Final exams for Year 12s are kicking off over the next month, and we’re so grateful that we never have to do those again… This weekend, if you’re feeling like a sleepy badger, re-watching your favourite music videos, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Anna Pykett

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most-mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio, and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 3-9 October

1. Crunching the numbers - The Coalition shared its migration policy on Tuesday, which includes 2 years of bringing down net overseas migration to 100,000. For context, right now it’s about 300,000, and the Albanese Government wants to get it down to 225,000 long-term. Under the Coalition’s plan, bridging visas, student visas, and the humanitarian intake would all be cut, but say skilled migrant visas are still on offer. Some experts say that approach could cause issues down the line…

2. And that’s cock-a-doodle-doo to you - The Sydney Roosters took home both the NRLW and NRL Grand Finals last weekend. The women’s team dominated against the Brisbane Broncos. And the men’s game against the Newcastle Knights was closer; the Roosters won the premiership by one point. If you missed them, you can watch the highlights here.

3. Sam Wood is behind bars - Fitness influencer and former Bachelor was arrested for domestic violence assault and strangulation charges in Noosa last Saturday following an argument with his wife, Snezana. He’s been denied bail and will be in custody until his next court hearing on 23 November. The company he founded and sold in 2022 for $71 million has cut ties with him, and police say the case against him is “relatively strong”. (Links to support services are here).

4. Post-Pre-COP - PM Anthony Albanese was in the Pacific this week hosting a Pre-COP31 leaders event. To rewind a sec, Australia and Türkiye had been in a tussle over who would host the main COP meeting in November and eventually struck a deal with Türkiye as host and Climate Minister Chris Bowen leading negotiations - and we’d hold this event in the Pacific first. But some say it fell short, with only 2 non-Pacific leaders appearing.

5. A fossil fuel shakeup? - In a first-of-its-kind case, the High Court of Australia has sided with a community group to block the expansion of a coal mine in NSW’s Hunter Valley. The court ruled that emissions from exported coal that was burned overseas still had to be considered in the approval process for NSW coal mines, and while this was only for one state, some reckon it could change the game for mining projects across Oz.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know who the Wallabies are playing this weekend? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

The finalists for the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Award were revealed this week, and we reckon this little badger might be all of us heading into the weekend… You can check out more of the cutie-cute finalists here.

Instagram post

Time to get organised

If you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, or Canberra, consider this your reminder to start clearing out your wardrobe because next Saturday, 17 October is the Uber x Australian Red Cross Clothing Drive. At no cost to you, you can order a pick-up through the Uber or Uber Eats app and your donation will be collected from your doorstep and delivered directly to an Uber x Australian Red Cross clothing drive donation site. A wardrobe tidy-up and donating to a good cause, all in one. More details here.

In the Kitchen

For the sunny spring days ahead, this asparagus and snap pea salad with pesto, mozzarella and prosciutto is a perfect dinner or lunch. The recipe makes more pesto than you need, so it’s basically meal prepping… And with asparagus coming in around $1.50 a bunch, it’s a good time to embrace the funky-smelling pee producer.

Looks as fresh as spring has us feeling…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What is El Niño? - You might’ve seen headlines about a super El Niño developing over the past few months. Scientists say it’s going to be a record-breaker in terms of high ocean temperatures in the Pacific, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at what it is, and what we can expect here in Australia. Have a read here or listen up.

Israel’s high-stakes election - Australia and countries around the world have just marked 3 years since the Hamas terror attacks on 7 October in Israel, which comes just weeks before Israel holds its next national election. It’s been described as one of the most consequential votes in its history. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across it works, how the Hamas attacks are shaping the upcoming vote and who the key contenders are. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 5.30am, the Matildas are playing Germany in Karlsruhe in a friendly before next year's FIFA Women's World Cup - you can watch that on Paramount+. And the rugby union Bledisloe Cup kicks off in Auckland at 5.10pm between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. That’s on 9Now.

Sunday - The Formula One Singapore Grand Prix is on at 11pm on Kayo. And it’s the International Day of the Girl.

