The Briefing

Headlines: Israeli PM says flydubai pilot underwent 'radical indoctrination' Woman rushed to hospital in Tennessee after surviving two execution attempts Australian news outlets call for AI companies to be included in media bargaining laws Sarah Hanson-Young addresses 'brutal' politics after losing Greens leadership bid Newcastle heads into Sunday's NRL decider with the highest representation of Indigenous players ever in a GF Deep Dive: Masses of bogong moths have swarmed the east coast this week, with videos of the migration going viral. The massive numbers are being celebrated by experts, after the insects were declared endangered back in 2021. In this episode of The Briefing, Zoos Victoria Senior Conservation Biologist Dr Marissa Parrott joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to talk about why there are so many this spring, and why they're so vital to Australia's ecosystems. Report a moth sighting at Zoos Victoria’s moth tracker hereFollow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Officials investigate possible terror attack on Israel-bound flight House prices drop for sixth month in a row Banks pass on interest rate rise David Shoebridge named new Greens leader Nathan Cleary wins the Dally M from his dad's couch Deep Dive: One Nation has booted the ABC and The Guardian from press conferences across the country, sparking calls for better protections for journalists and media organisations. Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom wants to see a Media Freedom Bill introduced, forcing Parliament to protect it like any other human right. In this episode of The Briefing, executive director of the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom Peter Greste joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to talk about how Australian media can be better protected. Further listening: What falling house prices mean for you Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: RBA lifts rates again, sparks fears of a looming recession Hanson-Young and Faruqi to make another tilt at the Greens leadership Home Affairs orders AI safety review of government systems Lindsay Clancy's lawyer questions whether she killed her children Socceroos go down to Brazil Deep Dive: The Reserve Bank has delivered another blow to struggling households by lifting the official cash rate to a 15-year high of 4.6% in its ongoing bid to tame sticky inflation. With growing frustration over the central bank's strategy, critics are questioning whether mortgage holders should continue bearing the brunt and if government spending is playing a bigger role than politicians care to admit. In this episode of The Briefing, Economic Director at Compare the Market, David Koch, joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to explain the other tools that could be used and explain why households shouldn't be shouldering the burden of stubborn inflation. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Larissa Waters announces shock leadership announcement Jim Chalmers facing increasing scrutiny as record-breaking hike looms Five terror suspects to be released on bail in the UK Nvidia launches new tool to keep AI agents from going rogue Madge beats Tay in VMAs showdown Deep Dive: STI cases are climbing across the country, and condom use appears to be falling, despite government funding to fight sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases. Cases of gonorrhea and syphilis are of the most concern, increasing by about 50 per cent in the last decade. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Dr Stephanie Williams, the Assistant Director General of the Communicable Disease Branch at the Australian Centre for Disease Control to discuss what is being done to curb the rise in STIs, and whether it's time for more drastic action. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Open AI pauses training of models as AI agent incidents widens Pauline Hanson now preferred PM in QLD as Chalmers unveils major budget boost UK police arrest five men on suspicion of terror offences near air base used by US forces Bird flu public education campaign launches Massive weekend of Australian sport wraps up Deep Dive: Australians will no longer be hit with surcharge fees from this Thursday, October 1, after the Reserve Bank brought in reforms that will get rid of the extra charges for Visa, Mastercard, and EFTPOS payments. It means no more surprises at the checkout, but small businesses are warning it will force them to absorb more costs or jack up their prices. While some banks are pulling back on rewards programs typically funded by interchange fees, which are being lowered at the same time the surcharge is being axed. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by money saving expert Joel Gibson to explain the changes and how they will affect consumers, businesses and banks. