The Briefing

Tuesday Headlines: Sydney comes together to mourn the victims of the Bondi Massacre, hero Ahmed al-Ahmed recovers in hospital, the political response and blood donations surge.

Deep Dive: Australia is coming to terms with the Bondi Beach massacre, as leaders urge calm and unity in the aftermath of the attack. But experts warn this moment is different from anything the country has faced before. 

For the first time, grief and anger are colliding with a flood of AI-generated and manipulated content online - misinformation spreading at a speed and realism that’s challenging even seasoned security professionals. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with security consultant and future-crime researcher Skeeve Stevens to unpack it. 

Links: 

• Make an appointment to give blood here 

• Sign the online condolence book here

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 

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The nation is still reeling after yesterday’s mass terror attack on Bondi Beach. The Prime Minister has flagged an overhaul of gun laws as questions are raised over how the gunmen had access to such high-powered registered weapons.

It comes as a number of the 15 victims killed in the worst mass shooting since Port Arthur have been identified. In this special episode, we bring you all the latest details on this terror attack on Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah.  

If you or someone you know is feeling distressed, support is available:

• Griefline (National grief support line) : 1300 845 745
• Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 13 11 14

Members of the public can contact the Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228 for information relating to people impacted by the Bondi Beach Terrorism Incident.

Police are urging anyone with mobile phone or dashcam vision relevant to the incident to upload it through the NSW Police website. It can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney and Australia are reeling after two shooters opened fire on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, killing 16 people and injuring dozens more. 

One of the shooters was killed, the other is in police custody in hospital.  
 
In this special extended headlines episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt and Chris Spyrou take you through everything we know so far about Australia’s worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur massacre. 

Resources:

• If you have been directly impacted or know someone who has been, the Public Information and Inquiry Centre can be contacted by calling 1800 227 228.
• The Red Cross has activated its ‘Register, Find, Reunite’ service to help people confirm the safety of their loved ones at register.redcross.org.au.
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 

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At least ten people are dead in one of the worst mass shootings in Australia's modern history.

Two men are in custody after gunmen opened fire on beachgoers at Bondi Beach with high-powered weapons on Sunday evening. Multiple people were injured, including children.

Police are investigating reports of an improvised bomb at the scene.

NSW Police are urging the public to avoid the area. 

More to come. 

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20 years ago this week was one of the most volatile moments in modern Australian history - the 2005 Cronulla riots. A week of rising racial tensions exploded into violence, fuelled by talkback radio, misinformation, and hatred. And when the chaos spread, intelligence warned of a possible attack on Lakemba Mosque. Caught in the middle was young police officer Danny Mikati, who was suddenly facing an angry crowd, with no backup. It was a moment where years of community trust became the only thing standing between him and tragedy.

In this bonus episode, Danny sat down with Crime Insiders host Brent Sanders to share his extraordinary life-or-death experience.

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Michael Klim is one of Australia’s most celebrated swimmers, known for breaking world records, the 2000 Olympics and for his strength in the pool. But his life took a turn when a sudden decline in his health left him unable to walk.

In his 40s he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, CDIP forcing him to confront a new reality. Since then, he has redirected the course of his life, becoming a vocal advocate for awareness and others living with the condition.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Michael opens up about how he's committed to living a life of wellness beyond just the hashtags and promos.

If you want to donate blood search Lifeblood

Weekend list with Helen Smith

• TO LISTEN: Uncovered – How undercover police radicalised an autistic child
• TO READ: The Conversation
• TO EAT: Fancy pantry Mi Goreng Noodles
• TO READ: Nature's Last Dance by Natalie Kyriacou

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Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn, who was accused of killing campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill, has had his murder conviction overturned. He was found guilty last year of murdering Clay and acquitted of Hill’s death. But now, in a bombshell development, the Court of Appeal has ruled there were serious irregularities in his trial - so serious they may have caused a miscarriage of justice...  

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Criminologist Xanthe Mallett, who explains what these latest developments mean and what’s next for Greg Lynn, who has always maintained his innocence.  

Headlines: The Prime Minister has asked Australia’s independent expenses watchdog for advice on taxpayer-funded travel entitlements, the woman who was raped by Tom Silvagni has made an emotional victim impact statement in court, and Australians are in for one last celestial show of 2025, with the Geminid meteor shower set to peak this weekend. 

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Friday Headlines: Son of Carlton footballer unmasked in rape case, one in two cigarettes in Australia now illegal, Bonnie Blue to be deported and blacklisted from Bali, Trump introduces million-dollar 'gold card' visa and architects of AI named Time’s Person of the Year.

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Deep Dive: Women make up 87% of male-on-male romance readers and are also the ones behind a lot of gay ‘smut’ content.  

The hit TV show Heated Rivalry has been dubbed ‘Gay Hockey Smut’ and has entered the mainstream, opening up the conversation around who consumes queer romance.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Darcy Green, an author and writer of Queer romance, who explains why straight women commonly request male-on-male erotic stories.  

Further listening from headlines: 
BONUS: Bonnie Blue's schoolies return
US Border security is getting personal

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The long-running tension between Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber has become one of the internet’s most contested celebrity feuds - with Justin Bieber at the centre if it all. 

Selena and Hailey both grew up in the limelight, finding fame at an early age and both went on to date teen pop royalty Justin Bieber which undoubtedly magnified them further into spotlight.  

In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks how much of this feud is fuelled by the internet or whether the rivalry is genuinely rooted within Selena and Hailey’s inner circles. 

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The US government has proposed tough new laws that will affect millions of travellers, including Australians heading to the US. While they are only proposals at this stage, travellers could be forced to hand over private information, including social media details, family information and numbers and emails from a decade ago. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by immigration lawyer Melissa Vincenty, who unpacks these changes and explains why handing over our private information, especially when AI is used, is incredibly concerning.

Headlines: Former pilot Greg Lynn will face a new trial over the death of Victorian camper Carol Clay, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fired back as pressure grows over parliamentary travel entitlements, and a “zombie-proof” electric car ad has topped Australia’s most-complained-about advertisements for 2025. 

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