Zoe Terakes on making Marvel history and queer myths

The world is trying to come to grips with the Omicron variant of Covid-19. It’s spreading like wildfire across the globe. Governments are scrambling to close borders and scientists are rushing to determine just how potent the new strain is. But could it be a blessing in disguise. Could Omicron end the pandemic? Dr Deborah Cromer leads the Infection Epidemiology and Policy Analytics Group at the Kirby Institute, UNSW. Her job is to determine how effective vaccines are in combatting viruses. Dr Deborah tells us if and when we’ll know that Omicron may take over from the more-virulent and dangerous Delta strain of the coronavirus….and what we need to do as a society to help make that happen. Todays Headlines Porter quits parliaments as Hunt resignation expected Epstein accuser to be cross-examined after implicating Maxwell Flooding death in QLD as NSW cleans-up in Central West Omicron detected in 20+ countries as local cases grow NT authorities believe Howard Springs escapees didn’t contact community Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Dec 202121min

In 2013 on a night out in Kings Cross a devastating encounter in a laneway changed the course of Saxon Mullins’ life. It led to a rape case that went for five years... there were two trials, two appeals and ultimately it was determined that the accused was acquitted after arguing he had reasonable grounds to believe she was consenting. Now eight years on... Saxon Mullins’ story... has led to a change in the law... that could protect other victims who freeze during sex. Todays Headlines NSW on alert for Omicron as PM calls for no more lockdowns One in three parliament staff harassed, according to Jenkins review Human remains discovered in VIC camper search Towns evacuated in QLD as flooding continues in NSW Ghislaine Maxwell trial begins in New York Australia hits back at claims of Solomon interference Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Nov 202119min

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 Nov 202117min

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 Nov 202122min

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 Nov 202141min

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 Nov 202118min

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 Nov 202119min

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 Nov 202119min