The Signal

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyChip making giant Nvidia's value hit $5 trillion US last week, a milestone that just a few years ago was unthinkable.Two other tech giants have hit the $4 trillion US mark as excitement about the promise of AI drives investor interest. But in an uncertain world are the sky-high valuations sustainable, or a bubble that will soon bust? Today, the ABC's chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on why this might not be a bubble that bursts like the dot-com crash of the early-2000s. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent 

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyThe Coalition's climate policies have been under review since its drubbing at the last election.But now that the Nationals have struck first, deciding to abandon a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, there's big pressure on Sussan Ley's leadership of the Liberal Party.Will the Liberals follow their Coalition partner? And what would it mean for their electoral prospects and the signal it sends about the two parties' enthusiasm for climate action?Today, Michelle Grattan, the chief political correspondent at The Conversation, on the history of the Coalition's climate policy and what happens next.Featured:Michelle Grattan, chief political correspondent at The Conversation and a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyZohran Mamdani is a young, Muslim, Democratic socialist who's a relative political novice. But he could become the next mayor of New York City, despite a challenge from former Democratic Party governor Andrew Cuomo. What are his policies and does he present a challenge to the politics of the president Donald Trump?Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the centre-right think tank the Niskanen Center on how Zohran Mamdani managed to capture the attention of New York voters and whether he could be the answer to the Democratic Party's woes.  Featured: Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyThere's been hope of a November interest rate cut to coincide with the Melbourne Cup for months, but with inflation rising again, it seems all bets are off.What have the three rate cuts already granted this year done to house prices? Today, ABC finance commentator Alan Kohler looks at what's happening in the market and how immigration policies have left Australia with rising demand for housing and not enough tradies to construct them. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance presenter and columnist

Vast reserves of Australian critical minerals will be mined, processed and exported under a deal the prime minister has struck with US President Donald Trump. But Australia's already exporting plenty of zirconium to China and it can be used in everything from bathroom tiles to missiles and nuclear reactors. Today, Four Corners reporter Angus Grigg reveals how Australian critical minerals could end up aiding the advancement of Chinese military capabilities, including the construction of advanced hypersonic missiles. How will Australia balance its trade ambitions with the risk of supporting China's military machine, which analysts regard as a key threat to Australia's national security? Featured: Angus Grigg, Four Corners reporter

Home invasions, stabbing attacks and carjackings.A wave of serious and violent crimes in Victoria have sparked concern about safety in the state. But is it right for the federal opposition leader to label Melbourne ‘the crime capital of Australia'?Today, ABC Melbourne Mornings presenter Raf Epstein on what's going on in the nation's second most populous state and the divisive political debate around it. Featured: Rafael Epstein, host of ABC Melbourne Mornings 

Kamala Harris is back on your screens.The former vice-president is out spruiking her memoir 107 Days, which unpacks her 2024 race for the US presidency, but she's also testing the waters to see if she could run again.Today, 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson on her Australian exclusive, and at times testy, interview with the former vice-president.Featured: Sarah Ferguson, host of the ABC's 7.30 program

The cost of medical treatments and dental work in Australia can be exorbitant. So it's no wonder more people are accessing their superannuation funds early to pay for things like IVF and desperately dentist bills. It's understandable and allowed in certain circumstances, but there are concerns that some providers are exploiting the system. Today, ABC reporter Celina Edmonds on her investigation into the early access rorts.Featured: Celina Edmonds, ABC reporter

Donald Trump is on the move and throwing his weight around in Asia.But will the US president have the upper hand when he sits down with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week?He wants to do a deal on everything from trade to nuclear weapons and he isn't too concerned about China's plans for Taiwan. Today, ABC global affairs editor Laura Tingle from Kuala Lumpur on why Trump won't be the most powerful man in the room.Featured:Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor 

