Prince Harry’s new biography ‘Spare’ caused controversy before it was even released. It details everything from losing his virginity, to killing 25 people in Afghanistan. Harry speaks about fighting with his brother William and his decision to leave the Royal family and move both his and Meghan’s life to California. Tom Tilley and Katrina Blowers have both read the book and tell us what they think of Harry's tell-all. Headlines: - Kyrgios pulls out of Aus Open - Rugby Australia sacks Dave Rennie - Sydney teacher identified on board Nepal flight - Italy’s most wanted mafia boss arrested Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian billionaires Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest have fallen out over the $30b Sun Cable project, which is the giant NT solar farm that’s supposed to supply Darwin, Indonesia and Singapore with power. Last week, news broke that Sun Cable has entered voluntary administration. Sun Cable was burning through cash and missing agreed targets. Both billionaires say they still support the project, but it seems they won’t be working on it together, it will be interesting to see what happens next, whether one of them steps in to buy it outright. We speak to the Australian Financial Review's senior resources writer Angela Macdonald-Smith about the story behind the Sun Cable bust up? Headlines: - Australian suspected dead following Nepal plane crash - Joe Biden in hot water over documents - NSW Premier referred to police over Nazi costume - Romanian authorities seize Andrew Tate assets - Australian Open begins Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former leader of the Catholic Church in Australia, Cardinal George Pell died suddenly in Rome this week. His reign was dogged by scandal. Imprisoned - and later acquitted - of child sex charges, he was also appointed by Pope Benedict to clean up the Vatican’s finances. How will George Pell be remembered? In this episode we speak to Miles Pattenden, a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University, about George Pell’s life and legacy Headlines: NSW Premier’s leadership in jeopardy No state funeral will be held for George Pell Australia to sign security pact with Papua New Guinea The Australian Open draw is out Jeff Beck dies Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince William has been thrown back into the spotlight, after Prince Harry claimed he physically attacked him in his new book ‘Spare.’ The relationship between the two brothers has deteriorated in the public eye as Harry continues to make damaging allegations. Prince William has kept quiet as the headlines continue to roll. So, what part does William play in all of this and how will his choices impact the future of the monarchy? In this episode, we speak to Michael Grose, a leading parent educator and author of seven parenting books, about Willam and Harry’s relationship. Headlines: - Pell’s body to be laid to rest in Australia - Aussie billionaires fall out over massive renewables project - Cate Blanchett wins Golden Globe Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil is undergoing riots that have been likened to when Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol. Far-right Bolsonaro supporters have stormed the Brazilian Congress and Supreme Court. In this episode we speak to Kathryn Baragwanath, political economy expert at the Australian Catholic University, about what prompted the protests in Brazil. We find out why this is happening, and what the implications for Brazil and the rest of the world could be. Headlines: - Labor to introduce emissions cutting legislation - China’s ambassador warns Australia against Japan - Melbourne Victory cops biggest fine in A League history - Prince Harry book out today Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data from the ACT Government shows just 20% of people who reported a Covid infection in December were known to have previously had the illness. Australia’s high rate of hybrid immunity continues to trend making us more equipped to cope with new outbreaks than most other countries. Infectious disease specialists say the trend refers to the double shield of previous infection and vaccination, but they warned this could change if Aussies don’t keep up with their vaccine doses. In 2022, Australia saw the most deaths from Covid as the first time getting Covid is when it’s the most dangerous, this was due to the high rates of spreading according to one of Australia’s top disease experts, Professor Peter Collignon. With new variants being able to evade treatments it continues to be a challenge when treating COVID-19. In this episode, we speak to Associate Professor, Paul Griffin Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health about the Covid forecast for 2023. Headlines: - Prince Harry's explosive interviews to plug his new book - More than 1000 protestors arrested in Brazil - PM visits flood-ravaged areas of WA - House price crash heading for record levels Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussies are starting the new year with higher rates, rent and fuel along with rocketing food prices. Food shortages are hitting supermarkets across the country due to labour shortages and flooding and we could even see prices rise another 8 percent by November. In this episode we speak with Richard Forbes, CEO of Independent Food Distributors Australia about just what will happen with our food in 2023. Headlines: - Albo accuses Dutton of 'cheap culture war stunts' over Indigenous voice - Indian man accused of Toyah Cordingley murder not fighting extradition - Clean-up begins in WA flood crisis - Aussies fall short of South Africa clean sweep in cricket test series Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is facing a housing crisis, and we're not the only ones. Canada is also dealing with a shortage of homes, and has just introduced a ban on foreigners buying property. The policy has attracted approval from Aussies online, with some calling for a similar strategy to be implemented here. In this episode we speak with Michael Bourque is the CEO of the Canadian Real Estate Association about the ban, and whether it could be a viable solution to our housing shortage. Headlines: - Ukraine: Russia orders temporary ceasefire - Pope Benedict XVI laid to rest - Australian IS bride charged - Covid hits our life expectancy rates Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is known for its harsh sun and hot summers, but Vitamin D deficiency is growing. Vitamin D is crucial to our physical and mental health, yet most of us don't know just how much we need, and how to get it. In this episode we speak with Roger Sutherland, a