Trump announces Russia-Ukraine ceasefire + The US midterms explained

Take your ties off and put your wigs on, we're back with The Briefing Our Take.   It's the weekend hangout where we take you behind the scenes of the week that was, and what we (and you) thought of it.   Sacha and Chris dive into a story we didn't get a chance to cover this week – the new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia and her first briefing that REALLY made an impression.   We crack open the inbox to get your thoughts on some of the biggest stories this week, including plans to get rid of screens for some kids in WA and Aussie cricket.   We're also joined by LiSTNR audio producer and sound designer, Nial, who takes on the weekend quiz, before topping it all off with recommendations on the weekend list!   As always, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us on Instagram @thebriefingpodcast and feel free to leave a comment if you’re listening on Spotify.    The Weekend Quiz:    Donald Trump announced a ceasefire this week between two countries which ones? And, for a bonus point – what type of ceasefire did he claim it was?   WA is banning screens in the classroom for some students in a pilot program; what grades will be included?    Petrol prices are back at levels seen at the start of the Iran war. What’s the national average?   A) 2 dollars 70 a litreB) 2 dollars 16 a litreC) 2 dollars 41 a litre The first restaurants in Australia were given Michelin stars this week and they were all in one state – which one was it?  The Fair Work Ombudsman gave advice on how to take leave for the release of what game this week?  For an extra point – what date is it being released?    The Weekend List:    To watch: The State of Man on ABC iView (Chris)  To (not) watch: The Bledisloe Cup   Follow The Briefing:  TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast  YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines:  Donald Trump calls off execution live stream Greens senator on leave after allegations of inappropriate comments to women Labor's digital duty of care bill introduced to Parliament Zelenskyy says he is 'done' with US ceasefire on energy targets Debate erupts over public bars on Brisbane ferries Deep Dive: It took about 15 minutes for YouTube to take Marc Fennell’s kids from Minecraft videos to manosphere content. Nobody touched the remote. So he set up a phone as a young bloke, and within five weeks the algorithm had moved from gym tips and crypto to racist AI slop.  So why is it finding such a receptive audience in Australian men, and is the algorithm really to blame?   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Marc to talk about his new ABC docuseries The State of Man, what he learnt sitting down with manosphere influencers and the men who’ve left it, and what could work to change course.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines:  Greens and Coalition team up to block Labor's private health bill Russel Brand a ‘ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator’ court hears Netflix to lay off 1000 staff Vatican says Pope Leo recovering as expected First Australian restaurants score Michelin stars – and they’re all in South Australia Deep Dive: Australia’s falling fertility rate was recently laid bare in the government’s 2026 Intergenerational Report, which revealed just 1.34 babies per woman will be born by 2065.   It’s sparked a conversation around what could move the dial when it comes to encouraging Australians to have more kids.   One suggestion has been a national fertility plan.   In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Dr Petra Wale from the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand to discuss the plan and whether we it’s time to bring back sweeteners like the Baby Bonus.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines:  Anthony Albanese working to stop execution livestream being shown in Australia Small business minister says she’s received 19 death threats in a week over surcharge changes Convicted pedophile Ashley Paul Griffith to be extradited to NSW Sharp rise in family and sexual violence rates against Australian children  Cybersecurity experts warn French supermarket fridge hack could happen in Australia  Australia win's first test in South Africa  Deep Dive: The Cornell 7 case has sparked global headlines, condemnation and outrage; seven men accused of gang raping a woman inside a frat house at one of America’s most prestigious universities.   As police reopen the investigation into the 2024 incident, the spotlight has turned back on Greek life and whether fraternities and sororities still have a place on modern campuses.   In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by higher education expert Dr. Pietro Sasso to unpack the culture of American Greek life and examine its connection to cases like the Cornell 7.   This story discusses confronting details about sexual violence. If you need support, you can contact 1800 RESPECT or Full Stop Australia. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines:  Australian government urged to ban livestream of US public execution Simon Carman pleads guilty to one charge in Thai teen murder trial  Molly Ticehurst’s killer to appeal murder conviction  Petrol prices now back at levels seen at the start of the Iran war WA to limit screen use for K-2 students in pilot program  Deep Dive: One AI went rogue and breached a Medicare portal. Another fired off a bogus murder tip to US police. And the tech giants behind them took months to notice.   Meanwhile in Canberra, federal MPs are questioning the people building systems that could one day cure cancer... but could also, by their own admission, wipe us out.   