What's next in the Jeffrey Epstein story?

Despite two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Spanish Flu, the Melbourne Cup - the race that stops the nation - has never been stopped. But there was a moment back in March where it looked like Covid-19 would halt the Melbourne Cup for the first time in 160 years. Today, the race will run with no crowds, no stilettos in the mud, no celebrities shoulder to shoulder in the Birdcage. Fashions On The Field will turn online as fashions in people’s front yards. No roar from the stadium full of people, just the sound of horses’ hooves and jockeys’ voices. In this Briefing, you’ll find out how the race was saved and just how different it will be in this bizarre pandemic year. Our guests are VRC Executive General Manager of Customer Experience Caroline Ralphsmith and Emma Freedman. In today's headlines: Polls narrow for Trump on election eve Johnny Depp loses court battle Australia Post CEO resigns after Cartier watch saga House prices rise ahead of anticipated rate cut Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Nov 202017min

We’re joined by Australia’s most famous lawyer Geoffrey Robertson who shares his thoughts on the future of the Royal Family. Geoffrey Robertson AO QC is a Barrister, author and one-time host of Geoffrey Robertson’s Hypotheticals on the ABC. Geoffrey worked on a case against Princess Diana in the mid 90s, he socialises with members of the Royal Family including Prince Charles and Meghan Markle. He is also the founder of the London legal chambers where Amal Clooney works. Geoffrey will be on stage in Australia next year with ‘It’s no longer hypothetical’ where he talks about post truth, Trump, Brexit and the Royal family. Tickets on sale via www.lateralevents.com In today's headlines: UK returns to lockdown as Australia boasts no community transmission Premier Palaszczuk back to work after historic QLD election win Original James Bond Sean Connery has died, aged 90. US election: Biden, Trump blitz battleground states on election eve Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Nov 202018min

In this special weekend edition of The Briefing we give you an extended version of our interview with Magda. She’s one of Australia’s most loved comedians however Magda Szubanski was recently targeted by a coordinated “avalanche of hate” from rightwing extremists and COVID deniers after appearing in a Victorian government ad encouraging mask use. As you’ll hear this is a subject Magda knows a lot about, and is really passionate about. We find out: Why Magda thinks she was a victim of “brigading”. Why people are more tribal/aggressive during the pandemic and social media enables pile-ons. Whether she considered asking for the ads to be taken down after the pile-on. Why Magda sometimes feeds the trolls and what she wanted to achieve by replying to them. The reasons she felt it was important to call out Covid-19 deniers. Why marriage equality has shaped the way she has responded to Covid-19 deniers When she finally understood the impact of trolling. Why “report and support” is the best approach and why she wouldn’t recommend other people taking on trolls. Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Okt 202028min

Australia’s much-loved comedian Magda Szubanski was recently targeted by a coordinated “avalanche of hate” from rightwing extremists and COVID deniers after appearing in a Victorian government ad encouraging mask use. Australia’s e-safety commissioner Julie Inman-Grant reported Magda was subjected to ‘volumetric cross-platform online abuse’ which is commonly organised in closed groups on Facebook or other platforms. Magda’s joins The Briefing to share her story: Did she ever expect the campaign would come with this much backlash? What was it about her involvement that really triggered them? What is it about the pandemic that has brought the abuse and attacks out? Was there any point where she regretted being part of this campaign or even considered asking for the ads to be taken down? Why did she take the approach of calling out the attacks? In today's headlines: Developing: France on high alert after terror attack NRL backs down on plan to ditch national anthem Australia Post CEO accuses Prime Minister of “humiliating” her Border news: QLD, WA decide futures as early as today Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Okt 202018min

Today's episode is about the rebellious act of an Aussie Professor. Professor Edward Holmes is the Aussie scientist who defied China and shared the genome sequence for COVID-19 with the world. When the first signs of the pandemic emerged in January Chinese scientist Professor Yong-Zhen Zhang sequenced the gnome of this coronavirus and shared that information with Eddie. The Chinese government had told them not to publish the information. However Eddie Holmes was adamant the world needed the information ASAP. So he defied the Chinese authorities and hit publish. Eddie was recently awarded NSW scientist of the year. In today's headlines: Qatari government “regrets distress” over invasive searches Kevin Rudd “blindsided” by revelations of Epstein’s think tank link Nation’s largest cybercrime squad investigating school exam bomb threats “Friends wasn’t funny either”: Kanye slams Jennifer Aniston over voter push Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Okt 202018min

What makes a passport powerful? and has the pandemic had any long-term impacts on where a passport might rank compared to others? The current global health crisis might have crippled global travel, but what makes a passport truly powerful is showing consistency amid volatile times. On today’s episode we find out which passports have gone up and which have gone down during the pandemic. We’re going to find out the power of the Aussie passport, and where that little blue book comes in compared to New Zealand. In today's headlines: Melbourne officially open for business Recession may already be over, suggests Reserve Bank Jobseekers can expect payment to be above pre-pandemic levels next year Amy Coney Barratt confirmed to the US Supreme Court as Joe Biden forgets Trumps name Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Okt 202019min

It was the weekend we didn’t think would happen: grand final weekend. Earlier in the year, coronavirus threatened to cancel the 2020 seasons of AFL and NRL, but luckily for sports fans, the games went ahead – a remarkable feat for the footy codes. This weekend saw historic grand final matches being played in Brisbane following a season of fake crowd noises, travel bubbles, completely revised fixtures and a lot of challenging COVID-19 protocols. So let’s find out how the codes got there and whether the games have suffered any lasting damage due to this season? Collingwood President Eddie McGuire joins The Briefing to discuss what the future of the games look like. In today's news headlines: After 111 days in lockdown, Melbourne is opening back up “Grossly disturbing”: Australia demands answers after women searched in Qatar Northern Territory police officer to face murder trial over death of Indigenous teenager Thousands of Australia Post offices threaten to shut over watch saga Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Okt 202018min

The appointment of US Supreme Court judges is one of the most intense election issues, and as early as tomorrow US congress will vote to approve a new supreme court judge Amy Coney Barrett. If she’s sworn in she’ll take the place of the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg who died in September 2020. Michael Macagnone is a US Politics reporter and joins us to explain why supreme court judge appointments are so controversial in the US. In today's news headlines: Grand Final glory for Melbourne with Storm and Richmond crowned winners Hopes Melbourne’s restrictions could be eased today after cluster testing blitz Qatar Airways accused of forcibly examining 13 Australian women Emergency surgery for man critically injured in Queensland reef shark attack Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Okt 202019min