The Signal

When Donald Trump stormed out of an interview after hurling abuse at the female anchor it wasn't surprising, he often attacks those who dare to challenge him.  But why does the US president continually get away with it with little push back from the press?  Today, host of ABC Radio National's Saturday Extra, Nick Bryant on his encounters with Donald Trump and the changing media landscape in the US. Featured:  Nick Bryant, host of ABC Radio National's Saturday Extra and writer ‘History Never Ended' Substack

Donald Trump keeps saying a deal with Iran to end the war is close, but there are no signs of it. Iran and the US have been engaged in retaliatory strikes and Israel is pushing further into Lebanon.  So, can the US President still get out of the war?  And how far is Israel prepared to go in its fight against Hezbollah? Featured:  Randa Slim, director, Middle East Program at the Stimson Centre 

A mobile billboard campaign has hit the streets of Melbourne, decrying the state of Victoria under the leadership of Premier Jacinta Allan.  But it's the ‘ditch the witch' slogan slapped next to the premier's face that has sparked outrage.  Ms Allan says it's sexist and misogynist, but the One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the premier should just ‘suck it up, sweetheart'.  Today, Amy Remeikis the Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute and contributing editor at The New Daily on how the politics of grievance is making a comeback. Featured:  Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute

The FIFA World Cup is supposed to bring the world together.  But with fans from some countries facing US travel restrictions, the Iran war spilling into the tournament through visa disputes and controversy over soaring ticket prices, the road to the event has been anything but easy. Today, sports journalist Tracey Holmes on how FIFA's global tournament is colliding with the realities of Trump's America.  Featured:  Tracey Holmes, host of The Sports Ambassador podcast 

America's big tech bosses are trying to get artificial intelligence deployed everywhere, taking over our homes, our hobbies and our work.  By now, most of us are using AI for daily tasks, even if by accident. But it doesn't mean we all agree with the path we're on and increasingly people are voicing their concerns about the AI revolution.  Today, the ABC's national AI reporter Cam Wilson on the growing backlash. Featured:  Cam Wilson, ABC's national AI reporter

Donald Trump is pondering whether a UFC cage could become a permanent fixture on the South Lawn of the White House after a fight takes place there on his 80th birthday.  Today, Sally Jenkins from The Atlantic magazine on Trump's deep links to the mixed martial arts organisation.  We explore how bringing the sport's ‘savagery' to the seat of power in the US is all part of Trump's norm-breaking style and aggressive approach to politics. Editor's note: This episode includes the following description of UFC bouts; “you're watching crotch kicking, bare knuckle brawling, anything goes, squeezing the throat of an opponent.” However, the UFC website states it adopted the Unified Rules of MMA in November 2000, these include fouls for throat strikes and groin attacks. Fighters are also required to wear gloves. Featured:  Sally Jenkins, a staff writer at The Atlantic 

Should we be spending up to $368 billion on nuclear powered submarines over the next 30 years? Peter Garrett, the former Labor Minister and Midnight Oil star doesn't think so. He's set up a crowdfunded inquiry into the AUKUS submarine deal. It follows the government revealing the original agreement has changed a bit with the US to switch out one new sub for a second hand one. Today, Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program, on the growing concerns about the deal and what we really need to defend Australia.Featured: Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program

House prices have begun to fall, with Sydney and Melbourne leading the downward trend.So, will they bounce back or could it be, as some forecasts suggest, the start of a new cycle where house prices remain stagnant for decades. Today, business editor Michael Janda on why this could be the correction young Australians have been waiting for. Michael was also on Monday's episode of ABC Business Daily with Carrington Clarke, discussing the latest house price data. Listen here: Why property is flatliningFeatured: Michael Janda, ABC Business Editor

Do you believe that Elon Musk can establish a colony on Mars of a million people or launch data centres into space? If you do, you might be thinking of investing in SpaceX which will go public on the Nasdaq stock market this month. Even if you have your doubts, you might just gamble on Musk anyway for fear of missing out.Today, Quinn Slobodian, co-author of ‘Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed' on Musk's $1.8 trillion valuation.Featured: Quinn Slobodian, Professor of International History at Boston University and co-author of ‘Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed'

The New South Wales Police Force was so corrupt in the 1990s a royal commission was formed and it was forced to clean up its act.These days it's the most complained about force in the country and it's the national leader in legal payouts, costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.Today, Four Corners reporter Dylan Welch on his investigation into cases of police abuse and misconduct. Featured: Dylan Welch, Four Corners reporter

