BONUS: China and the secret chocolate factory

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.

US President Donald Trump delivered a rambling speech to the US people and the world earlier today. He began by saying the US military operations in Iran have been an overwhelming success, calling them “victories like few have ever seen before.” Mr Trump hinted the US would leave the war in the coming weeks and urged other countries to head to Iran to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, to secure their own oil. Earlier in the day Mr Trump said he was considering removing the United States from the NATO alliance. Headlines: PM Albanese addressed the National Press Club, announcing bans on gambling ads NASA's Artemis mission is on its way to the moon Mary Fowler signs a record-breaking $10 million deal with Adidas See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Anthony Albanese’s address to the nation draws criticism Trump to give primetime address on Iran war Gambling reform finally on the way Gen Z craving connection, collecting vinyls without record players  Further listening from the headlines:Why Albo isn’t banning gambling adsDeep Dive: More than fifty years after the last Apollo mission, humans are heading back toward the moon.   NASA's Artemis II launches today - a ten-day fly-by that marks the first crewed mission to travel this deep into space since 1972, and the first to include a woman and a Black astronaut.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with astrophysicist and ANU Associate Professor Dr Brad Tucker about what Artemis II is actually testing, why the moon has become the centrepiece of a new global space race, and what Australia's quietly crucial role looks like.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a rare national address, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attempted to reassure Australians as the war in the Middle East hits home, sparking the biggest spike in fuel prices in history and pushing up grocery prices.  He outlines temporary measures the Federal Government is taking to ease cost‑of‑living pressures, while imploring Australians to "do their bit" by resisting the urge to stockpile and taking public transport where possible. Acknowledging the coming months "may not be easy" and these are "uncertain times", Mr Albanese says we will deal with these global challenges "the Australian way". Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A comprehensive review led by cancer researchers at UNSW has found that vaping is likely to cause lung and oral cancer, even before long-term studies can confirm the exact risk.  The study analyses a wide body of global research to assess the ability of vapes to cause cancer on their own, rather than as a gateway to smoking.   The analysis draws together clinical studies, animal experiments and laboratory research examining the chemicals produced by e-cigarettes.  In this episode of the Briefing, the study’s lead author Bernard Stewart, an Adjunct Professor in the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health at UNSW Sydney, joins Natarsha Belling to discuss "by far the strongest evidence" that vapes are likely to cause lung and oral cancer.  Headlines:  PM to address the nation on war in the Middle East ATO hands small business tax relief in wake of Iran war Double demerits in NSW/ACT kick in tonight for the Easter long weekend. Tiger Woods stepping away from golf to focus on his health  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Trump tells allies to ‘get your own oil’   Israel's ambassador defends new death penalty for Palestinians Dezi Freeman’s family speaks out after his death Hip pocket changes coming in from today Kris Jenner becomes Chinese cultural icon Deep Dive: Despite its insanely strict, all-encompassing rejection of meat and animal by-products, veganism was once the darling of sustainable and ethical consumption.  But lately, many are reporting a decline in interest in the lifestyle, with areas once dominated by vegan restaurants and stores now seeing a move away from it.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by freelance food journalist Quincy Malesovas to try to answer the question – is veganism in Australia dying?  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dezi Freeman was shot dead by Victorian police early Monday morning. He’d been on the run for almost seven months after shooting and killing two police officers outside the regional Victorian town of Porepunkah in August last year.  Police are now trying to determine if he was helped by anyone else. Freeman considered himself to be a sovereign citizen, so he believed Australian laws didn’t apply to him.  How did he survive for so long on the run, how did he evade police for all that time, and what can we learn from the investigation now underway?  In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Macquarie University’s Dr Vincent Hurley, one of Australia leading policing and criminological academics…  Headlines:  RBA scraps card surcharges in big win for consumers Jackie O sues ARN Media Iran says there have been no negotiations with US + Further Attacks Celine Dion to return to live performing Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Cheaper fuel could take weeks to flow despite excise cut Albanese calls on Donald Trump to be clearer about his war plans Vaping likely causes cancer Five social media platforms are being investigated for potentially failing to comply with the social media ban Latest additions to the National Film and Sound Archive revealed Deep Dive: A landmark US court ruling has found Meta and Google legally responsible for the way their platforms are designed, declaring Instagram and YouTube addictive by design.  The decision is being framed as big tech’s “big tobacco moment,” raising the prospect of global lawsuits while intensifying pressure on governments, including in Australia, to regulate algorithms before more harm is done.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young about her party’s proposed ‘Fix Our Feeds’ bill, how it would give users control over algorithms, and whether Australia is ready or even capable to take on the power of big tech.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.