ABC News Daily is the podcast that helps you understand the issues affecting your world. Every episode, host Samantha Hawley walks through one story with the help of an ABC colleague or expert in under 15 minutes. When you want coverage you can trust, listen to ABC News Daily.
Key topics of recent episodes include the Donald Trump administration, DOGE, Tesla, insurance costs, recession risks, egg shortages, DeepSeek, neo-Nazis, Putin and Xi, solar batteries, the jobs market, anti-Semitism, and the Israel-Hamas war.
From interest rates, real estate and the housing crisis, to scams and US politics, ABC News Daily brings you facts and analysis you need to understand the biggest news stories.
After Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor were returned to office in the 2025 election, with a strong parliamentary majority, we will be following the government’s new agenda and how the diminished Liberal and National Party Coalition responds. The podcast picks apart major policy areas, including energy policy, finance and the Federal Budget.
The podcast covers news from America, with analysis on the Donald Trump administration in the White House. His actions, including massive tariffs on trade, have big implications for global politics and the economy and US journalists and experts will explain what's at stake.
As Australians battle a cost-of-living crisis, ABC News Daily looks at the causes of inflation, rising rental costs, house prices, insurance costs and the price of groceries. Key experts in business and finance join Samantha Hawley, explaining the state of the economy, the unemployment rate and the jobs market.
Whether you rent, own an investment house or apartment, or are repaying a mortgage, ABC News Daily offers unique insights and analysis. When there are big moves from the Reserve Bank (RBA) on interest rates, or remarkable reactions in the ASX or the Australian dollar, guest experts, including economists, explain why.
Look into ABC News Daily's archive to find episodes on electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), the big banks, supermarkets, TikTok, Ozempic, Tesla, Elon Musk, Twitter, Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, COVID, cyber security, spies, espionage, education, schools, teachers, crime and issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) Australians.
ABC News Daily follows developments in the Middle East and the war between Israel and Hamas, with insights into the mindset of Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinians and the role of Iran.
The podcast looks at the latest from Ukraine as Volodymyr Zelensky fights to repel the Russian invaders led by Russia's President Vladimir Putin. As China's Xi Jinping contemplates the future of Taiwan, ABC News Daily will sort fact from fiction. When North Korea's Kim Jong Un fires ballistic missiles, we'll assess the danger his regime poses.
When scammers target superannuation, your tax return and the ATO, you'll hear advice on what you can do to protect yourself.
As climate change fuelled by greenhouse gas emissions increases the risk of natural disasters, including fires and floods, ABC News Daily brings you fact-based analysis.
The future of electricity generation in Australia is being debated, and as claims are made about the merits of nuclear power, come to ABC News Daily for context around its potential role in replacing or augmenting coal and gas power plants and what it could mean for power bills. The podcast covers the future of renewable / green power generation, including the use of wind turbines, solar and hydro electric power.
The podcast looks at key businesses, including Coles and Woolworths, Qantas, the Commonwealth Bank and the construction, resources and manufacturing industries. When they report record profit, battle unions, or raise prices, the podcast pays attention.
ABC experts including Ian Verrender, Alan Kohler, Laura Tingle, Patricia Karvelas, John Lyons, and Annabel Crabb join Samantha Hawley to step through big issues and current affairs.
After the strikes against Iran, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is turning his focus back to the conflict in Gaza. Talks are planned between Netanyahu and the US president at the White House next week, as Donald Trump insists “we’re going to get a ceasefire”. Benjamin Netanyahu also faces public pressure in Israel to bring the hostages home, but is it really time to strike a deal with Hamas? Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on whether new talks with the US coul...
The countdown is on to the start of the social media ban for Australian children aged under 16. It’s due to start in December, but which platforms are banned and how users will have to prove their age is yet to be revealed. Today, the ABC’s national technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre on the many unanswered questions. Featured: Ange Lavoipierre, ABC’s national technology reporter
How often do you use AI chatbots? They’re becoming part of our everyday lives. But when you pump in a question into something like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, do you ever think about the energy it uses? Today, Gordon Noble from the Institute of Sustainable Futures at UTS on the power hungry data centres driving AI, the water used to keep them cool and the cost for the environment. Featured: Gordon Noble, research director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology...
Donald Trump was elected on the promise of putting America first and staying out of foreign conflicts. So the US President’s decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities caused the first and very public split among his Make America Great Again base, with influential figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon leading the charge against US involvement. Today, senior political correspondent for the Wall Street Journal Molly Ball on the fighting MAGA factions and what it means for Trump. Featured: ...
