The Signal

At a football match in western Sydney at the weekend, some of the supporters were doing Nazi salutes, booing the Welcome to Country, and singing ultra-nationalist chants.  It was a return to the ugly displays of violence and hatred between different ethnic groups which were once common in suburban clubs around the country.  Today, Samantha Lewis, a football writer for ABC Sport, on how the 'beautiful game' is still reckoning with its complicated history in Australia.  Featured:  Samantha Lewis, football writer, ABC Sport 

The barrage of interest rate rises continues, with the Reserve Bank lifting the official rate for the sixth consecutive month.  The rate rises aim to hold back inflation, but they risk hastening an economic downturn.  Today, Alan Kohler, on how new home owners are caught in the middle.  Featured:  Alan Kohler, ABC TV news finance presenter and editor-in-chief, Eureka Report 

Rising rents are biting around the country, and in some towns, even those with steady work and a good rental history have been priced out of the market.  Charities have switched from helping with rental applications, to handing out tents.  Today, ABC TV Four Corners reporter Louise Milligan on how tens of thousands of workers have been left with no place to call home.  Featured:  Louise Milligan, reporter, ABC TV Four Corners 

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, more than a dozen high profile Russian businessmen have been found dead.  The Kremlin says they're either accidental deaths or suicide, but western analysts doubt that.  Today, Bill Browder, who was once the largest foreign investor in Russia, on the lengths to which the Russian president Vladimir Putin is prepared to go to retain his grip on power, as his invasion of Ukraine falters.  Featured:  Bill Browder, businessman and Kremlin critic 

Kissed by a 12-year-old boy and overwhelmed by public support, revelling as a role player and enthralled by a new breed of Opals, Lauren Jackson is living her best life in a feel-good comeback.  The 41-year-old basketball legend knows what special looks like and the Mum of two is daring to dream at the FIBA World Cup. Today, ABC Sport Daily's Patrick Stack speaks with Jackson about her incredible return to international basketball.  Featured:  Lauren Jackson, Australian basketball legend.

It's been a tough year for our economy but spare a thought for the people of Britain, where the new government's mini-budget this week sent an already struggling economy into freefall.  Today, business editor Ian Verrender on why our own budget this month will be one of the most conservative yet.  Featured:  Ian Verrender, ABC business editor

For more than 10 days, the women of Iran have been risking their lives by defying the country's strict dress code.  In cities across the country, they've been taking to the streets, burning their headscarves in protest against the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, after she allegedly violated the hijab mandate.  Today, Iranian-American journalist Negar Mortazavi on the brutal and deadly crackdown on the demonstrators that's now underway in response.  Featured:  Negar Mortazavi, journalist and host, Iran Podcast 

The cyber attack on Optus was apparently so unsophisticated some analysts say a primary school student could have pulled it off.  So how did the telco fail to protect the data of millions of its customers?  Today, a cyber security expert on the overseas hacking gangs believed to be behind the breach. Featured:  Justin Warren, chair, Electronic Frontiers Australia 

Peter Dutton has been in politics for 20 years, and for much of that time his tough talk on immigration has defined him.  He once accused some asylum seekers of faking rape allegations, and on another occasion he said Melbourne wasn't safe because of violent African gangs.  Now, he's trying to develop a new public persona.  Today, Four Corners reporter Sean Nicholls on whether the former police officer from Queensland can pull it off.  Featured:  Sean Nicholls, ABC TV Four Corners reporter 

It was largely eradicated almost 50 years ago, but the crippling disease polio is making a comeback.  The polio virus has been discovered in London, Jerusalem and New York state, where officials have declared a health emergency.  Today, the health commissioner from the US county where there are already hundreds of cases on what needs to be done to stop the worldwide spread.  Featured:  Dr Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, epidemiologist and health commissioner, Rockland County, New York 

Family separations, a pregnancy termination, mistreatment of First Nations people. A report into Hawthorn has revealed allegations against storied coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan. Today, as the AFL grapples with another racism scandal, ABC Sport's Patrick Stack unpacks the extent of the fallout. Featured: David Mark, ABC Sport.