So can a country our size actually keep big tech in line? Or are we just along for the ride?   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Independent MP for Curtin Kate Chaney, who sits on parliament’s AI committee. They unpack what she’s heard in the hearings, why she wants $100 million a year spent on AI safety, and what rules data centres should have to follow.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines:  Opt-out laws to pass Parliament after controversial ministerial power dropped  Zelensky surprised as Trump announces energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine Australians warned against travelling to Saudi capital after Houthi attacks on airports Australian hiker found dead in Peru Aussies issued important advice ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6 release Deep Dive: This November, American voters will head to polls to decide whether the Republicans or the Democrats will control the US House of Representatives and the Senate.   The vote is largely being seen as a verdict on Donald Trump’s presidency, halfway through his second term.    So, with Trump’s agenda on the line, a shift of just a few seats in either direction could give Democrats the power to block his cabinet appointments, stall legislation, or completely flip control of Washington.    In today’s episode of The Briefing, Planet America’s Chas Licciardello joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to break down the key battleground races, Trump's sway over voters, and what a predicted Democrat win will mean for the rest of his two years in the White House.  Further listening from the headlines: The Houthis vs Saudi Arabia explained Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s official, Warner Bros and Paramount are now one company.   The $159 billion merger is the biggest in media history, bringing both studios under Skydance Corp, led David Ellison – the son of a powerful tech titan and Trump-backer, Larry Ellison.  Larry is one of the wealthiest people on the planet, and his company Oracle doesn't just do business with governments - it helps run them, including here in Australia.  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit Chris Spyrou’s chat with NPR host Roben Farzad to unpack what the Ellison empire controls and what its latest moves tell us about who really holds power in 2026.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back with The Briefing: Our Take, the weekend hangout where we loosen our ties and kick off our shoes and take you behind the scenes of the week that was, and what you (and we) made of it.   Chris and Sacha kick off by debriefing the botched execution of Christa Pike, who’s now woken up, and is speaking and even walking in hospital after two doses of a lethal injection.   We crack open the inbox to get your thoughts on some of the biggest stories this week with plans for a public supermarket and the latest One Nation ad blowing up our inbox, and one listener teaches us a new word!   We’re also joined by LiSTNR’s head of social media, Brett, who takes on the weekend quiz, before topping it all off with some recommendations on the weekend list!   As always, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us on Instagram @thebriefingpodcast and feel free to leave a comment if you’re listening on Spotify.   The Weekend Quiz:   The Coalition leader Angus Taylor released the party’s migration plan this week. What does it want to cut net overseas migration to, for the first two years?A) 100,000B) 160,000C) 225,000 The Greens official think tank wants to create new public supermarkets called what? We spoke with two federal leaders this week, who were they?  The logos for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics have been released after a leak over the weekend. What animal inspired them?  Who won the 2026 NRL men’s and women’s Grand Final?   The Weekend List:  To do: Containers for Change Scheme (Listener Scott) To watch: Bledisloe Cup (Sacha)  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines:  Sam Wood denied bail Former Prince Andrew wins case against UK Police ATO facing pressure from government over credit card ban Greens celebrate ‘biggest surge in new members’ since leadership change  Christa Pike ‘up and walking’ after surviving two lethal injections Further listening from the headlines: Sach's chat with David Shoebridge Deep Dive: Eight years ago, a young Aussie cricketer was caught on camera stuffing sandpaper down his pants during a Test match in Cape Town.   It became known as Sandpapergate - Australian cricket's biggest cheating scandal.   The fallout was brutal. Captain Steve Smith cried on live TV, players were banned, the coach quit and sponsors walked. Now, for the first time since, Australia is back playing Test cricket in South Africa.   So how did a bit of sandpaper become a national crisis? And was the outrage ever worth it?   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by sports journalist Sam Ferris, who covered the series from South Africa, to unpack what happened, who knew what, and how it still follows the team.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines:  Anthony Albanese facing increasing scrutiny over golf club grants 1 in 6 cafes now charging more for coffee after card surcharge ban Sam Wood to apply for bail after DV charges Abortion pill access jumps 50% after improved access Pornhub is returning to Australia ... with a catch Further listening from headlines: Surcharges are going. Will prices drop? Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.