Are we on the brink of an underbelly-style gang war?

Friday Headlines: US warns Australia must meet with Trump over ‘critical’ AUKUS deal, chilling footage revealed of accused Melbourne double murderer, UTS staff facing job loss told to 'do some laundry' to manage stress, the average Aussie is earning more than ever but we still feel broke, and your thoughts on property millionaires, the Denmark Zoo saga and Insta's controversial map feature. Deep Dive: It can be hard to tell what’s real in the world of celebrities, amid a sea of cosmetic surgery, white veneers, tightly-controlled branding and picture-perfect relationships. But today a PR insider is lifting the lid on the hidden practice of manufactured celebrity relationships, aimed at boosting exposure, image and popularity. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Billy Daniels, owner of PR agency Billy Etc, to get the scoop on which celebrities’ relationships are real - and which are likely not. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Aug 21min

New Australian research has uncovered a dangerous new trend on TikTok, with a growing number of unqualified influencers spreading misinformation about female contraception. Despite having no medical qualifications, these social media stars are giving harmful advice to women about sex, leading to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and STIs. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling speaks with public health expert Megan Bugden on what they uncovered in their research and the dangerous, life-changing consequences. Headlines: Anthony Albanese claims a statement from Hamas is incorrect and propaganda from the terror group, US President Donald Trump has warned Russia ahead of his meeting this weekend, and the sole survivor of a helicopter crash in the Northern Territory has given evidence. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Aug 13min

Thursday Headlines: The coalition has slammed Anthony Albanese for his decision to recognise a state of Palestine, Commonwealth Bank urged to repay fees of 2 million low-income customers after recording $10b profit, Netflix star Matt Wright’s trial will hear from more witnesses today, young men Australia's biggest phone addicts, and an Aussie teen chasing his NFL dream has gone viral for a tearful homesick message. Deep Dive: A new study that suggests artificial sweeteners increase your risk of diabetes has received criticism online, despite being carried out by one of the country’s top experts. Critics argue it doesn’t meet the medical research gold standard, while media coverage lacked important context and nuance. So how do us regular folk tell scientific fact from fiction, when even the experts can’t seem to agree? On this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks with Dr Evangeline Mantizioris, Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of South Australia, about what makes a study credible, and how to treat such research when making decisions about your own health. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Aug 22min

Real estate agents underquoting is back in the headlines with authorities cracking down on the illegal practice. But now there are calls for the dodgy agents who often make millions of dollars in commission to face tougher penalties. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by buyer’s agent Julie DeBondt-Barker, who explains how underquoting is preventing young people from buying homes and why the real estate industry needs an overhaul. Headlines: A 34-year-old man has faced court charged with the murders of a pregnant woman and her partner in Melbourne’s south-east, a 41-year-old Victorian man has been arrested after a police firearm was discharged inside Sydney domestic terminal and Netflix just got more expensive (again). Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Aug 14min

Wednesday Headlines: Julie Bishop labelled a hostile bully at uni senate inquiry, Apple and Google lose landmark court case to Fortnite developer over anti-competitive conduct, WA is overhauling the states surrogacy and IVF laws, one in five Aussies carry incurable parasite from cats, and Freddo Frog shrinkflation! Deep Dive: Distraction politics take place nearly every day - in an attempt to steer us away from the negative or put a spin on something. Most recently US President Donald Trump has been accused of creating a distraction from the Epstein files and tariffs with his Washington police takeover, in what spin doctors would call pivoting, a commonly used tactic. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Caroline Fisher, former spin doctor and media adviser to Queensland’s former premier Anna Bligh and is an adjunct professor from the University of Canberra, to share her personal experience in the job. Further listening: Secrets We Keep: By Any Means Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Aug 21min

An investigation into the ankle monitoring of accused criminals on bail has exposed a shocking flaw in the system. A private company who was supposed to monitor the alleged offenders in our community stopped operations without notifying authorities. Now, at least two state governments are abolishing ankle monitoring altogether, with a flawed system with concerning loopholes set to take over. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by News Corp journalist Josh Hanrahan who broke the story to explain how this could happen and what comes next with bail monitoring and the implications for community safety. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Aug 15min

Tuesday Headlines: Kathleen Folbigg speaks out after ‘slap in the face’ wrongful conviction payout, mourners gather for funeral of media workers murdered by Israeli military, woman charged with foreign interference has hundreds of thousands in unexplained wealth, new road tax for EV users, and Harry and Meghan have penned a new multi-year TV deal with Netflix! Deep Dive: Vitamins and supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry here in Australia and are routinely added to food products like breakfast cereals, energy drinks and protein bars. Over the last year reports of B6 blood toxicity are on the rise, which can have life-altering implications, with experts finding some energy drinks have six times the recommended daily intake of B6 in them. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Dr Terri-Lynne South, a GP and dietician from the Royal Australian college of GPS, to explain if we need to be taking supplements. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Aug 23min

PM Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. The move involves a number of conditions, including not allowing terror group Hamas to play any role in future governance. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by political expert Josh Roose from Deakin University to unpack what this historic move means for Australia, our alliance with the US and lasting peace in the Middle East. Headlines: Five Al Jazeera employees have been killed in a targeted Israeli air strike in Gaza, The Guardian says the Labor Government has hired Deloitte to design a plan for universal childcare, and a meteor shower in Victoria. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Aug 15min