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ABC News Daily

by ABC Australia · English · News

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. From interest rates,

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 16 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 14 minNew

Why Trump's selling out to Putin again

The US President has eased sanctions on the Kremlin, clearing the way for a lucrative deal to import Russian diesel. Trump says the move will help bring down fuel prices for Americans, as rising living costs weigh on his standing in the polls ahead of the midterm elections. But for Ukrainians, the deal is a bitter betrayal. Today, Russian foreign policy expert Matthew Sussex from Deakin University on what Trump hopes to gain from doing business with Vladimir Putin. Featured: Matthew Sussex, Associate professor at the Centre for Future Defence and National Security at Deakin University.

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

11 Oct 2026 · 16 minNew
Is Iran's economy really about to collapse?
With the military campaign failing to force Iran to backdown, Donald Trump has been turning up the economic pressure, hoping to cripple the country’s economy and force an end to the war. But despite Iran’s currency plunging to record lows, the regime is showing little sign of capitulating. Today, an expert on Iran’s economy Djavad Salehi-Isfahani on how long the regime and the Iranian people can hold on. Featured: Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, Professor of Economics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
8 Oct 2026 · 16 min
Waleed Aly on the Greens' Mamdani moment
In the United States, they’re calling it the 'Mamdani effect' - a surge in support for democratic socialist candidates. And here, the Greens are hoping for their own Zohran Mamdani moment, with the party’s think tank pitching an Australian version of the New York mayor’s plan for publicly owned supermarkets. Today columnist, author and academic Waleed Aly on whether the Greens have found a winning formula, as support for One Nation continues to grow. Featured: Waleed Aly, co-host of The Minefield on ABC Radio National, a lecturer in politics at Monash University.
7 Oct 2026 · 16 min
How will we charge the EV boom?
An electric car is now being sold every 100 seconds, with sales roughly doubling in the second quarter of this year and outstripping petrol and diesel cars for the first time in August. But as motorists look to escape soaring fuel costs, partly due to the Iran war, do we have the chargers needed to sustain the rapid surge? Today, ABC energy reporter Daniel Mercer on the plans for a mass rollout of EV infrastructure and who should pay for it. Featured: Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter
6 Oct 2026 · 16 min
How Cornell failed Jane Doe
In the US, the case has ignited a national debate over consent, with some asking whether this could be a new #MeToo moment. At Cornell University, protests have erupted after a woman identified as Jane Doe alleged she was sexually assaulted by seven male students who belonged to a campus fraternity. Today, New York Times journalist Hurubie Meko takes us through the case, and we speak to Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, about why the outrage is now crossing borders. Featured: Hurubie Meko, New York Times reporter and Chanel Contos, Teach Us Consent founder
5 Oct 2026 · 15 min
Will a midterm 'blue wave' sink Trump?
Donald Trump has told voters to ‘pretend’ he is on the ballot at the midterm elections which are now less than a month away. But that’s not useful for some Republican candidates who’ve been trying to distance themselves from the President, given his declining polling numbers. Today, staff writer at the Atlantic magazine, David A. Graham on whether there’ll be a blue wave come November with the Democrats taking control of the House and the Senate. Featured: David A. Graham, The Atlantic magazine staff writer
4 Oct 2026 · 14 min
How many data centres will we end up with?
A plan for a data centre metres from homes and a school in Lane Cove has been shelved after residents of the Sydney suburb fought back and won. But it’s just one proposal among many, as demand for AI drives a boom in data centre construction across Australia. Today, we hear from a Lane Cove resident, and ask the ABC’s national AI reporter Cam Wilson just how many data centres we could end up with. Featured: Sasha Titchkosky, Lane Cove resident and Cam Wilson, the ABC’s national AI reporter
1 Oct 2026 · 16 min
What happens if China's AI goes rogue?
Donald Trump says the US is in an AI race against China and he doesn’t want regulation that would risk American dominance. But Beijing is taking a very different approach with the Chinese Communist Party exerting tight control over the sector. Today, Alvin Wang Graylin from Stanford’s Human-centered AI institute on what that means for which country is best place to stop AI going rogue. Featured: Alvin Wang Graylin, Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a digital fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI
1 Oct 2026 · 16 min
Terror on a flydubai flight
A flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv has turned into a terrifying high-altitude struggle when one of the pilots was attacked in the cockpit by his co-pilot. Passengers were fighting to help crew regain control of the plane as it plunged 17,000 feet before making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Today, counterterrorism expert Greg Barton on what we know about this mid-air attack and what it could mean for security in the region. Featured: Greg Barton, Rector of Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia.
30 Sep 2026 · 15 min
What did Netanyahu know before October 7?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing renewed political scrutiny after media investigations reported that he and his government were warned about an impending large-scale Hamas attack before October 7. The reports say Egypt’s former intelligence chief travelled to Jerusalem days before the attack to issue a warning, while the UAE president allegedly alerted Netanyahu personally. Netanyahu has dismissed the claims as ‘absolute lies.’ Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on what the allegations could mean for Netanyahu, with an election due in Israel this…