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Our Take! It's the time of week that we loosen our ties (except we famously don't wear ties), kick off our shoes (figuratively because WHS rules) and talk the week that was in news and pop culture. This episode starts with The Debrief, and we take on the launch of Trump TV and the US President banning certain media outlets from White House press events. Then we crack open The Inbox to hear YOUR thoughts on the biggest stories of the week, with drug reform, Albo and Trump's selfie and the NRL dumping Tones and I dominating our comment sections and DMs. Then it's time for the Weekend Quiz and this weekend we have our very first listener joining us to test their knowledge – listener Nat, who also got some very impressive (not really) merch. Questions below, make sure you listen to get the answers! As always, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories we've covered, or ones you'd like us to cover! Hit us up on Instagram @thebriefingpodcast and don't forget you can comment on eps if you listen on Spotify. The Weekend Quiz: Albo’s in the US this week, and while there he has launched a campaign for Australia to get a seat on WHAT? In the AFL, who won this year’s Brownlow medal, on Monday night? Donald Trump wants to change the name of AI, what has he suggested it be called instead? A new report this week found that half of Aussies in their 20s are still doing what? We lost an Aussie rock icon this week. Who was it? The Weekend List: To Listen: Potterhead (Listener Pepper) To make: Porridge (listener Helen, link here) To watch: The Golden Spurtle on Netflix See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Trump welcomes Xi to White House for AI talks Albanese disappointed in OpenAI after Medicare breach White House lifts press ban after judge order Two children die in NSW following separate tragedies Rate hike almost certain next week despite jobs data Lachie Neale wins appeal as Lions and Freo take unchanged sides into tomorrow's AFL Grand Final Deep Dive: Kylie Minogue headlines the AFL grand final this weekend. A week later, the NRL will kick off its decider without a star act. The league says it would rather put the money into junior footy than pay a performer $90,000 a minute. Its broadcaster reportedly isn't happy, all the while plenty of fans are shrugging. So are these pre-game spectacles worth the millions, or just a tradition nobody has thought to question? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Dr Hunter Fujak, senior lecturer in sport management at Deakin University. They unpack who these shows are really for, how they’ve changed over time and why the NRL’s move could completely change the game moving forward. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Iran accuses US and Israel of terrorism as Albanese pledges $60million to Ukraine Gus Lamont's parents make emotional plea as $1m reward offered Half of Aussies in their 20s still living with their parents as housing and financial stresses bite Swans players return to the club for the first time Angry Anderson dies aged 79 Deep Dive: In the past week, four more women and children have been added to the national domestic violence death toll in Australia, which is currently sitting at 72. They were lost in suspected murders across NSW, including a shocking case involving three children in the Blue Mountains, with their mother now accused of murder and two counts of attempted murder. As these horrific cases continue to hit the news, it can feel like progress has stalled or completely halted. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by the NSW Women's Safety Commissioner, Dr Hannah Tonkin to discuss the ongoing fight to end domestic violence in our communities, and whether we're getting closer to that goal. Additional resources: 1800 RESPECT: https://1800respect.org.au/ or call 1800 737 732 Full Stop Australia: https://fullstop.org.au/ eSafety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/ Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Donald Trump addresses UN General Assembly on Iran, AI and domestic record NSW mother charged after fatally stabbing her son Beau Lamarre-Condon claims self defence in double murder case Coroner says Hayden Panettiere died from accidental overdose Brisbane Lions dealt major blow ahead of grand final NRL finals to go ahead without pre-match entertainment Deep Dive: A patch of sea between Yemen and Saudi Arabia has become the Middle East's newest flashpoint. Iran-backed Houthi rebels have swept down Yemen's coast and now sit within reach of a shipping lane the whole world leans on. Saudi Arabia is bombing back. Missiles, drones, and tens of thousands of people have been forced to run. So how did a rebel group end up with its hand on a valve of the global economy, and how much worse could this get? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Jessica Genauer, Associate Professor in International Relations at UNSW, to explain who the Houthis really are, why the US is staying on the sidelines and what it all means for the price you pay at the bowser. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Albanese signs AI warning alongside world leaders Trial of accused killer of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies gets underway Calls for Telstra to be stripped of Triple Zero responsibilities Fox News among outlets refusing to cover Trump after CNN banned from White House Nick Daicoss wins Brownlow in record-breaking vote Deep Dive: Migration has long been of the most fiercely debated issues in Australian politics. But it's reached a fever pitch in recent years following an explosion in migrants coming to Australia in the wake of the pandemic. What has followed has been a debate around what that number should be, driven by competing demands across the economy, housing, the labour market, and our shared values. As the major political parties roll out their platforms ahead of the next election, we're cutting through the noise to dive into what they're promising, what real-world impact these policies will have, and find out if anyone is actually getting the balance right. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Australia launches UN seat campaign while Albanese in the US Child and three women dead after horror weekend of domestic violence in NSW Coalition unveils cheaper fuel plan Vic police working to ban AFL fans who threw bottles at umpires Ed Sheeran takes to the stage alone in first show since Macklemore axing Deep Dive: Australia is one of the world's biggest consumers of illicit drugs, and the numbers are still climbing. The country's top cop, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett, says the way forward is to talk about it louder - to convince Aussies that their weekend habit is bankrolling the gangs behind a wave of violence. But one of the nation's leading drug policy researchers doubts that will help. If decades of cracking down on supply hasn't dented demand, what actually works and why does so little funding go towards it? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Professor Alison Ritter, director of the Drug Policy Modelling Program at UNSW, to discuss. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh, we are SO back - with our looser, lights off Our Take! This weekend, Chris and Sach debrief the Sydney Sweeney drama, as the actress's latest ad - for a sports-prediction market she happens to have an equity stake in - kicks off online. Then we crack open the inbox for your takes on Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour plus the Aussie HYROXer who shat herself in Beijing. Taking on the Weekend Quiz this week is Isobel from marketing, who (to our surprise) smashed it out of the park. Also, our insta got HACKED and Chris finally addresses how he’s been targeted by the manosphere. It’s a lot. Enjoy. The Weekend Quiz: The week got off to a rough start when an Australian athlete did what? Pauline Hanson apologised for two things this week. What were they? AI company Anthropic signed a $32 billion deal to build its first data centre in Australia. Which state? Two STIs have climbed more than 50% in Australia over the past decade - name one. An icon returned to the stage in Paris this week. Who? The Weekend List: Listener Julie: go on an adventurous picnic! Sach: Watch season 3 of The Traitors AU on Paramount+ Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Labor faces criticism over new migration laws Australian accused of murdering Thai teen faces court Federal Government considers AI glasses ban Gov scraps planned veteran allied health cap Australian HYROX athlete apologises for poo incident Deep Dive: Ed Sheeran’s US Loop Tour is making headlines after rapper Macklemore was dropped as a support act for saying ‘Free Palestine’ on stage. It’s had a flow on effect, with all four of Ed’s other openers withdrawing in solidarity with the rapper. In this episode of the Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Catherine Strong, Associate Professor in the Music Industry program at RMIT to unpack the relationship between musicians and politics, and what that means for the rest of Ed Sheeran’s tour. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Labor to unveil migration plan today More details emerge about Bali double murder suicide More than 100,000 displaced as Yemen conflict intensifies Anthropic signs agreement for the country’s biggest data centre Kim Kardashian awarded €1 in damages for Paris robbery Deep Dive: A far-right party just came closer to running a German state than any has since the Nazi era. It's not a one-off. The same movement now sits in or beside government across Europe and it’s reaching Australia too, with a known neo-Nazi group fighting the government in the High Court for its right to exist. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by far-right researcher Kaz Ross to unpack how much ground the far-right is gaining worldwide, what's driving the surge, and what it all means for us here in Australia. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Pauline Hanson apologises for comments about Indigenous Australians, PM's mum Gov accused of wanting to protect AI companies over Australians Ed Sheeran responds to Macklemore backlash One of Sydney’s biggest councils bans smart glasses at local swimming pools Karl Stefanovic and podcast partner in Supreme Court Deep Dive: There have been renewed and urgent warnings this week from not only former staff, but also the big tech bosses themselves about the existential threat AI poses to humanity. We've been warned by the CEOs of OpenAI, Anthropic and Grok that an urgent slowdown is needed in the advancement of this tech, with fears it could result in the extinction of the human race, possibly as soon as 2030. While most have taken them at their word, some experts are a little more skeptical, and others think it's downright fantasy. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Professor Emily M. Bender, the Director of the Computational Linguistics Laboratory at the University of Washington to offer an alternative view to the narrative that AI is going to kill us all. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: One Nation's migration fight Pauline Hanson slammed for racist comments Indonesian police investigating death of Australian man and children in Bali as suspected murder-suicide Donald Trump claims there’s a 'sick conspiracy' against AI, that’s helping China Rates of Gonorrhea and syphilis up by more than 50% in Australia HYROX issues apology over Australian woman pooing during comp Deep Dive: Rising sea levels are no longer a looming threat in the distant future, they're here right now and Australia is especially at risk. We know the physical impacts of this; accelerated coastal erosion, property damage and loss as well as the destruction of natural barriers like mangroves and wetlands. But there's also a dollar amount we can expect to fork out too. In an Australian first, the Climate Council has crunched the numbers, with a conservative estimate that we'll need to find an extra $855 billion by 2100 to cover the costs of rising sea levels. In this episode of The Briefing, Adjunct Professor Andrew Watkins from Monash University and the Climate Council joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to talk about the threat, who pays the bill and whether Australia is pulling its weight when it comes to climate change. