It’s been a particularly tense time around the world, as we've covered on the podcast this week. But we want to bring you something different for today's deep dive — an exclusively good news episode. From the Aussie athletes breaking records to surfing dogs and a conservation breakthrough, we hope you find a bit of joy in today's podcast. For more stories like these in your inbox every week, sign up to our good newsletter here . You can learn more about Fran Hurndall or donate here Get your dose...
Jun 25, 2025•13 min
Today's headlines include: Prices rose by 2.1% in the year to May, according to monthly inflation figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has described last month’s election loss as “devastating,” and says she’s determined to get more women in the Liberal party elected. A review into an incident that left a Boeing plane without part of its cabin has blamed the manufacturer for multiple safety failures. And today’s good news: A small trial of a new tre...
Jun 25, 2025•5 min
For nearly two weeks now, Iran and Israel have been engaged in a war that has kept the world anxiously waiting to see what happens next.As we have covered this week, the U.S. effectively entered the war by bombing three nuclear sites in Iran, which Iran responded to by launching missile strikes on U.S. military bases in Qatar.The situation is tense and complex. Today, we're answering all the questions you sent us. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Sam Koslowski Producer: Elliot Lawry Want to support T...
Jun 24, 2025•20 min
Today's headlines include: Israel and Iran have now both agreed to a ceasefire deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump early this morning. Meanwhile, increased tensions in the region have prompted several international airlines to cancel or redirect services over the Middle East. Virgin Australia’s share price has jumped by more than 9% during the airline’s first day of trade in five years. And today's good news: A major U.S-backed science facility in Chile has captured images of space wit...
Jun 24, 2025•5 min
Over the weekend, the U.S. struck Iran. It’s the largest attack America has ever carried out on Iran, and comes amid a war between Iran and Israel, which counts the U.S. as its closest ally. In today’s episode, we’ll catch you up on this rapidly evolving story and explain the historic strike, discuss Iran’s reaction, and take a look at how Australia has responded to the attack. Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Sam Koslowski Producer: Emma Gillespie Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best ...
Jun 23, 2025•17 min
Today's headlines include: The Australian Government has confirmed its support for the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, while repeating calls for a “diplomatic” solution to the Middle East conflict. Most renters avoid asking their landlords for repairs “in case they face a rent increase”, according to a new study from the Australian Council of Social Service. Tesla has launched self-driving taxis in the city of Austin, Texas. And today's good news: Three Australian capitals have been named ...
Jun 23, 2025•5 min
Several months ago, a U.S. woman named Adriana Smith had a medical emergency and ended up in hospital. Doctors found blood clots on her brain, and she was declared brain dead. Her story didn’t end there, however, because Adriana was around eight or nine weeks pregnant and lived in the state of Georgia. In today’s podcast episode, we’ll explain what happened next, and the legal debate this case has sparked. Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Sam Koslowski Producer: Elliot Lawry Want to support The Daily Aus...
Jun 22, 2025•13 min
Did you know the amount of superannuation you get paid is about to change? As of 1 July, the minimum amount of super you receive is about to increase. So what does this actually mean for you? We’ll explain in today’s podcast. Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Emma Gillespie Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering acce...
Jun 21, 2025•14 min
Today's headlines include: The Federal Government will send defence assets to the Middle East to assist in the evacuation of Australians. Australia is a step closer to rolling out age verification technology on social media platforms, after new findings were released. Donald Trump has delayed banning TikTok in the U.S. for another three months. And today's good news: A retiring explosive detection dog is being celebrated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) after six years of service. Hosts: E...
Jun 20, 2025•5 min
This week, Meta made its second-largest acquisition ever, buying a major stake in AI company Scale AI for $21 billion. But that's just the beginning of Silicon Valley's most extreme talent war, where tech giants are offering $100 million signing bonuses to poach AI experts from competitors. In today's podcast, Sam and Billi unpack why companies like Meta, Google and Microsoft are offering nine-figure salaries to lure the best minds in artificial intelligence, why AI is so expensive, and a housem...
Jun 19, 2025•19 min
Today's headlines include: The jury in the trial of accused mushroom murderer Erin Patterson is a step closer to deliberations, with the defence making their closing arguments today. The unemployment rate has held steady at 4.1% for a fifth consecutive month, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The death toll from a Russian strike on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, has risen to 28. And today's good news: U.S. authorities have approved a new HIV prevention vacc...
Jun 19, 2025•4 min
This week, three people were shot in a lunchtime attack on a Western Sydney kebab shop. The incident, described by NSW Premier Chris Minns as “shockingly brazen”, follows a spate of recent underworld shootings, prompting NSW Police to establish a new taskforce last month. Now, police say they’re concerned gangland figures are using social media to recruit contract killers. In today’s deep dive, we’ll bring you up to speed on this week’s attack and take you through the latest from investigators o...
Jun 18, 2025•16 min
Today's headlines include: Three Australians have been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Bali. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is considering attending next week’s NATO summit in Europe, after he missed out on face-to-face talks with Donald Trump in Canada this week. Strikes between Israel and Iran are continuing for a sixth day, after U.S. President Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” And today's good news: An Australian series has been honoured with a prestigious ...
Jun 18, 2025•5 min
Over the past week, you might have seen some commentary around sunscreens online.This is all because of some research consumer advocacy group Choice did, where it did testing on 20 different sunscreens to check if their claimed SPF matches their actual SPF.The results indicated that many sunscreens allegedly don’t deliver on their SPF rating.But are those results accurate? It’s led to a lot of back and forth, with one brand in particular, that we’re going to explain today! For Choice's original ...
Jun 17, 2025•15 min
U.S President Donald Trump has left the G7 summit early, cancelling plans to meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Police have confirmed human remains found in Queensland bushland belong to Pheobe Bishop, a 17-year-old who was declared missing last month. A doctor who supplied ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry with ketamine is set to plead guilty to drug charges over his death. And today’s good news: More regions of the ocean will receive special protection, following commitments mad...
Jun 17, 2025•4 min
Long-simmering tensions between Iran and Israel have broken into a full-scale exchange of hostilities, following Israeli strikes on nuclear sites and military targets, including apartment buildings in Tehran. Iran responded with strikes on Tel Aviv, and the two nations have since launched waves of missiles and rockets at each other. In today’s podcast, we’ll explain the long history between these two countries, what’s happened in the last few days, and why the U.S. is involved. Hosts: Lucy Tasse...
Jun 16, 2025•11 min
Missile attacks between Iran and Israel have now entered their fourth day. Police have caught a man suspected of fatally shooting a U.S. Democrat representative and her husband. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, ahead of the G7 meeting of the world’s most powerful economies. And the good news: Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer has completed his 250th Parkrun. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Lucy Tassel Producer: Elliot Lawry Want to supp...
Jun 16, 2025•3 min
If you’ve been listening to The Daily Aus for a while, you’ll know we’ve been waiting quite some time to get the leader of the Liberal Party to do an interview with us. We didn’t have any luck with Peter Dutton. But his replacement, Sussan Ley, immediately agreed to talk with us upon becoming leader. In today’s episode, TDA's Editor-in-Chief Billi FitzSimons interviews the new Opposition Leader about her assessment of why the Coalition lost, the Coalition’s subsequent breakup, their stance on nu...
Jun 15, 2025•19 min
Tax time is right around the corner, and there’s a whole range of things to think about at this time of year. There’s your actual tax return, there’s the sales at all the stores, but there’s also an increase in scams. In today's episode, we're unpacking everything you need to know to avoid getting scammed this tax time — from why there's an increase in scams at this time of year, and what to look out for to stay safe. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Emma Gillespie Producer: Emma Gillespie Want to su...
Jun 14, 2025•15 min
Today's headlines include: The Israeli Defense Forces have today fired missiles at nuclear and military facilities in Iran. Just one person has survived the crash of an Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, which plummeted into a residential area shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has travelled to Fiji today to meet with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, to “reinforce [his] Government’s Pacific priorities”. And today’s good news: Researchers have d...