The US military is striking Iran and Israel has ramped up its attacks in southern Lebanon. Is there really a chance of a peace deal? And does the Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu even want one as he faces an election within months. Today, Dov Waxman, professor of Israel studies at UCLA on Netanyahu's political future. Featured: Dov Waxman, Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Chair of Israel Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles

Australians have had a rough few years when it comes to power bills, with the war in Ukraine helping send global energy prices soaring. But now, despite ongoing conflict overseas, electricity prices are finally set to fall for homes and businesses. Today, ABC energy reporter Dan Mercer on the battery boom driving down prices and whether more bill relief is on the horizon.Featured: Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter

Peace talks in Qatar had barely begun when the US initiated a new wave of strikes against Iran. The US says targeting Iranian boats and missile sites was an act of self-defence, but what will it mean for a deal to end the war? Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute explains what the US President actually needs to finally walk away from a conflict he no longer wants.Featured:Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute

Memes featuring an AI-generated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claim he's effectively taking a 47 per cent stake in businesses. But what's the reality of the government's budget tax changes? Today, we speak with a small business owner who's concerned about the economic realities of doing business in Australia. We also speak with an economist about the implications of the changes for how Australians build wealth. Featured: Sarcha Thurston, Owner of Yogahub Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics at Adelaide University

The cost of fuel across Australia has come off its highs, despite there being no resolution yet to the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But don't get comfortable because the real pain from the global oil crunch hasn't really hit us yet. Today, Saul Kavonic, energy expert at MST financial, on how we've weathered the storm so far and what could happen in the months ahead. Featured: Saul Kavonic, energy analyst, MST Financial

It's almost three months since Donald Trump began the Iran war, but is there any chance that America can achieve anything that looks like victory? As the US president considers whether to launch new strikes or pursue a compromise deal, what would Iran actually agree to? Today, Robert Malley, a lead negotiator on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal on why a new deal might look just like Barack Obama's and how the quagmire can be compared to the Vietnam war. Featured: Robert Malley, Special Envoy for Iran in the Biden administration and now a lecturer and Senior Fellow at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs  

There are questions about the future of Taiwan after Donald Trump declared he's “not looking to have somebody go independent”.The US president met China's leader in Beijing and says Xi Jinping asked him whether the US would defend Taiwan. What do Trump's comments mean for US-China relations and how likely is a Chinese invasion of the self-governed island?Today, Samir Puri, visiting lecturer in war studies at King's College London on President Xi Jinping's warning to Trump and whether the Chinese are ready for war. Featured: Samir Puri, visiting lecturer in war studies at King's College London

Labor wants its budget to be seen as a concrete step towards levelling the playing field between the generations. But Newspoll suggests it's the most unpopular federal budget in more than 30 years. Across the polls, Labor's support is steady or declining, while One Nation rises above the Coalition. Will bolder economic policies from Labor and the Coalition stop the collapse of Australia's two-party system and the rise of minor parties and independents?Today, Michelle Grattan, political correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow at the University of Canberra on the reaction to the budget. Featured: Michelle Grattan, political correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow at the University of Canberra

With so many tech bosses accompanying Donald Trump on his recent trip to China, expectations were high that AI and high tech business deals would be central to the talks. But in the end, there was no breakthrough on selling US firm Nvidia's high tech AI chips to China.So where does that leave the race for AI dominance and how are China and the US approaching AI differently?Today, China tech expert Selina Xu on who's ahead right now and what happens next.Featured: Selina Xu, China tech researcher, writer and analyst 

If you've got a family trust, you're probably doing pretty well.They've been used for generations to distribute wealth and reduce tax bills. Now the government's moving to make sure the tax office receives more from the earnings, imposing a minimum 30 percent tax on discretionary trusts. Today, Kristen Sobeck a tax expert at the University of Canberra on the new tax on trusts. Featured: Kristen Sobeck, economics lecturer at the University of Canberra

Marco Rubio is hitting his stride, he's Trump's National Security Advisor and his Secretary of State, he's taken over the White House press briefing, sat down with the Pope and is now in China for Trump's showdown with President Xi.No wonder speculation is growing that he could be the next Republican presidential nominee, instead of Vice President JD Vance.Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the Niskanen Center think tank on the new political battle in the US.Featured: Geoff Kabaservice, Niskanen Center Vice President for Political Studies 