Warning: This story contains distressing themes including discussion of child sexual abuse. ABC journalist Adele Ferguson has spent months investigating Australia's childcare industry and her findings are devastating.  She's exposed a broken system, where profit so often comes before the safety of children and where the most vulnerable are abused and mistreated.  Today, Adele on her latest Four Corners investigation into how paedophiles are infiltrating childcare centres and why it's so much worse than we ever thought. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to a support service. You can contact National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service: 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732, Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380, or Lifeline: 13 11 14. In an emergency call 000. Featured: Adele Ferguson, ABC investigative journalist

Ahead of his election Donald Trump promised to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. The surge by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cities like Chicago has seen people plucked off the street, pending deportation, with agents even targeting churches and schools. Today, Caitlin Dickerson, staff writer at The Atlantic, on how the president's campaign is set to ramp up.Featured: Caitlin Dickerson, staff writer at The Atlantic

He's decided he won't call himself a duke anymore, but Prince Andrew is still a prince, living in a 30 bedroom mansion on the grounds of Windsor Castle.So, when, if ever, will he be held accountable for his association with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged abuse of Virginia Giuffre, whose harrowing memoir has been released this week. Today, ABC royal commentator, Juliet Rieden, on whether Andrew could ever lose his prince title. This episode discusses some disturbing allegations. Featured: Juliet Rieden, ABC royal commentator and author of The Royals in Australia

Anthony Albanese's meeting with Donald Trump went pretty smoothly, with AUKUS, a minerals deal and the Australia-US relationship all receiving strong backing. But past comments about President Trump from Kevin Rudd, Australia's ambassador to the United States, ended up being the biggest point of contention and amusement. In the prime minister's first White House meeting with the president, a multi-billion dollar deal was signed to develop a critical minerals supply from Australia. Today, ABC correspondent Jane Norman tells us what it was like in the White House and why the timing of the meeting couldn't have been better for the prime minister. Featured: Jane Norman, ABC national affairs correspondent

Could Barnaby Joyce end up leading Pauline Hanson's One Nation party?It might be exactly what the MP has his eyes on as talk of his defection from the Nationals intensifies. Today, Melissa Clarke, political correspondent for Radio National Breakfast, on what Barnaby is up to and why. Featured: Melissa Clarke, Radio National Breakfast political correspondent

AI chatbots have come a long way and can be pretty helpful.But do they make good therapists? More young people are turning to chatbots to seek personal mental health advice.Today, psychiatrist Andrew Clark, who's been testing the technology, reveals the good, bad and the ugly when a robot becomes a therapist.Featured: Andrew Clark, US-based psychiatrist

Tesla boss Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire after his net worth surpassed $500 billion this month. But is there a problem with the concentration of so much wealth in the hands of so few people and what is it doing to our societies? Today, Professor Carl Rhodes, author of Stinking Rich: The Four Myths of the Good Billionaire, on why we need to stop the rich getting richer. Featured: Carl Rhodes, Professor of Business and Society at UTS Business School

Just days ago, Donald Trump declared we were in the midst of the historic dawn of a new Middle East.But already the peace plan is in doubt, with the US president warning Hamas will be disarmed, perhaps 'violently' if the group fails to do so on its own.Today, Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian-American and senior fellow with the Atlantic Council on what Hamas is doing to cling to power.Featured:Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian-American and senior fellow with the Atlantic Council

Why did the government cave to pressure over its superannuation tax changes for the richest Australians? The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed two major changes in response to critics, introducing indexing on the $3 million threshold and dropping a plan to tax unrealised gains. He says the government's new plan achieves the same objective in making the system more equitable, but how will it work? Today, political correspondent Melissa Clarke on what the backdown means for the future of tax reform under Labor. Featured: Melissa Clarke, ABC political correspondent

Donald Trump says the war is over.And with the US president now in the Middle East to continue peace talks, there is great hope he's right.Today, Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security initiative at the Atlantic Council, on the release of the hostages and what needs to happen next to ensure the war has ended for good.Featured:Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security initiative at the Atlantic Council

