How Mandelson scandal could bring down British PM + Radio legend dies

Headlines:  US turns back more Iranian ships National Cabinet: PM says fuel secure Royal Commission interim report coming next week Microsoft to invest $25 billion in Aussie data centres Vale to James Valentine Deep Dive:  The British Prime Minister is on the ropes as the scandal around Peter Mandelson continues. Mandelson was the UK’s ambassador to the United States, but was forced out due to his links to Jeffrey Epstein. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by journalist Juliet Rieden to talk about “the dark prince” of British politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines:  Iran says reopening of the Strait of Hormoz is impossible if ceasefire continues to be breached NDIS cuts set to impact autistic Aussies the most  First home buyer scheme driving up house prices KIIS sues Kylie and Jackie O Netflix has revealed more details about Kylie Minogue’s long awaited doco Deep Dive: The 2026 Federal Budget is shaping up to be one of the biggest in recent years when it comes to tax reform.  Treasurer Jim Chalmers is promising sweeping changes, but how will they balance the needs of struggling Aussies with that of the budget bottom line?  In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by economist Matt Grudnoff to break down the five areas we could see reform on May 12 and how the changes could impact you.  Further listening:  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Further cutbacks to the NDIS Australia to get more fuel shipments Iran reacts to Trump’s extended ceasefire Britain will ban selling tobacco to next generation ChatGPT under criminal investigation in Florida shooting Scientists study salmon on cocaine  Deep Dive:  Uh oh – AI is now really, really good at hacking. Earlier this month, the leading AI company Anthropic declared it would hold back from releasing its latest model, named “Mythos”, because the model could find novel ways to hack computer systems. In one instance, Mythos found a bug that's been undetected for 27 years in a fundamental piece of software.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Dr. Suelette Dreyfus, Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has announced the ceasefire between the US and Iran will be extended via Truth Social.  This comes after peace talks between the two nations were put on hold earlier today.  In this breaking episode of The Briefing, we unpack the US Presidents announcement as the blockage on the Strait of Hormuz continues.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: The hopes of ceasefire talks between the US and Iran are fading Major changes to NDIS to be announced today The Australian government has been urged to protect Chinese international students Rebel Wilson called “f****ing nuts” by crisis PR team, court hears Victorian Premier slams YouTuber who filmed Dezi Freeman’s hideout Deep Dive: The mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s sporting professionals has been thrust into the spotlight this week, after AFL player Elijah Hollands played during what the club has now called a “mental health episode”.  While the AFL and Carlton launch separate reviews into last Thursday’s incident, serious questions are being asked about whose responsibility it was to pull Elijah from the field.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by sport media and branding expert Associate Professor Robert Gill to discuss what should happen next and whether anyone is to blame.  A reminder, if you or someone you know needs help, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Uncertainty over Iran peace talks, ceasefire extension “unlikely” New Zealand’s PM survives his own leadership spill Keir Starmer, UK PM, under pressure Apple gets a new CEO  Deep Dive: Woolworths is in court, accused of misleading practices around its pricing of “discounted” goods. The case, brought by the ACCC, began in Sydney today. It follows a similar case against Coles. What are the supermarket giants accused of? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by behavioural economist Dr. Meg Elkins of RMIT, to discuss what, if anything, can be done about alleged dodgy pricing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines:  Hopes of a peace deal between Iran and the US fade ACCC is accusing Woolworths of deliberately misleading shoppers AFL player Elijah Hollands admitted to hospital following mental health episode Rebel Wilson has appeared in federal court for a major defamation trial  Robot beats human record in half-marathon Deep Dive: Protest laws are under fresh scrutiny in Australia, after the arrest of 20 people in Brisbane over the weekend who used a phrase now banned by the state government.  Peaceful protest remains a fundamental human right under international law, so with these tighter rules in the wake of pro-Palestinian rallies and climate change marches; are we eroding that right?  In today's episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Sarah Schwartz, Legal Director at Human Rights Law Centre speaks, who explains Australia’s patchwork of protest laws, your rights when you march, and how far authorities can go in restricting them.  If you or anyone needs help you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76 Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Treasurer flags risks to inflation, unemployment U.S. attacks and boards an Iranian ship Mass shooting in Louisiana, 8 children killed Geelong oil refinery recovery better than expected South Korean wolf captured safely Robot runners blitz a Beijing half-marathon  Deep Dive:  Thousands more Australians will now be able to donate blood after outdated restrictions were lifted. All donors, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, will be able to donate blood. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Jemma Falkenmire from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to explain the important changes and her message for Australians wanting to make a difference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Iran has rejected a second round of peace talks with the US Ben Roberts-Smith breaks his silence 33 year old learner driver charged over Supanova death Support for One Nation wanes in two new polls  Madonna wraps up Coachella Deep Dive: Australia’s migration debate has taken a sharper turn, with the Federal Opposition unveiling a plan that puts ‘Australian values’ at the centre of the visa system.    The plan includes enhanced screening for all visa applicants, including social media checks, a legally binding ‘values’ statement and tougher enforcement measures aimed at refusing or removing people deemed not to meet the threshold. It also signals a broader tightening across the system, from faster visa refusals to stronger action on overstayers and reduced avenues for appeal.  In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Abul Rizvi, a former senior immigration official and one of the country’s most experienced analysts of migration policy to unpack what this policy could look like in practice.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looksmaxxing is taking over millions of young men’s algorithms - a trend focused on maximising appearance that can start off harmless, but spiral into extreme measures to appear more masculine.  This week, looksmaxxer influencer Clavicular was hospitalised in Miami after a suspected overdose during a livestream. He’s previously spoken about using drugs, including methamphetamine, to suppress his appetite as part of the trend.  After leaving hospital, he described his substance use as “a cope trying to feel neurotypical while being in public” and “not a real solution.”  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by UNSW public health researcher Samuel Cornell who unpacks the rise of looksmaxxing and why influencers are selling so-called 'ascension' programs.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.