Hack

Long-standing questions surrounding Australia's biggest constitutional crisis have been finally answered. The letters between the Queen and governor-general Sir John Kerr at the time of the sacking of Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975 have been released. We find out much involvement the Queen had in Sir John's decision.

Plus, with both NSW's and Victoria's COVID-19 outbreaks still growing, we look at whether the COVIDSafe tracing app is being used, and if it's helped.

Also, did you post a black tile on Instagram six weeks ago? We ask the companies who posted that at the height of the protest if they've followed through with action.

Human trials have begun on a coronavirus vaccine developed by University of Queensland, with 120 volunteers receiving their first dose of potential immunisation. The first results are expected by the end of September.

Plus, the number of cases continues to rise steeply in Victoria, while a worrying cluster has been detected in NSW. Business leaders are asking government to hold off on shutting down restaurants, pubs and other venues again. Experts say shutting the economy down may be the only way of saving lives.

It's the Friday shakeup and we're talking...

The return of iso, cancel culture and your good news amidst the 2020 chaos.

Join comedian Lucinda Froomes Price, model Christian Wilkins, and Hack's own Avani Dias for your weekly debrief.

There's an evolutionary reason why bad news sticks with us. It's called negativity bias, and it's the way we've evolved to identify threats to keep ourselves safe.

But in a year of grim news, sometimes we all need reminding of the good things happening around the world too.

Today on Hack, the local legends doing amazing things to help others, the rise of popular psychology, and happiness icon Dan Harris on how he overcame panic attacks, to be a more positive person.

Communities hit by the Black Summer fires are still battling to rebuild and regroup over six months on. Could a lack of mental health services be the next crisis they face? Hack's Shalailah Medhora visited the Bateman's Bay community.Plus, the latest information on the spread of COVID-19 in Australia.And, could flying cars be the answer to rural travel?

Melbourne has been thrown back into lockdown with a record 191 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in a single day, but will the stronger measures contain the outbreak?Plus, keeping our mental health afloat during the COVID crisis can be tough. Australia's Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health Professor Ruth Vine on what we can do.And, financial coach and author Melissa Browne on why budgets are bullshit.

Victoria's COVID-19 crisis continues to escalate with thousands of public housing residents now locked down amidst heavy police presence and imminent closure of the border with NSW. Resident and social worker Ahmed Dini describes the feeling inside the towers.

Plus, could Kanye really be the next U.S. President? David Smith from the U.S. Studies Centre says "maybe".

And, what it's like to text a Lifeline counsellor when you need to talk to someone, but don't feel like calling.

It's the Friday shakeup and we're talking...

State rivalries and super spreaders in Melbourne, JobKeeper rorts and the isolation looks you'll be rocking back into normal life.

Join Aussie musician Joyride, Jenna Clarke from The West Australian, and Hack's own Jo Lauder for your weekly debrief.

Russian voters lured with cash gifts and prize draws have paved the way for President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036. But critics have claimed irregularities in the polling.Plus, huge brands continue to walk away from Facebook over the company's inability to curb hate speech. So will anything really change?

And, we'll take you inside Melbourne's lockdown zones.

We've been staying home more and leaning into trackies with socks and slides, but will our iso-fashion choices end up costing the planet when we return to work?

Plus, the government's $270 billion plan to boost our defences against the rise of China and a 'poorer, more dangerous' world.

And, is there any truth to the claim that young people are refusing to work for JobKeeper and opting for the dole?