Jun 13, 2025•4 min
This week, the United Nations released its most comprehensive report yet on the state of fertility around the world. The report confirmed that global fertility rates are dropping, and that it’s not necessarily for the reasons we’re often told it is. In today’s podcast, we’ll unpack the findings of the UN report, how this is manifesting here in Australia, and how governments can address this issue moving forward. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Elliot Lawry Want to support The ...
Jun 12, 2025•12 min
Today's headlines include: The U.S. Defence Department (the Pentagon) has announced its reviewing AUKUS – a submarine deal between Australia, the UK, and the U.S. The Fair Work Ombudsman has found Griffith University underpaid thousands of staff by $8.3 million. Donald Trump says the U.S. has reached a “great deal” with China following trade talks with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping. And today’s good news: The discovery of a new dinosaur species has shifted scientists' understanding of th...
Jun 12, 2025•4 min
Protests on the streets of LA are continuing, after the city's mayor announced a curfew and state of emergency. Demonstrations have been escalating since Friday, when federal immigration authorities launched widespread raids in downtown LA. In response to the protests, U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed the national guard and marines, a decision that has been contested by California Governor Gavin Newsom. In today’s podcast, we’ll explain everything you need to know about how the situation...
Jun 11, 2025•16 min
Today's headlines include: Qantas has announced the closure of its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar Asia, with up to 500 jobs expected to be impacted. A 17-year-old girl has been taken to hospital after she was shot by police at a pub in Queensland’s north. Parts of LA are now under their first night of new curfew orders, as protests continue in the Californian city. And today’s good news: An international team of researchers led by Monash University has developed an AI-powered rapid skin cancer dia...
Jun 11, 2025•4 min
An aid ship sailing to Gaza was intercepted by Israel this week. Its passengers, including Greta Thunberg, claimed they had been kidnapped, while Israel said it was providing consular assistance to facilitate the crew's deportation home. In today’s deep dive, we’ll explain the aid ship at the centre of global headlines this week, and take you through the latest on this story. Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Billi FitzSimons Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to c...
Jun 10, 2025•18 min
Today's headlines include: The LA Police Department has launched a formal investigation into the shooting of a Channel Nine journalist who was reporting on the protests. Monash IVF has announced a second incorrect embryo transfer in as many months. NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car will take personal leave after being diagnosed with breast cancer. And today’s good news: Researchers have developed a “world first” blood test that can identify coeliac disease in individuals, even when they’re on gluten-f...
Jun 10, 2025•4 min
Last week, Erin Patterson, who is accused of the murder of three people and the attempted murder of another, took the stand in her own defence. Patterson told the court her version of the events of the fatal lunch she hosted, a meal she now admits must have contained death cap mushrooms. In today’s episode, we’ll recap the first week of Patterson’s testimony, and how it squares with what we’ve learned in the trial so far. Hosts: Lucy Tassel and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Elliot Lawry Want to sup...
Jun 09, 2025•15 min
About two weeks ago, Taylor Swift announced that she bought the masters to her first six albums, meaning she now effectively owns all of her albums and has complete control over her creative work. It was a surprising development that brought an end to one of the biggest and longstanding stories in pop culture of the past five years. So what does an artist owning their masters actually mean, and how will this impact the music industry as a whole? Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Billi FitzSimons Producer...
Jun 08, 2025•16 min
A large-scale study has found that over half of young Australians are dissatisfied with their bodies. Butterfly Foundation’s latest BodyKind Youth survey paints an alarming picture, with over 75% of Aussie teens wishing they were thinner, and 90% reporting some level of concern about their body image. In today's episode, we'll explore the key findings from this report, including what it tells us about the lives of young people and their relationship with body dissatisfaction and social media. Fo...
Jun 07, 2025•15 min
Today's headlines include: A Tasmanian jumping castle operator has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing over a 2021 incident that killed six children. An Australian man has been released on bail after four years in an Iraqi prison. Israel has launched a series of air strikes on the Lebanese capital of Beirut. And today’s good news: Australian scientists have developed a potential pathway to curing HIV, using the same mRNA technology behind COVID-19 vaccines. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Zara Seidl...
Jun 06, 2025•4 min
