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 he...
After months of talks a deal has been done for a ceasefire in Gaza, with it set to start on the weekend with the first phase to include the release of some Israeli hostages.  Incoming US president Donald Trump has taken credit for it and his impending inauguration did give the negotiations a boost.Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on whether peace will hold.He says there's enormous relief felt on both sides, with Israelis overjoyed at the prospect of getting hostages back and Palestinians desperate for a break from the violence. He highlights the significant pressure placed on Prime Minister Netanyahu by Trump to finalise the deal before his inauguration. Dr. Ibish also discusses the complexities of the agreement, including the phased approach and the challenges of ensuring a lasting peace. He notes the potential for renewed conflict if key actors are not fully committed to the ceasefire.Featured: Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States InstituteKey Topics:Gaza ceasefireIsraeli hostagesDonald TrumpBenjamin NetanyahuJoe BidenHumanitarian aidHamasPalestinian AuthorityRebuilding GazaMiddle East peace processUS foreign policy
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14:31
What Trump and China did to the Aussie dollar
The Australian dollar is at its lowest level against the US dollar in five years. That hurts travellers going to the United States for a holiday, but some economic commentators think it also means Australia’s Reserve Bank should hold off longer on cutting interest rates. Our chief business correspondent Ian Verrender doesn’t agree. Today, he explains why China and Trump are largely behind the fall in the Australian dollar and why interest rate cuts should still be on the table. Ian says the strength of the US dollar, driven by Trump's tariffs and economic policies, is a major factor in the Australian dollar's decline. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondentKey Topics:Australian dollar declineUS dollar strengthTrump's tariffsReserve Bank interest ratesLocal exportersImport pricesChina's economic slowdownEconomic policiesCurrency speculation
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13:33
Could Sydney burn like Los Angeles?
Is there a risk that bushfires as intense and destructive as those that have ravaged Los Angeles could bear down on an Australian city?The head of Australia’s largest firefighting service says yes, Sydney, with its national parks so close to homes, could see similar devastation. Today, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers, who will leave the service at the end of this fire season, on how firefighters have responded to the threat in LA and how we need to prepare. Commissioner Rogers discusses the challenges faced by firefighters in LA, including the impact of strong winds and drought conditions. He highlights the importance of timely warnings and the role of AI in improving fire response. As he prepares to retire, Rogers reflects on the evolving nature of fire seasons and the critical role of volunteers in firefighting efforts.Featured: Rob Rogers, Commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire ServiceKey Topics:Bushfire risk in Australian citiesFirefighting strategies in Los AngelesImpact of drought and strong winds on firesRole of AI in fire managementGlobal sharing of firefighting resourcesFire seasonsVolunteer firefightersFuture of firefightingÂ
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15:17
One Australian’s story from the LA fires
For almost two decades Australian artist Mark Whalen has called LA home. But last week as wildfires tore through communities, he and thousands of others saw their homes burn to the ground.Today, Mark describes the apocalyptic scenes he witnessed and the emotional toll of losing his home. We also speak with Vivien Thomson who has been a rural firefighter for decades and was a fire captain during the 2003 Canberra bushfires. Vivien speaks about the lessons learned over the years and whether we’re better prepared now. Featured: Mark Whalen, Australian artist in LAVivien Thomson, rural firefighter and farmerKey Topics:LA wildfiresMark WhalenVivien ThomsonRural firefighting2003 Canberra bushfiresFire preparednessClimate change and wildfiresCommunity resilienceFirefighting resourcesBuilding codes and fire safety
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15:06
The global trend Albanese needs to beat to win
In 2024, voters in more than 60 countries went to the polls in what’s believed to be the biggest year for elections in history. This year it’s Australia’s turn and if we follow the voting trends of other nations, we’ll either kick Anthony Albanese’s Labor party out of office or come close to it. That’s because there’s a big movement, particularly in western democracies against incumbent governments.Today, Mark Kenny from the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University explains the major shift in voting patterns. He highlights how the post-pandemic economic struggles and rising distrust in democratic institutions are driving voters to seek change.Mark Kenny warns of the potential long-term implications for democratic stability if current trends continue. He says a lot of voters feel betrayed by their governments and there is a factual basis to the sense of umbrage felt by citizens towards their governments. Featured: Mark Kenny, director of the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University and host of ‘Democracy Sausage’ podcastKey Topics:2024 global electionsAustralian federal election 2025Anthony AlbaneseLabor partyPeter DuttonLiberal partyNational partyVoting trendsIncumbent governmentsPopulist movementsCost of living crisisPublic trust in government
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 Australian 2025 election, Anthony Albanese, artificial intelligence, Peter Dutton, Donald Trump, January 6, presidential pardons, terrorism, Russia-Ukraine war, South Korea’s plane crash, Greenland, Elon Musk, and Justin Trudeau.
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.
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