The Briefing
The Briefing
LiSTNR
Cuban ex-leader charged with murder + What is diphtheria?
15 minutes Posted May 21, 2026 at 6:02 am.
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Show notes

Headlines: 

  • Paul Keating backs the CGT changes
  • The US reveals arrest warrant for Cuban ex-president
  • World’s first trillionaire? Two big tech companies are going public
  • Aussie unemployment climbs higher than expected
  • Avalon airport resumes flights after a hairy scare 

Deep Dive: 

Diphtheria was eradicated in Australia, so why is the government spending $7.2 million to contain an outbreak? The disease kills one in ten people, and can present as slow-healing sores or a respiratory infection – and there are now about 200 cases in Australia. Vaccination prevents the disease, but it's made a resurgence in the NT, WA, SA, and Queensland.

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by epidemiologist A. Prof. Sanjaya Senanayake.

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