The Briefing

Monday Headlines: More bill relief announced as budget looms, Gaza death toll passes 50,000, Pope Francis makes first public appearance since hospitalisation, redemption for Oscar Piastri in Chinese Grand Prix and a new study shows humans are getting dumber.

Deep Dive: Sports betting is surging among young men —should we be worried? 

New research shows the rates of sports betting among Aussie men aged 18-44 has skyrocketed by 65% since 2015, with spending also on the rise.  
 
Despite stricter regulations - gambling ads and online apps are fueling a growing industry that some see as a public health crisis—while others say it’s just a bit of fun. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou sits down with three young men who regularly bet on sports to hear their take: Is sports betting really a problem? Would they support tougher restrictions? And could they stop if they had to? 

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David Pocock, the former rugby star turned independent senator, embraces the label of “weirdo” for his belief that sports and politics should go hand in hand.

The former rugby star isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, famously refused to marry until same-sex couples had the same rights and being arrested for climate protests.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, David explains why rugby must lead on climate action, given its deep ties to Pacific Island nations with communities already bearing the brunt of climate change.

Weekend list with Helen Smith

• TO WATCH: The White Lotus season 3 on Binge
• TO EAT: Pistachio Papi Spread
• TO READ: Conspiracy? War on the waterfront on ABC Listen
• TO LISTEN: Discover weekly playlist on Spotify

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Afternoon headlines: Treasurer Jim Chalmer stands by ACCC inquiry, flights to Bali cancelled after volcano eruption and Donald Trump shutting down the Department of Education

Deep dive: Country music is having a moment, embraced by Millennial and Gen Z listeners with demand for the genre doubling over the last five years on Spotify.  

Artists like Beyoncé, Post Malone and Chappell Roan are moving back to their country roots as country music continues to top the Billboard Top 100 chart.  

In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by country music artists Tania Kernaghan and Jason Owen to unpack how the genre has taken over the global stage with its authenticity.

Find tickets to Tania Kernaghan and Jason Owen's tour here 

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Friday Headlines: Coles and Woolies found among ‘most profitable’ supermarkets in world, US Tech giants call on Trump to target Australia, Socceroos inch closer to qualifying for next year’s World Cup, and the world’s happiest countries have been revealed.

Deep Dive: Australians love their dogs.

Almost half of all homes have a pet pooch according to the RSPCA’s latest figures. 

Dog owners are also increasingly treating their pups as part of the family, whether that’s letting them sleep in the bed, throwing birthday parties for them and even taking them on holidays to Europe. 

And as more young couples are delaying having children to raise a dog instead, it really feels like we’re reaching a new stage in the human-dog relationship. 

So, what does all of this say about us, not only as owners, but as a society? 

Legendary Australian veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren (and her dog, Chilli) join Sacha Barbour Gatt on today’s episode of The Briefing to ask: has the line blurred too much? 

Further listening from the headlines:
'Top 10 hacks to cut your supermarket bill' is out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Afternoon headlines: Peter Dutton’s speech interrupted by protesters, employment figures show despite thousands losing work unemployment rate holds steady and Australia’s rich list has been released  

Deep dive: A two-tier economy is emerging in Australia, with some splashing cash around while others struggle to pay their mortgage and bills.

With cost of living set to be the number one issue as we approach our federal election, a growing number of people have given up on the Aussie dream of owning a home – and are now using their disposable income to enjoy life.  

In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Scott Phillips, The Motley Fool's Chief Investment Officer, to explain why we need a complete overhaul of managing interest rates, inflation and the property market.

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Thursday Headlines: Labor promises to cap prescription medications at $25, Putin accused of breaking promise to not strike Ukrainian energy targets, new search green lit for missing flight MH370 and a Jury convicts two men in golden toilet heist.

Deep Dive: If you tune into Parliament, you’d think Australia is drowning in crises—health, crime, climate, and, most notably, housing and immigration. And lately, those last two have become deeply intertwined in political debate. 

Conservative voices are calling for immigration cuts, arguing that an influx of new arrivals is pushing Aussies out of the housing market. But is this really what’s driving the crisis, or is it just an easy scapegoat? 

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with veteran finance journalist Alan Kohler to unpack the facts and find out whether cutting immigration is a viable solution.  

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Afternoon headlines: Astronauts touch down to Earth after nine months in space, ex-nurses charged over an alleged video threatening Israeli patients fight to throw out evidence and secret documents released on the assassination of JKF

Deep dive: A bombshell Australian link has been found in previously classified documents related to former President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.  

Details of phone calls about an assassination plot made to the US embassy in Canberra emerged in new papers unlocked today by the Trump administration.  

In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Dr. Keith Suter, Foreign Affairs Expert, to discuss what the new evidence means and if we will ever find out who shot JFK. 

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Wednesday Headlines: Trump and Putin hold phone call about Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, More Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as death toll climbs, Treasurer promises substantial cost of living relief in the budget and NASA's stranded astronauts are finally on their way home.

Deep Dive: AUKUS—the trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US—was sold as a game-changer for our national defence, promising a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and cutting-edge military tech.  
 
But years on, with an eye-watering $386 billion price tag, no guarantee of receiving the subs on time (or at all), and a new US president prioritising “America First,” is the deal still worth it? 

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Nine’s Chief Political Editor, Charles Croucher, to break down where AUKUS stands, what’s at stake, and whether Australia should rethink its biggest-ever defence investment. 

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Afternoon Headlines: Israel launches new airstrikes across Gaza, inquest into Lilie James’ murder finds it was a planned attack and scientists discover new species of fish more than 15 million years old.

Deep Dive: Calls for a royal commission into the CFMEU are mounting after more damming allegations of violence and corruption.  

The Victorian government has met with the Police Commissioner to bolster investigations after accusations the state government failed to stop the criminal behaviour.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Sharnelle Vella, co-host of ABC Melbourne Breakfast radio, to unpack the latest twist in this explosive story.

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Tuesday Headlines: Anthony Albanese receives highest approval rating in almost 18 months, Trump and Putin to discuss an end to the war tomorrow, 48% of year 6 Aussies can’t swim 50 metres and the RBA unveils new $5 banknote.

Deep Dive: New analysis has revealed our grocery prices have surged by 30% over the last three years, with Coles, Woolworths and even Aldi hiking their costs. 

It’s unfortunately become an all too common problem for most of us, but do you know there are some easy ways to hack your next trip to the supermarket? 

In this episode of The Briefing, Finder’s Head of Research, Graham Cooke joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to break down the 10 best ways to save cash on your next trip through the checkout.

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