One of Iran’s closest allies outside the Middle East is Russia. So, why did Vladimir Putin decide not to come to Tehran’s aid and provide military support as Israel and then America worked to destroy its nuclear program? Today, Anna Borshchevskaya from the Washington Institute, an expert in Russia’s policy in the Middle East, on what the war means for Moscow and whether Putin might help Iran to rebuild its nuclear capacity. Featured: Anna Borshchevskaya, senior fellow at the Washington Institute...
Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, declaring it should be called “The 12 Day War”. But there was confusion over whether Iran and Israel had agreed in the hours following the social media post. It came not long after Iran fired missiles at an American military base in Qatar, retaliating against the US bombing of its key nuclear sites. Today, Jonathan Panikoff from the Atlantic Council’s Middle East program on whether peace will hold. Featured: Jonathan Panikoff, direct...
After the US bombing of key nuclear facilities, Donald Trump is now raising the prospect of regime change in Iran. He wants to Make Iran Great Again and says it’s not ‘politically correct’ to discuss the idea, but he asks ‘why wouldn’t there be a regime change?’. Today, Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group on the three options now open to Iran’s leaders and why surrender is not the one they’ll go for. Featured: Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group...
The United States has joined the war with Iran, with American war planes dropping bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites. Donald Trump addressed the American people from the White House. He claims US bombs have “totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear enrichment sites. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thinks the action could usher in a future of peace in the Middle East. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on the widening conflict and what comes next. Featured: Rajan Menon,...
A week since Israel began the conflict with Iran there’s been no great shock to the global economy. But a significant escalation in the conflict could see a spike in oil and petrol prices, raising the prospect of surging inflation, once again. Today, the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler steps through the potential impacts for Australians’ finances and why we shouldn’t be too worried, for now. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance presenter
Israel’s strikes against Iran took the regime and residents in Tehran largely by surprise. Even though striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had long been part of Israel’s playbook, the Israeli people have been caught up as some Iranian missiles get through the defences. The conflict has been foreshadowed in warnings Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given about Iran’s nuclear program for decades. But do Israelis back Netanyahu’s case for action and what is his endgame in Iran? Today, the A...
Israel has been ramping up pressure on Donald Trump for the US to join its strikes on Iran. It’s believed that only the US has the bombs that could destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities hidden deep underground. But does the Iranian regime actually have the nuclear capability the Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu says it does and was it really close to building a bomb? Today, nuclear weapons expert Ben Zala from Monash University on Iran’s nuclear program and whether Israel really needed to strike no...
As Donald Trump was watching a military parade in Washington DC, huge numbers of Americans took to the streets in the largest nationwide protests against his administration since his return to the White House. They were declaring ‘No Kings’, rallying against what they say is Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and the threat he poses to democracy. Today, Molly Ball, senior political correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, on the shift in public mood and what it means for the president. Featured:...
Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu insists his sweeping attacks on Iran are a necessity to protect his country from a ‘nuclear holocaust’. But what is his ultimate aim? The two countries are exchanging attacks, with an Israeli strike hitting the world’s biggest gas field and some Iranian missiles hitting buildings inside Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu insists the attacks were nothing compared to what Iran would see in the coming days. Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on ...
Across America, protests against Donald Trump’s immigration raids are popping up, a week since the unrest in Los Angeles began. Protesters are incensed that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continue to enter workplaces to round up undocumented immigrants. But it’s Donald Trump’s decision to send California National Guard troops and Marines to LA to protect federal agents and property that’s really causing a stir. Today, Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, on why ...
Since Israel began allowing a limited amount of food back into Gaza, the handout has been marked by disturbing scenes, including civilians being shot dead near the limited aid distribution sites. Today, we speak with Australian James Elder, the global spokesman for UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children. He’s on the ground in Gaza and explains why the chaos was inevitable. Featured: James Elder, Global Spokesman for UNICEF
California’s governor insists protests against Trump’s immigration crackdown in Los Angeles were being brought under control by local police. So, why did the US president overrule the Democratic state leaders and send in National Guard troops and now the Marines? Today, Melanie Mason, a senior reporter covering California politics for POLITICO on Trump’s dramatic intervention, fears it could escalate the unrest and what’s motivating the US president. Featured: Melanie Mason, senior political rep...
The explosive break-up of Donald Trump and Elon Musk has been fascinating to watch as the pair trade insults and threats. Could there be a reconciliation between the president and the billionaire? Or could Elon Musk follow through on his threats to start backing other political forces? Musk’s space and satellite businesses are heavily involved in the US government, so there could be real world consequences if the two don’t come to some sort of understanding. Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the cen...
The oil and gas giant Woodside has been handed a big win by Labor, with the life of its massive gas plant in Western Australia extended until 2070. That’s great news for the company that wants to start extracting gas from a new basin off the WA coast. But given that almost all the gas is sent overseas, what’s it in for Australian taxpayers and what about the climate? Today, reporter Jo Lauder from the ABC’s climate team on why the Albanese government has approved the extension even though we’re ...
