The Briefing

Headlines: Labor imposes counter-terrorism sanctions on online neo-Nazi network for the first time, North Queensland floods update, trade war looming over Trump’s tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China, and The Grammys are on today.

Deep Dive: In the 2010s ISIS became one of the world’s biggest terror groups, controlling almost one-third of Syria and around half of Iraq.

Over the years the group has claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks across the globe, including those in Paris in 2015, Berlin in 2016, and Manchester at an Ariana Grande concert the year after. Since 2018 the group’s influence has felt quieter, claiming less responsibility for attacks but that has changed. 

In 2024 we saw Russia’s deadliest terror attack in over two decades – which ISIS took responsibility for – and on New Year's Day, an ISIS-inspired attack killed 14 people and injured dozens more in New Orleans. So, is ISIS having a resurgence? 

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Michael Ware, a man who witnessed the birth of ISIS firsthand and is the only western journalist to escape one of their beheading attempts, to explain how we got here, if he thinks ISIS is having a resurgence, and if Australia is ready for a possible terror attack from the group. 

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Steph Claire Smith has always been a trailblazer - and the model turned business founder and podcast host with over 1.4million followers doesn’t stop.

The O.G influencer started Kic with her best friend Laura Henshaw. Since then, the pair have sky rocketed to global success, releasing product lines and joining the LiSTNR family with the KICPOD Podcast.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Steph opens up on how she's feeling about being an (almost) second time mum, her views of the 'Oatzempic' craze, and her obsession with chicken wings.

Listen to KIC POD here

Weekend List with Helen Smith

• TO WATCH: Jubilee's surrounded series on YouTube
• TO LISTEN: Bad Hasbara - The World's Most Moral Podcast
• TO EAT: Congee rice porridge
• TO READ: Hot Pilates 

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2024 was full of comments, complaints and promises from politicians and companies over the cost of living - and so far this year we're looking likely to see the same thing. 

Lowering your weekly groceries shop, scoring a discount or filling up the tank for less is something we all want, so how can we do it?

In this episode of The Briefing, we did the homework for you. Chris Spyrou is joined by The Briefing's Helen Smith to unpack which apps and tools can save you the most on fuel, food and fashion.

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A man diagnosed with sexsomnia has been found not guilty of having non-consensual sex with a woman in Sydney.

With the disorder now appearing as a key argument in trials across the country and the world, The Briefing wanted to bring you a previous explainer the team published on sexsomnia - what it is, how it works, what behaviours it can lead to.

In this bonus episode, Helen Smith is joined by Aleks Trkulja from the Pleasure Centre, and specialist sleep physician Dr David Cunnington, so you can catch up on just how common sexsomnia is, and what you need to know about it.

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In this morning’s deep dive, we spoke to consumer and money expert Joel Gibson about how Bunnings has monpolised the hardware industry.

When we reached out to the hardware chain for comment, they were keen to dispute our assertion that it holds a leading stake in the market and insists big brands don’t equal bad brands.

In part two of our look at Bunnings and how it’s managed to become cemented in Australia’s cultural zeitgeist, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by the chain’s Managing Director, Mike Schneider.

Listen to part one on LiSTNR, Apple or Spotify now.

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Headlines: Greens to push for 50 cent public transport nationwide, no survivors after Washington plane and helicopter crash, Australians facing long-term homelessness surges 25% in five years and Donald Trump calls for Elon Musk’s Space X to “go get” stranded ISS astronauts. 

Deep Dive: By all accounts, Bunnings is a true blue Aussie success story. 

What started in 1907 as a sawmill in WA now boasts more than 300 locations across Australia and New Zealand and reported revenue in 2024 of $19 billion. On top of that, the hardware giant has managed to crack into the cultural zeitgeist. Who doesn’t talk fondly about a weekend snag and peruse of the paint aisle?

But amidst its praise and popularity comes quiet criticism about its monopoly over the Australian hardware industry, its mega profits, its sometimes sneaky marketing tactics and its ability to effectively wipe out the competition. So, why do we seem to love Bunnings, despite these things?

On today’s special two-part investigation, Sacha Barbour Gatt answers that question with money and consumer expert, Joel Gibson.

In part two, in your feed now, we ask Bunnings Managing Director, Mike Schneider, what he thinks of the answer.  

Listen to part two 'Bunnings Responds' on LiSTNR, Apple or Spotify now.

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We’ve all got a butthole, but why are we so afraid to talk about it without making a joke of it?

Professor Richard Hillman is one of the few specialists in Australia in anus cancer and he thinks it’s time we open up about the health of our rear ends. 

In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with the professor about anal hygiene, the case for banning toilet paper and why we need to end the stigma and shame around out buttholes. 

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Headlines: Caravan with explosives found in Sydney allegedly intended for antisemitic attack, lowered inflation rates open the door to April election date and Sweden charges man in first ever drink driving case involving a drone.

Deep Dive: Elizabeth Struhs was an eight-year-old girl, living with incurable Type 1 diabetes in regional Queensland. Instead of receiving the insulin she needed to live, her parents and other members of their fringe religious group, The Saints, withdrew her injections, believing the healing power of God would save her. She died of diabetic ketoacidosis in January 2022.

On Wednesday afternoon, in a bombshell Supreme Court ruling, 14 members of the congregation, including her parents, were found guilty of manslaughter. They included Elizabeth's father and the leader of the congregation, who had originally been charged with murder.

In this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by investigative journalist Richard Baker on the ground in Queensland to explain who The Saints are, why what happened to Elizabeth is manslaughter, and whether this case will have any impact on other fringe religious groups that reject modern medicine around the country. 

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Our major political parties each have plans they say will make renting better and home ownership easier for young people. We’ll believe it when we see it.

But with a federal election coming up, are Labor, the Coalition and the Greens missing solutions that could save you serious money?

On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with McKell Institute Chief Executive Edward Cavanough about four ways to make renting or buying a house easier, and why most politicians aren’t talking about them. 

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Headlines: Australia Day neo-Nazis face court in Adelaide, how Dutton’s promise to cut 36,000 government jobs could affect you, Trump signs orders to halt government grants and Happy Lunar New Year! 

Deep Dive: Has China just won the AI arms race?

The United States has been the undisputed leader in the race for global AI domination – that was until this week, where everything changed. Meet DeepSeek - a little-known Chinese competitor to ChatGPT that has in one swift announcement wiped one trillion dollars off the stock market and smashed what we thought we knew about world’s most in-demand new technology.

Is it all over for ChatGPT? How is DeepSeek different, and why has it made such a major splash in the global community? Mark Pesce is a partner in AI consultancy Wisely AI and honorary associate in Digital Cultures at the University of Sydney. He joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to explain what we know, and what it all means. 

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