nutritionist, shift worker and host of the Healthy Shift podcast about why getting our daily dose might not be as easy as we think Headlines: - Australia buys $1B worth of missiles - Residents evacuated in the Kimberley - Rudd accuses the US of “throwing allies under a bus” - US: House Speaker vote stuck in stalemate Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know gym memberships go up at the start of the year with people keen to get their bodies in shape, but what about our minds? In this episode of the Briefing we find out why we feel like our attention spans are getting shorter and strategies we can use to stay on task and be happier. We speak with Susan Pearse who is part of the Mind Gardener, an organisation that focuses on building attention to increase mindfulness, fulfillment and happiness. She has worked in this area for 25 years and authored four books that use mindfulness strategies backed by neurological science to rewire and retrain the brain. Headlines: - Investigations into helicopter crash underway - Covid restrictions: China warns of retaliation - Kimberley suffers record-breaking floods - Pele: Brazilian football legend farewelled Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bushranger holds a special place in the Australian psyche. Celebrated for their bravery and their ability to go against the grain, against authority and deified through time as heroes. But not all were seen at the time in such a positive way, and not all were white men. We speak with Boundary Crossers author Meg Foster, who reveals the stories of bushrangers that didn’t fit the mold, like African American man Black Douglas, Chinese bushranger Sam Poo, Aboriginal man Jimmy Governor and Aboriginal woman, Mary Ann Bugg. Headlines: - Four dead following helicopter collision - China: Government goes against health advice - Population is back on track - De Minaur beats Nadal - Jeremy Renner in critical condition Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, the Sydney New Year’s fireworks were watched by millions of people around the world, but have you ever wondered how it’s put together? We speak to the man behind the fireworks, Fortunato Forti, a seventh generation pyrotechnician who has put on displays all over the world including in Hong Kong, Turkey, Canada, the US and the UK. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look back on The Year That Was with Tom Tilley, Katrina Blowers, Antoinette Lattouf and Rhianna Patrick. We talk about the biggest stories of the year, including the Queen’s death, the federal election and the chaos of Elon Musk. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the BookTok phenomenon? Is it making reading cool? And how is it affecting book sales? There’s been a big surge in book sales, and publishers are putting it down to a new phenomenon called BookTok. BookTok is where young people on TikTok, typically in their teens or early twenties post about their favourite books in emotional videos racking up millions of views. BookTok has been responsible for the resurgence of several books on the New York Times’ bestseller list, including E. Lockhart’s "We Were Liars." We speak with E. Lockhart about BookTok and how it’s encouraged her to write its prequel "Family of Liars." Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s Briefing we look at a perverse twist of 'Me Too'. The wave of abuse stories has come with a wave of defamation lawsuits. London-based barristers Jen Robinson and Keina Yoshida have written a book called How Many More Women detailing the way the law and the media has held back justice for sexual assault victims. The book is about how and why laws must change to protect women who are brave enough to speak out against their attackers. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year the USA has been rocked by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade - the case that has protected the right to abortion in the US for almost 50 years. Already, states are banning the procedure and it may be just weeks before half of the states across the US ban abortion. In today’s episode of The Briefing, Nick Sweeney, an Australian born director of a documentary called AKA Jane Roe tells us the unbelievable story of a young Texan woman called Norma McCorvey – who was to become Jane Roe. You won’t believe what Nick learned in the making of the documentary. It left Americans reeling, and turned the entire saga on its head. In today’s Briefing: the story behind the abortion case dividing America. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With rising interest rates, escalating inflation, a war underway in Ukraine and coming out of the pandemic, it’s understandable we’re all a bit more worried. In today’s episode of the Briefing, we talk with Brigid Delaney about her book: Reasons Not To Worry - How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times. Brigid explains what we can learn from stoics, philosophers who lived by a set of rules that helped them find solace and comfort in difficult times. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know Santa Claus as a jolly old white man with a grey beard and red suit, but is this version of Mr Claus about to change? Australian director Nick Sweeney, has produced a documentary about the Saint Nicks and Mrs Clauses who come from all walks of life at a Santa training camp in the US. In this episode of the Briefing we speak with Nick about the changing face of Santa Claus. Headlines: Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you teach kids about money? That's the question The Barefoot Investor has set out to answer in his new book Barefoot Kids. He covers pocket money, saving, spending and everything else to get kids financially literate. We speak with The Barefoot Investor himself, Scott Pape about how to prepare our children, so they can become confident money-savvy adults. Headlines: Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ChatGPT released by OpenAI can write essays, complete maths problems and even speak in Shakespearean English. It's the latest iteration in this new technology that promises to change the way we search for information - and could even replace some of our jobs. New York Times Technology Correspondent Cade Metz joins us to understand more about this new technology and why it's so easy to trust it, even if we shouldn't. Headlines: - Memorial for fallen QLD police officers takes place today - Two men handed lifetime bans by Football Australia - Kevin Rudd named US ambassador - Four teens found after spending a night at sea - Splendour in the Grass fined $100,000 Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.