ABC News Top Stories

Epizody

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  Sydney Swans alleged incident involves 'several players' | ABC News Top Stories 17.08.2026 1min

  Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich says the club is "shocked and disappointed" about an alleged incident involving several Swans players in Melbourne, the details of which remain unclear. A secretive algorithm that's used to determine how much funding elderly Australians receive to stay in their homes is facing criticism. A Four Corners investigation has revealed clinical notes written by assessors in more than 100 text boxes aren't considered by the algorithm.  And tributes are flowing for Hayden Panetteire after news of the 36-year-old actor's death. Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode. For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.
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  Sydney Swans involved in 'alleged incident' 17.08.2026 2min

  The Sydney Swans AFL club has confirmed several players were involved in an "alleged incident" in Melbourne. The club issued a statement at the same time that Victoria Police released details of an investigation into a report of a sexual assault at an East Melbourne hotel. Details are thin, but here's what we know. 
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  Trump slams 'hostile' US-South Korea military drills 17.08.2026 3min

  US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, saying the nation had declined to help denuclearise Iran. He also brought up his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. It's another case of Trump taking aim at a strong ally of the United States. 
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  How do deepfake scams work and how can you avoid them? 17.08.2026 3min

  Artificial intelligence is making investment scams more convincing than ever. Fake videos featuring well-known Australians are flooding social media feeds, costing people hundreds of millions of dollars. So how do these scams work, and how can you avoid them?
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  Is Australia at risk of a measles outbreak? 17.08.2026 3min

  Australia eliminated measles more than a decade ago but that doesn't mean it can't come back. New research suggests around 1.7 million people may not be fully protected against the highly infectious disease. So who's most at risk?
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  How will the NSW gun buyback work? 16.08.2026 4min

  NSW will become the first state to sign up to the federal government's gun buyback scheme, announced following the December 14 Bondi Beach terror attack.
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  Why did Luigi Mangione make shock confession in court? 15.08.2026 4min

  Luigi Mangione has admitted to shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City in 2024, and pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges, resulting in death. He's also told why he tracked down and shot the executive, in one of America’s most high profile criminal cases.
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  The predicted impacts of bird flu on coastal communities 15.08.2026 3min

  Australia's wildlife authorities and coastal communities remain on high alert as the deadly H5 strain of bird flu continues its advance across the country.
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  Will 'east-coast clowns' kill WA's special GST deal? 14.08.2026 4min

  Get ready for an almighty battle between Western Australia and the productivity commission and the states who think it's had it too good for too long. The lucrative deal on how the proceeds of the GST are distributed has come under new scrutiny with a report declaring it has led to perverse outcomes that favour WA. How does the West benefit under the deal?almighty
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  Nigel Farage celebrates victory over Count Binface 14.08.2026 3min

  Far-right populist politician Nigel Farage has won one of the most unusual by-elections in recent history in the UK. He was up against more than 30 independent candidates, among them a comedian known as Count Binface. But his victory party may be cut short as scrutiny continues over donations.
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  Should AI be taking notes about your health? 14.08.2026 3min

  Artificial intelligence tools are listening to many people's medical appointments, but they're not always producing accurate summaries. One patient has described how a letter from a specialist to her GP included a false suggestion that she was taking illegal drugs.  A so-called AI scribe had been used by the doctor. New research by a privacy watchdog has raised serious concerns about AI being used in medical settings due to its propensity to "hallucinate" false symptoms or conditions, and warned patients were at risk.
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  Third Sydney Airport take-off incident in less than three weeks 14.08.2026 2min

  Safety authorities are investigating a third runway incident at Sydney airport in as many weeks.
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  How former military lawyer David McBride ended up in jail 13.08.2026 4min

  David McBride is a former military lawyer who shared classified defence documents with a journalist. The material led to an ABC investigation that revealed allegations of soldiers being involved in illegal killings, even though that wasn't McBride's intention. Now, after spending years in jail, he's been freed on parole. What happened to him has raised questions about the plight of whistleblowers in Australia. 
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  Now the Tomago aluminium smelter is saved, how will we power it? 13.08.2026 3min

  A bailout of the country's largest aluminium smelter will cost taxpayers $2.5 billion, with the New South Wales and federal governments to split the bill down the middle. The Tomago aluminium plant is in the New South Wales Hunter region and is currently Australia's largest electricity user. So, will there be enough renewable power to keep it online into the future at an affordable price?
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  Will Mounjaro ever be added to the PBS? 13.08.2026 3min

  A new generation of weight loss medication has been up-ending the industry and Australians are trying to get their hands on the drugs. But they're expensive and the Australian Government has been locked in complicated negotiations with the manufacturer of Mounjaro to have it added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
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  Should prisoners keep their right to 'open air'? 13.08.2026 3min

  A bill set to pass the Victorian parliament this week would give prison guards the power to deny inmates their one hour a day of outdoor time. It's currently a legal right that was affirmed in a court ruling in January. But the government wants to limit that right, in part to protect itself from future lawsuits. That's got human rights lawyers and Victoria's representative body for First Nations' people up in arms. 
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  The furore over Albanese and Japanese melons explained 12.08.2026 4min

  The Prime Minister continues to be attacked by his political opponents over comments he made about the Japanese prime minister and a gift of melons.  Anthony Albanese spoke about the fruit on a comedy podcast last month, while making hand gestures in front of his chest. He's since denied he was being disrespectful to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. What is the furore all about?  
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  Why was Trump sneaked out of Air Force One in a catering truck? 12.08.2026 3min

  It sounds like something out of a blockbuster movie: the US president, an assassination threat, a decoy plane…and a catering truck.  But it’s no Hollywood plot. Some US new outlets are reporting that last month, an elaborate ruse took place in July when Donald Trump was in Ankara for a NATO summit. 
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  Why the RBA left interest rates on hold 11.08.2026 3min

  The Reserve Bank has decided to leave interest rates on hold today. But the governor is warning Inflation is still too high and if it doesn't come down another rate rise is inevitable.
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  Why rapists' names have been kept secret 11.08.2026 2min

  The Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced plans to abolish suppression orders protecting the identities of convicted rapists.  The moves come two weeks after he took over as leader and as his Labor government struggles in the polls ahead of the November state election. Legal experts say it's a good start, but doing away with suppression orders during trials is needed for better courtroom transparency.