Donald Trump is demanding America’s allies massively boost defence spending and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be ‘imminent’. At the same time, the United Kingdom, one of Australia’s closest allies, is rushing to invest billions of dollars in its defence force to make sure it’s ‘war ready’. Today, Peter Dean from the United States Studies Centre at Sydney University on what that all means for us and whether our defence force is fit for purpose. Featured...
Interest rates might be coming down, but house prices are heading in the other direction, once again. Given there is a major problem with housing affordability and there are so many people who can’t even afford to enter the market, who keeps pushing up prices? Today, the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on why history is repeating and conditions are ripe for a housing price surge like that in the early 2000s. He explains why housing really needs to become a bad investment. Featured: Alan Kohler,...
For a second day, the accused in the keenly watched mushroom murder trial has been questioned in court. Erin Patterson is accused of murdering her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson with death cap mushrooms served at a beef wellington lunch in 2023. She denies the charges. Today, co-host of the Mushroom Case Daily podcast, Stephen Stockwell, on Erin Patterson’s evidence and the key evidence the court has heard over the past five weeks. Featured: Step...
Elon Musk has spent a lot of time inside the Oval Office since Donald Trump returned to the White House. It was from there that the world’s richest man, sporting a black eye, was farewelled from his role in the Trump administration on Friday. He insists his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has made great progress, cutting more than $150 billion from the US budget. But that falls well short of his initial wildly optimistic claims that he could slash one trillion dollars in ...
Why would dozens of psychiatrists, dedicated to helping people at times of crisis, walk away from their jobs? On one hand it’s a simple pay dispute, but those who’ve been inside the system say it’s broken, with a demoralised workforce delivering substandard care. There’s a spotlight on the failures of mental health care in the New South Wales public system and a doctor has shared fears of another ‘Bondi Junction’ attack after witnessing someone with violent thoughts absconding from hospital. Tod...
Donald Trump has spent a long time praising him, but now the US president’s view of Vladimir Putin is shifting. Trump’s high hopes of getting Putin to the negotiating table are fading and Russia has recently launched one of the largest bombardments on Kyiv since the start of the war. Now, the end of the war in Ukraine seems as elusive as ever and Trump says Putin is ‘crazy’ and ‘playing with fire’. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on why Putin is humouring Trump but will never d...
When it looked like heavy rain was on its way, Taree farmer Josh Hack knew he had to act and move his cattle to higher ground. Now, like so many others, Josh is facing the cleanup from the record-breaking floods that devastated large parts of the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter regions. Today, we consider the plight of Australia’s farmers like Josh, but also those further south fighting their way through severe drought and ask the question; is Australia still fit for farming? Featured: Josh Hack,...
Donald Trump is beginning to make a habit of confronting world leaders while the cameras are rolling in the Oval Office. His latest victim is South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa who was ambushed with Trump’s claims that white farmers are being persecuted in his country. Today, Nancy Jacobs, a professor of history at Brown University on why Trump is so keen to spread false assertions of genocide and why white South Africans are moving to the US as refugees. Featured: Nancy Jacobs, professor ...
World leaders are strengthening their condemnations of Israel after it's renewed assault in Gaza and limiting the supply of humanitarian aid. Anthony Albanese described the ongoing blockade as 'an outrage' after the UK, France and Canada threatened sanctions last week, urging Israel to halt its latest offensive and allow more food and supplies into the besieged territory. Nevertheless, Israel's leadership is pressing ahead. Today, a British surgeon in Gaza about the conditions on the ground, and...
It was a decision driven by spite for Sydney man Peter Anderson. He was determined to buy a solar battery for his home so he could take money away from the big power companies, while never receiving a hefty power bill again. But his plan came unstuck after agreeing to participate in a so-called virtual power plant. Today, energy reporter David Mercer on Peter’s dilemma, how giving back to the grid really works and whether it’s worth it. Featured: Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter...
Elon Musk’s once firm grasp on the EV market seems to be crumbling as Tesla sales slump, so bring in Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. He’s investing in Slate, an auto start-up building a cheap bare-bones electric pick-up truck in the USA, called a ute in Australia. It’ll be much cheaper than Musk’s controversial Tesla Cybertruck. Today, Giles Parkinson, founder and editor of websites Renew Economy and The Driven gives us an update on the EV market in Australia and how Slate could be a game changer if ...
Interest rates are falling, inflation is down and the Reserve Bank seems happier than it’s been in ages. So, have we achieved the so-called soft landing after all the economic turmoil we’ve suffered since the pandemic? Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the latest rate cut, how many more we should expect and why Donald Trump could upend it all. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent