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Pressure mounts, again, on Pauline Hanson to apologise Albo's approval slides as comms minister flags concessions to digital duty of care laws Australian woman identified after falling to her death from a poplar beach near Bali South Australia records first bird flu case in a sea lion New screen time limits for NSW public school students Celine Dion makes an emotional return to the stage in Paris Deep Dive: Clips from a new documentary about Silicon Valley start-up founder turned convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes have gone viral after a secret screening at the Telluride Film Festival. Directors of You Can See Everything Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim stayed with Holmes in the days leading up to the start of her 10-year prison stint in 2023. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by culture critic for Triple J's The Slop, Michael Sun, to talk about the extraordinary story of Holmes and why we're so obsessed with it. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring brings with it some pretty wonderful things; blooming flowers, warmer weather and longer days. But it also means another thing that can strike fear into the heart of nearly every Australian – magpie swooping season. From August to October, the black and white birds are nesting, which means they’re feeling extra protective and have been known to fly at humans as they pass by their babies. In this episode of The Briefing, we're revisiting Sacha Barbour Gatt's chat with bird expert Sean Dooley to break down the facts and myths around these fabulous animals this swooping season. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, well, well… fancy seeing you here. Welcome back to The Briefing: Our Take, our weekend hang-out where we loosen our ties and kick off our shoes to take you behind the scenes of the week that was, and what you (and we) made of it. This week Chris and Sach get into HBO's new Harry Potter series dropping on Christmas Day. They react to the latest trailer, dig through your comments on it, and discuss whether they’re going to watch it. They're also joined in studio by 2DayFM's very own Emma Chow, who steps up to The Weekend Quiz but somehow manages to get them talking about Tipping Point and Sach’s days as a court reporter. They also discuss Emma’s very exciting news she received this week! The Weekend Quiz (just questions, no answers): The government this week proposed new laws that could give us the power to opt out of, or switch off, the algorithm on socials. What's it called? Pauline Hanson was on ABC News24 this week and got into a bit of argy-bargy with Chris Kenny. What were they arguing over? We spoke to Greens Senator David Shoebridge on the pod this week. He was appointed the party's first-ever spokesperson for what? A Melbourne council this week announced it would be banning what from public pools and playgrounds? What subject did Chris and Sach admit on the podcast they cared the least about in school? The Weekend List: To watch: New Zealand Spy on ABC iview (thanks to listener Jay) To listen to: Harry Potter audiobook for free on Spotify Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty-five years ago, the September 11 terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and changed the course of history. The images of hijacked planes striking the World Trade Center, the collapse of the Twin Towers and the devastation left behind became defining images of this century. But the consequences of 9/11 reached far beyond the United States. The attacks triggered America’s longest war - a 20-year conflict in Afghanistan that began with the fall of the Taliban. This year also marks five years since the war came full circle: the Taliban returned to power as the US withdrew its troops. BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet witnessed that extraordinary arc. Drawing on almost four decades of reporting from Afghanistan, she takes LiSTNR Senior Journalist Claudianna Blanco from the aftermath of 9/11 and the hope that followed the Taliban’s fall, to the chaotic final days at Kabul Airport and the Afghanistan of today. This special episode of The Briefing looks back at the long shadow of 9/11, 25 years on. Lyse's debut book Lyse on The Weekend Briefing Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Head of Instagram warns against turning off algorithm Barnaby Joyce apologises to Andrew Hastie over 'traitor' video Donald Trump accused of bribery over 5k election promise August declared hottest month on record Historic NFL game takes over Melbourne Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Pauline Hanson defends Victorian One Nation leader, Andrew Hastie cartoon Anthony Albanese defends pork barreling allegations Another man killed in Sydney's escalating gangland war Melbourne council bans smart glasses from public pools and playgrounds Apple unveils new folding iPhone Further listening from the headlines: Sach's deep dive on Sydney's gangland war Chris' chat with David Shoebridge Deep Dive: Australia's not really well known for skiing, but there is a dedicated ski fraternity who love getting to the slopes each winter. So, what happens if there’s no snow? That’s the question being put to the country’s resort operators after a dismal 2026 season plagued by warm, dry conditions and patchy snow cover. With most ski fields wrapping up their seasons over the weekend and just a couple still clinging on, we’re being warned winters like this will become more likely, not less. