The Briefing

There is so much information circulating about Pfizer, AstraZeneca and vaccines in general.  No one knows what to believe.   Dr Nick Coatsworth is former Deputy Chief Medical Officer….and Executive Director of Medical Services at Canberra Hospital. He features in the federal government’s ads urging us to get vaccinated.   We invited our listeners to send in their questions and Dr Nick has answered them.  Here are the answers to the questions that need asking.     TODAY'S HEADLINES Troops called onto Sydney streets after record number of cases Experts release vaccine modelling to National Cabinet First images of jailed Australian in Myanmar Aussie track and field athletes cleared following Covid scare Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our listeners asked us to do an episode on the Friendlyjordies story. Friendlyjordies is Youtube star, Jordan Shanks - a 31-year-old from Sydney.  He started his satirical YouTube channel eight years ago, has half a million subscribers and has racked up 135m views. He’s part comedian part political commentator   Friendlyjordies published a series of videos personally attacking the NSW deputy premier John Barilaro.  Shanks is now being sued for defamation and his producer, Kristo Langker, has been charged with stalking Mr Barilaro.  The producer was arrested by the NSW Police Fixated Persons Squad.   We’re joined by Dr Keiran Hardy, counter-terrorism law and policy expert and lecturer at Griffith University to explain the fixated persons factor; and Michael McGowan, journalist at The Guardian who has covered developments in the Shanks/Langker cases.    What’s the story with Friendlyjordies?   TODAY'S HEADLINES Sydney suburbs put under strict rules as lockdown is extended Commonwealth boosts and expands emergency support payments  $35 million payout for NT child detention inmates Record Olympic haul for Aussies in Tokyo Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is currently in the middle of a massive timber shortage.  It means the booming construction industry has had to hit the brakes.   Angela Lillicrap, Chief Economist with the Housing Industry Association explains the reasons for the shortage; Mark Swadling from Sydney’s Swadling Timbers explains what it means for the industry; and Andrew Page, a builder tells us what it means for tradies and their customers.   Small businesses across Australia are already on their knees in the wake of the pandemic, but could a timber shortage, attributed to things beyond the industry’s control, put even more pressure on tradies and the industry in general?   TODAY'S HEADLINES Greater Sydney lockdown to be extended by four weeks NSW opens AstraZeneca doses to all adults Covid breach from ship crew at Perth hospital More swimming wins up for grabs after historic surfing competition Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is back on the hustings in the US. He’s talking up his chances of reclaiming the White House.   So, how likely is he to run again in 2024?  Does he have the money?  Does he have the support?  Could one of his family members bump him from the top of the ballot paper?     Ron Elving, is Senior Editor and correspondent on the Washington desk for NPR News.  He breaks down the likelihood of Trump running again in 2024.  What are the obstacles and could legal action derail Trump's campaign.   TODAY'S HEADLINES VIC and SA lockdowns to ease tonight NSW police issue warning over second planned protest Sexual harassment training for politicians following workplace review BRS trial hears detail of villager death Titmus and Ledecky prepare for next pool showdow Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next month, Independent NSW MP Alex Greenwich will introduce a voluntary assisted dying bill to the state’s parliament.  Under the proposal, adults with a terminal illness that will cause death within six months, can access assisted dying with the approval of two doctors.    Like recently adopted legislation in South Australia and Queensland, health practitioners can conscientiously object or decline to participate in assisted dying for any reason... including religion. Alex joins us to talk through the legislation.    Nikki Gemmel has a strong view on the debate because her mum took her own life because of chronic pain.  Nikki’s a well known author and wrote a book about her mum’s story called After.   On today’s Briefing, we talk about bringing dignity to dying.   TODAY'S HEADLINES Police tracking down anti-lockdown protestors NSW expected to extend Sydney lockdown after more deaths PM pushes AZ vaccine after ATAGI changes advice Olympic showdown: Titmus Vs Ledecky   Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Nazeem Hussain became a household name after reaching the final of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, made his American TV debut sharing a screen with Bill Nye and has a comedy special on Netflix.   But Nazeem never meant to become an international comedy success as Jamila Rizvi finds out. The two talk about Nazeem’s heritage, growing up in Melbourne’s Muslim community and reconnecting with his Sri Lankan roots; life as a dad and rubbing shoulders with A-Listers like Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle on wild nights out.   THE WEEKEND LIST with Tait McGregor: Listen: F*CK LOVE 3: OVER YOU EP by The Kid LAROI Cook: Steve Manfredi’s Hunza Pie (Good Food) Cook: Hetty McKinnon’s Peanut Butter Noodles With Cucumbers (Bon Appétit) Watch: The Bold Type (Stan) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tokyo Olympics is finally here!  The pandemic meant the Games were delayed by a year….and there were times this year when it looked like they might not go ahead.   We meet two young Australians hoping to win gold in their respective sports.  Australian Hockey midfielder, Renee Taylor; and Australian freestyle BMX rider Natalya Diehm have trained for years for the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games.   Today’s Briefing is an opportunity to meet two young Aussies giving all for their country in their chosen sports.   Keep an eye out for Renee and Natalya as they give their best in their bid for Olympic glory.    TODAY'S HEADLINES State and federal leaders back the AZ jab for under 40s QLD closes off border to all of NSW China rejects WHO investigation into lab leak theory John Coates hits out at “mansplaining” accusations Upset win for Australian soccer ahead of opening ceremony   Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian music industry is on its knees.  Artists and promoters have had gigs and festivals cancelled as a result of the most recent Covid lockdowns.   Reuben Styles, one half of Peking Duk, joins us to talk about the impact on local artists.  Many are desperate to get back to what they do best….and to make matters worse, they’re seeing sports venues packed to the rafters.   As a means to make a difference, the famous Australian music family, Alberts, has created Alberts Impact Ventures’ fund to help fund music projects to try to help kick start the sector.  We’re joined by investment manager Lisa Fedorenko; and head of strategy Glenn Bartlett to learn what strategies they have, to bring the industry back to life.   TODAY'S HEADLINES Brisbane confirmed as host for 2032 Olympics PM admits problems with vaccine rollout, pushes for change in AZ advice SA virus cluster doubles as NSW construction industry calls for restart UNESCO reef decision delayed as UK cities stripped of heritage status Dozens die in China subway flood   Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has highlighted NSW’s role in seeding the outbreak that’s led to Victoria’s current lockdown and many Melburnians have expressed anger at Sydney for not containing the outbreak.   We’re joined by the much-loved Melbourne musician Rebecca Barnard who is furious because the local music industry was just starting to find its feet again.   Raffael Epstein from ABC Melbourne says the argy bargy between the two cities is a snapshot of our overall frustration.  We all want someone to blame.   How much did Sydney’s Covid strategy contribute to Melbourne’s fifth lockdown chaos.     TODAY'S HEADLINES Almost 14 million in lockdown as SA fights virus spread Victoria and regional NSW hit by new lockdowns Crown labelled unsuitable to run Melbourne casino Olympic competition gets underway as Brisbane prepares for 2032 bid Amazon’s Bezos flies to space   Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UFOs are back on the radar in the US.   On June 25, the Director of National Intelligence did put out a report on UFOs... but they call them something slightly different. The report was titled... Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena.   The report looked at 144 sightings.... and follows on from a move by the department of defence in April last year to declassify three UAP videos taken by Navy pilots.  Professor Chris Impey, a Professor in Astronomy at the University in Arizona, author and former Vice President of the American Astronomical Society.   So what did the report find?  Did the report simply leave more questions unanswered?  Tom and Annika open the US government’s X Files on this morning’s Briefing.   TODAY'S HEADLINES VIC Premier expected to reveal length of lockdown Mother of Sydney removalists latest covid victim Australia joins other nations in rare China hacking condemnation Former NSW ministers Eddie Obeid, Ian Macdonald found guilty of conspiracy   Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.