The Update

Low and middle income Australians are being offered low-interest loans, to help them buy an electric vehicle. The Federal Opposition is questioning why its taken so long to re-open Australia's embassy in Ukraine. And It's the end of an ERA as stars partied with Taylor Swift. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's embassy is set to re-open in Ukraine, almost three years after war broke out.  Almost 150 Aussie's have escaped an earthquake -torn Vanuatu on RAAF flights.  AND Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will be honoured at the Sundance Film Festival Gala! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we have The Real Story behind the mystery drones! Joe is joined by Aviation Expert, Captain Byron Bailey to share his thoughts. Plus, we're getting to the bottom of the nuclear fiasco that's  almost  gone nuclear. LINKS Read Joe's column in The Daily Telegraph  here Follow @joe_hildebrand on Instagram Follow @whatsarahsnapped on Instagram Follow Nova Podcasts @novapodcasts...

Tests to date have found no traces of methanol or illicit substances in cocktails which made seven travellers sick, in Fiji Flash flooding warnings have been issued for several areas in South East Queensland The Border-Gavaskar series level at one all, heading into the Boxing Day Test And a huge scare for Karl Stefanovic, whose daughter couldn't be found on the Sunshine Coast See omnystudio.com/li...

Opposition Warns New Spending Measures Will Drive Up Inflation Further.  Medical Experts Deployed To Earthquake Ravaged Vanuatu Warn Hospitals Overwhelmed.  Drivers Warned About Shopping Centre Prangs In Lead-Up To Christmas. And Two NASA Astronauts Facing An Even Longer Wait Before They're Rescued See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former broadcaster Alan Jones has spoken outside court - after being hit with an additional eight historical abuse charges. Australia's budget is back in deficit to the tune of 27-billion dollars. AND Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy's highest civilian honour!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major earthquake, and multiple aftershocks, hit Vanuatu Qantas reaches agreement with the TWU, over compensation for illegally sacked workers The third Test comes down to the final day in a soggy Brisbane And Bluey to be turned into a movie! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Treasurer insists the Federal Government is doing its best to balance the books -- as he prepares to hand down tomorrow's budget update. Tech giant Meta has reached a 50-million dollar settlement over Facebook's cambridge analytica privacy scandal.  And Travis Kelce pulled out all the stops for Taylor Swifts 35th birthday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has agreed to continue training Ukrainian troops, until the end of 2025.  Cocktail ingredients, used at a resort in Fiji, are en route to Australia for testing - after several people fell ill. AND Fans have been left divided after the Yellowstone season finale!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mother and her daughter have arrived home after being hospitalised with suspected alcohol poisoning in Fiji A woman killed in an alleged domestic violence incident in WA's north India praying for rain on day four of the third cricket Test against Australia And why Prince Andrew will be staying away from the royals this Christmas See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussies travelling overseas are being urged to be aware of the risks of alcohol poisoning and drink spiking, after seven tourists fell ill in Fiji. There's speculation Wednesday's budget update could trigger an early Federal Election! And Kim Kardashian has scooted her way into her SKIMS event in sky high heels despite a broken foot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The remaining members of the Bali Nine are officially back on Aussie soil, after 19 years in an Indonesian prison.  The corporate regulator is suing HSBC - accusing it of failing to protect customers from scams. AND A confession from a hotel worker has shed new light on Liam Payne's final days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four Australians among seven people to fall ill after drinking at a Fiji bar The last five of the Bali Nine are back home in Australia Australia in a strong position heading into day 3 of the third cricket Test in Brisbane And a slice of Olivia Newton-John memorabilia rakes in the big ones at auction See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Floral tributes are growing in Sydney's Martin Place to mark ten years since Lindt Cafe Siege Prime Minister pays tribute to former MP Kevin Andrews after his death Police in Sydney continue search for man whose wife was found murdered See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of an Australian stabbed to death near Bangkok have remembered the 14 year old Adelaide couple behind bars accused of faking their child's cancer diagnosis.  Raygun breaks silence over legal action against comedian   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition has unveiled its nuclear power plan - claiming the scheme will lead to cheaper energy bills across the nation. Qantas workers are ramping industrial action - but passengers are being assured they won't be met with delays or cancellations.  AND Taylor Swift has responded to Selena Gomez's engagement announcement!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Opposition sets $330b Price Tag Based On Independent Costings.  Qantas Maintennance Workers On Strike.  A Miraculous Rescue In the Mediterranean.  And P-Diddy Faces Three Fresh Allegations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media platforms will soon be forced to pay for Aussie news content, regardless of whether they have commercial deals with publishers. Australia's jobless rate has dropped below 4 per cent for the first time since March. And Selena Gomez is engaged. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Papua New Guinea has officially been granted its NRL license during an announcement in Sydney today.  The Prime Minister says he supports the banning of protests outside places of worship. AND Shawn Mendes has addressed those love triangle rumours with Camilla Cabello and Sabrina Carpenter! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, Joe's getting an insiders look on where it is all going wrong for the Prime Minister and how he is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't on certain issues.  PLUS! We speak to Eamonn Fitzpatrick one of Australia's leading public affairs professionals, on how the government can turn it around.    LINKS Read Joe's column in The Daily Telegraph her...

The social media giant has been hit by a global outage, leaving millions of users in limbo A man charged with murder, breaching an AVO and weapons offences The Aussie women as scorching as the Perth heat, clean sweeping their ODI cricket series against India And Tori Spelling spills on what she'd do differently if she had her time again See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A billion dollar "Building Early Education Fund" is being promised by Labor - if it's returned to power at the next Federal Election. More Anti-Semitic graffiti has sprung-up across Sydney. And Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been offered a hefty sum to star in a movie together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A car set alight in Woollahra, anti-semitic graffiti sprayed on walls A young surfer escapes serious injuries in a shark attack The son of a gun who might line up at the Australian Open tennis And Jamie Foxx talks publicly about his stroke, for the first time      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank Governor is defending a decision to keep Interest Rates on hold for the ninth straight meeting. There have been chaotic scenes as the PM visited the site of a damaged Synagogue in Melbourne. And Taylor Swift has reportedly given her Eras Tour crew members six figure bonuses See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussie sporting legend, Dawn Fraser, undergoing rehabilitation, after a serious fall A US-based Jewish human rights organisation, issues a travel warning for Australia Joint winners at Tennis Australia's night of nights! And Golden Globe noms are out, with some Aussies getting the nod   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.