The Signal

There's a revolving door at 10 Downing Street, a prime minister goes in and they're popped out again. This time it was Keir Starmer.   Can his likely successor, the former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham last the distance?  Today, Simon Tormey, Professor of Politics at Deakin University on why Britain's woeful economy will make it hard.   Featured:  Simon Tormey, Professor of Politics and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University 

Before the war it was open, safe and toll free, but now the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the biggest problems for Donald Trump as he tries to end the war and keep peace talks on track. While the global oil supply has been disrupted for months, petrol price here are now as low as they were before the war began. Today, energy analyst Kevin Morrison on how long that can last. Featured:  Kevin Morrison, energy analyst, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis 

Ukraine is now striking deep inside Russia using drones developed during its war with its invading neighbour. At the same time, the Ukrainian military has been regaining some its territory using short range drones. The embrace of new technologies is giving Ukraine an edge in the war and bringing to fight to Vladimir Putin's doorstep.  But that doesn't mean the war is set to end any time soon.  Today, Professor Michael C. Horowitz, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations on how Ukraine is changing the war.    Featured:  Michael C. Horowitz, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania 

This week Pauline Hanson addressed the National Press Club and a new poll showed she is Australia's preferred prime minister. Today, columnist, author and academic, Waleed Aly, on how One Nation could win the next election and why it's so hard for the major parties to stop the rise of Pauline Hanson. Featured:  Waleed Aly, co-host of The Minefield on ABC Radio National, a columnist, author and politics lecturer at Monash University 

Australia's Socceroos were underdogs going into their World Cup match against Türkiye.  They achieved a surprise win, but can they do the same in their next match against the host nation USA?  The young team and coach Tony Popovic will have to beat the odds. Today, sport journalist Niav Owens, who's a host of the SBS coverage of the FIFA World Cup, on why it might not be an easy win for the Americans and what success could mean for football in Australia. Featured:  Niav Owens, host of the SBS FIFA World Cup coverage

Australia led the way, now the UK government has announced its own ban on social media for under 16s. But six months since the restrictions came into force here, are they really working, given most young teenagers who were using social media still are?   Today, Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University on what we need to do to help our children be safe online. Featured:  Professor Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, an academic advisor to the eSafety Commissioner and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University

A new deal between Iran and the United States to stop the fighting and negotiate is not even signed yet, but the US president insists the Strait of Hormuz is set to open. Donald Trump has declared ‘let the oil flow', even though the memorandum of understanding won't be signed until Friday in Switzerland.  But what did the United States have to give Iran to secure the ceasefire agreement and is it any better that Obama's deal with Iran?Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on whether the ceasefire can hold given Israel's strikes in Lebanon.  Featured:  Rajon Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College New York and a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies.

GLP-1 drugs were first approved to treat diabetes and then caused a frenzy when it was discovered they were great for weight loss. But now scientists are discovering the drugs that have brand names including Ozempic and Mounjaro might offer so much more, from reducing the risk of heart attack to treating kidney disease. Today, Doctor Paul Joyce, a pharmaceutical scientist at Adelaide University on how Ozempic is shaking things up, again. Featured:  Doctor Paul Joyce, a pharmaceutical scientist at Adelaide University 

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