The Briefing

Appearing at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Kamala Harris has accepted the party's nomination for president in the most important speech of her career so far. Taking the opportunity to outline her platform to millions of Americans set to cast her vote in November, she made passionate points for women’s and reproductive rights, freedom and stability, addressed Israel and Gaza and other global conflicts, that Donald Trump “wants to be an autocrat himself” and described the Republican party as, simply put, "out of their minds”. It’s been a big week for the democratic party at the Democratic National Convention, with political pageantry at its finest on display. Dave Levinthal, Editor-in-Chief of Raw Story, joins Bension Siebert live from Chicago to unpack what was said, and the week that was in American politics.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mid-west princess and pop megastar Chappell Roan says some fan behavior is ‘abusive’, bordering on ‘harassment’, and ‘weird’. In a series of TikToks posted to her account, the singer has outlined her immense discomfort at the behaviors of fans approaching her on the street, demanding pictures and also physical contact like hugs. The posts have started a firestorm of debate online, with some praising her for her vulnerability and honesty during the highest moment in her career so far, while others say this level of interest is the cost of fame – that part of the deal of huge success is fans following you on the street and asking for a photo. Do celebrities experiencing worldwide fame, and earning massive wealth from their fans, owe those fans anything? And are these ‘parasocial’ relationships between fans and famous people getting worse?  Dr Veronica Lamarche is a social psychologist and relationships researcher at the University of Essex. She joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to explore what’s going on with the fans of Chappell Roan.  Headlines: Body of tech millionaire found after the sinking of his superyacht  New charges for Andrew Tate  NDIS passes new bill that changes support access  Kamala Harris to headline final day of DNC  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Kaine, National Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, sheds light on the alarming rise in fatalities among delivery riders, sparked by a recent tragic hit-and-run incident in Melbourne. He discusses the grueling pressures these gig workers face, from fierce competition to the risk of dehumanization under the industry's demands. Kaine emphasizes the urgent need for legislative reforms to protect riders and highlights how consumer choices can advocate for their rights, ultimately aiming to create a safer, fairer work environment for these essential workers.

Candace Owens once suggested the US invade Australia to save us from “tyrannical” COVID policies. Laura Loomer has described herself as a proud Islamophobe. Nick Fuentes is a white supremacist who’s praised Hitler. All three have been big Donald Trump supporters, using huge social media platforms to advocate for the former president. But recently, all of them have turned on Trump’s campaign. What’s behind this dramatic turnaround? And are these far-right influencers right about their criticism of Trump’s strategy?  Dr Emma Shortis is a Senior Researcher for the International & Security Affairs Program at independent thinktank the Australia Institute. She joins Bension Siebert on The Briefing to provide some insight into what’s happening on the right side of the US political sphere.   Headlines: Bodies recovered in Sicily after superyacht sinking Democratic National Convention day three wrap  Aldi crowned Australia’s favourite supermarket Hot girl summer just got more expensive   Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is coming for the Australian music industry. Whether that’s a catastrophe or a creative revolution (or both) is yet to be seen. But this week music licensing lobby group APRA AMCOS released a report surveying thousands of musicians across Australia and New Zealand. Economic modelling in the report found AI is likely to wipe more than half a billion dollars off the revenues of music creators by 2028 - but it also found more than half of the musicians and producers surveyed said AI technology can help with the human creative process.  On this episode of The Briefing Australian singer songwriters Josh Pyke and Sophie Payten AKA Gordi join Bension Siebert to unpack on the promise, and threat, of AI for Australian music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Dyson has been working in breakfast radio since 2010 and now he’s running for politics (again). The radio presenter confirmed on his Matt & Alex - All Day Breakfast podcast with co-host Matt Okine that he’ll be running as an independent candidate for the Victorian seat of Wannon at the next federal election. For the third time, he’ll go up against the Liberal Party’s Dan Tehan – former Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment – who is the current sitting Member for the seat. In this chat with Bension Siebert for The Briefing, Alex explains why he’s having another crack, and why he still thinks young people across the country should be engaged with federal politics.   Headlines: Tough new penalties for badly behaved politicians to be unveiled today  Bodies of six Israeli hostages recovered from Gaza  DNC Day Two: Obamas to headline  World’s oldest person dies    Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has more than 100,000 houses sitting empty. Is an obvious solution to our housing crisis staring us in the face? This week, data analysis commissioned by the Greens showed those in every day jobs like aged or disability carer, retail manager or nurse would need to spend more than two-thirds of their income to pay off a mortgage on an average house in Australia. But there's an elephant in the room. What about all those perfectly good houses just sitting empty across Australia? Could they be part of the solution?  LiSTNR senior investigative journalist Claudianna Blanco joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to dig into the data and unpack what she's found.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is mpox (previously known as Monkeypox) a runaway train? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern”, following a rise in the number of cases across the globe. The declaration triggers an international mobilisation of resources, including vaccination and testing, to try and slow down the spread of the disease.   Rates in Australia are also continuing to rise, despite our best efforts to slow or stop them. Why can’t we get a grip on mpox rates in Australia – and does the growing rates of infection overseas mean numbers here will only continue to grow?  Professor Andrew Grulich is the Head of the HIV Epidemiology and Prevention Program at the Kirby Institute. He joined Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to answer if he thinks state health departments are doing enough, and how the growing transmission rate might impact the global community going forward.  Headlines: Tech entrepreneur missing after his luxury yacht sunk off Sicily The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago The most common Aussies can’t afford a house 1 in 3 Aussies turn to socials for fin advice Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the greatest racehorses of all time was euthanised after a short illness over the weekend. Australian thoroughbred Black Caviar was considered the world’s best sprinter, clocking up 25 wins for 25 starts over a career spanning 2009 to 2013. But the champion died over the weekend, a few days before her 18th birthday and reportedly just hours after giving birth to her ninth foal. The death has sparked a conversation questioning the ethics of forcing retired racehorses to pretty much constantly be pregnant and giving birth until they die. Walkley-winning author and investigative journalist Lucie Morris-Marr met Black Caviar during her retirement. She joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to share what she thinks following Black Caviars death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cruise ships have doubled in size in the last two decades - and so has their impact on the environment. A new report from European lobby group Transport and Environment is warning that by 2050, cruise ships will be eight times bigger than the Titanic and the industry’s emissions are getting “out of control”. So, is the cruising industry doing enough to address these concerns? And how might travelling by ship look like in the future?  Australian Traveller’s Quentin Long joins Sacha Barbour Gatt on The Briefing to explain.  Headlines: Antony Blinken arrives in Israel for Gaza ceasefire talks 20 scam websites being taken down a day by Asic Logies wrap up Man slapped in the face by a whale off NSW north coast   Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.