The Briefing

In a historic first, NSW police have used Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, or FIGG, to identify and arrest a 77-year-old man over alleged sexual assaults dating back to 1991. It’s a watershed moment for Australian forensic science. But how exactly does it work?
In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we're sharing the first part of Secrets We Keep: Should I Spit?. In the series, journalist Claire Aird unpacks the science behind FIGG -- where investigators compare crime scene DNA to profiles uploaded to public genealogy databases like Ancestry and 23andMe, then painstakingly build out family trees to narrow in on a suspect.
It sounds revolutionary...But it’s also deeply controversial.
From privacy concerns and consent issues to wrongful accusations, this episode explores the risks, the ethical grey zones, and the global debate over whether our most personal data - our DNA - is ever truly anonymous.
Listen to episode 2 of Secrets We Keep: Should I Spit?
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Ash London has interviewed Taylor Swift in Paris, hitched piggyback rides from Ed Sheeran and helped shape the sound of Australian radio for more than a decade - but in 2026, she’s entering a bold new era across the ditch.
The former national radio host is back on the airwaves in New Zealand with a brand new show - after helming Ash London LIVE for five years, co-hosting 2Day FM’s powerhouse breakfast show and becoming a familiar face on Have You Been Paying Attention?
In this chat with Chris Spyrou, Ash opens up about motherhood, life behind the mic, writing 90,000 words during nap time and why stepping away from radio made her a better broadcaster.
Weekend list with Helen Smith
Listener Rabia TO EAT: Figs and ricotta with honey on toast
TO WATCH: Crime 101
TO DO: Find Celine Dion’s TikTok
TO WATCH: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance
And you can order Ash's novel 'Love on the Air' here!
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Australia’s most dangerous killers...The new podcast series that investigates our country’s soaring rates of domestic violence and homicide.
In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling speaks with the host of “Kiss and Kill”, Alison Sandy, who explains the dangerous narcissistic traits these murderers display, the warning signs to look out for, and the urgent action authorities need to take.
Listen to Kiss and Kill here.
Headlines: Sussan Ley has announced she's leaving parliament after being defeated by Angus Taylor and the police watchdog has announced it will investigate the actions of officers at Sydney’s Town Hall rally on Monday night.
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Friday Headlines: We’ve won our first gold at the Winter Olympics, Liberal leadership spill today, Israeli President's visit to Australia wraps, ICE agents to pull out of Minnesota, Katie Holmes pays tribute to Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek and Kylie Minogue's been honoured with her very own Barbie collector doll.
Deep Dive: Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights has never been short on drama - but the latest big-screen adaptation is generating heat long before the final act.
Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, “Wuthering Heights” leans hard into sex and spectacle, sparking backlash and fresh debate over casting, race and portrayals of abuse.
In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by LiSTNR Entertainment reporter Justin Hill to unpack the hype, and whether this gothic tragedy has been reborn for a new generation or rewritten beyond recognition.
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After months of speculation, Angus Taylor will finally challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal Party leadership. So, who is Angus Taylor, and can he save a party heading into political oblivion?
In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by political reporter Katina Curtis to unpack how the spill will unfold and the race to save the Liberal Party.
Headlines: Only 4 of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to be met ahead of the 2031 deadline, RBA Governor Michelle Bullock has fired back at Senator Matt Canavan, and NSW Premier Chris Minns has refused to apologise to the Muslim community after a group of people praying were forcibly removed during a pro-Palestinian rally.
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