Monday - The Senate and House are sitting until 19 October. And the IMF and World Bank annual meetings kick off in Bangkok until 18 October.

Tuesday - HSC written exams begin in NSW - good luck to all the Year 12 students…

Wednesday - At 6am, the Matildas play Haiti in Chambly, France - watch it on Paramount+. And the Adelaide Film Festival runs until 25 October.

Thursday - The Rugby League Men’s World Cup kicks off (which Oz is co-hosting with New Zealand and Papua New Guinea) with Australia playing New Zealand at 8.05pm in Sydney - watch that on 7Plus. And the latest film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility hits theatres.

Friday - At 8.05pm, the Rugby League Women's World Cup begins with Australia v Samoa in Sydney; watch it on 7Plus. And the Men’s A-League season kicks off.

*Times in AEDT

Happy October, only 27 days left to plan your Halloween costume if you’re so inclined... And speaking of holidays, we’ll be off Monday for the public holiday - PSA: there will be no Squiz Today in your inbox/podcast app on Monday. This weekend, if you’re doing some Kylie karaoke, binge-watching a new TV show, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Eliza Harvey

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most-mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio, and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 26 September-2 October

1. Turns out it’s not Wharfie Time… - It’s a tough time to be a Fremantle Dockers fan after last weekend’s AFL Grand Final... Kylie kicked off the afternoon’s entertainment before a tussle with the Brissie Lions. It was exciting, with the Queenslanders taking it out - you can catch the highlights here. Also, Lions coach Chris Fagan announced his retirement this week - talk about ending on a high note…

2. From wooden spoon to NRL premiership hopefuls - The NRL and NRLW Grand Finals are on tomorrow. On the women’s side, the Sydney Roosters are playing the Brisbane Broncos, followed by the men’s Sydney Roosters playing the Newcastle Knights. Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland will be sitting the game out after an illegal tackle on Dally M winner Nathan Cleary, which resulted in a gruesome injury and emergency surgeries. Ouch…

3. Trouble in the UK - On Sunday, 5 men were arrested for a possible terrorist attack on the UK RAF Fairford airbase, who have since been released on bail. For context: the base has been used by the US for years, most recently for “defensive” strikes against Iran. Police found a van containing barrels and petrol. Yesterday, a UK-Iran dual national was arrested in connection with the incident. PM Andy Burnham has said that there are strong indications that Iran played a part, but the Iranian government say he’s “barking up the wrong tree”.

4. An attack on flight FZ1073 - The 174 passengers on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a sharp plummet in the air when the co-pilot stabbed the captain. What happened next was chaotic, but 2 pilots at the back of the plane took over and landed the jet in Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials say that the Omani-born co-pilot had been radicalised and that they’re treating it as a terror event, but it’s all still being investigated. There were 2 Aussies on the flight - they are both safe.

5. AI whoopsies - OpenAI issued an apology blog post this week about their rogue AI agent breaching Medicare data. OpenAI has hit the brakes on releasing its latest model, tightened up its training guardrails, and delayed its share market float.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know what kind of moth has gone massively off track? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

The Aussie queen of pop had everything from dancers to celeb cameos to flying through the air when she performed at the MCG on Saturday. We should be so lucky as to live in the same timeline as Kylie Minogue…

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In the Kitchen

If you’re feeling fancy this long weekend, this recipe for seared scallops with a tomato beurre monté (which is just French for a butter sauce…) sounds way harder than it actually is. One of our fav cooking influencers Emily Eggers reckons that only searing them on one side helps to avoid overcooking them. What a way to impress your guests…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What’s an AI agent? - We’ve been hearing a lot about artificial intelligence this year, and especially since we found out an OpenAI agent accessed restricted parts of our Medicare system. In this Squiz Shortcut, we look at what an AI agent is, how they work, and what might happen next. Have a read here or listen up.

