Headlines: Kyrgios hints at retirement, Federal MP calls for mandatory sentences for antisemitic vandals, JD Vance walks back Trump’s promise to pardon Jan 6 rioters and Climate activists vandalise Charles Darwin’s grave.

Deep Dive: How do you know if you’re really buying an organic product?

The organic industry in Australia is worth $2.3 billion – and insiders have accused producers of falsely labelling products, prompting a new bill that was introduced by the Coalition last year.

How can we really know the journey a product is taking before it arrives on the shelf at the supermarket? And if the labelling isn’t accurate, should we just give up on buying organic all together?

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Erin Turner, chief executive of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, to explain how the government can better regulate the sector and how it could change what’s on our shelves.

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At least 24 people have been killed and more than 10,000 properties destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires.

Australia’s bushfire season puts the country on edge every year – especially across our regions - but could major cities here also be at risk?

In this episode of The Briefing Bension Siebert speaks to Craig Lapsley, Victoria’s former Fire Services Commissioner, to break down what he's observed and what we can learn from LA’s deadly fires.

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Headlines: LA fires still not contained, Penny Wong and Kevin Rudd invited to Trump’s Inauguration, Peter Dutton launches election campaign and Australian Open kicks off.

Deep Dive: Should artificial intelligence be deciding who gets to be born?

A group of Australian researchers is asking that question, amid revelations the technology is being used in fertility clinics in Australia.

How does it work, and should we be embracing it, or seriously concerned?

On today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with one of the paper’s authors, Professor of Bioethics at Monash University Professor Catherine Mills, to discuss the the pros and cons of AI in IVF.

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Eddie Dilleen went from living on welfare with his mum to building a $90 million property portfolio, and he’s still in his 30s.

He bought his first home when he was just 18 after from working at McDonalds and now he owns over 100 properties across Australia. So how did he do it?

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Eddie explains why he thinks young people aren’t priced out of the market and reveals the serious sacrifices he made along the way.

Weekend List

• TO WATCH: Carry On on Netflix
• TO READ: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
• TO DO: Spring clean
• TO DO: Sharpen pencils

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We love a debate down under, and every summer for the last few years, Aussies have been going head-to-head over one topic: CoolCabanas.

The humble beach tent has been spotted on sands across the country since 2015, but it’s now sparked a furious debate about Australian beach etiquette.

So, while it’s all just a bit of fun, it begs the question: why did something that’s designed to protect us from the sun become so controversial?

On today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with the CEO of CoolCabanas Mark Fraser and TikTokker Guncle Diaries to get their take on the debate and get their verdict on whether Aussie beaches should be cabana free.

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Headlines: The latest on the LA fires, new data shows Aussies wages up, Birkenstock sues copycats, and Bluey Lego will hit shelves by the end of this year!

Deep dive: The new year often comes with a range of emotions - you might be feeling relaxed and revitalised or you might be feeling a little anxious and overwhelmed at the year that lies ahead.

But how can we balance the bad with genuine optimism?

As part of The Briefing’s series on starting 2025 right, we’re exploring how to cultivate hope and resilience this year.

In this episode, Chris Spyrou chats with Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa, author, neuroscience expert, and host of the hit podcast Do You Fucking Mind, to talk through some practical strategies for finding joy and staying positive this year.

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Five people have been killed and more than 30,000 people are under evacuation orders as the Los Angeles wildfires continue to rage.

More than 1000 buildings, including many on Sunset Boulevard, and the homes of celebrities, have been destroyed by the out-of-control fires.

The wildfires in the middle of winter have shocked residents and prompted warnings amid the escalating climate crisis that there is now no such thing as a “fire season” in the state - the danger is all year round.

On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Australian ex-pat Jaxson McLennan from his home near a fire-front in Pasadena.

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Headlines: Rescued hiker in NSW survived a fortnight on berries and two muesli bars, wildfires have forced thousands to flee in Los Angeles, the pilot in Rottnest Island plane crash identified, and Brisbane (somehow) ranks worst city in Australia for traffic.

Deep Dive: As artificial intelligence gets exponentially better at just about everything, it’s making people in all kinds of professions – from teachers to doctors, to lawyers, to retail workers – a little bit nervous.

But AI is also making a lot of people very excited, with new, mind-bending capabilities coming online every week.

What tools should you be using in 2025 to keep ahead of the curve and make your life a little easier?

As part of The Briefing’s series on how to start your 2025 right, Bension Siebert is joined by Toby Walsh, professor of Artificial Intelligence at UNSW, to guide you through what’s out there, what you should be using, and where to start with AI in the new year.

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