The Briefing

Last month, a 600-kilogram seal made himself at home in front of a woman’s car in Tasmania’s south, giving her the best excuse not to go to work. Affectionately known as Neil, the elephant seal routinely causes havoc when he comes back to the coast. And this isn't the only example of how urbanisation has necessitated changes in the behaviour of the animals around us - just think of the rebranding of the majestic ibis to the 'bin chicken', known for roaming our streets and raiding our rubbish. In this extra episode of The Briefing, we speak with LiSTNR journalist Tessa Randello to get the scoop on a Tasmanian icon 'Neil the Seal'. You'll also hear Sean Dooley from Bird Life Australia, who explains the effect we've had on the behaviour of the ibis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference underway in Dubai, the world’s focus is once again turning to whether we’re doing enough to tackle global warming. China is the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, but the country is also making strides towards hitting 2030 climate targets. In this episode of The Briefing Katrina Blowers speaks with Dr Michal Meidan, head of China energy research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies about just what China is doing about climate change, and it might be more than you think.   Headlines: Nowhere is safe in Gaza after fighting resumed A third immigration detainee has reoffended   Brittany Higgins had her final day in the witness box   Telstra to pay $24 million for overcharging customers    Follow The Briefing:Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much do you spend on clothes, and how much of your wardrobe do you throw out each year?  The average Aussie bins ten kilograms of used clothing every year, with the expectation that the fast fashion industry and a status quo of ‘quantity over quality’ will continue to push this number even higher in the future. But is there any hope that this trend could change in favour of more sustainable and ethically sourced clothing?  In this extra episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by LiSTNR journalist Loren Howarth to tell us more about the current trends in our consumption of clothing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re set to be spending a lot of 2024 talking about US elections, with President Biden and likely Donald Trump going head to head again. Polls are hinting at a Trump victory, but with legal battles, bureaucratic clashes, and a dash of political intrigue, the path to the White House is anything but predictable. In this episode of The Briefing, Planet America’s Chas Licciardello explains to Katrina Blowers what we need to know before campaigning ratchets up.   Headlines: Westpac down overnight Former immigration detainee charged with assault COP28 president defends himself over climate change comments The RBA likely to keep rates on hold   Follow The Briefing:Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you think more accessible drug testing would change illicit drug use in Australia?  A handheld device called the MicroNIR is currently being used overseas to identify drugs and assess their purity. It’s efficient, accurate, and cost-effective, and it could be a game-changer at festivals, clubs, and supervised injecting facilities here in Australia. But will it be used here?  In this extra episode of The Briefing, we hear from Harry Fursman, a PhD candidate at the University of Technology, Sydney, and discuss whether this technology could help drug checking become more widespread across Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is the first country to offer climate refuge, after signing a new treaty with Tuvalu. The agreement could set an example for the rest of the world ahead of 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. In this episode of The Briefing Katrina Blowers speaks with Tamara Wood from the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law about exactly what this deal means. Headlines: 1.8 million people displaced in Gaza   National Health and Climate Strategy announced at COP28  Supermarkets under pressure to ease prices   Follow The Briefing:Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of self care is growing and behind the products and marketing push, are actual experts, who are building big followings as people crave support and direction -- and in some cases sweary entertainment. Enter neuroscience whiz, author and host of hit podcast Do You F*cking Mind, Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Alexis shares her tips on how to live a bad ass life.   Weekend List: The Morning Show Season 3 on Apple TV She’s on the Money audiobook  Antoinette watching people running Kmart sleeveless halter bodysuits   LINKS: Listen to Do You F*cking Mind with Alexis Fernandez Follow @dyfmpodcast on IG Follow @alexispredez on IG See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone’s talking about Spotify ‘wrapped’, but is Spotify – and streaming in general – killing off the music industry?  Subscribers received a message from the streaming service today telling them who their most-played artist was, alongside other facts about their listening habits over the last year. But how about as a society? With subscriptions and streaming now the norm, how have we changed the music industry over the last decade? In this extra episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Associate Professor Dan Golding, Deputy Chair of Media and Communication at Swinburne University, to find out if Spotify is harming or helping the music industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voluntary assisted dying is now legal in Australia, after NSW passed laws earlier this week. There are some differences between states; NSW has a different cooling off period, and allows the patient to choose whether the life-ending drug should be delivered by a medical professional even if they have the ability to self-administer. In this episode of The Briefing Tom Tilley speaks with David Springer who had to take his brother to Switzerland to die about what he thinks of the new laws, and Linda Swan from Go Gentle. Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 Beyond Blue Support Service - 1300 22 4636 Headlines: Last minute ceasefire extended in Gaza  Brittany Higgins breaks down during cross-examination  Elon Musk slams advertisers saying they could kill X Investigation under way into British royals named in new book    Follow The Briefing:Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite our population across the globe exceeding 8 billion, several reports say that the fertility of both men and women has been decreasing since the 1950s. So what's going on? Is this due to changes in our lifestyles, such as our diet, exercise or the later average age at which we start having children? Or could our exposure to toxins, pollutants, microplastics and nanoplastics be to blame?  On this extra episode of The Briefing, we hear from fertility experts Dr Manuela Toledo and Professor Robert McLachlan, to find out whether you are less fertile than your parents or your grandparents were.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.