Homes ARE harder to pay off now + Venezuela's ‘abysmal’ earthquake response

Thursday Headlines:  New analysis proves its harder to own a house now than when interest rates were 17% Pollies turn out for Midwinter Ball  Online fraud and scams have increased as we become less vigilant Karl Stefanovic to lose radio show  Details emerge about Taylor Swift’s wedding Deep Dive: Twin earthquakes tore through Venezuela's north last week, leaving more than seventeen hundred dead and tens of thousands missing.  The emergency response has been widely criticised, international aid has faced unexpected obstacles getting in, and the government is carefully controlling the narrative as the outside world watches.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by LiSTNR senior journalist Claudianna Blanco to examine what this disaster reveals about the state of the country and what life actually looks like for Venezuelans six months on from the US capture of President Nicolás Maduro.  Further listening from headlines: What a 'free' Karl Stefanovic really means Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.