The Aussie scientist who defied China and told the world about COVID

The Taliban has stormed back to power in Afghanistan. The images of people falling from aircraft this week have left the world in shock. Heston Russell is a retired major who served in four tours to Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment. He joins us to talk about what it means to ex-servicemen and women who now watch on as their dedication and commitment amounts to nothing. Glenn Kolomeitz is a lawyer and former Lieutenant Colonel, who also served in Afghanistan. He represents more than 700 Afghan civilians who worked with the allied forces. They’re now on a Taliban kill list. On today’s Briefing, why is Australia washing its hands of its responsibilities....to its veterans...and the Afghan people who served alongside them? TODAY'S HEADLINES More flights to Afghanistan after chaos leaves evacuees stranded John Howard defends Afghan invasion as fight against terror, slams Western withdrawal NSW Government defends lockdown measures as cases soar Fears Melbourne numbers will rise after run of mysterious cases R Kelly trial underway in NY Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Elo 202119min

The Taliban stormed into the Afghan capital Kabul at the weekend, just days after allied troops retreated from the city. We're joined by Sharif Safi, co-founder of the Kabul Peace Forum, an Afghan man in Kabul facing a grim reality. He's been in Kabul this week ...and is speaking to us from his home just outside the city. He’s in hiding and fearing for his life. TODAY'S HEADLINES Taliban promise rights for women, no support for terror in new Afghanistan ADF teams to western NSW as regional Covid cases grow National lockdown for New Zealand after new case detected BHP sells oil and gas business Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Elo 202116min

Australia had its first recession in almost 30 years last year, as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world. We made a quick recovery, but is the Delta variant and the lockdowns it’s causing around the nation putting that at risk? Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg joins us to explain the economic impact of Delta and what the government’s doing to support livelihoods and help us open back up. TODAY'S HEADLINES Several dead following chaotic scenes at Kabul airport as UN intervenes Melbourne lockdown tightened, extended as Premier blasts rule-breakers Deadliest day of NSW outbreak as cases rise in the regions Questions over Federer future after withdrawal from US Open Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Elo 202119min

The Sydney Delta outbreak paralysing Australia’s largest city started in the East, so why is it in the west and south-west that the impact’s been felt the hardest? Is it the culture? The landscape? Or a combination of both? We’re joined by Bashar Hanna, long-time Fairfield resident and President of Australian Mesopotamian Cultural Association; and Professor Ben Harris-Roxas, Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer in community health at UNSW, who lives in one of the locked-down areas. How and why has the Delta variant exploded in western Sydney? TODAY'S HEADLINES Taliban on the brink of victory in Afghanistan as President flees country Young Sydneysiders to be prioritised in Poland Pfizer purchase Victoria battling mystery cases in final week of lockdown Haitians scramble to search and rescue ahead of tropical storm New rules for Sydney as cases continue to grow Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Elo 202122min

Amani Haydar lost her mother in a brutal act of violence, perpetrated by her father, in March of 2015. She was five months pregnant with her first baby at the time. The horror of that experience shaped Amani’s own perception of how she wanted to mother, and how she had been mothered. Amani spent much of the two years between her mother’s death and her father’s trial, in a daze. She said she hated her father for what he’d stolen from her and that her pain might have become unbearable were it not for her art. Jamila Rizvi discusses her career change from a commercial litigator to artist and author, generational trauma and the events that turned Amani’s world upside down. THE WEEKEND LIST with Tait McGregor: Listen: If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is by Still Woozy Watch: Drag Race España (Stan) Watch: The Act (Binge) Do: Melbourne Writers Festival (3 – 12 September) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Elo 202128min

Millions of Australians are in lockdown and wondering how they’re going to survive, mentally and financially. We asked our social media followers to send in their questions and we asked an expert to answer them. Dr Jo Mitchell is a clinical psychologist from Melbourne. Dr Jo provides practical and tangible advice on how we can navigate the weeks ahead. Join us on the Briefing couch as we discuss ways to manage the ever-increasing pressure of lockdowns. TODAY'S HEADLINES Canberra enters first lockdown in more than a year NSW asks for extra troops as restrictions tighten Workplace regulator paves the way for mandatory jabs Afghan army chief sacked, Taliban advance on Aussie base Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Elo 202120min

The United Nations’ International Panel on Climate Change has released its latest report on the future of the planet – and it’s not good news. Professor Will Steffen is a climate change expert and researcher at the Australian National University, Canberra and Councillor on the Climate Council. Professor Will takes us through what the new report means for Australia – and what Australia should be doing to reduce emissions. Are we right to point the finger at big polluters like China and India? Should we be doing more as a first world country to help developing nations reach the world’s goals? The answer is yes. In this Briefing, what the IPCC’s new report means for Australia. TODAY'S HEADLINES Swathes of regional NSW put into lockdown Lockdown lifted in Cairns, extended in Victoria AOC condemns double quarantine for SA Olympians US wins right to appeal evidence in Assange case Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Elo 202121min

China has trumpeted their suppression of Covid-19 since the virus first emerged within their own borders and are now locking down on Delta, but are they doing as well as they seem? Bill Birtles is the ABC’s China correspondent and up until last year he was living in Beijing. He was in Wuhan, at the virus’ ground zero, as Covid spread around the world. Bill’s back in Australia but still covering China - we thought we’d check into find out whether a recent flare up of delta cases... will force china to change its covid strategy? Bill Birtles’ book is The Truth About China. TODAY'S HEADLINES Melbournians await lockdown verdict, with extension likely NSW authorities admit too late to move on Western Sydney spread Andrew Cuomo resigns as Governor of New York PM hits out at China as world leaders target coal in wake of IPCC report Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU YouTube: http://bit.ly/TheBriefingSUBSCRIBE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Elo 202119min