The Briefing

US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered to pay $A70 million in damages after falsely claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax.  Jones – host of Infowars, and a renowned conspiracy theorist - has repeatedly argued that the shooting was a hoax orchestrated by the government to strip Americans of gun rights, and that the parents of the dead children were "crisis actors."  We’re joined by Elizabeth Williamson - New York Times journalist and author of Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth” who explains how and why Jones spread these awful untruths, and what this court decision means for his future.  Can Alex Jones and Infowars survive this brutal demolition by the parents of a Sandy Hook victim?  Today's Headlines: - Organised crime has infiltrated NDIS- Scomo secretly sworn in as Resources Minister- Flights return to normal in Canberra- Salman Rushdie on road to recovery- Five members of US Congress visit Taiwan Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Science Briefing is a new podcast from LiSTNR and The Royal Institution of Australia about the science of everything and your new go-to podcast for your snapshot of science news. In this episode, host Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about a new independent review stressing the Murray-Darling Basin is likely to meet a major environmental target for South Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indira Naidoo is an Australian author, journalist, television and radio presenter. She has had a colourful life, full of travel and unique experiences.   Indira is the eldest in her family, she is one of three sisters. In 2020, Indira’s whole world changed when she lost her vivacious, intelligent, younger sister.   In this conversation Jamila Rizvi and Indira Naidoo, discuss loss, grief and the incredible healing powers of nature.   CONTENT WARNING: Mentions of death by suicide.  Help and support is always available. If you need to talk, please contact Lifeline by calling 13 11 14.   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you constantly underestimate how much time something takes? Do you agree to things, put them in your calendar only to get closer and regret it? Does trying to delineate between work and life leave you confused? Well, you’re not alone. We’re joined by Dr Amantha Imber - an organisational psychologist, host of the How I Work podcast and author of the book ‘Time Wise’ to learn how to make better use of our time. In this episode of The Briefing, how to be time wise in the age of distraction. Today's Headlines: - Veteran interim report details “national tragedy”- NSW bans Nazi swastika- Australian advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi testifies for first time- Paul Green’s family ‘devastated’ after NRL coach’s death Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why was the DC spin-off movie Batgirl canned, when it was almost finished? Warner Brothers has cancelled Batgirl despite spending $113 million on it. It’s understood the film starring In the Heights actor Leslie Grace, Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser was so badly received by test audiences the studio decided to get rid of it. We’re joined by Rolling Stone magazine’s Tatiana Siegel to get the full story. Why has Warner Bros decided this wasn’t even worth posting on its streaming service, and how often do blunders like this happen anyway? Today's Headlines: - Military drills around Taiwan wind down- Inflation cools in USA- Trump invokes right to silence amid investigation into business practices- Grease wins timeslot as country mourns Olivia Newton-John Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three big hunks of space junk have been found in the Snowy Mountains. They’ve been confirmed as pieces of one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets. The latest piece, discovered by sheep farmer Mick Miners, stands nearly 10 feet tall and is firmly embedded in a paddock by one end. Dr Brad Tucker, an astrophysicist at the Notre Dame College of Science, joins us to explain what you can and can’t do with space junk if it falls on your property. In this episode of the Briefing, what to do if part of Elon Musk’s rocket lands in your backyard. Today's Headlines: - Serena Williams to retire- Republicans lash out over Trump raid- Olivia Newton-John’s family accepts state funeral- RBA to trial digital currency Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On July 23, World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus declared the monkeypox outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” – the highest global alert level for a disease outbreak. Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly followed by declaring monkeypox as a “communicable disease incident of national significance.” We’re joined by Dr Paul Griffin, Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist, University of Queensland, who takes us through who’s at risk and why. In this episode of The Briefing, where are we at with monkeypox in Australia? Why should we get the vaccine? Who should get it? Today's Headlines: - Olivia Newton-John passes away- Commonwealth Games finishes- China extends military drills around Taiwan- NSW: Barilaro regrets applying for NY role- Stripper auctions off Prince Harry’s undies Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why would China want to spark World War Three over Taiwan?    US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has stoked fears the island could become the flash point for World War Three. China claims the island as a renegade province, despite Taiwan functionally acting as an independent nation for 70 years. We’re joined by Jennifer Hsu, a researcher at the Lowy Institute who was born in Taiwan.   In today’s Briefing, we dive into why China cares so much about Taiwan, and why Australia should too.  Today's Headlines: - Aussie cricketer allowed to play despite covid infection- China wraps up military drills around Taiwan- Biloela family starting the week without the threat of deportation- Qantas executives to head to the baggage carousel- Tributes flow for Judith Durham Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Science Briefing is a brand new podcast from LiSTNR and The Royal Institution of Australia about the science of everything and your new go-to podcast for your snapshot of science news. In the first episode of The Science Briefing, host Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about the first images from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and how the race is on to make the next major space discovery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samuel Jonathan McMillan was editing the United Nations Youth Australia newsletter and studying law at Melbourne University when he realised that he was more interested in telling jokes than studying.Fast forward 20 years and Sammy J is a household name. He hosts ABC Melbourne’s breakfast show, and his satirical videos are a fan favourite on ABC television. He’s an award-winning stand-up comedian, who also uses video and self-composed music in his work. In this joyful conversation, Jamila Rizvi and Sammy J discuss juice boxes, Disney’s golden age and how much of yourself you really share with those around you.    THE WEEKEND LIST: LISTEN: Michelle Brasier – The Case for Optimism (The Imperfects Podcast) WATCH: Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix) WATCH: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman (Netflix) READ: Sundressed: Natural Fibres and the Future of Fashion (Book by Lucianne Tonti)   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.