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, the risk of constitutional crisis, DOGE, Tesla, insurance costs, recession risks, egg shortages, DeepSeek, neo-Nazis, Putin and Xi, 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.
In this election year expect regular updates on Australian politics, with key comments from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as they compete for votes in the 2025 Australian election. 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 return to power has big implications for global politics and security 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.
With just hours until election day starts in America, we’ll just have to wait and see whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will win the presidency. The opinion polls have been inconclusive, with the Democratic and Republican candidates neck and neck in the US states expected to be key. Today, the ABC’s North America correspondents Barbara Miller and Carrington Clarke join me from Pennsylvania. They’ve been travelling across the United States throughout this brutal campaign, meeting dozens of vo...
Big interest rate rises since May 2022 have finally seen house prices begin to drop in our most populous cities. In the latest Corelogic data for October, Sydney home prices fell 0.1% in a month, while Melbourne was 0.2% down. It’s still a mixed picture across the country, with national home values up 6% for the year, 1.9% down in Melbourne, 3.7% up in Sydney and a massive 22.6% rise in Perth. With home price rises slowing in some cities, how long will that slump continue and what happens when i...
Michigan is a key swing state in the US election and there’s a big divide in voting intentions between its biggest city, Detroit, and much of the rest of the state. Detroit is set to strongly back Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump has compared the city to a developing nation. With just days until the US election, host of America’s Last Election podcast series Matt Bevan is in Michigan where he’s been gauging the mood of voters. Today, he discusses hot dogs, a close-ish encounter with Kamala Harris...
We’d all like to fly business class, but most of us end up at the back. So, no wonder claims that the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arranged personal flight upgrades directly with the boss of Qantas has caused a furore. Today, Sean Johnson, founder of the Open Politics website and former lobbyist and Liberal party staffer on political gift giving and why it needs to end. He explains the exclusive nature of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge and its implications for political transparency. He highlig...
Donald Trump says he’s the opposite of a Nazi and his opponent Kamala Harris is a fascist, not him. But what do his own words and actions show us? Today, Jennfier Mercieca, historian of political rhetoric from Texas A&M University on how Trump’s language can be likened to Hitler’s and how he uses it to win over his supporters. She says Trump’s campaign strategy involves terrorising voters into supporting him by exploiting their fears. She highlights how Trump’s rhetoric includes derogatory c...
More than two and a half years into the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone to an ally for help. Several thousand North Korean troops have arrived in Russia and are expected to join the fight. Today, Russia expert Matthew Sussex from the Centre for European Studies at the ANU on what it means for the war. He explains that the North Korean troops are likely to be used in rear-area roles initially, freeing up Russian soldiers for front-line combat. He highlights that this mov...
Artificial Intelligence chatbots have come such a long way in a really short time. Each release of ChatGPT brings new features, like voice chat, along with updates to the training data fed into the systems, supposed to make them smarter. But are more leaps forward a sure thing? Or could the tools actually get dumber? Today, Aaron Snoswell from the generative AI lab at the Queensland University of Technology discusses the limitations of large language models like ChatGPT. He explains why some obs...
With less than two weeks until Americans vote, Donald Trump’s campaign keeps getting stranger. From playing music instead of taking questions from supporters, to commenting on the genitalia of a dead golfer, and suggesting he’d deploy the military against his ‘enemy within’ the United States. But still the polls are neck and neck. Today, we talk to Rina Shah, a former Republican strategist, about the race to the finish line. She speaks about the importance of Pennsylvania in the upcoming electio...
In 2018, Queensland decriminalised abortion up to 22 weeks’ gestation without a doctor's permission. Now, the prospect of repealing those laws has become a major issue ahead of this weekend’s state election. In South Australia too, the legality of abortion has been contested in the parliament. So, why is abortion up for debate? Today, Prudence Flowers from Flinders University on why what’s happening here can be linked to the United States. Dr Flowers explains that the overturning of Roe v Wade i...