It's been an ordeal for those who embarked on a cruise across in early April and it's not over yet. The ship's passengers are being repatriated across the world after potential exposure to hantavirus, which caused the death of three passengers. Among those heading home are four Australians who will soon be placed in a quarantine facility in Western Australia. What is the virus, how does it spread and should we be worried about it?  Today epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre from UNSW on everything you need to know about hantavirus. Featured: Raina MacIntyre, epidemiologist and Professor of Global Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered his 2026 budget, unveiling a new tax cut and some of the most significant tax changes in decades.  Delivered as war impacts the economy, it's being sold as a budget that addresses the growing inequality between generations, with the treasurer declaring Labor is on the hard road of reform. But will changes to taxes on property investors and family trusts really level the playing field?The ABC's chief business correspondent Ian Verrender joins Sam Hawley in the budget lock-up in Sydney. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent

For decades, Russia's Victory Day parade has brought tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles to Red Square to celebrate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. But not this year. Russia's President Vladimir Putin scaled back the event due to the risk of a Ukrainian long range attack on Moscow. At the same time, media reports citing a European intelligence service suggest security is increasing around Putin and there's even a risk of a coup. Today, Matthew Sussex, Russia expert at the Australian National University on Putin's paranoia and whether Ukraine has cards to play in the conflict. Featured: Matthew Sussex, associate professor at the Centre for European Studies at the Australian National University

Why is it up to the Reserve Bank to control inflation with interest rates? Imagine if there were other tools that spread the pain to more people, not just those repaying a home loan. Perhaps the government could force workers to put more money into their superannuation accounts or move the GST up and down depending on the inflation rate. Today, independent economist Chris Richardson assesses the options. Featured: Chris Richardson, independent economist

It's a new sort of warfare and it's not taking place on the battlefield.Backers of Iran are creating so-called ‘slopaganda' using AI generated videos to mock the United States and President Donald Trump. But while Iranian diplomats are sharing the viral videos, are they actually changing anyone's mind? Today, Brett Schafer from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue on how Iran is using meme warfare to soften the regime's image. Featured: Brett Schafer, senior director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Anthony Albanese is about to break a major election promise. Next week's budget will reveal just how dramatic the government's changes to generous tax breaks for property investors will be. The expected shake up to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount follows the prime minister's promises during the last election campaign to leave the arrangements as they were.Have concerns around generational inequality in housing made breaking an election promise feasible?Today, host of ABC Radio's AM program, Melissa Clarke, on the prime minister's gamble. Featured: Melissa Clarke, political correspondent and host of ‘AM'

The US President Donald Trump has launched what he's calling ‘Project Freedom', promising to rescue commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.Already Iran has resumed firing on the UAE and the US says it's destroyed Iranian military boats in the Strait.Today, Jennifer Parker, a former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer, on the new phase of the Iran war. Featured: Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Professor at the Defence and Security Institute at The University of Western Australia 

The war in Iran is creating economic uncertainty around the world, with higher inflation putting pressure on central banks, including the RBA, to hike interest rates.So, why are stocks still surging on Wall Street, driving the value of the world's biggest sharemarkets to record highs? Today the ABC's finance expert Alan Kohler on why investors remain so optimistic and it's got a lot to do with AI.  Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert

The nation was shocked when 95-year-old Clare Nowland died after being tasered by a NSW police officer at an aged care facility in 2023. While police forces defend their policies and training, there are concerns that officers draw the weapon too quickly, not just when danger is imminent. There's also a controversial medical diagnosis called “excited delirium” that's been used to explain why it's not the device that's causing deaths. Are the devices really as safe as their maker insists?Today, reporter Grace Tobin on her Four Corners investigation into the multi-billion-dollar Taser industry. Featured: Grace Tobin, ABC investigative reporter

In the past week Donald Trump's obsession with building his grand ballroom has reared its head again.He was even talking about it after the suspected third attempt on his life. The US president has torn down parts of the East Wing of the White House to make way for the huge structure that will dominate the White House. Today, Dan Diamond, White House reporter at the Washington Post on legal efforts to stop the president and what Trump's motive really is. Featured: Dan Diamond, Washington Post White House reporter 

The growth of the NDIS is about to be slashed, but what tool will the government use to determine who gets to stay and whose disability supports are cut?Today, we speak with Martin Laverty, an architect of the NDIS and now head of disability services provider, Aruma. We also speak with Jess Howlett who has autism, about her fears she'll be unfairly removed from the scheme.Featured: Jess Howlett, diagnosed with level 2 autismMartin Laverty, chief executive of disability accommodation and services provider Aruma