The SpaceX journey - Another SpaceX rocket launched this week, and along with being the biggest launch provider on the planet, it’s also a telco giant, an AI player, and the record holder for the most valuable IPO of all time. In this Squiz Shortcut, we look at how reusable rockets have changed everything, what Starlink and Starship actually are, and why global investors think SpaceX is worth so much. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - Happy Mean Girls Day - “it’s October 3rd”…

Sunday - Daylight saving begins, and clocks jump forward an hour at 2am in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and ACT. At 4pm the NRLW Grand Final between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos kicks off, and at 7pm the NRL Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Grand Final begins - they’re both at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Catch them on 9Now.

Monday - It’s a public holiday in NSW, the ACT, South Oz and Queensland. And Nobel Prize winner announcements kick off tonight.

Tuesday - At 9am, the next public hearing for the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence begins - OpenAI’s chief strategy officer Jason Kwon is scheduled to appear in Sydney.

Wednesday - It’s the third anniversary of the Hamas’ October 7 terror attacks on Israel.

Thursday - It’s World Octopus Day 🐙

Friday - The Commonwealth Finance Department is due to complete its independent review into KPMG and its suitability to work for the government. Tame Impala kicks off its Deadbeat Australia tour in Brisbane, and Troye Sivan's new album She's the Best is set for release.

*Times in AEDT

No one likes to do homework on the weekend, but if you want to hang with us next week, the cool kids are doing the Fat Bear Week personality test. This weekend, if you need to pair your footy finals with sausages, go for a frolic in the field, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most-mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio, and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 19-25 September

1. What a week for AI issues… - An autonomous OpenAI agent breached Services Australia’s secure Medicare data portal. Yikes… PM Anthony Albanese confirmed that it bypassed security blocks, marking the world’s first known AI-led breach of a sovereign government system. Double yikes… International regulations and guardrails were a hot topic with world leaders and tech leaders, like OpenAI’s Sam Altman, in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

2. State against state - But for this year’s AFL premiership decider, one of those states isn’t Victoria. The Brissie Lions (the 2024+2025 champs) will take on the Fremantle Dockers at the MCG at 2.30pm this arvo. Big in the news this week was whether Brisbane’s former co-captain Lachie Neale would take the field after he struck/collided with/body checked Jack Ginnivan last weekend - he was suspended, and that was overturned on appeal.

3. How much can a panda bear? - President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington late in the week for a high-stakes state visit. Initiated with a rare personal tarmac greeting, the leaders agreed to extend their crucial trade tariff truce. Despite the ceremonial pomp and China's goodwill gesture of sending 2 pandas to the US, deep underlying tensions remain over AI safety, tech export curbs, Taiwan, and China's continued economic support for Iran.

4. A tragic shooting - An 11yo boy died after a shooting inside an apartment in Sydney's northwest. Investigators believe the firearm may have accidentally discharged - an 18yo man has been charged with concealing a serious indictable offence over the incident. Police are also looking into his links to organised crime.

5. And tragedy in the Blue Mountains - A 42yo mother was charged with murder following a domestic violence stabbing. Passersby discovered her and 3 children with knife wounds inside a parked car on Sunday. A 5yo boy died at the scene, and a one-year-old later died in hospital. The woman has been refused bail.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which ‘goth of the bird world’ took out this year’s NZ Bird of the Year poll? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Colourful pic of the week

Spring has sprung, and if you’re lucky enough to live in a canola-growing part of Australia, this magnificent splash of yellow is BAU at this time of year. Thoughts/prayers if you also have hayfever issues (and this is our annual note-to-self: buy shares in an antihistamine company…).

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In the Kitchen

The promise of a tasty tray bake ranks among the best things in the world as far as we’re concerned. Sure, maybe we need to think bigger about what we aspire to in life, but we’re ok with where we’ve landed, quite frankly. Without further ado, we present to you Elizabeth Hewson’s sausage extravaganza - the caramelised onion relish is genius with the cherry toms and spuds.

One tray sausage, potato, tomato and caramelised onion bake

This might just be my all-time favourite one-tray sausage bake—and that’s saying something because I make a lot of them. It’s sticky, sweet, jammy, and everything cooks down together in one tray. The secret? Store-bought caramelised onions, straight from a jar. Potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and onions go into the tray wit

What we Shortcut for you this week

The productivity problem - Treasury released its Intergenerational Report this week, which looks ahead to what Australia might be like in 2066. One word keeps coming up in the coverage: productivity. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we explore exactly what productivity is, how it affects our economy, and why everyone’s talking about it. Have a read here or listen up.

Who was the Unabomber? - A new film about Ted Kaczynski, who went from a teenage maths genius to a serial bomber, has just dropped on Netflix. He was known as ‘the Unabomber’ and his campaign against modern technology killed 3 people and injured dozens more from 1978-1995. In this Squiz Shortcut, we get you through the case and why the movie has drawn criticism. Read it here or listen to the pod…

Squiz the Week

Saturday - We’ve already talked about the AFL Grand Final with the Brisbane Lions taking on the Fremantle Dockers at the MCG at 2.30pm (watch it on Channel 7). A happy birthday to tennis star Serena Williams, who’s turning 45yo.

Sunday - The second NRL preliminary final between the Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights is on at Accor Stadium in Sydney from 4pm (catch it on Channel 9). And for rugby union fans, the Wallabies play South Africa in Perth at 7.45pm (watch on 9Now or Stan Sport).

Monday - It’s a public holiday in Western Oz for the King’s birthday (lucky ducks), the Melbourne Fringe Festival begins (until 18 October), and the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are on in Los Angeles from 9.30am (the red carpet galleries are always good fun…).

Tuesday - The Reserve Bank will announce its decision on interest rates at 2.30pm. It’s World Heart Day, and National Police Remembrance Day.

Wednesday - Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki will address the National Press Club on the state’s economy leading up to the 2032 Olympic Games. And the Dally M Awards for players of the year in the NRL and NRLW are on from 6pm in Sydney. And happy International Podcast Day 🎙️…

Thursday - Card surcharges on purchases in Oz are gonzo from today… It’s the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Tom Cruise’s new movie Digger is out in cinemas (and no, it’s not about Aussie soldiers…). And it’s International Coffee Day (which is kinda every day, right?) ☕

Friday - The Deni Ute Muster is on (with Tones and I headlining the entertainment lol…), crank up the speakers; it’s Audiophile Day, and musician Sting turns 75yo.

*Times in AEST

It’s Batman Day today, so our minds turned to which movie did the character best. So far, Lego Batman has been a strong contender… This weekend, if you’re watching the footy finals, going for a long walk on the beach, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Kate Watson and Eliza Harvey

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 12-18 September

1. Grab your passport and my hand - One Nation announced its migration policy on Monday, including plans for negative net migration (meaning more people would be leaving Oz than arriving) - some experts say that could lead to a recession. Then on Thursday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Bourke announced the government’s plans, which included cuts to student and working holiday visas. It’s going to be a talking point for a while to come.

2. Oil is the word - Russia and Ukraine have been targeting each other’s energy infrastructure. That saw US President Donald Trump blame this week’s record-high fuel prices on the troubles - but oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have also slowed down. More on that in a moment…

3. Copyright(s) and wrongs - The Albanese Government is currently working through revamping our copyright laws, and this week leaked consultations with stakeholders point to a new arrangement where Aussie copyright holders opt out of their content being used to train AI models, rather than the tech giants seeking permission to include it. Independent Senator David Pocock says that's tantamount to throwing creators “under the bus”.

4. An escalation from the Houthis - The Iran-backed Yemen terror group has taken control of the port of Mocha and key islands in the Red Sea, which had been used as alternative routes for the Strait of Hormuz. It’s put an extra squeeze on shipping routes, with oil-producing nations in the region saying free navigation of the area is desperately needed. 

5. Another week, another resurfaced clip - One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said in a podcast interview in September 2025 that First Nations Australians were “the most primitive race on Earth”. She came under fire from pollies across the political spectrum this week, and she sorta-kinda apologised “if I offended people”.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which British fashion house is returning to London Fashion Week this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Hacks star Megan Stalter attended the Emmy Awards this week dressed as an Emmy. She might not have taken home the award this year, but maybe you don’t need an Emmy if you are an Emmy…

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In the Kitchen

For the nights you’re unapologetically after a beige meal, a baked mac and cheese will do the trick. This one from Recipe Tin Eats is tasty and pretty simple for when you’re after a comfort meal.