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou chats with the CEO of Snow Resorts Australia, Josh Elliott about the future of snow tourism in Australia. We also hear from Dr Lily O’Neil from Protect our Winters to talk about what climate change’s role is in all of this Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Labor unveils new laws to govern social media giants Missing Australian found alive in Nepal Penny Wong prepares new sanctions against Israeli settlements One Nation Victorian leader says he's no angel, admits to previous drug use Aussie kids record their worst reading and maths results Further listening from headlines:How Australia funds Israeli settlements Deep Dive: Does Australia need a Minister for AI? That's the call from Greens Senator David Shoebridge, who this week was appointed the party's first-ever spokesperson for Digital Rights and AI. It comes as the government insists it's doing whatever it can to put big tech on a leash and keep people first - while at the same time selling Australia as the perfect home for the very infrastructure driving AI's expansion: data centres. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Senator Shoebridge to discuss his new portfolio, whether Australia can pull itself back from being AI's wild west, and what it'll actually take to put people ahead of profit. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: One Nation has been forced into a quick defence of its plan for superannuation Australian bureaucrats want to ban videos from parliamentary hearings being shared on social media Trial of alleged killers of Australian brothers in Mexico gets underway Food prices could be pushed higher by record strength El Niño King Charles issues clarification on Harry and Meghan Deep Dive: For years, a secret formula has dictated everything we see on social media, hooking our attention spans at the expense of our mental health. Now, the federal government is unveiling a plan to let users opt out of the algorithm entirely and return to a chronological stream of accounts they actually follow. But with increasing pressure to protect young men from the insidious manosphere, how much will an opt-out actually change? In this episode of The Briefing, reporter Amber Schultz joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to detail her experiment posing as a 17-year-old boy online, where it took just 13 minutes to land on manosphere content, and what these proposed changes will mean for our feeds. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Gov to strengthen teen social media ban as it looks to create an opt-out approach to social media One Nation reveals superannuation policy Coalition wants to ban flag burning Manhunt underway for Victorian man who allegedly attacked his family with an axe US envoys hold peace talks with Russia and Ukraine Lindsay Clancy trial ends in a mistrial Deep Dive: In Sydney, a staggering six cases of mistaken identity in the city’s bloody gangland war has left innocent people dead, exposing a horrifying shift toward young, inexperienced gunmen carrying out underworld hits. The body count stems from a bitter turf war which ramped up six years ago with the murder of Fares Abounader, which ignited a battle between rival crime families for Sydney’s billion-dollar illicit trades. In this episode of The Briefing, we trace with criminologist Dr Vincent Hurley how this bloody conflict has spiralled into 24 deaths, why the criminal underworld changed, and how cheap, reckless hitmen are firing at the wrong targets. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in 3 Australians will need blood in their lifetime, but 1 in 30 donate across the country. Lifeblood says recent appeals have prevented supplies falling to critical levels but have not been enough to replenish low supplies of O-positive and O-negative blood types, which are the types used in emergencies. A-positive blood stocks have also dropped in recent weeks. In this episode of The Briefing, we talk about why our listeners should consider donating blood and we learn the extraordinary story of Krishan Lal who is the perfect example of how donating blood can change not just the recipient’s life, but the lives of those around them. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite suffering through a week of technical failures, we're back for this weekend's instalment of Our Take - our looser, goosier look back at the week that was, and what you and we made of it all. We kick off by debriefing the Raygun doco on Netflix. Chris has watched it, Sach hasn't - and no spoilers, but prepare for your jaw to hit the floor. Then we dig through the Inbox, which was surprisingly dominated by your reactions to the KPMG scandal, and less surprisingly, your take on Pauline Hanson's claim that the PM was inciting political violence against her. We're also joined in studio by Angie from the tech team, who takes on the Weekend Quiz. To our shock, she walks away not holding the record for the lowest score! As always, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us on Instagram @thebriefingpodcast and feel free to leave a comment if you’re listening on Spotify. The Weekend Quiz: One Nation notched a major win this week. What was it? Anthony Albanese committed $600 million at the Pacific Islands Forum to help fight what? The Coalition has promised to legalise what if it's elected in 2028? Lionel Messi made a huge announcement this week, what was it? It was revealed Apple's new CEO will earn a whopping $81 AUD million a year. Who is he replacing? The Weekend List: To Watch: Gabriel Redback on TikTok Episodes mentioned: The KPMG deep dive The Jen Robinson