29 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Alan Kohler on how AI's moving interest rates
There’s been another interest rate rise, pushing it to the highest it’s been in 15 years. It’s partly thanks to Trump’s war in Iran fuelling global inflation, but the conflict is not the only thing putting pressure on interest rates. Artificial Intelligence is a factor too. Today, the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on how AI impact rates and why it might also be the reason they fall again Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC News Finance presenter
28 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Why Trump has a peace problem
Donald Trump has promised he can use his negotiating skills to end wars. But his approach is facing a major test on two fronts. He’s rejected Iran’s latest proposal to halt the fighting and reopen negotiations, while there’s still no breakthrough in efforts to get Russia and Ukraine back to a peace deal. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on whether the president can actually deliver peace in either conflict. Featured: Rajan Menon, Professor Emeritus of International Relations at the City College of New York
27 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Could AI really cure cancer?
We're being warned that AI could wipe out humanity. But some of the very same experts sounding the alarm are also predicting AI will help cure cancer within the next decade. So, how will these competing visions of destruction and salvation play out? And is a cure for cancer really within AI’s reach? Today, doctor and researcher Emilia Javorsky joins us to separate the reality from the hype. Featured: Emilia Javorsky, the Director of the Futures Program at The Future of Life Institute – a nonprofit aimed at reducing AI risks.
24 Sep 2026 · 15 min
How OpenAI exposed our cyber security gaps
The Australian government is grappling with how to safeguard sensitive data, after revelations an AI agent controlled by OpenAI accessed private Medicare statistics. It took months for a breach to be identified and alerted to the highest levels of government and comes as the world grapples with controlling the rapid growth of AI technology. Today, national security and AI policy expert Olivia Shen, on whether governments can keep up with the accelerating advance of AI. Featured: Olivia Shen, Director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the United States Studies Centre at the University…
23 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Will America watch Trump TV?
Donald Trump’s decade-long war with the press has a new front, with three US media outlets suing after being banned by the White House, prompting a broader media boycott. In response, the US President has launched his own 24/7 streaming channel called Trump TV. Today, Reporters Without Borders executive director for North America, Clayton Weimers, on who will lose the most from Trump’s war on the press. Featured: Clayton Weimers, Reporters Without Borders executive director for North America
22 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Why can’t we stop the DV crisis?
Another string of suspected domestic violence attacks across a single weekend has once again seen the number of women and children killed this year climb. And, once again, their deaths have turned up the volume of calls for governments to do more to prevent domestic, family and sexual violence. Today, ABC political reporter Claudia Long on why, despite decades of effort, federal and state governments are still struggling with how to stop these tragic outcomes. Featured: Claudia Long, ABC political reporter
21 Sep 2026 · 14 min
Alan Kohler on the odds of a recession
Oil prices are rising again, thanks to the conflict in the Persian Gulf spreading to the Red Sea. It's fuelling inflation around the world including in Australia where it has been stubbornly high meaning an interest rate rise is all but certain, when the Reserve Bank meets next week. Today, ABC Finance expert Alan Kohler on the squeeze on household budgets and the prospect of a recession. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert and host of the ‘That's Business with Alan Kohler’ podcast
20 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Could we have robotaxis by next year?
Robotaxis have arrived on the streets of London, San Francisco and Beijing as rideshare companies expand into driverless transport. But the roll out hasn't been without speedbumps. So, when could we see this innovation in transport arrive in Australia, and are our roads and regulations ready for it? Today, Michael Milford, professor of robotics and director of the QUT Centre for Robotics on why autonomous taxis could soon be on our roads. Featured: Michael Milford, Director of the QUT Centre for Robotics
17 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Trump vs China and the AI 'hoax'
Donald Trump says warnings from whistleblowers that the rapid development of AI could end humanity are a ‘hoax’. He’s determined to push ahead in the AI race for dominance over China despite calls from some in the industry to slow down. But who should we believe? Today, AI risk researcher Nate Soares on why he believes the only real winner in the AI race is AI. Featured: Nate Soares, Machine Intelligence Research Institute president
16 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Is 'nastiness' backfiring on Pauline Hanson?
Pauline Hanson has spent the week offending everyone from Andrew Hastie to the Prime Minister and Indigenous Australians, drawing widespread condemnation. But is hitting back at her personally the best way to respond? Today, Sean Kelly, columnist and former adviser to Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd on the way major parties are shifting their approach to Pauline Hanson and One Nation. Featured: Sean Kelly, columnist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and former Labor prime minister advisor.
15 Sep 2026 · 16 min
The new oil threat plaguing Trump
