The Signal

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

The US blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz could make the fuel crunch in Australia even worse. The government's urging Australians to do what they can to use less fuel, but when will more severe restrictions kick in?Today, Saul Kavonic, energy analyst at MST Financial on why we're facing a ‘doomsday' scenario that's been war gamed for decades. He's warning that fuel prices will not return to pre-war levels for at least a year. Featured: Saul Kavonic, energy analyst at MST Financial

The peace talks failed, so now US President Donald Trump wants to further disrupt the vital oil shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz. A US blockade will stop ships entering or departing Iranian ports, but will it really work to bring an end to the conflict?Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on what happens next and why the Iran conflict is starting to look like a ‘forever war' for Trump. Featured: Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute

The ABC's Alan Kohler thinks the treasurer should nationalise the childcare system and take centres out of the hands of for-profit businesses.With lingering concerns about the quality and safety of some centres and families struggling to afford the bills, is now the time for such a radical shake up?Today, Alan Kohler on the case for change and childcare policy expert Elizabeth Hill on whether it could really work.Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert and host of “That's Business with Alan Kohler” podcastElizabeth Hill, Professor in the Department of Political Economy and Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion at Work at the University of Sydney

A fragile two week ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel has raised hopes ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz will soon be on the move. Disruptions to the oil and gas supply have raised fears of a global economic slowdown as surging fuel prices punish households and businesses. Today, Susan Stone, the Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, on whether a ceasefire changes expectations about the economic fallout and whether petrol and diesel prices are set to fall.Featured: Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics at Adelaide University

Donald Trump was threatening to wipe out ‘a whole civilisation', then about an hour before his deadline the US president announced a ceasefire deal had been struck with Iran. Iran and the United States will now spend two weeks negotiating a peace plan, but it seems there's little they can agree on.Today, Barbara Slavin, distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center on why Trump ‘blinked' and what comes next.Featured: Barbara Slavin, distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and a lecturer in international affairs at George Washington University

As a Victoria Cross recipient, Ben Roberts-Smith is one of Australia's most decorated soldiers.Now, he's been charged with five counts of the war crime of murder. It comes after he lost a landmark defamation trial in which a judge found that on the balance of probabilities, allegations the former special forces soldier was responsible for, or complicit in the deaths of four detainees in Afghanistan were substantially true. Today, international law expert Don Rothwell on the charges, which if proven, could see Ben Roberts-Smith jailed for life.Featured: Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law at the Australian National University's College of Law

We know that US President Donald Trump is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to the war in Iran, but who's in his ear?From Pete Hegseth to Marco Rubio and JD Vance, they're each playing a role in executing or trying to explain the rationale for the controversial action in Iran. If the war can't be sold as a success in the end, who in Trump's cabinet will end up paying the price?Today, David Smith from the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney on Trump's team and whether any of them know what they're doing. Featured: David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney

Oil and financial markets have been swinging wildly with every social media post from Donald Trump. But a pattern of large, well-timed trades placed on commodity and prediction markets just minutes before major Iran war announcements has emerged. It's raising concerns that some investors could be acting on inside information. Today, Andrew Verstein an expert on insider trading and law professor at UCLA on the money changing hands.Featured: Andrew Verstein, Professor of Law, and Faculty Co-Director of the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy at UCLA.

He's sending more troops to the Middle East, while insisting the war in Iran is nearly over. So is Donald Trump preparing to pull out or digging in? If the US steps back, it's signalled other countries could be left to secure the Strait of Hormuz-- a vital global oil route-- on their own.Today, defence strategist Kelly A. Grieco on why whatever comes next, the chaos is far from over.Featured:Kelly A. Grieco, Senior Fellow with the Reimagining US Grand Strategy Program at the Stimson Center

With the Easter break approaching, many motorists are wondering if they'll be able to fill up their tanks and whether it's worth travelling far from home. The fuel crunch has been triggered by the ongoing war in Iran which is disrupting global oil supply, making availability in Australia increasingly uncertain. Today, energy expert Saul Kavonic on what to expect and why government fuel incentives could make the situation worse.Featured: Saul Kavonic, energy analyst, MST Financial

Could the Iran war lead our economy into a recession?Past oil shocks have sparked economic downturns and as petrol and diesel prices climb now, it could happen again. Today, the ABCs finance expert Alan Kohler on why he thinks this could be one of the great disasters of our lifetime. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert and host of the “That's Business with Alan Kohler” podcast

With the Iran war sending the price of fuel skyrocketing, the trucking industry is amongst the hardest hit and the costs will be passed on to consumers.So, are the latest electric trucks up to the job of moving goods around such a large country and can the challenges around cost, infrastructure and range be overcome?Today, Scott Dwyer from the Institute of Sustainable Futures at UTS on the advances in technology that could help us avoid the worst impacts of the next fuel crisis.Featured: Scott Dwyer, Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney

Donald Trump is in the midst of a messy war with Iran, but at the same time his sights are set on Cuba. The US leader says he'll be having the “honour of taking Cuba”, which has been crippled by an oil embargo president Trump imposed earlier this year. Today, Lillian Guerra, professor of Cuban history at the University of Florida on Trump's next move. Featured: Lillian Guerra, professor of Cuban and Caribbean history at the University of Florida

Donald Trump says Iran is negotiating with the US to end the war, but Iran says that's ‘fake news'.So, are there efforts underway to bring the conflict to a close or not? And who's winning the war?Today, Jonathan Panikoff from the Atlantic Council's Middle East program on Iran's stronghold on the Strait of Hormuz and why it will only stop the fighting on its terms. Featured: Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council

When South Australians went to the polls on the weekend one in five voters put One Nation first. That's the party's best showing in that state ever and federal party leader Pauline Hanson says a movement is under way. Referring to the party's colour branding, One Nation's SA leader Cory Bernardi insists an ‘orange wave' is here to stay. Today, the ABC's Melissa Clarke on how the party is translating strong polling into votes and what that means for federal politics. Featured: Melissa Clarke, ABC political correspondent and host of ‘AM'

For years, Australians heading to Europe have relied on flights that have stopovers in the Gulf.But as war in the Middle East disrupts travel plans for thousands, should we reconsider the region as a transit hub? And if you've already booked flights via the Gulf, what should you do now?Featured: Ian Douglas, aviation management lecturer at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Are the petrol stations price gouging and cashing in on the Iran war? If they are, is there anything that can stop them? Today, David Byrne, professor of economics at the University of Melbourne on how fuel companies justify the rapid price rises and what motorists can do to fight back.Featured: David Byrne, professor of economics at the University of Melbourne

Donald Trump's top counterterrorism official has quit over the war in Iran. He says pressure from Israel, not an imminent threat from Iran, led the US president to start the conflict.Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on Benjamin Netanyahu's goals in Iran and how long he wants the fight to last.  He explains why, if regime change isn't possible, Israel might keep going until the Iranian state fails.  Featured: Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute

The RBA has lifted interest rates for a second consecutive month.Are we now in a long rate hiking cycle, accelerated by the war in Iran, or could this be the rise that finally brings inflation under control? Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the uncertainty for the economy and the outlook for rates. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondent 

As the Iran war enters its third week, the ripple effect is growing around the world as the global oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. In Australia, petrol and diesel prices are soaring and in some regional areas the bowsers have run dry.Today, David Leaney, an international supply chain expert from the ANU on how panic buying is driving prices higher and why the government should start restricting sales.Featured: David Leaney, international supply chain management consultant and Lecturer at Australian National University