The Beirut crisis explained: Why did the whole government resign after the explosion?
Last week’s deadly explosion in Beirut was one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history. It also sent a massive political shockwave through the already struggling country with protestors calling on the government to resign. We're going to brief you on why this explosion of ammonium nitrate has brought down the government, and what are the deeper problems causing so much despair in Lebanon? What was happening leading up to the blast that led Lebanon’s government to step down as a result? We're joined by journalist Adam Chamseddine from Beirut. In today's news headlines: Hope as Victoria records its best case numbers in more than three weeks National unemployment now at a 22 year high Quarantine breach “likely” behind New Zealand Covid-19 outbreak Melbourne man fined for Maskacne Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
13 Elo 202018min
Could dog detectives be the heroes of the pandemic? 🐶
Research shows sniffer dogs can be 100% accurate at detecting Covid! On today’s episode we find out how do they do it? Which breeds are best? And when could our furry friends could be used to save us from Covid? We’re joined by both Dr Anne-Lise Chaberis and Dr Susan Hazel, from the School of Animal and Veterinary Science at Adelaide Uni who explain the science behind this and when these dogs could be trained and rolled out here in Australian hospitals, airports and aged care facilities. In today's headlines: New Zealand probes whether frozen freight to blame for coronavirus spread Joe Biden names Senator Kamala Harris as his Presidential running mate Western Australia works to pass emergency legislation to stop Clive Palmer’s $30b lawsuit University students who fail half of first year subjects to lose access to HELP Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12 Elo 202020min
What's next in the Jeffrey Epstein story?
It is one year since Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York prison and exposed a dark underbelly among some of the world's most powerful people. For many of us watching on, it was this mysterious death that first brought Epstein to our attention. On today's episode we go back and find out more about what happened up until that point. We’ll also find out what’s happened since, including Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial and the trial of the two New York prison guards. Adam Klasfeld is a reporter with Courthouse News and takes us through the story of Jeffrey Epstein. In today's headlines: Russia claims it’s designed the world’s first coronavirus vaccine New Zealand returns to lockdown after first cases in 102 days Canberra slaps down Victorian Premier after claims army help was not offered for hotel quarantine Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11 Elo 202021min
The Fun Police: are Covid Marshals ruining weddings?
On todays episode we explore how COVID-19 has impacted our weddings. Classed as 'super spreading events’ Covid Marshals are now required as part of a safety plan at weddings. But does this actually stop the spread of the virus, or is it just as a visual deterrent? These ‘fun police’ are required to ensure safety guidelines are being met which includes no dancing, no mingling, no singing, no embracing or shaking hands. Police have even turned up to do head counts and dancefloor inspections. So is a wedding with so many restrictions even worth it? And could line dancing be the answer to keep our weddings safe? Our guests are: John Alten (Sydney MC and event director), Professor Nancy Baxter from the University of Melbourne and Antoinette Lattouf, who was a guest at a covid safe wedding where the police were called. In today's news headlines: BREAKING: The entire Lebanese government has resigned Australia's aged care death rate among the worst in the world Covid-19: Victoria’s promising case drop; NSW school cluster grows; teens arrested for skipping quarantine Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Elo 202015min
Is the pandemic a ‘window of opportunity’ for terrorism?
What are terrorists up to now during the pandemic? Are they more or less of a threat? Whether it’s Islamic State or right-wing extremists some experts are warning that the pandemic is giving terrorists a unique opportunity to recruit new members online. In this episode we speak with Greg Barton, one of Australia’s leading experts on Islamic Terrorism who says there’s actually been an uptick in attacks in parts of Iraq during this pandemic. So what does that mean for us here in Australia? How has the pandemic affected the threat of attacks on Western soil? Gary Ackerman, a US terror expert, also joins us to answer the question: How will terrorists pivot in the pandemic? In today's news headlines: WA family of toddler killed in Beirut to return to Australia Victorian mental health suffers in second lockdown Top doctor says COVIDSafe app is working well Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Elo 202018min
Craig Reucassel’s fight for climate change
One of the biggest issues of the last year was climate change. So where is the climate debate now and how has the pandemic affected it? Best known for his work with The Chaser, Craig Reucassel joins us to talk about his environmental quest. His new show Fight For Planet A raises the question: How much difference we can make as individuals? In today's headlines: JobKeeper to be expanded amid second lockdown People in their 20s make up the largest proportion of COVID transmissions both in NSW and nationally More pain for Lebanon as Covid-19 cases spike days after deadly blast NRL coach Wayne Bennett sidelined for two weeks over Covid breach Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Elo 202019min
Do Curfews Work?
A number of countries have used curfews as part of their pandemic lockdown measures including France, Italy, Cyrus, parts of the US, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa and now our very own city of Melbourne, but have they been proven to work? In this episode we explore the psychological impacts of a curfew, and also get the medical perspective on the impact it’s supposed to have. We’re joined by Psychologist Eoin Killacky - a senior researcher at Orygen youth mental health service at Melbourne University and Professor John Matthews - a public health expert who’s advised the Australian Government and also the World Health Organisation. In today's news headlines: Two week state of emergency declared in Lebanon after horrific Beirut blast QLD shuts out NSW, ACT as man in his 30s dies in Victoria TigerAir to be dumped as Virgin sheds at least 3000 jobs TikTok won’t be banned in Australia, says Prime Minister Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU If you’d like to help those affected by the Beirut explosion there are a number of ways Australians can help fund emergency relief: Disaster relief campaigns include: Lebanese Red Cross Human Appeal Australia Muslim Aid Australia Impact Lebanon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5 Elo 202020min
The Aussie locked in the world's worst women's prison
Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert is a 33 year old Australian academic convicted of spying, and sentenced to ten years in an Iranian prison. Kylie has always maintained her innocence. After serving two years, she was recently transferred to what’s been described as one of the world's worst women’s prisons, severely overcrowded and rife with coronavirus. On todays episode we discover the chain of events that led to Kylie’s imprisonment. We speak with one of her biggest supporters Jessie Moritz and Australia’s former Middle East diplomat Dave Sharma. Freekylie.net is the website her supporters have created with steps on how you can help. In today's news headlines: Victorian exercise loophole closed as new $5000 fine introduced Police officer’s face slammed into concrete by mask-dodger “They are dying, it is what it is”: President Trump’s disastrous sit-down interview Christmas Island to be reopened for criminals, non-citizens Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4 Elo 202018min
