The Briefing

North Korea has launched a series of balloons packed with household waste over the border into South Korea. Pyongyang says it’s in response to Seoul distributing anti-North propaganda leaflets into cities and towns across the North. In this episode of the Briefing we take a deep dive with Justin Hastings, Professor of International Relations at the University of Sydney, on why the campaign was launched and what it means for hostilities between the two nations separated since the Korean War in the 1950s. Headlines: World leaders come together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day   Peter Costello denies assaulting journalist at Canberra Airport    Israeli strike kills at least 33 people at Gaza school that IDF claims was being used by Hamas   Elon Musk's SpaceX records first successful test flight      Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another climbing season for those attempting to summit Mount Everest has come to a close.   This year, the Nepalese government offered fewer climbing permits in an effort to reduce congestion on the mountain and improve safety, after a record-breaking 18 climbers lost their lives in 2023.   Still, this year saw five climbers die on the climb, with three others still missing.  So what is it really like to climb the tallest mountain on Earth, and should the Nepalese government be putting more safety measures in place?  In this episode, The Briefing’s Simon Beaton speaks with Dan Stretch from Global Rescue, who coordinates high-altitude rescues on Mount Everest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New CoreLogic data has found rent in three quarters of Australia's biggest regional areas are now higher than ever – with WA and Queensland topping the list. The biggest increase was in Batemans Bay in NSW rising by around 6 percent in the past three months – which is about $32 extra a week. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by CoreLogic’s Eliza Owen to find out why regional rents are soaring and what can be done to make regional areas affordable for Australians unable to afford to rent in cities. Headlines: $300 energy bill rebate unlikely to affect inflation    The government and the opposition condemn Greens for involvement in pro-Palestinian protests Victorians can now report dodgy rentals with Consumer Affairs  First British bank notes featuring King Charles and a banana milkshake    Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QAnon first appeared in 2017 and quickly flooded the internet with conspiracy theories from child trafficking cannibal celebrities to suggestions JFK faked his own death and was returning to run for office. Observers say QAnon has gone strangely quiet. So what are they working on? The vast majority of QAnon supporters are Trump supporters so what can we expect as the US prepares to go to the polls in November? Is QAnon waiting to launch? Or has the cult of conspiracy finally petered out? In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Mike Rothschild, a global expert on QAnon to find out what they’ve been up to and if we should be worried about the radio silence from the world leaders in conspiracy theories.   Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Albanese government will this morning introduce news laws to parliament banning the non-consensual sharing of deepfake pornography. Those caught sharing sexually explicit images that have been digitally created using artificial intelligence or other forms of technology could find themselves facing a six-year prison term - but is the government fighting a digital runaway train? Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC joined Bension Siebert to explain what impact he thinks the governments proposed new laws will have. Headlines: Joe Biden suggests there is ‘every reason’ to believe Netanyahu is prolonging Gaza war for political gain  New Australian study finds fast food is influencing news More work needed to hit Paris climate targets  Japanese government launches dating app to boost birth rate  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History was made on Sunday when Mexicans went to the polls to elect a new president. Claudia Sheinbaum won in a landslide victory to become Mexico's first female president, and is the first woman to be picked for the Mexican presidency in 200 years of elections.  In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Luis Gomez Romero from Wollongong University to discuss how and why Ms Sheinbaum won, and what it means for the people of Mexico.  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroomYouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United Kingdom will go to the polls for a general election on Thursday July 4. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party currently holds 345 seats in the parliament to Labour’s 206 with minor parties making up the balance of the 650 seats in the House of Commons. Polls have Labour’s Keir Starmer well in front and bookies have Labour at unbackable odds. So what are the key election issues, and what can we expect in the lead-up to the election. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Adam Hills from the ABC’s Spicks and Specks, who is based in Britain, to find out everything you need to know about the UK elections on July 4. Headlines: Minimum wages to increase by 3.75 per cent  Bill Shorten under fire over speech writers wages  Matildas defeat China 2-0 Alex de Minaur into the French Open quarter-final Follow The Briefing:Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's fair to say that the cost of living pressures are greatly impacting many Australians. One way in which some are surviving financially is by opting out of sports - whether that's those playing socially, or even for those playing at elite levels. Could this impact the next generation of elite athletes, as families cut back on their children's weekend and after-school sporting commitments? And will this mean that we have a smaller pool of elite athletes when the 2032 Brisbane Olympics rolls around? Tessa Randello from the LiSTNR Newsroom has deep-dived into the effect of the cost of living crisis on our elite athletes. In this episode, she speaks with Bension Siebert to unpack what she's found.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers at the University of South Australia are developing a coating for anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs.  The pills have traditionally led to weight gain for those prescribed the drugs.  The new coating mitigates weight gain and boosts serotonin levels – combatting a major side effect of the drugs.  In this episode of The Briefing, we take a deep dive on how the researchers developed the new technology and what it means for people who have been prescribed the drugs.    Our guest is Dr Paul Joyce – Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Australia’s Department of Clinical and Health Services. Headlines: Body found after explosion in Sydney’s Western suburbs   Ceasefire deals opposed by members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition Mexico might see it’s first female president elected Rupert Murdoch married for the fifth time at 93   Follow The Briefing:Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eliza Hull is a musician, author and a disability advocate who’s teaching children how to have better conversations about people living with disability. On social media Eliza has been putting a spotlight on what it would be like for people with existing disability in Gaza and all of those with new acquired disabilities because of the constant bombardment. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf Eliza shares some heart wrenching moments from her childhood and how Gaza has impacted her parenting.   WEEKEND LIST TO EAT - Spicy (NOT FIRED) chicken wings TO READ - 4am: Answers to the conundrums that keep you up at night • Advice from Ask Shameless TO DO - Set an alarm for deep breathing TO DO - The Antoinettes Live Show - Syd June 22nd Send us your Weekend Briefing suggestions on Instagram at @thebriefingpodcast!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.