Vladimir Putin has threatened the world with nuclear war, and is scrambling to re-enlist thousands of former soldiers to boost his ailing forces in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Today, retired US army major, John Spencer, on whether the Russian leader is bluffing, and the consequences for the world if he's not.  Featured:  John Spencer, retired US army major and chair of urban warfare, Madison Policy Forum 

There's a turf war going on in suburban Australian streets, where teenagers say it's a case of kill or be killed. The violence is being fuelled by an extreme and disturbing form of rap, drill. Today, ABC Four Corners reporter Grace Tobin on her extraordinary access to the rival gangs, and how some teenagers are being groomed as foot soldiers for organised crime. Featured: Grace Tobin, reporter, ABC TV Four Corners With reporting by Mahmood Fazal, investigative reporter, ABC Background Briefing

Do you get a sense the pandemic could almost be over?  COVID-19 restrictions are lifting in several states this week, and our lives seem to be edging back to what they were like before we were plunged into a crisis in early 2020.  So what could be coming around the corner?  Today, epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely on why there's a very high chance we're nearing the end.  Featured:  Professor Tony Blakely, epidemiologist, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne 

In the UK, the past ten days have been anything but normal.  With the Queen's death, the nation was plunged into a period of mourning, which only officially ended after the funeral.  Today, former ABC chief foreign correspondent, Philip Williams, reflects on what unfolded, and what it says about the British psyche.  Featured:  Philip Williams, former ABC chief foreign correspondent, London 

Since the start of the war, ten of thousands of Ukrainians have vanished: civilians who have been plucked from the streets by Russian soldiers, and in some cases detained and tortured.  Today, international correspondent for The Independent news website, Bel Trew, on her months-long investigation into those who were captured, and why it constitutes another possible war crime.  Featured:  Bel Trew, international correspondent, The Independent 

Accusations of cheating, an offer to play naked to prove fairness, a chess great and a rowdy teenage disruptor. Welcome to the wild world of professional chess where Norwegian megastar Magnus Carlsen and New York upstart Hans Niemann are embroiled in a controversial feud. Today, ABC Sport Daily's Patrick Stack unpicks this unusual scandal with chess Grandmaster David Smerdon.  Featured: David Smerdon, Chess Grandmaster. 

The east coast of Australia is in the midst of a third La Niña but is this summer going to be as soggy as the past two? Today, meteorologist and ABC weather presenter Tom Saunders on what to expect and why there is always a silver lining.

Since the weekend, Ukrainian forces have recaptured thousands of square kilometres of territory, in a lightning-speed advance that caught the Russians by surprise.  So could Ukraine be winning the war?  Today, retired US army major and urban warfare expert, John Spencer, on the remarkable comeback, and how Ukrainian troops pulled it off.  Featured:  John Spencer, retired US army major and chair of urban warfare studies, Madison Policy Institute  Subscribe to ABC News Daily on the ABC listen app.

Since the FBI seized boxes of classified documents from Donald Trump's home at Mar-a-Lago, we've been learning a lot more about what they contained.  There are even reports the former President had taken details of a foreign government's nuclear capabilities, a move that could see him facing espionage charges.  Today, a former FBI investigator on why even if Donald Trump is found guilty and jailed, he could still try to run for President again, and probably will.  Featured:  Asha Rangappa, former FBI investigator, former federal prosecutor and assistant dean, Yale Law School 

There's been an extraordinary counter-offensive in the war in Ukraine in the past few days, with Ukrainian troops successfully retaking 3,000 square kilometres of land and a key town in the north-east of the country.  But in Russia, the advances have been largely ignored by President Vladimir Putin, whose propaganda machine is in overdrive.  Today, correspondent with The New York Times, Valerie Hopkins, on life in Moscow, as the war rages on the other side of the border.  Featured:  Valerie Hopkins, correspondent, The New York Times, Moscow 

Queen Elizabeth II had a deep and lasting connection to Scotland: she would spend any spare time she had there at Balmoral Castle, where she died last week. But with Her Majesty's death, the push for Scottish independence could intensify, along with similar movements in Northern Ireland and Wales.  Today, author Dennis Altman on what King Charles III can do to stop the United Kingdom from falling apart, and what it also means for our own ties to the monarchy.  Featured:  Professor Dennis Altman, professorial fellow, La Trobe University, Melbourne and author, 'God Save the Queen: the strange persistence of monarchies' 

Throughout her 70 years on the throne, the Queen fostered a lasting and deep relationship with Australia.  She visited here 16 times, the first in 1954, not long after her coronation.  Today, the ABC's royal correspondent, Juliet Rieden, on Her Majesty's special place in our nation's history, and the legacy she leaves behind.  Featured:  Juliet Rieden, ABC royal correspondent, The Australian Women's Weekly Editor-at-large, and author, 'The Royals in Australia' 

China's rapid expansion of its military and recent exercises in the Taiwan Strait have heightened concern that Beijing might be preparing to invade Taiwan.  The Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has added to that worry, by saying 'all means necessary' will be used to reunify the island with the mainland if the Taiwanese resist. Today, the host of the ABC's 7.30 program, Sarah Ferguson, on her exclusive interview with the ambassador. Featured:  Sarah Ferguson, host, ABC 7.30 

Last week, there was a dramatic finale to the case that has captivated the nation, when Chris Dawson was found guilty of the 1982 murder of his wife, Lyn.  For Lyn's family, who have been speaking with the ABC's Australian Story program over the decades, they'd finally done it: they secured the justice they had been pursuing for so long.  But now, their pain continues.  Today, ABC TV Australian Story producer, Wendy Page, on her long-lasting connection to Lyn's loved ones, and why their battle isn't over yet.  Featured:  Wendy Page, producer, ABC TV Australian Story 

There have now been five rate rises this year, but so far borrowers are only stumping up the repayments for the first two.  That's because the banks need time to recast the loans which, in the case of yesterday's additional rise, won't happen until around Christmas.  The time lag means the Reserve Bank of Australia doesn't really yet know the effect its constant rate hikes are having.  Today, the ABC's business editor, Ian Verrender, on why the RBA may have already damaged the economy by going too far.  Featured:  Ian Verrender, ABC business editor 

When you hear the term 'the spirit of Australia', your mind might turn to Qantas.  But is the airline living up to the title it uses in its ads?  Not according to Qantas pilots, engineers and baggage handlers, who've described a ruthless regime of cost-cutting and out-sourcing.  The airline defends its record on safety and staffing, although it concedes thousands of jobs have been shed over the three years of the COVID pandemic.  Today, reporter Stephen Long on his Four Corners investigation into concerns that the situation at Qantas could ultimately compromise safety for passengers.  Featured: Stephen Long, reporter, ABC TV Four Corners 

It's all happening against his wishes, but Boris Johnson's reign as the British leader has come to an end.  He had wanted to go down in the history books like his hero, Winston Churchill, but instead he's leaving Downing Street with an uninspiring record.  Today, the chief political commentator for The Independent newspaper in London, John Rentoul, on Boris Johnson's chequered legacy, and the challenges for his likely successor.  Featured:  John Rentoul, chief political commentator, The Independent newspaper, London

The potential for a nuclear disaster in Ukraine is now so high, residents around a nuclear plant in the south-east of the country have been receiving iodine tablets to help protect them against cancer, if the worst occurs. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have rushed to Zaporizhzhia to assess the nuclear plant, that's now under Russian control and has been under increasing attack. Today, physicist Edwin Lyman on the very real threat of a radioactive meltdown, as Russia's attempted invasion of Ukraine drags on. Featured:  Dr Edwin Lyman, physicist and director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington DC

Business wants more workers, unions want more money for workers, but can the jobs summit at Parliament House deliver both? Today Alan Kohler on whether the 'talkfest' can actually bring about the change the economy needs. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC News finance analyst

Around the world, air travel is frustrating and chaotic with flight cancellations, delays and lost luggage.  But is it really all down to COVID? Qantas says it is but that hasn't stopped growing calls for CEO Alan Joyce to resign.  Today, Business Editor Ian Verrender on the Irishman's 14 years at the airline's helm and why we've been falling out of love with our national carrier.  Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Business editor

When a smooth-talking, politically connected businessman rolled into a small Australian suburb offering a quick turnaround investment, locals jumped at the chance.  But they ended up losing everything.  Today, Four Corners investigative reporter Caro Meldrum-Hanna on how she tracked down and confronted the man who promised riches that never came. Featured:  Caro Meldrum-Hanna, reporter, ABC TV Four Corners

Taking on the might of the Murdoch family in court is no small feat, but the small Australian commentary website, Crikey, is doing just that.  Lachlan Murdoch is suing the platform for defamation, after it alleged links between his family and the January 6 Capitol riot in the US, which the Murdochs deny.  Today, the host of Media Watch on ABC TV, Paul Barry, on why it will be a test case for Australia's defamation laws you'll want a front row seat for. Featured:  Paul Barry, host, Media Watch, ABC TV

It could be all around us, but we can't see it, and we don't really know whether it exists.  Now scientists in Australia are leading a new state-of-the-art search deep underground to find evidence of elusive 'dark matter'.  Today, ABC reporter Ben Knight on why physics as we know it is at a crossroads.  Featured:  Ben Knight, senior ABC reporter

The government's top legal advisor may have found Scott Morrison's secret ministerial power grab was irresponsible rather than illegal, but that's far from the end of the matter.  The government thinks there's much more to uncover, which it hopes to do through a full-blown inquiry.  Today, the host of Insiders and the Back To You podcast, David Speers, on the scope of the examination to come, and why the former prime minister might be forced to face questioning.  Featured:  David Speers, host, ABC TV Insiders and ABC Podcasts Back To You

Right now, there's at least one job vacancy for every person who's unemployed in Australia.  It sounds pretty good, but there's a catch: while everyone who wants a job could theoretically have one, wages are falling way behind inflation, meaning making ends meet is getting much harder.  Today, the ABC's business editor, Ian Verrender, on next week's jobs summit in Canberra, and whether it will lead to more money in our pockets.  Featured:   Ian Verrender, ABC business editor 

Six months ago this week, the world was shocked as Vladamir Putin waged his war on Ukraine.  As the first explosions rang out around the country we spoke to Ukrainian resident Olga Polotska as she hid in her Kyiv flat and to former Russia resident and expert Samuel Greene about how the unimaginable had become a reality.  Today we catch up with them again. Featured: Olga Polotska, Kyiv resident, executive director of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine  Professor Samuel Greene, director of King's Russia Institute & Professor of Russian Politics, King's College London

As the movement to fight climate change grows, protests have become increasingly disruptive.  But did you know police in some states have been given counter-terrorism-like powers to arrest those involved, even before an event begins? Today, Background Briefing reporter, Geoff Thompson on why climate activists are finding it much harder to shut down cities.  Featured: Geoff Thompson, Background Briefing reporter

The FBI raid that saw classified documents seized from Donald Trump's home doesn't seem to have dented his political ambitions, or his influence on the Republican Party.  As ever more alarming stories surface about the kind of secret material Donald Trump had allegedly illegally taken to Mar-a-lago, the former president's latest political victim, Republican Liz Cheney, a harsh critic, has lost her primary, and with it her chances of re-election.  Today, US national security expert Karen Greenberg on a dangerous time in American politics.  Featured:  Professor Karen Greenberg, Director, Center on National Security, Fordham University School of Law, New York

Why would any Prime Minister have themselves sworn in to multiple ministries and keep it secret from basically everyone?  Scott Morrison says it was for the good of the Australian people who saw him as being responsible for everything. But does that fit the facts? Today, Insiders host David Speers on what we're learning now about the motives of the man who was our leader for almost four years. Featured: David Speers, Insiders host

Revelations former prime minister Scott Morrison secretly appointed himself to multiple ministerial positions and hid it for years have rocked Australian politics. Today Radio National's Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas on the former leader's strange power grab, why he did it, and what it says about our democracy.  Featured:  Patricia Karvelas, RN Breakfast host

The last parliament was dogged by allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.  But since the election, there's a new force in Canberra, with a record number of women winning seats on the parliamentary crossbench. Today 4 Corners reporter Louise Milligan on her fly-on-the-wall access to some of the independents.  Featured: Louise Milligan, 4 Corners