King Charles addresses US lawmakers + Trump’s ‘designated survivor’

Headlines: Child abuse material found at Dezi Freeman’s home Mum of Beau Lamarre-Condon charged with witness tampering James Comey, former FBI director, faces new retribution charges ... and a dinner menu fit for a king  Deep Dive:  Inflation is on the rise again, with consumer prices rising 4.6% in the 12 months to March. Transport costs alone rose 8.9% over the last year, jacked up by the oil crunch caused by the US-Iran war. What do these figures mean for you? And for interest rates? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Carrington Clarke, host of the ABC Business Daily podcast and the ABC’s Fuelcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines:  King Charles addresses US Congress Tech giants slam PM’s news laws World’s most powerful oil cartel dealt major blow New poll shows a majority of Aussies approve of Pauline Hanson’s leadership Victorian teachers to be offered major pay deal Olivia Rodrigo shows up unannounced to New York open mic night Deep Dive: Donald Trump has once again been the target of an assassination attempt, with Cole Tomas Allen charged with attempting to kill the US President.  It’s the third time in less than two years that a plot against Trump has been either attempted or foiled, and you might be wondering – what would happen if an assassin succeeded?  In today’s episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou investigates what succession plan is in place if the US President is killed in office and how such an event could reshape US politics and the world.   Guest: Garrett M. Graff, journalist, historian and author of Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government's Secret Plan to Save Itself While the Rest of Us Die  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Trump unhappy with Iran's proposal to end the war  The US names a new Aussie ambassador Rebel Wilson begins her evidence in court PM announces new levy on Big Tech Elon Musk is suing Sam Altman: expect fireworks Elbie the dog saved from window ledge ordeal  Deep Dive:  On 28 April, 1996, a gunman killed 35 people in Australia’s worst mass shooting. Within months, Prime Minister John Howard had harnessed the grief of the country to implement world-leading gun control laws. We didn’t have another mass shooting for decades, until recently.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Mike Amor, who reported from the scene of the Port Arthur massacre.  You can find the Alannah & Madeline Foundation here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Cole Tomas Allen charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump Iran offers deal to end the war RSL to review its Welcome to Country policies Port Arthur 30th anniversary Majority of Aussie teens still using social media Taylor Swift is trying to trademark her voice amid AI concerns Deep Dive: For two months, the world’s been fixated on the escalating conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel, but another superpower, China, has been quietly shaping events behind the scenes.  While Beijing presents itself as a calm mediator, reports suggest it may also be covertly supporting Iran’s war efforts.  So, is China a peacemaker, a silent backer, or simply playing both sides? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou asks international conflict expert Dr Jessica Genauer.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Trump responds to shooter’s manifesto Iran’s foreign minister is meeting with Putin Two children dead in Bowen Mountain house fire Abduction fears for Alice Springs 5-year-old And: ANZAC Day with Brian Barry  Deep Dive:  Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men; and it’s highly treatable. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and in this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by race car driver Thomas Randle to talk about his diagnosis and how he survived the disease. Plus: Randle gives some potentially life-saving advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Trump likely target of shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner Israel-Lebanon ceasefire shattered Penny Wong to visit China, Japan and South Korea to shore up fuel supply Angus Taylor says Welcome to Country ceremonies are “overused” London Marathon sees world record tumble Deep Dive: Since the devastating October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel in 2023, and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza, racism in Australia has been on the rise.   Impacted communities have reported increases in threats, graffiti, abuse, and violence against them, and now a new report is shining a stark light on the situation.   In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman to break down a groundbreaking report into racism against our Jewish, Arab and Muslim communities in the wake of October 7.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The far right is becoming more visible globally, including in Australia, through online activity and public protests involving extremist nationalist groups and neo-Nazi figures. But experts say understanding this rise requires looking at its deeper history.  One key moment often pointed to is the 2017 Charlottesville rally in the US, where white supremacists, neo-Nazis and counter-protesters clashed violently, leaving one woman dead and many injured.  In her book Charlottesville: An American Story, historian Deborah Baker examines not just the event, but the long history of racism and political tension that led to it.  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith speaks with Baker about why Charlottesville is seen as a turning point for the modern far right. You can see Deborah at Sydney Writers' Festival (17-24 May) Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Hemsworth may be part of one of Australia’s most famous acting families, but his path to Hollywood was anything but conventional. Before the spotlight, he was pearl farming in remote Western Australia, sanding floors, and taking on odd jobs while never fully expecting acting to become his career.  As the eldest Hemsworth brother, Luke was actually the first to step in front of the camera, building his early career in Australian TV before breaking through internationally with Westworld and beyond - all while carving out his own identity alongside brothers Chris and Liam.  In this chat with Helen Smith, Luke reflects on the unexpected journey into acting, leaving the US to return home to Australia and his latest action film Beast – sharing why he believes Australian stories still deserve a bigger place on the world stage.  Weekend list with Sacha Barbour Gatt Listener Billy TO DO: Watch the ANZAC day sport matches  TO WATCH: Twister 2024 sequel on Netflix TO DO: Sell your old electronics TO DO: Update you rewards app Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Trump announces 3-week Lebanon-Israel ceasefire Charges for soldier who gambled on Maduro capture Ben Roberts-Smith to attend ANZAC Day event More tech layoffs: Microsoft and Meta Spotify turns 20, releases top artists of all time  Deep Dive:  The nation’s biggest radio drama went to court today. Both Kyle and Jackie O are suing their former boss, ARN, and ARN is suing them right back. Kyle appeared in court, while Jackie O has said she never wants to be in the same room as Kyle again.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by workplace relations lawyer Michael Byrnes to explain the strengths and weaknesses of each legal suit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Trump claims the US is in control of the Strait of Hormuz even as Iran seizes ships Court documents have revealed Ben Roberts-Smith was allegedly attempting to move overseas before his arrest Albanese unlikely to increase tax on gas exports British actor Russell Brand has admitted to having sex with a 16-year-old when he was 30 Tomorrow is ANZAC Day, with commemorations happening right across the country Deep Dive: Burnout is often framed as a personal failure, but neuroscience tells a different story, one where chronic stress and cognitive overload are predictable biological responses to modern work and life.  Basically, our brains aren’t equipped to deal with how we’re forced to work and live in 2026.  In this episode of The Briefing, Neuro‑performance scientist Dr Kristy Goodwin explains how chronic stress rewires our heads, why the brain prioritises short‑term survival over long‑term health, and why “powering through” often leads to physical breakdown, not resilience.  Further listening: Your guide to the budget’s tax reforms Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.