And who doesn’t love a bit of Corningware…

What we Shortcut for you this week

The Snowtown murders - One of Australia's most notorious murder cases - known as the Snowtown murders, or the 'bodies in barrels' case - is back in the news this week with the announcement that the youngest man involved is set to be released on parole. In this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what happened and the concerns raised over releasing a convicted serial killer back into society. Have a read here or listen up.

Australia and the UN Security Council - PM Anthony Albanese is off to the UN General Assembly this week, kicking off the government’s campaign to get on the Security Council in 2029. So in this Shortcut, we’ll explain what the Security Council actually is and what it would mean for Australia if we were part of it. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - It’s a big day of footy finals - at 4.05pm there’s an NRLW elimination final between Brisbane and Newcastle in Brisbane. You can watch on 9Now. Then at 5.15pm, the Hawthorn v Brisbane AFL preliminary final is on in Melbourne, which is on 7Plus. And the NRL semi-final for Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks is on in Sydney - catch it on 9Now.

Sunday - The John Farnham tribute concert is on in Melbourne at 7pm, featuring Keith Urban, Jimmy Barnes, Celine Dion and Hugh Jackman. And Yom Kippur (aka the Day of Atonement, aka the holiest and most solemn day of the year in Judaism) begins at sundown.

Monday - Treasurer Jim Chalmers will release the 2026 Intergenerational Report - it’s the once-every-5-years snapshot of how the economy is expected to change over the next 40 years. And the AFL Brownlows are on at 7.30pm 🏅

Tuesday - That sound you can hear is the squeals of Team Squiz… Fat Bear Week begins - you can check out the contestants here 🐻 

Wednesday - The movie adaptation of Love Hypothesis drops on Amazon Prime (and yes, we are a bit excited as a fan of the book…).

Thursday - PM Anthony Albanese is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly’s 81st session in New York. And US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet at the White House.

Friday - At 8pm, the Socceroos will play Brazil in the first of 2 friendly matches in Townsville - watch that on 10Play. And Victoria has a public holiday in anticipation of the AFL Grand Final (lucky ducks… ).

*Times in AEST

If we’re going to get the option to opt out of our Instagram algorithm, we should bring back the old logo while they’re at it (we miss you, vintage camera…). This weekend, if you're participating in flower festivals, buying concert tickets, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Anna Pykett in her News Club debut

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 4-11 September

1. Get that cash money - At a Republican convention (aka Trump-a-palooza) on Thursday, President Trump pledged to pay every American adult US$5,000 (that’s approx A$7,000 BTW…) if the party keeps its majority in Congress in November’s midterm elections. The polls show his approval ratings have taken a hit over Iran and cozzie livs, but there are plenty - including on his own side - who think the ‘dividend’ would be economically irresponsible.

2. To algorith-in or algorith-out - That’s what the ‘My Feed, My Way’ legislation announced this week by the Albanese Government would make social media platforms offer to Aussies. If users ‘opt-out’, their social media feeds will display content from accounts they follow in chronological order instead of the additional suggested content too. The Coalition is concerned that the bill oversteps and has implications for censorship and free speech. TBC…

3. Super trooper - One Nation announced policy on Monday which would give renters and people paying off a home loan the ability to direct part of their super into their salary for up to 3 years. May are worried about what that would mean for inflation and Aussies’ retirement savings, but ON MP Barnaby Joyce said it’s a solid policy despite not modelling the impacts (and that “he’s not Jesus Christ” if you’ve heard that quote out of context…).

4. A further escalation - Iran and the US have picked up the tit-for-tat strikes, with Tehran saying it’s attacked 10 ships around the Strait of Hormuz and targeted an American base in Jordan after the US sank 5 Iranian oil tankers. Oil is up to US$100 a barrel - the highest it’s been since July - but Trump reckons the war will end “immediately after our election”.