chat Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Teachers union hit back at Matt Canavan's claims Australia's education system is 'anti-boy' World told to brace for strongest El Nino on record Lindsay Clancy jury remains deadlocked France targets Temu and Shein with world-first fast fashion crackdown It’s 20 years today since Steve Irwin died Further listening from the headlines: The real victims of the manosphere with the CEO of The Man Cave, Ben Vasiliou about the lessons we need to learn about the manosphere and ‘toxic masculinity’. Why the Lindsay Clance case matters Deep Dive: Dave Hughes has gone from making Australia laugh to telling Australia how to vote. Since the May Budget, the comedian-turned-self-described "political agitator" has waged an increasingly loud campaign against the government, despite admitting he's only recently started paying more attention to politics. So is Hughesy a genuine voice for the fed-up - or just the loudest bloke in a system that rewards shouting? And is this what real political engagement looks like now - or just anger dressed up as insight? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by broadcaster and three-time independent candidate Alex Dyson, who took Hughesy on in a "spicy chat," to dig into this new era of political anger and whether we will ever see a system that prioritises people over power. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Police identify four Swans players in sexual assault investigation Coalition to legalise vapes, lower cigarette prices if elected NSW police probe potential second mistaken identity fatality in Sydney Australia accused of 'environmental vandalism' at Pacific meeting Apple’s new CEO scores massive payday Deep Dive: Just over a week ago, a glacier collapsed high in the Himalayas and sent a wall of water, mud and rock tearing down the Nepal–Tibet border, killing more than a thousand people and leaving thousands more missing. Australians have seen the footage: the torrent flattening the border crossing as people ran for their lives. But cross to the Chinese side, and that same video has been scrubbed from the internet. Why? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by ABC China Correspondent Allyson Horn to unpack what China is keeping from public view, and why, in one of the country's most tightly controlled regions, even a flood becomes something to censor. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Second missing Australian found after Nepal flood US launches fresh strikes on Iran Australia pledges $600 million to tackle drug smuggling in the Pacific Hanson demands apology as political violence war of words escalates NSW to make drug testing at music festivals permanent Deep Dive: Nearly a decade after #MeToo exposed systemic sexual misconduct and sparked global reform, a powerful legal backlash is threatening survivors who dare to speak out. Behind closed doors, the legal system is increasingly being used to muzzle victims, leaving the true extent of this intimidation hidden from the public. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by international human rights lawyer and advocate Jennifer Robinson to discuss her new documentary, Silenced, and how defamation laws are being weaponised against victims. Find out where to watch Silenced: https://www.silenced-film.com/where-to-watch Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Gov backs algorithm 'opt-out,' rules out banning smart glasses as part of privacy overhaul Grave fears for 33 Australians thought to be in one of the worst-hit part of Nepal floods Hanson thanks Liberals as One Nation unveils first major Victorian election pitch Property prices fall for a fifth straight month Lionel Messi announces his retirement from Argentina Further listening from headlines: Higgins responds to Lehrmann appeal + The fight to ditch the algorithm Deep Dive: Macquarie Bank has recently walked away from a muti-million-dollar deal with KPMG, over concerns over its auditing practices. It's the latest blow to one of the "big four" consulting firms - now accused of taking confidential information from the very clients it was hired to audit, and using it to chase more lucrative work elsewhere. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by ABC business reporter Daniel Ziffer to explain what happened, the Australian companies caught up in it and why a story about auditors affects everyone. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: One Nation claims top spot in Newspoll after winning WA by-election Mourners gather for vigils across Australia for victims of Nepal and Tibet flash floods New privacy laws to be unveiled today Calls grow for Australia to follow the UK in banning strangulation in porn Record crowd turns out for Sydney Marathon Deep Dive: A group of scientists are warning the world is walking headfirst into a male fertility crisis, with crashing testosterone and sperm count levels witnessed in two major studies. While their research has been widely quoted, some in the scientific community feel warnings of a so-called ‘Spermageddon’ are overstated. In this episode of The Briefing, Dr Giselle Crawford from IVF Australia joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to discuss the research, whether male infertility is on the rise, and what can be done about it. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you be happy having your face not just surveilled, but scanned every time you walked into the supermarket? It's no longer a hypothetical. Coles and Woolworths have both now admitted to trialling facial recognition technology, while Bunnings has won the right to scan customers' faces in limited circumstances - a shift privacy experts warn could creep from spotting known troublemakers to tracking every shopper who walks through the door. So what do we know about facial recognition technology and just how invasive can it really be? To make sense of it, we're rewinding a few years to one of the most alarming case studies involving facial recognition tech company – CLEARVIEW AI. In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we're revisiting an episode of Secrets We Keep: Uncovered by investigative journalist Joey Watson. When it became known that the shadowy facial recognition company had created a massive database, capable of identifying almost anyone, anywhere, reporters around the globe picked up the trail - working to uncover how this start-up could reshape privacy and policing internationally. Here in Australia, tech reporter Cam Wilson spent years digging through the Australian Federal Police's own files - and what he found in them was deeply disturbing. Read Cam Wilson's investigations here: ‘World's most controversial company’ Clearview AI still being used to solve Australian police cases Clearview AI is still collecting photos of Australians for its facial recognition database Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to The Briefing: Our Take, the time each week that we kick off our shoes, loosen our (non-existent) ties and chat the week that was. This weekend we debrief the latest in the Jackie O vs ARN court battle, with court documents revealing the former KIIS host claims she is suffering from PTSD after working with Kyle Sandilands. Then we crack open our inbox, getting across your thoughts, feelings, concerns and praise from the week’s stories, featuring superannuation and whether Chris and Sach are too childish to host a news show. We also have 2DayFM’s Yaz Haddad in studio for the Weekend Quiz before finishing off with your recommendations, including a rather cheeky one for Coles shoppers. As always, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us on Instagram @thebriefingpodcast and feel free to leave a comment if you’re listening on Spotify. The Weekend Quiz: Which social media company settled a major lawsuit this week for $23 billion? There was a sad development in bird flu in Australia this week. What was it? What did the Swans AFLW team celebrate this week? Harry and Meghan arrived back in the UK this week. What are they doing there? Finish off this legendary Dolly Parton quote: “It takes a lot of money to look ...” The Weekend List: To Watch: The Menu on Disney+ (listener Chris) To Watch: We are Jeni on SBS on Demand (Sacha) To Do: Flip off Coles cameras (listener Clair) Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Death toll rises in Nepal amid fears of a second flood Albanese steps in to guarantee refugee intake won't go backwards One Nation tipped to win WA by-election NT passes VAD laws, Queensland introduces ‘breach bail, go to jail’ legislation UEFA plans criminal complaint against FIFA President Greens move to ban the import of smart glasses Deep Dive: That cheap smart TV in your lounge room might be paying for itself by spying on you. In this episode of The Briefing, we unpack ACR - Automated Content Recognition - the little-known tech that quietly logs everything on your screen and feeds it to advertisers. Swinburne digital media professor Ramon Lobato explains how your viewing habits are being used, how it got switched on without you noticing and the settings that let you shut it down. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Meta agrees to settle for $23bn in teen social media addiction lawsuit More than 150 dead in devastating flash floods in Nepal and China Albanese caves on data centre renewables as Queensland wins coal-and-gas carve-out Antisemitism royal commission wraps up with powerful message from Sydney Rabbi Legendary actor Tim Curry dead at 80 Miley Cyrus pays tribute to Dolly Parton Deep Dive: Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, the country hasn't held an election due to martial law, which bans a vote while the war is on. Volodymyr Zelensky's term expired back in 2024, and now, for the first time, a senior figure inside his own camp is demanding a vote, with former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov breaking ranks to call for a wartime election. So is this a genuine democratic reckoning, or an opening for Russia to destabilise Ukraine from within? In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Politico journalist Ryan Heath to unpack the turmoil and corruption in Kyiv, whether Ukrainians support the idea of a wartime election and what it could mean for the country and its fight against Russia. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Dolly Parton has died at 80 Three Scots College students face court over aggravated sexual assault charges Man arrested after Melbourne mum repeatedly stabbed and her son punched in 'random' CBD attack Home ownership levels among young Aussies hits 80-year low Jai Arrow to make 100 game mileston after MND diagnosis Deep Dive: One of the biggest songs on Australian radio last month was a cover of Madonna's Like a Prayer. It’s racked up tens of millions of streams and even cracked into the top five on the ARIA charts. But what a lot of listeners didn't know was that the vocals and drums were made with artificial intelligence. From Friday, ARIA's new code shuts songs like it out of the charts, and the industry's peak body is now urging radio and music promoters to fall in behind. But if listeners can't tell the difference - and the streams keep climbing regardless - will a ban on the chart actually change anything? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by the boss of ARIA, Annabelle Herd to discuss the move, whether it goes fare enough and what the AI wave means for the young Australian artists trying to break through. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: PM to announce block on data centres near homes and schools Family of murdered Thai teen respond to alleged Australian killer’s comments from behind bars Trump Administration announces economic 'D-day' on Iran as Tehran announces $10m bounty for Barron Trump World’s oceans record hottest temperature on record Specialist cargo ship arrives to remove SpaceX rocket from Christmas Island Deep Dive: Pauline Hanson says Australia's superannuation system is broken. Senior Liberal Andrew Bragg has branded compulsory super a "loss of liberty." Suddenly, the four trillion dollars of retirement savings sitting in Australians' names is the subject of a political brawl - with the Treasurer vowing to defend the system all the way to the next election. So is super actually failing us - or quietly doing more than its critics admit? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Mary Delahunty, CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia to unpack where your 12% really comes from and why it's locked away for decades. Mary also makes the case against raiding super for a house deposit - and reveals the lessons COVID taught us about who gets hurt when the rules loosen. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Record crowd turns out for Swans AFLW clash after tumultuous week for the club Australia records first case of bird flu in a mammal Pauline Hanson steps in after One Nation MP says party's targets 'not too different' from Labor's Sydney shark attack victim speaks publicly for the first time Major blunder found on Sydney Marathon medal Deep Dive: The federal government is attempting to roll out its largest gun buyback in a generation in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. New South Wales is the first state to sign on - paying licensed owners from November to surrender their firearms, pulling a huge slice of the state's registered guns from circulation. But other states are dragging their feet, shooters say they're being unfairly singled out, and critics argue the very people we should fear won't hand anything over. So will it actually work - or is it a costly show of action? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by public health expert and senior advocacy advisor at the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Stephen Bendle to unpack what this landmark scheme can really achieve, and where its loudest criticisms land. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Israeli military drew international criticism this week after finding it had no criminal case to answer to in the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza in 2024, including Australian woman Zomi Frankcom. April 2026 marked two years since the drone strikes which killed the staff from World Central Kitchen, and at the time, The Briefing sat down with Zomi’s brother Mal to discuss her family’s fight for justice. In this episode we’re revisiting Sacha Barbour Gatt’s chat with Mal Frankcom. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heyo, welcome back to The Briefing: Our Take, our weekend hang-out where we loosen our ties and kick off our shoes to take you behind the scenes of the week that was, and what you (and we) made of it. This weekend Chris and Sach sit down for a heavier debrief than usual: the Lindsay Clancy trial, the case of the Massachusetts mother whose insanity defence has turned an unthinkable tragedy into a wider reckoning about postpartum psychosis. From there the mood lifts as they crack open the inbox – to get your reactions on arming guards in hospitals, Logies tea, and one listener’s oddly specific request for Dan's voice that we may or may not be honouring in the near future. Then, LiSTNR sport and Triple M producer, Curtis Figon joins us for The Weekend Quiz to see if he can answer: The government was accused of making a dog's breakfast of some big reforms this week. What were those reforms? Who won the Gold Logie on Sunday? AI deepfakes of one person have scammed Australians out of $7.4 million in the past year. Who is that person? Jacqui Lambie made an emotional plea to the Prime Minister in the Senate this week - what was she asking for? Ten YouTubers were added to the National Sound Archive this week. Name one of them. Then we cap it all of with The Weekend List: To Do: Digitise your old footage and pics (listener Krissy) Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Police commissioner apologises for miscommunication after family told missing bushwalker was alive Alleged Swans victim speaks out Zomi Frankcom's family slams IDF for clearing soldiers over her death Erin Patterson appeal wraps Harry and Meghan's UK return Deep Dive: A murder trial in the US is making global headlines and has sparked a passionate conversation about the mental health of mums. Lindsay Clancy is accused of murdering her three children, and while she’s admitted to the killings, her lawyers say she can’t be held responsible because she was suffering at the time from postpartum psychosis. In this episode of The Briefing, we speak with psychologist, author and someone who has experienced the condition, Ariarne Beeston from COPE, to unpack the case and how a lack of support for mothers can lead to the most tragic consequences. This episode discusses crimes against children as well as serious mental health conditions including suicide. PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline: 1300 726 306 Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE): https://www.cope.org.au/ Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.