The Omicron story so far
The world has a new variant of the Covid-19 virus to contend with. Omicron was first detected in Botswana and has already been detected in the UK, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic and Australia. States and countries are locking borders to try to contain the spread. Dr Norman Swan is host of the ABC’s Health Report and the Coronacast podcast. Dr Swan explains how and why new variants of the virus emerge. He also explains what’s likely to happen next. How will the world cope with Omicron? Will it be more contagious than Delta? And how likely are we to catch it? Todays Headlines Border opening delayed as more Omicron cases detected ATAGI reviewing booster timetable following new variant Ghislaine Maxwell trial begins in New York Family of missing Belgian backpacker doubt police claims Twitter co-founder and CEO to step down Renowned Australian actor David Gulpilil dead at 68 Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29 Marras 202117min
Western Australians speak their minds on border situation
Western Australia will stay closed for Christmas with its border not reopening until at least late January. WA premier Mark McGowan says waiting to lift restrictions until the state achieves 90% vaccination coverage of people aged 12 and above will save lives. We asked our listeners what they thought, and we received a mixed response. Many believe McGowan is a hero keeping West Australians safe….while others say they want to be allowed to travel to see their loved ones like the rest of Australia. Jenna Clarke is deputy editor The West Australian and presenter on MMM Perth Breakfast. Jenna tells us what it’s like behind the WA curtain….and if McGowan’s Covid approach is going to cost Prime Minister Scott Morrison seats at the upcoming federal election. Todays Headlines First Australian Omicron cases recorded in Sydney travellers Social media to be forced to reveal user identities under anti-troll laws Man in custody over alleged Wollongong shootings Woman in custody following Cairns quarantine hotel fire Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28 Marras 202122min
The time Matt Okine caught the matrix out
You might know Matt Okine as the funny guy who makes up one half of Matt and Alex’s All Day Breakfast. He is also an author, actor and former Triple J presenter. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Matt shows more of his thoughtful and sensitive side, speaking about everything from his experience of racism, growing up without his mum and challenges of becoming a parent. Plus he tells Jamila an amazing story about how he's caught the matrix three times. THE WEEKEND LIST with Linda Marigliano: Listen: 30 by Adele Watch: Maid on Netflix Watch: Blue Bayou in cinemas See: Moulin Rouge at Regent Theatre See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
26 Marras 202141min
The English Channel boat tragedy reveals a bigger story
31 people drowned when a boatload of asylum seekers capsized in the English Channel this week. The international community all of a sudden became aware of a crisis on the beaches near Calais in France. People smugglers are loading migrants, looking for a better life, onto inflatable dinghies and sending them to Britain. Steve Cannane is the ABC’s European correspondent. He’s met some of the migrants looking and hoping for asylum. He says they’re desperate to get to Great Britain...and with what’s happening in Afghanistan, things are going to get worse before they get better. So, what can be done about stopping the boats. It’s a problem Australia faced just a few years ago. It’s now emerging as a major international crisis as tens of thousands of asylum seekers gather on French beaches, desperate to try to cross the English Channel before winter sets in. Todays Headlines Australian peacekeepers to arrive in the Solomons PM denies losing control of parliament after MPs force corruption vote NSW to ease mask, QR code rules as Commonwealth spruiks boosters Melbourne pilot charged over camper deaths UK offers to send forces to patrol French coast following migrant deaths Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Marras 202118min
How did it come to this? The divisive vaccine mandate debate
The debate over vaccine mandates has erupted in a war of words. Thousands of protestors marched in Australian capital cities last weekend claiming the mandates are overreach and a breach of civil liberties. So where does the truth lie? Brad Hudson is from the Nurses Professional Association of Australia providing support for nurses who don’t want to get vaccinated; and Dr Nick Coatsworth is the former deputy chief medical officer and the “face” of the nation’s Covid response and vaccine rollout campaign in taxpayer-funded advertisements. So where does the balance lie between professions being told they MUST be vaccinated, against the overall necessity to keep the whole community safe? That’s the question in today’s Briefing....and how did it come to this? Todays Headlines PM condemns lawbreakers following Christensen comments 80+ backpackers locked-down in Byron Bay Australia to wait until April for NZ reopening NASA launches mission to deflect asteroid ARIA Winners announced Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
24 Marras 202119min
Could an Australian be the creator of Bitcoin
Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? The question of who is behind that pseudonym has been one of the biggest mysteries of the financial world for over a decade. Whoever Nakamoto is, whether it’s an individual or a group, holds the key to a fortune worth billions of dollars and the boasting rights to being the creator of Bitcoin. A trial is unfolding in the US over who is behind the world’s most famous cryptocurrency. Paul Vigna, journalist covering bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technology at The Wall Street Journal joins us to talk us through the possible outcomes. Could an Australian be the creator of Bitcoin, and therefore be entitled to more than $50 billion worth of cryptocurrency? Todays Headlines Religious discrimination legislation released ahead of parliament debate Federal government to establish Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commission WA Premier considering moving family after vaccine threats VIC police make arrest in breakthrough in missing camper case Cooler and wetter summer on the way as La Nina declared Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 Marras 202119min
The story behind the migrant crisis at the Belarus/Poland border
Thousands of migrants are trapped on the Belarus/Poland border. The asylum seekers from the Middle East have clashed with border police as even more arrive desperate to be let into the European Union. But is the crisis being manufactured by Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko? His critics say he’s created the problem to make life difficult for EU nations who say he rigged last year’s presidential elections. Tatsiana Kulakevich is Professor specialising in Eastern Europe at the University of South Florida; and was born and raised in Belarus before moving to the US. Tatsiana takes us through the history of the build-up to the crisis, and what’s expected to happen to the thousands trapped in an international standoff as a bitterly cold winter sets in. Todays Headlines Federal government faces growing rebellion over state vax mandates Universities and businesses welcome border opening plan Court ruling on asset sale a win for Caddick investors Christmas parade tragedy not linked to terrorism: US media Continued scepticism over Peng Shuai and IOC call Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
22 Marras 202121min
Nats What I Reckon!!!
Nats What I Reckon started posting review videos on YouTube 15 years ago. He has also always loved to cook. So when we went into lockdown, he decided to combine the two, and his profile exploded. He’s now a bona fide social media superstar with 1.6 million Facebook followers; 383,000 subscribers on YouTube (he’s had more than 20 million views); and 450,000 followers on Instagram. You won’t believe his back story. Nats What I Reckon has a new cookbook ‘Death to Jar Sauce’ and he’s all about teaching us how to cook great food and to enjoy spending time in the kitchen. You’re going to love our chat with Nats What I Reckon!! Todays Headlines IOC holds video call with Peng Shuai and confirms she’s safe and well ADF deployed amid latest NT Covid spike Protests across Australia against vaccine mandates Protests in Europe amid fourth wave of infections Matt Doran apologies Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
21 Marras 202122min