China buys lots of Iran's oil, but it's trying to avoid getting drawn into the war, instead calling for de-escalation and peace in the Middle East. So, what role is Beijing actually playing, how is its economy affected and what is it learning about the United States' military? Today, Neil Thomas, an expert in China's politics from the Asia Society Policy Institute on Xi Jinping's strategy and standing in the world. Featured: Neil Thomas, fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis

Donald Trump's dislike of the press has seen him repeatedly refuse to attend the annual White House correspondent's dinner in Washington DC.But this year he'd taken his seat not long before a 31 year old tried to burst into the function room armed with guns and knives. The US president has described the suspect as ‘sick'.Today, we speak with Missy Ryan, staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, who was in the room when the chaos began. Featured: Missy Ryan, staff writer at The Atlantic

A video posted by Senator David Pocock has gone viral, leaving some viewers asking why the gas giants aren't paying more for the resources they extract in Australia.  The video reveals the government receives more money from a tax on beer than from the tax on the profits of massive oil and gas projects. But is that the whole story?Today, the ABC's chief digital political correspondent Clare Armstrong on the growing campaign for a new gas tax and what to make of the push back from the industry. Featured: Clare Armstrong, ABC chief digital political correspondent

More than seven weeks since the start of the war in Iran, flight schedules through the Middle East are still disrupted, but slowly recovering. Travellers are now more likely to get to their destinations on time, but the cost to airlines from the surging price of jet fuel is starting to bite. Today, aviation industry expert Ian Douglas on where things currently stand and why airfares aren't coming down in price anytime soon. Featured: Ian Douglas, honorary senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales School of Aviation

US President Donald Trump is all in on it, but could Australia 'drill baby drill' its way to fuel security and avoid oil shocks in the future? Australia used to have a network of refineries and we were mostly self-sufficient in fuel production. Who let so many close and why? Today, Alison Reeve, energy expert from the Grattan Institute on whether we really could build new refineries and successfully exploit new oil fields. Featured: Alison Reeve, Energy and Climate Change Program Director at the Grattan Institute

Donald Trump went into the war with Iran thinking it would be over quickly.More than seven weeks later there's still no obvious off ramp, with uncertainty surrounding a second round of peace talks in Pakistan. Today, Nate Swanson, a former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration, on what the US president needs to do to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz Featured: Nate Swanson, former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration and former director for Iran at the National Security Council during the Biden presidency. Resident senior fellow and director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council. 

Shoppers have been dismayed by grocery price rises for years, now there are warnings that food will cost even more as the effects of the Iran war reach consumers. Transporting produce around the country will cost more due to high diesel prices, but farmers don't necessarily get to recoup the surging costs on the farm itself.So how are our farmers faring and when will another round of price hikes reach us at the supermarket check-out? Today, we speak with agricultural business expert Stefan Vogel and to South Australian grain grower Louise Flohr. Featured: Louise Flohr, South Australian grain farmerStefan Vogel, general manager of RaboResearch Australia & New Zealand

Over the past eight years ADHD diagnoses among Australian adults have surged, especially among women.You might be surprised to hear where the ADHD capitals are.Today, Dr Norman Swan on his Four Corners investigation into the exclusive prescribing data and whether it shows ADHD is being over-diagnosed. Featured: Dr Norman Swan, Four Corners reporter and co-host of ABC Radio National's Health Report and What's That Rash

What does Russia's Vladimir Putin make of the Iran war? He's one of the few beneficiaries, making vast sums of money as the oil price spiked and Donald Trump temporarily eased sanctions. The world's attention has been diverted from his war in Ukraine and the thorn in his side, the NATO alliance, is under more pressure than ever. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on Trump's growing anger about NATO's refusal to help the US in the Strait of Hormuz and whether Europe will soon be ready to ward off its hostile neighbour on its own. Featured: Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York and a senior research fellow at the Saltzman Institute at Columbia University

What's behind US President Donald Trump's attack on Pope Leo?After the leader of the Catholic Church criticised Trump's threats to destroy Iranian civilisation, the president unleashed. Trump dismissed the Pope as ‘weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy'.Debate over the US leader's mental health has reignited since the fuel erupted and he posted an AI image depicting himself as Jesus.  Today, David A. Graham from The Atlantic magazine on what Trump's behaviour says about his ability to govern. Featured: David A. Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic