The Signal

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

It was one of the worst environmental disasters to strike Australia's oceans. When a massive algal bloom arrived in South Australia, devastating the coastline and killing marine life, the public was initially told it wasn't toxic, when it later became apparent it was.Today, Four Corners reporter Angus Grigg on his investigation into what the South Australian government knew and whether it acted fast enough.Featured: Angus Grigg, Four Corners reporter

Almost two weeks into the war in Iran, Donald Trump's endgame remains elusive.He insists the US has won already, even as the bombs fall and Iran's drones cause havoc in the region.Did the US president misjudge how a war with Iran would play out and how significant the ripple effects would be across the world?Today, staff writer at the Atlantic magazine Tom Nichols on why the Trump administration is 'strategically incompetent' and why he thinks the president is suffering from 'victory disease'.Featured:Tom Nichols, The Atlantic magazine staff writer

Artificial intelligence is playing a key role in the war in Iran, with AI tools suspected of being used to gather intelligence, pick targets and plan bombings.At the same time, a battle has broken out between the Trump administration and one of the leading AI firms, Anthropic, over what limits should be placed on the use of AI by the military. Today, Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales on why guardrails are crucial to avoid a nightmare future of AI fuelled warfare. Featured: Toby Walsh, UNSW AI Institute chief scientist 

They stood on a field in the Gold Coast and bravely refused to sing their national anthem and they were condemned as traitors on Iranian state TV. A week later, members of the Iranian women's soccer team who competed in the Women's Asian Cup have been offered asylum in Australia.Today, lawyer and sport integrity expert Catherine Ordway on how it all unfolded. Featured: Catherine Ordway, sport integrity expert and a visiting scholar at the University of NSW School of Business based in Canberra 

Donald Trump wanted regime change in Iran and to personally choose who the next leader would be. Instead, Iran's top clerics chose Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after he was killed in US-Israeli strikes.Today, Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Centre on what this appointment means for the war.Featured: Barbara Slavin, distinguished fellow at the Stimson Centre in Washington D.C.

Can you believe the construction of a high speed rail network could start in just two years? Scepticism is not unwarranted because we've been talking about fast train travel for decades, but it's never happened because it basically costs too much.  Today, Joe Langley, an urban planner who worked on the Gillard government's study of high speed rail and who is a member of the advocacy body the Australian High Speed Rail Association. Featured: Joe Langley, urban planner and member of the Australian High Speed Rail Association

One of Donald Trump's stated reasons for going to war with Iran is to destroy the nuclear threat he says it poses.  But by starting the conflict has he made the world less safe? There are concerns around what happens to Iran's enriched nuclear material and the lessons other countries will take from Iran's being hit while remaining at the threshold short of getting a bomb.Today, Kelsey Davenport from the Arms Control Association on why it could all lead to more nuclear weapons around the world.Featured: Kelsey Davenport, Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association

It's been less than a week since the war in Iran began but it's already having an economic impact here.Oil and gas prices are rising and that has the Reserve Bank worried about inflation and analysts warn that could mean more interest rate hikes. Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on why we're so economically vulnerable to a conflict so far away and what we can expect in the weeks ahead.  Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondent

The Iran war is expanding and already having ripple effects across the globe.How long will it last? US President Donald Trump says a month or longer, “whatever it takes”.Today, we speak to Rana Dadpour who fled the brutal Iranian regime in 2012 and founded the group Australian United Solidarity for Iran.We also speak with international relations expert Rajan Menon about why this could be a long war. Featured: Rana Dadpour, founder of Australian United Solidarity for IranRajan 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

Donald Trump says the war with Iran will continue until all his goals are achieved and he's warned more US troops are likely to die.But if one of the aims is regime change in Iran, can the US president achieve that without troops on the ground? The war is escalating in the region with Israel beginning strikes on the Iran-linked militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon's capital Beirut, after it launched missiles towards Israel. Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on why the war is unlikely to go as Trump planned and the nightmare scenarios. Featured: Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute

For weeks Donald Trump threatened Iran with military strikes and on Saturday morning in Iran the bombing by US and Israeli forces began.He says Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.In a social media video, the US president urged the Iranian people to rise up and topple the regime.Iran has responded by targeting Israel and US military bases across the region with drones and missiles, hitting targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar. Today, Nate Swanson, Iran expert at the Atlantic Council on what could come next. Featured: Nate Swanson, senior fellow and director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council

They tried to stop it happening, but Bill and Hillary Clinton had no choice in the end but to testify or face jail time.  The political power couple is being hauled before a US congressional investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Today, David Smith from the United States Studies Centre at Sydney University on what we can expect from their depositions.   Featured: David Smith, associate professor at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney

US President Donald Trump spent almost two hours outlining what he believes to be a myriad of achievements on the economy and immigration. It's the longest State of the Union address ever recorded.  But has the US president convinced voters that his first year in office has been a raging success and can he turn his tanking popularity around before the mid-term elections in November.  Today, Emma Shortis, a US politics expert at the progressive think tank, the Australia Institute, on Trump's State of the Union address.  Featured: Emma Shortis, Director of the Australia Institute's International & Security Affairs Program

The possible return home of a group of so-called ‘ISIS brides' from Syria has caused a political storm.But why? Given similar groups of women and children have been returned in the past by both the Albanese and Morrison governments? Today, Adam Harvey, reporter for the ABC's 7.30 program, joins us to discuss his 2019 reporting as a foreign correspondent on the ground in the Syrian camp where the Australians were living. He spoke with some of the Australian women at the time. Adam also looks at the current debate and what happens if the group is successful in getting home. Featured: Adam Harvey, 7.30 reporter

The US Supreme Court has ruled that most of Donald Trump's tariffs are illegal. So, will President Trump give back to Australian companies the millions of dollars they've already lost?What does the new 15 percent global tariff mean for the global economy? Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the latest tariff chaos.Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondent

They used to be known as personal assistants, now you can just get an AI agent to plan your day, answer your emails and organise your life. But what are the risks around handing over control of your data, messages and payment methods to the latest wave of artificial intelligence tools?Today, computer security expert at Melbourne University Shaanan Cohney on how AI agents work and how close we are to AI taking our jobs. Featured: Dr Shaanan Cohney, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security and Deputy Head for the School of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has spent about 10 hours of his 66th birthday in police custody as they investigate whether the former prince shared government secrets with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles has tried to distance himself from the man who remains eighth in line to the throne. But can the royal family survive this scandal?Today, the ABC's Annabel Crabb on what happens when the justice system comes for the King's brother.Featured: Annabel Crabb, ABC writer and presenter

It's a case that's captivated America and grabbed headlines around the world. The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Australian-born US Today show host Savannah Guthrie.The 84-year-old has been missing for more than three weeks and the mystery only deepened with the release of eerie doorbell footage showing a masked person at her door.Today, we speak to former FBI profiler, Mary Ellen O'Toole, who spent her career studying the criminal mind.  She tells us why it's not likely a burglary gone wrong and what she sees in the demeanour of the masked figure. Featured: Mary Ellen O'Toole, former FBI profiler and currently director of the forensic science program at George Mason University

When Coles told you that prices were “Down Down”, were they really? That's a matter now before the Federal Court with the competition watchdog, the ACCC, arguing consumers have been misled and it needs to end. Today, consumer affairs reporter Michael Atkin on what we've heard in the case so far and how Coles defends its practices. Featured: Michael Atkin, ABC consumer affairs reporter