For months, the Strait of Hormuz has been in chaos amid the ongoing conflict between Donald Trump and Iran. But now, the global oil supply faces a new threat. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are setting their sights on the Red Sea, putting a second critical shipping corridor in the crosshairs. Today, former US Special Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, on the latest escalation and what it means for the global economy. Featured: Tim Lenderking, former US Special Envoy to Yemen and Middle East Institute Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow
14 Sep 2026 · 16 min
How exactly could AI kill us all?
Last week, an Anthropic researcher warned that rapidly advancing AI could lead to human extinction in the not-too-distant future. Then tech bosses joined the call for countries and companies to work together to slow the race towards artificial super intelligence. Today, AI philosopher Nick Bostrom on just how bad unbridled AI could get and whether we need to put the brakes on before it’s too late. Featured: Nick Bostrom, AI philosopher
13 Sep 2026 · 16 min
How One Nation’s driving a migration rethink
The migration policy debate in Australia has shifted over the years from boat arrivals and refugees to a new battleground: the size of the net overseas migration intake. And Pauline Hanson has managed to put the push for lower numbers back at the centre of the political debate. But how much control does the government really have? Today, David Speers, host of tonight's ABC National Forum on migration, on whether the system we have needs a total rethink. Featured: David Speers, host of Insiders and the ABC’s National Forum
10 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Trump-a-palooza's Iran problem
Donald Trump has hit the campaign trail in Texas as the clock ticks down to the midterms. But is the president becoming more of a hindrance than a help to Republican candidates? With the war in Iran dragging on and taking a toll on Trump’s standing, could his biggest political liability now be the conflict he started? Today, Nate Swanson, a former Iran negotiator on whether Donald Trump is getting ready to declare the war is over. Featured: Nate Swanson, Director and Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Iran Strategy Project
9 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Australia vs the algorithm
Algorithms are deciding almost everything we see online, and concern is growing about the kinds of content social media is feeding us and our kids. Now the government wants to give us more control of our feeds, proposing laws that could force tech companies to let users 'opt out' of recommendation algorithms. Today, Daniel Angus, digital communications expert, on how algorithms became so powerful in the first place - and whether we can ever escape them. Featured: Daniel Angus, director of the Digital Media Research Centre at Queensland University of Technology
8 Sep 2026 · 15 min
How One Nation made super a political battleground
One Nation wants to give renters and borrowers early access to some of their retirement savings in a new policy proposal it says will help ease the cost-of-living pressure. It's reignited a fierce debate about the future of the scheme. Today, former political strategist and pollster Kos Samaras on whether superannuation is about to become a political battleground once again and if it's a fight voters even want. Featured: Kos Samaras, Director of strategy and analytics at Redbridge Group
7 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Will we pay for Trump’s bond market turmoil?
Bond markets around the world are under pressure, as investors sell bonds and demand higher returns to lend governments money. It's pushing up borrowing costs and the effects can flow through to the mortgages, bank loans and credit cards we rely on every day. So, what’s driving the global bond sell off, and is the Trump administration's ballooning government debt to blame? Today, Justin Wolfers, professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, explains what’s happening in the bond market and what it means for your money. Featured: Justin Wolfers, professor of economics…
6 Sep 2026 · 16 min
How China Shock 2.0 will reshape the world
In the 2000s, a wave of cheap Chinese goods that flooded global markets and wiped out manufacturing jobs became known as the China Shock. Now it's sequel, China Shock 2.0 has arrived. But this time, China isn't just exporting cheap goods. It's taking on the world in cutting-edge technology, from AI to electric vehicles and robotics. Today, economist David Autor, who helped coin the phrase 'China Shock' and is one of Time magazine's most influential people of 2026 in AI, on whether the world is ready for it. Featured: David Autor, Professor in the MIT Department of Economics
3 Sep 2026 · 15 min
How long will Trump stand by Hegseth?
According to Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth is doing a 'fantastic job' running the US military. But this week one of his most senior officials, the Army Secretary, quit after months of tensions with Hegseth, who has already purged dozens of other senior generals and admirals. Today, staff writer at The Atlantic Missy Ryan on the turmoil at the Pentagon, and how long Hegseth will continue to have Trump’s backing. Featured: Missy Ryan, staff writer at The Atlantic
2 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Paul Barry on the steel tycoon who fooled Australia
In 2017, billionaire Sanjeev Gupta arrived in Whyalla promising to save the town’s struggling steelworks and hundreds of local jobs. But nearly a decade later, the steelworks is still fighting for survival. Gupta's business empire has unravelled and he has left Australia along with the promises he made. So what went wrong? Today, former Media Watch host Paul Barry takes us inside the rise and fall of Sanjeev Gupta’s steel dream and how he fooled Whyalla and the world. Featured: Paul Barry, author of The Big Steel: How steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta fooled Australia and the world

About ABC News Daily

ABC News Daily is a English news podcast from ABC Australia. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: ABC Australia
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 16 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
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