The Briefing

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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.