We all know Donald Trump is wealthy, but how much richer has he become since returning to the White House at the start of the year? That's a question the ABC's Americas Editor John Lyons posed to the president last month, in a testy exchange that ended with one word from Trump: ‘quiet'. Today, John Lyons on his Four Corners investigation into Donald Trump's billions, his family's business dealings and his growing wealth. Featured: John Lyons, ABC Americas Editor

Has US President Donald Trump actually brought an end to the war in Gaza?After months of negotiations there's been a breakthrough, with Hamas agreeing to release the remaining Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of a peace deal.Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on what we know so far, and whether this could be the end to hostilities.Featured: Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York

It's been more than six weeks since Dezi Freeman allegedly shot and killed two police officers in Victoria and there's still been no sight of him.While the manhunt continues, police in Western Australia are taking action, swooping on people in the so-called sovereign citizen movement and confiscating their guns.Today, Kaz Ross, a researcher into far-right ideology and extremism, on whether other states should be doing the same.Featured: Kaz Ross, independent researcher into far-right extremism, racism and conspiracy theories

Donald Trump says America is in armed conflict with drug cartels.The US President has ordered the military to strike “narco-terrorists” in boats off the Venezuela coast, with no questions asked.Today, Rachel VanLandingham, a former active-duty judge advocate in the US Air Force and law professor at Southwestern Law School in LA, on just how scary that is.Featured: Rachel VanLandingham, former judge advocate in the US Air Force and law professor at Southwestern Law School

Andrew Hastie has been seen as leadership material ever since he entered the parliament a decade ago.But are his right-wing beliefs, which have brought the likes of Nigel Farage to prominence in the UK, attractive to enough voters here? Today, Tony Barry, a former Liberal Party strategist and director at RedBridge Group, on Andrew Hastie's resignation from the Coalition front bench, and whether it's a move that will pay off.

What happens if a financial planner takes your savings and gambles them away? They could go to jail, but you won't be getting your money back. The bookies get to keep the gambling losses, even when it's the proceeds of crime. Today, reporter Steve Cannane on his Four Corners investigation into the actions of the betting firms and why the federal government has been slow to take the industry on. Featured: Steve Cannane, Four Corners reporter

Last time she released a new album, more than two million copies were sold or downloaded in the first week.But can Taylor Swift beat that number again with the much anticipated release of her 12th album ‘The Life of a Showgirl'? And what is it that has made her one of the most successful artists of all time? Today, Harvard University professor Stephanie Burt, on why studying Swiftmania is a very worthy topic. Featured:Stephanie Burt, Professor of English at Harvard University

Melatonin supplements have gained huge traction in the last few years because they can help bring on a good night's sleep. But is it really safe, particularly for kids? Now, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has warned consumers to stop using imported melatonin products, after testing showed many do not meet local standards.Today, paediatric sleep researcher Sarah Blunden on why the advice is changing.FeaturedProfessor Sarah Blunden, Head of Paediatric Sleep Research and Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Central Queensland University

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to a new plan for peace in Gaza.The leaders were in furious agreement that the proposal, which will see the US president initially lead Gaza's redevelopment, is the best way forward.Today, Guy Ziv, associate professor at American University's School of International Service, on whether Hamas will really agree to the terms it wasn't involved in negotiating.Featured: Guy Ziv, associate professor in the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security, School of International Service, American University 

Donald Trump wants TikTok to be American owned and now a group of billionaire Trump supporters is buying it. But how will an American version of the popular Chinese app work, and what kind of influence could its new owners have on the videos its algorithm serves up? Today, tech expert and Crikey's Associate Editor Cam Wilson on the deal and what it might mean for TikTok's eight million Australian users.Featured:Cam Wilson, Tech expert and Crikey's Associate Editor

There's been a worrying trend in recent weeks with Russia violating the airspace of a growing number of European countries. Donald Trump thinks NATO powers should just shoot down the Russian aircraft, but what's the better option? Today Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies on what Vladimir Putin is up to and what Europe should do about it.  Featured: Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies

This week Donald Trump told pregnant women to 'fight like hell' to not take Tylenol, or what we call paracetamol.The US President linked the drug to autism, even though the science doesn't back that up. Today, Corinne Purtill, science and health reporter at the LA Times, on the ripple effect Trump's misinformation is having around the world. Featured: Corinne Purtill,  LA Times science and health reporter

It's been a week since an Optus outage left hundreds of customers unable to call triple 0 in an emergency.But while there's been widespread outrage in the days since, is anyone really holding the telco to account for the deadly error? Today, technology expert from Melbourne University Suelette Dreyfus on Optus's astonishing failure.Featured: Dr Suelette Dreyfus, Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne in the Department of Computing and Information Systems

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the UN General assembly in New York, confirming Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state.But a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump, which was expected on the sidelines, remains elusive. Should we care if the Prime Minister never sits down with the US President?Today, ABC Global Affairs Editor Laura Tingle joins us from the assembly in New York.Featured: Laura Tingle, ABC's Global Affairs Editor

Since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there's been raging debate in the US about free speech. At a memorial for him in Arizona, President Trump described Mr Kirk as a ‘martyr for American freedom' while simultaneously attacking the likes of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was suspended last week over comments he made about Kirk's death. Today, Zack Beauchamp, a senior correspondent at Vox, on how Trump is deploying the authoritarian play book. Featured:Zack Beauchamp, Vox senior correspondent

Once praised for its simplicity and speed, Google search is now facing criticism for excessive advertising and frustrating search results. Today, 404 Media co-founder Emmanuel Maiberg, on what's gone wrong with Google search, how it impacts everyday users, and what this means for the future of one of the internet's most essential tools.Featured: Emanuel Maiberg, 404 Media co-founder

Donald Trump was in his element at a state dinner hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle. But outside the grounds, protesters served as a reminder that controversy continues to follow the President, including lingering questions over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein.As the UK weighs the diplomatic value of his visit, attention is also turning to Anthony Albanese, who will face his own delicate meeting with Trump next week.Featured: Kim Hoggard, a former staffer during Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations

Tyler Robinson, the 22 year-old suspect in the assassination of right-wing US political activist Charlie Kirk has been charged, including with aggravated murder. But while America is accustomed to political assassinations, the response since the shooting has been out of the ordinary. Today, long time US historian, Dan Carter on what's unfolded since Charlie Kirk's death and why the uptick in political violence began well before Trump entered the White House.Featured:Dan Carter, American historian, author and University of South Carolina Professor emeritus

The government is set to release a new carbon emissions target, dumping the 2030 ambition for a new 2035 goal.But how much of the process is about the climate and how much is pure politics? Today, ABC finance expert Alan Kohler on this week's dire climate risk assessment, and what our new target will really achieve.Featured:Alan Kohler, ABC Finance presenter

A massive military parade in Beijing recently revealed just how advanced China's weaponry has become.It even includes an intercontinental ballistic missile that could hit key military bases in Guam. So, what does this mean for Australia's military purchases and strategy? Today, ABC Global Affairs Editor Laura Tingle on why we might need a total rethink.Featured: Laura Tingle, ABC's Global Affairs Editor

One of the great things about owning an electric vehicle is that you're not taxed for using the roads - those behind the wheel of other cars pay the fuel excise when they refill.But the government is looking to change that.Today, Giles Parkinson, founder and editor of Renew Economy and The Driven websites, on why a road user charge for electric vehicles is a "clunky" idea.Featured:Giles Parkinson, founder and editor the EV website The Driven

It was another act of political violence in a nation too accustomed to assassinations.Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing political activist and staunch Trump supporter, was shot and killed while he addressed a crowd at Utah Valley University.Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the centre-right think tank the Niskanen Center on what unfolded, and whether political figures are safe in America.Featured:Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center in Washington, DC

Donald Trump says he's “not thrilled” following an Israeli attack on Doha, the capital of key US ally Qatar.The strike targeted Hamas "senior leadership", with five of its members killed alongside a Qatari internal security forces member.It's clear the US was given very little notice before the attack unfolded - so will the US President do anything about it?Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on the consequences of Israel's actions.Featured:Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington