The Briefing

Five people have been killed and more than 30,000 people are under evacuation orders as the Los Angeles wildfires continue to rage. More than 1000 buildings, including many on Sunset Boulevard, and the homes of celebrities, have been destroyed by the out-of-control fires. The wildfires in the middle of winter have shocked residents and prompted warnings amid the escalating climate crisis that there is now no such thing as a “fire season” in the state - the danger is all year round. On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Australian ex-pat Jaxson McLennan from his home near a fire-front in Pasadena. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Rescued hiker in NSW survived a fortnight on berries and two muesli bars, wildfires have forced thousands to flee in Los Angeles, the pilot in Rottnest Island plane crash identified, and Brisbane (somehow) ranks worst city in Australia for traffic. Deep Dive: As artificial intelligence gets exponentially better at just about everything, it’s making people in all kinds of professions – from teachers to doctors, to lawyers, to retail workers – a little bit nervous. But AI is also making a lot of people very excited, with new, mind-bending capabilities coming online every week. What tools should you be using in 2025 to keep ahead of the curve and make your life a little easier? As part of The Briefing’s series on how to start your 2025 right, Bension Siebert is joined by Toby Walsh, professor of Artificial Intelligence at UNSW, to guide you through what’s out there, what you should be using, and where to start with AI in the new year. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Facebook, and its parent company Meta, is saying goodbye to fact-checkers. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in an announcement posted to social media that fact checkers had become “too politically biased”, and have "destroyed more trust than they've created, especially in the US". Meta will also change its algorithms to recommend more political content on its platforms. Does the move have anything to do with Trump’s threats to jail Zuckerberg for life for alleged US election interference? And what is this going to mean for our Facebook and Instagram feeds in 2025? Stephen Scheeler knows Mark Zuckerberg and is a former CEO of Facebook in Australia. What does he think of the tech super leader bending the knee to a Donald Trump administration? He joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to unpack the announcement, and what happens next. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Meta scraps independent fact-checkers, Aussie house prices dip, three missing after Rottnest Island plane crash and Donald Trump Junior arrives in Greenland amidst talk his dad wants to buy the country. Deep Dive: A new year often brings reflection, and for many, that means rethinking their job. Does it make you happy? Pay enough? Offer the growth you’re looking for? But changing careers isn’t an easy undertaking, especially when navigating new industries, re-training, the place of AI and figuring out how to put your best foot forward in an increasingly competitive market. To kick off 2025, The Briefing is giving you everything you need to start your year on the first foot. In this episode, Chris Spyrou is joined by career consultant and recruiter Tammie Ballis from Realistic Careers, who shares expert insights to help you successfully change careers in 2025. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.