With the polls in the US neck and neck just a few weeks out from the election, money talks. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is throwing it around for Donald Trump, even offering million-dollar cheques to voters who sign a petition set up by a Trump-friendly campaign group. Today, Vittoria Elliot from WIRED on why Musk is so desperate for Trump to win. Vittoria Elliot explains Musk’s shift from supporting Democrats to backing Trump, driven by business interests and regulatory concerns. S...
The assassination of the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, the architect of the October 7 attack, might have been an opportunity for a ceasefire. Instead, Israeli airstrikes have intensified in the north and there is no sign Hamas will agree to the return of hostages. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on what Benjamin Netanyahu hopes to achieve. Professor Menon says that despite Sinwar’s death, Hamas remains resilient and continues to pose a threat. He says the international co...
The cost of toll roads for drivers and even rideshare passengers are hard to avoid and the price attached to each beep of the reader increases every year. Transurban is the firm that dominates the industry on the east coast and in some states they can even use the criminal justice system to chase toll debts and fines. The cost of toll roads is prohibitive for many drivers, forcing people to quit jobs across town and pushing truck drivers to use suburban roads instead. Today, Four Corners reporte...
This week we learned that the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will soon be a new home owner. He’s bought a multi-million-dollar house, featuring sweeping ocean views, on the New South Wales central coast. Some people think it’s a move from the PM that’s especially tone deaf, given the depths of the housing crisis, while others see the story as a complete beat up. Today, host of Radio National Breakfast and The Party Room podcast, Patricia Karvelas, on why it has become a big problem for the PM. ...
When masked neo-Nazis turned up in a small New South Wales town to hold a rally on the weekend it shocked the locals. The men, part of a white supremacist group, were not from the area. So, why were they there? Today, extremism researcher Kaz Ross discusses how we should respond to the growing white supremacist movement in Australia. Kaz Ross explains that the neo-Nazi group, the National Socialist Network, aims to intimidate and gain publicity through such rallies. She says the group’s tactics ...
The Lebanese capital Beirut is a divided city, where life continues as normal for some, while not so far away Israeli air strikes are reducing buildings to rubble. The sound of Israeli drones is constant as its forces hunt members of Hezbollah. The militant group has been firing missiles into Israel since Hamas terrorists crossed from Gaza into Israel last year. Today, we go to Beirut with the ABC’s global affairs editor John Lyons who explains why some Lebanese welcome the weakening of Hezbolla...
In just three weeks, Americans will choose whether they want Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in the White House and the contest is incredibly close. More than a hundred thousand eligible voters are living here in Australia, although not all will cast a ballot. Today, we meet an Australian-based Harris voter and a Trump voter, to talk about what’s driving their decision and what sort of America they hope will come from it. We also discuss whether people with wildly different political views can get...
Oasis is coming to Australia, but many fans will have already accepted they either won’t manage to get a ticket or if they do it’s going to cost a lot of money. So, what goes on behind the scenes with the big ticketing companies that control our live music scene? Today, Avani Dias on her Four Corners investigation into dynamic pricing and how Australian artists are allegedly being ripped off. Avani Dias reveals that while dynamic pricing won't be used for Oasis tickets in Australia, Ticketmaster...
When Donald Trump won the 2016 US election, the world was shocked because polls had predicted an easy win for Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton. So, with the polls showing a close race both at the national level and in the swing states that will determine the next president, can we trust them? Today, Matt Taglia from Emerson College Polling explains the science of polling. He discusses the accuracy of current polling methods and how they have evolved since 2016. Matt Taglia addresses th...
He was a giant on the American music scene, but Sean Combs, who goes by the stage name Diddy, is now facing charges that put him at the centre of what could be a much-needed MeToo moment for the industry. The rapper has been arrested, accused of sex trafficking and running a criminal enterprise centred on abusing women. Today, what we know about the case and whether it will change the global music industry. Music journalist and co-founder of The Brag Media, Poppy Reid, discusses the potential im...
After 142 years the UK’s electricity grid is now coal free. Last week it closed its last remaining coal fired power station earlier than expected and became the first G7 economy to dump coal power. Today, energy expert from the Grattan Institute Alison Reeve on how the Brits did it and when we’ll do the same. She explains the historical significance of coal in the UK’s industrial revolution and its eventual decline. Alison Reeve highlights the role of bipartisan politics and strategic policies i...
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and if you can’t afford a Tesla, a cheaper Chinese made car could be the answer. But in the United States, the Biden administration wants to ban all Chinese developed software from cars on American roads because of security concerns. The US government already charges a big tariff on imports of Chinese EVs. Today, Adam Tong from the Center for a New American Security on whether the cyber security risk cited by US officials is really something to be conc...
When journalist Deborah Stone learned of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel one year ago, she had to get to work. As a Jewish woman and editor in chief of The Jewish Independent news website, finding a balance in the reporting was what she strove for now and then. It’s been a challenge, as Jewish Australians reflect on the bloodiest single day in Israel’s history and the death toll from the controversial military response grows. Today, Deborah Stone shares her reflections on the past year and ...
The US presidential election will be held in just over a month and only a handful of the 50 states really matter. Michigan is one of them and campaigners for the Democratic and Republican parties are going door-to-door to try and convince people their candidate would make the best president for them. President Joe Biden won the state by 154,000 votes in the last election, following Donald Trump’s slim win by 10,000 votes in 2016. Today, Foreign Correspondent reporter Stephanie March explains wha...
Almost a year since the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, war in the Middle East has escalated with Iran firing a wave of ballistic missiles at Israel. It follows Israel’s assassination of the leader of the Iranian-linked Hezbollah group in Lebanon and Israeli troops crossing the border with Lebanon in ground raids. So, what happens next and is there a way to avoid more bloodshed? Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute explains why Israel might be stepping up strikes agains...
Living in a retirement village is marketed as safe, low maintenance and fun. But an ABC investigation has found that contract clauses and particularly exit fees can lead to much of a resident’s life savings being lost. Today, reporter Adele Ferguson on how families are being gouged and why you shouldn’t fall for the glossy brochures. She shares the heartbreaking stories of Joan Green and Lynette Anderson, who lost significant portions of their savings due to exorbitant exit and refurbishment fee...
When news broke that Coles and Woolworths will be hauled before a court to defend their discounts there wasn’t too much sympathy from consumers struggling with rising prices. Many were already sceptical of the Prices Dropped and Down Down specials. But is action from the competition watchdog and politicians really going to reduce our grocery bills? Today, ABC commentator and presenter Annabel Crabb on the politics of doing the groceries. Annabel Crabb highlights how the ACCC’s legal action again...
Koala Airlines has a website, a management team and a vision to redefine air travel in Australia. Its boss is tight-lipped about where it will fly and when. But if it gets into the air, can it really succeed in taking on the big players Qantas and Virgin when so many others have failed, most recently Rex. Today, Emily Baker on her Four Corners investigation into why Rex couldn’t compete. Emily Baker explains that Koala Airlines aims to provide a different product or service, similar to how Aldi ...
Given the stark difference between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris it’s hard to fathom there are some Americans still struggling to decide who they’ll vote for in just six weeks’ time. But while they’re disengaged, and often confused, it’s these undecided voters who could swing the result. Today, we look at who they are and what they’re saying with Margaret Talev, Axios contributor and director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship. Margaret Talev explains t...
Inflation’s now at its lowest level in more than three years, so when’s the interest rate cut coming? One factor the RBA is looking at is the unemployment rate which might need to rise before it acts. Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the old economic theory linking unemployment and inflation and his prediction on when interest rates will start to fall. Ian Verrender highlights the delay in the impact of interest rate changes, likening it to adjusting a shower’s temperature. H...
After the pager and walkie-talkie attacks last week, Israel has scaled up its air strikes in southern Lebanon. So, as its fight against Hezbollah intensifies could it go further by sending in ground troops? Today, Dov Waxman, a professor of Israel Studies at the University of California on Israel’s goals and what might come next. Professor Waxman explains that the recent escalation is a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This low-intensity war has been ongoin...
