Will the US/Iran ceasefire hold? + Ben Roberts-Smith remains in custody

Thursday Headlines: Ceasefire in doubt as Israel pounds Lebanon and Iran halts oil tankers Fuel price drops unlikely to hit your tank in a hurry AI tool that spots heart failure risk five years before it develops Activist group infiltrates Coles You could own a Queensland town for $400K   Further listening from headlines: Your supermarket is spying on youThe controversial ICE tech at our door Deep Dive: Israel says its invasion of Lebanon is about security and pushing Hezbollah away from its northern border. But on the ground, more than a million people have been displaced, infrastructure is being torn apart, and tensions inside the country are rising fast.  With villages flattened, others cut off, and communities turning on each other, fears are growing of a prolonged Israeli occupation and the risk the conflict could tip Lebanon into something it hasn’t seen since the 1970s – a civil war.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Middle East and counter-terrorism expert Dr Mariam Farida from Macquarie University about Israel’s long-term strategy in Lebanon, whether it can ‘dismantle’ Hezbollah and why the risk of a broader crisis is rising.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  A two-week ceasefire in Iran Matt Canavan sets out his “Patriot Agenda” Ben Roberts-Smith doesn’t seek bail Australia’s sporting rich list revealed Deep Dive:  Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire against Iran, hours after making the threat to wipe out the “whole civilization” if a deal wasn’t reached.  But will the ceasefire last? And what does Trump have to show for his five-and-a-half weeks of war?  In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Jennifer Parker, an expert on national security and the principal and founder of Barrier Strategic Advisory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BREAKING: Donald Trump has announced he will suspend all bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks - but only if Iran agrees to the complete and immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.  In a post to Truth Social, the US President says he's agreed to a request from Pakistan, which has been working as a mediator, to hold off on his threatened bombardment of Iran's power and civil infrastructure. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Trump warns a 'whole civilisation will die' if Iran doesn't make deal Ben Roberts Smith to appear before court today Record number of scam websites taken down by Australia's financial regulator Kanye West blocked from entering the UK EV sales hit record highs in Australia Deep Dive: War used to be reported. Now it’s being packaged.  Footage shared by the White House showing strikes on Iran is being edited like gameplay - complete with stylised overlays, dramatic pacing and even ‘killstreak’-style visuals, pulling in millions of views.  But this isn’t a one-off. From ICE raid clips set to the Pokémon theme to military operations branded like blockbuster titles, conflict is being reframed through the language and aesthetics of entertainment.  In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith speaks with Daniel Baldino from the University of Notre Dame Australia about how war is being gamified - and what that shift does to public perception, accountability, and reality itself.  Further listening: Will Elon unplug your EV dream? Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated soldier, has been arrested at Sydney Airport over allegations of war crimes. It comes after a joint operation by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by lawyer Justin Quill to explain what this latest development means. Headlines:  Trump repeats threat to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran  PM Albanese will be travelling to Singapore to address the fuel shortage  One Nation surges in the latest Newspoll  The Artemis mission is heading home  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Donald Trump says Iran ‘can be taken out in one night’  Fuel shipments to Australia are now secured 'well into' May   14 people killed on roads over Easter long weekend Kanye West's right to enter UK under review Artemis II sets new record Further listening from headlines: Why today’s moon mission mattersDeep Dive: Zomi Frankcom was the Australian aid worker killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza, and her family still want answers.  Last week was the second anniversary of Zomi’s killing, and her brother Mal Frankcom was in parliament advocating for a more open and transparent investigation into Israel’s strikes, which also killed six other aid workers.  The day before the anniversary, Israel’s ambassador to Australia refused to apologise for the killing. He said “sympathy had been expressed”.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with Mal Frankcom about the family’s push for justice.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday headlines Trump threatens Iran in expletive-laden social media post WA gets tough on Petrol Retailers Pope Leo urges those with the power to unleash wars- to choose peace. Sydney Kings break their championship Trophy Newcastle Knights injury against Raiders Deep Dive: Married at First Sight isn’t just dominating TV ratings - it’s driving a constant stream of online content that keeps the show alive well beyond each episode.  Beyond the drama on screen, a growing ecosystem of podcasts, parody accounts and creators are shaping the conversation - stretching a few episodes a week into a 24/7 cycle in your feed.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with creator Amanda Catalano about why MAFS is “the easiest content on the internet,” how her parody videos rack up huge numbers, and what it says about how we feel about the show.  You can follow Amanda on Instagram @amanda.catalano and TikTok @amanda.catalano  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chocolate prices have surged, with blocks now selling for $8 at major supermarkets - more than double what we were paid a decade ago. Global cocoa prices spiked last year, but climate change and inflation aren’t the only culprits - with a little-known international deal also at play.  In this episode of The Briefing, we revisit Chris Spyrou’s chat with journalist and host of The Internet Reviewed on YouTube Kirsten Drysdale where they unpacked what’s really driving the rising cost of chocolate. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feras Basal spent nearly 50 days on a remote island for Australian Survivor - facing the ‘wheel of torture’ for hours, dislocating his shoulder in week one and enduring intense psychological strain that pushed him to his absolute limits. But alongside the physical and mental toll came a historic win, becoming the first Arab Muslim to take out the title, and the $500,000 prize. His time on the show became something bigger: a chance to challenge stereotypes, represent his community, and show a different side of his culture and faith to a national audience. In this chat with Sacha Barbour Gatt, Feras opens up about what really happens behind the scenes, how the experience changed him long after the cameras stopped rolling, and why representation in Australian media still has a long way to go.   Weekend list with Helen Smith Listener Lindsey TO READ: Remarkably Bright Creatures TO WATCH: Season 4 Love on the Spectrum on Netflix TO EAT: Nagi Maehashi My very best Vanilla Cake TO DO: Tell everyone it's your Birthday! Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday's Headlines:  Australia takes part in talks to re-open straight of Hormuz TV Broadcasters call for financial help after gambling ad ban Artemis II crew preparing to leave earth's orbit Manly beat the Dolphins and the Lions beat the Pies in the AFL Deep Dive: The Good Friday Appeal is synonymous with the Easter long weekend, and this year will be no different.  Culminating with a primetime TV event and telethon on Channel 7, the appeal – in its 95th year – looks to raised much-needed funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.  In today’s deep dive, you’ll meet an incredible family whose little boy ended up on an RCH operating table at just four weeks old, along with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, hosts of The Morning Show, about why the the Good Friday Appeal is such a worthy cause.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.