Natarsha Belling

Thanks so much.

That was journalist Anthony Lowenstein.

And that's it for this episode of the afternoon edition of The Briefing.

We'll be back in your feed tomorrow morning with a deep dive on the new Michael Jackson biopic.

We'd love you to subscribe or follow us on Instagram at The Briefing Podcast.

I'm Natasha Belling.

Thanks for your company.

a listener production.

Hi, Natasha Belling with you and welcome to the afternoon edition of The Briefing.

Coming up in our deep dive, just who is Peter Mandelson?

We unpack who this powerful UK politician is and why he's at the centre of another explosive news scandal that could bring down the British Prime Minister.

All those details in just a moment.

But first, let's check the afternoon headlines this Thursday, the 23rd of April.

The Prime Minister has held another National Cabinet meeting with the leaders of the states and territories to discuss the ongoing fuel supply emergency.

Anthony Albanese has ruled out any rationing or change to the National Fuel Security Plan for now, saying Australia has diversified its sources of fuel with more resources now coming in from the United States, Argentina and Algeria.

Here is the Prime Minister after the meeting earlier today.

Meantime, latest reports claim the US military has intercepted three oil tankers in waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues.

These latest intercepts are part of the United States' blockade of the Strait, which is meant to block Iran from exporting oil to the rest of the world.

The US has now turned back 29 vessels as part of the ongoing blockade.

It comes as Iran sees two cargo ships in the strait.