Charles Spencer is particularly scathing towards his former brother-in-law who 's now King Charles III.So - what 's he saying?

    'Disturbing' security flaw in cheap smart glasses

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2026 2:34


    A new generation of ultra-cheap smart glasses is exposing Australians' sensitive data to hackers.Basic testing has revealed stored videos and photos can be stolen from the controversial devices, using only bluetooth. 

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