The Briefing

Spring brings with it some pretty wonderful things; blooming flowers, warmer weather and longer days. But it also means another thing that can strike fear into the heart of nearly every Australian – magpie swooping season.  From August to October, the black and white birds are nesting, which means they’re feeling extra protective and have been known to fly at humans as they pass by their babies.  Today on The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt, self-confessed magpie lady, is joined by Sean Dooley, conservationist and birdwatcher with Birdlife Australia, to break down the facts and myths around these fabulous birds, and encourage you to think differently about them this swooping season. Headlines: All the action from day one of The Paralympics  Israeli forces have carried out raids in the West bank for a second day in a row Labor party under fire for census   ABS Data shows more women than men in Australia Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Paralympics are on! In the very early hours of this morning Australia time, a spectacular opening ceremony kicked off the 2024 summer games in Paris, with more than 4,000 athletes from around the world preparing to compete over two massive weeks. How different is their experience from that of able-bodies athletes, and how do they feel about the competition starting so long after the first round of the Olympics has wrapped up? Carol Cooke is a Paralympic champion, competing on the world stage winning medals for Australia in London, Rio and Tokyo. She joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to reflect on what it’s like to compete at the most elite level in Paralympic sport, and how it compares to the experience of able-bodied Olympians.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leonardo da Vinci + a Saudi Prince + one very old painting = a world of controversy. Salvator Mundi is the most expensive painting sold at auction. Dubbed the male Mona Lisa, Salvator Mundi is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci – but not all art experts agree that the work is by the famous artist. The painting sold for $450 million to Saudi Arabian Prince Mohamed bin Salman in 2017. After several years hidden away in storage, the Prince reportedly has plans to make the painting the centerpiece of what some of called the ‘Saudi Louvre’, and in turn creating a tourist attraction for the West. Is this art washing live in action? Professor Anne Dunlop is the Herald Chair in Fine Arts from the University of Melbourne. She joins Helen Smith on this episode of The Briefing to explain the backstory of the artwork, and what it might mean if it comes out of hiding and onto display.  Headlines: Paralympics opening ceremony  Israel West Bank attack Trump blames Biden and Harris for assassination attempt  New study shows dogs can communicate with humans Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study has found astrologers are no better at prediction than random guessing. Does that matter? Many of those obsessed with their astrological chart when pressed might still admit it’s probably a little bit bullshit – but they like it, it’s fun, and it doesn’t do any harm. But for those who use astrology to help them make significant decisions in their life, it sort of does matter whether this stuff is true. Enter Spencer Greenberg, the founder of ClearerThinking.org, a social enterprise in the US. He and his colleagues were so interested in the topic that they designed and conducted a study to hopefully settle the argument once and for all – on this episode of The Briefing, he joins Bension Siebert to help explain what they found. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noel and Liam Gallagher, the two brothers behind the seminal British band Oasis, have announced they’re about to head out on a massive tour - the first time they’ve appeared together since 2009. Noel quit the band just before they were due to take the stage in Paris after a massive backstage fight, and the brothers have waged war against each other ever since. But in a twist, they're now reportedly saying it’s now or never. Once the biggest band in the world, this tour is expected to make in the vicinity of $1 billion. Music feature writer Cameron Adams joins Bension Siebert to explain what might have led to the change of heart, and why the two 'Don’t look back in anger'. Headlines: Hostage freed from Gaza Greens propose “Robin Hood” tax reform Zuckerberg says White House censored Meta during COVID-19  Trump agrees to debate Harris     Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful - especially with the average wedding in Australia costing nearly $35,000. That’s a price tag that can cover everything from venue hire, catering, hair, make-up, photography and now a professional bridesmaid. It’s like paying for a best friend (who's not actually your best friend) to support you every step of the way. Is this a logical development meeting the needs of busy lives, or commercialisation and a wedding industry gone insane?  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Kerstyn Walsh, the director of Hire a Bridesmaid, to breakdown why more and more Aussies are turning to their services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should the 2026 Census ask you if you’re gay? That’s one of the questions advocacy groups for queer Australians have been grappling with as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) prepares its next census.  LGBTIQA+ advocacy groups have argued that the government does not collect enough fine-grain data on queer Australians to improve physical and mental health outcomes in the community that are poorer than the general population. On the other hand – could questions about people’s sexuality and gender identity risk the safety of people who aren’t out to their families?  Seemingly out of nowhere, in recent days advocates have learned that the government will not allow the ABS to include questions about questions about sexuality, sex and gender, which the groups have been arguing for.  On this episode of the Briefing, LGBTIQ+ Health CEO Nicky Bath chats to Bension Siebert about what should and should not be on the Census. Headlines: Ceasefire talks progress as Aussies have their say on Gazans getting visas Italian authorities confirm investigation into captain of Bayesian for manslaughter Winter temperature records smashed Trump and Harris argue over muted mics Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telegram is ranked as one of the world's major social media platforms, after Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and Wechat. Just like Apple’s iMessage, Facebook messenger, Discord and WhatsApp, it lets you send end-to-end encrypted messages, meaning most of the time nobody – governments, law enforcement, private companies – can access those messages. In the early hours of Sunday morning Australia time French police officers reportedly arrested boss and founder of the app Pavel Durov, over claims the platform enables criminal activity. In a post on the network, Telegram News says Durov has nothing to hide, and it’s “absurd” to hold an online platform or its owner responsible for abuse that might happen on it. Is that right? On this episode of The Briefing Bension Siebert is joined by James Hennessy, ideas and features editor for Capital Brief and cohost of LiSTNR's Down Round to reflect on what the arrest might mean for free speech online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) are forever chemicals that seem to be turning up in just about everything. We now know they’re in platypuses, human testicles, and Sydney’s water supply. Last week, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe won support to hold a Senate inquiry into the health and environmental impacts of PFAS. But for those of us without an expert understanding of this subject, all of this news is equal parts concerning and confusing. Should the government be acting now, and should we be concerned? Or is it too early to say? Water researcher and associate professor at Western Sydney University's School of Science Ian Wright joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to unpack how we, and state and federal governments, should feel about these ‘forever chemicals’. Headlines: Israel and Hezbollah exchange rocket fire Labor's landslide loss in NT election  New aviation ombudsman out today  ‘Right to Disconnect’ laws come into force Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jimmy Smith and Nathan Roye choose the name of their radio show using a $12 love calculator app and it looks like it was right. The duo have formed back in 2015 and since then the Jimmy and Nath show has made it to the big time - brekkie radio. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Jimmy and Nath reveal what it’s like working with your best friend and go deep on their views on domestic violence and mental health. Weekend List TO FOLLOW - Jack Schlossberg on insta @jackuno TO WATCH - Joe Rogan: Burn the Boats on Netflix TO DO - Christmas budgeting templates from She’s on the Money TO DO - Mini bands workout Send us your weekend briefing recommendations! Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.