5. Square up… - Liberal MP Andrew Hastie is white-hot angry with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over a cartoon she posted online in July that repeatedly calls him a “traitor”. It’s a reference to his testimony against Ben Roberts-Smith, his former military colleague, who’s facing charges of war crimes. The video has been criticised across the political spectrum, but Hanson says she’s not going to take it down and that critics should “take a chill pill”…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which shiny new product Apple announced this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Yesterday’s NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers sold out at the MCG in Melbourne. It was a spectacle, but it also showed how much ground AFL players cover when you look at the NFL pitch on top of it…

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In the Kitchen

These chicken meatballs in red Thai curry sauce are delicious and pretty simple to throw together with some rice and green beans/broccolini for a bit of crunch. You can sub the protein out for whatever tickles your pickle…

Looks as flavourful as it tastes…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Behind the scenes of the Emmys - Television’s biggest night, the Emmy Awards, are on Tuesday morning. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll take a look at how the Emmys became the biggest awards ceremony for television, why winning one is such a big deal and who's in the running this year. Have a read here or listen up.

What is the algorithm? - The Albanese Government released draft laws for a Digital Duty of Care this week, which would require social media platforms to give users the option to opt out of our algorithms. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll dive into what the algorithm actually is and how it might change. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The BRICS Summit kicks off in New Delhi and is on until 13 September. We did a handy Shortcut last year explaining BRICS - you can read that here. And Floriade flower festival kicks off in Canberra for the next month 💐

Sunday - At 6am, the US Open Women’s singles final is on in New York City. You can watch that on 9Now. And there’s a general election in Sweden.

Monday - The US Open Men’s singles final begins bright and early at 4am - that’s on 9Now 🎾

Tuesday - At 10am, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are on in Los Angeles. You can watch that on Binge.

Wednesday - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to deliver her State of the EU speech - a livestream will be available here.

Thursday - It’s Australian Citizenship Day 🇦🇺  

Friday - Russian legislative elections begin. And previously unreleased David Bowie tracks titled David Bowie: The Shel Talmy Recordings will be released.

*Times in AEST

Ella Langley is on the brink of beating Mariah Carey for the record of most weeks topping the Billboard charts - just noting that ‘Choosin’ Texas’ was a Saturday Squiz recommendation a while back… This weekend, if you're planning a Father’s Day lunch, have b-boy/b-girl aspirations, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 29 August-4 September

1. There are 36 Aussies missing in Nepal - That was revised down from 38 yesterday after 2 people were located, but the government says “concerns deepen every day” for those still missing. A team of 15 specialist drone operators have been sent from Oz to support the mammoth search effort. PM Anthony Albanese also announced a further $3 million in humanitarian assistance to match local donations.

2. After a month of (relative) calm - We’re back here again… The US and Iran have exchanged strikes, with American assets in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq targeted. The US has been clearing land mines in the Strait and say it’s open for business, with 18 million barrels of oil passing through with US military escort on Tuesday. That being said, post-strike oil prices are up (again), so you know the drill…

3. China gets a slap on the wrist - Leaders at this week’s Pacific Island Forum released a statement criticising China for its missile test launch a while back. Australia and Palau have been vocal in condemning China’s surprise missile test in the region, but some countries like Nauru and Kiribati haven’t been keen since getting cosier with Beijing.

4. Not-so-Secret Harbour - One Nation has secured its first seat in the Western Oz lower house with One Nation’s Luke Herdegen beating Labor in its own backyard. It’s been labelled ‘the orange tsunami’, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson zeroing in on incumbent Labor governments. She says she’s all about “taking on the political establishment.”

5. Light me up... - The Coalition announced a plan to cut the tobacco excise by 80% and legalise vapes to stamp out the black market and organised crime. Australian Medical Association President Danielle McMullen says that would just “undermine Australia’s world-leading public health efforts to reduce smoking”. We wrote a Shortcut all about this not that long ago - you can check it out here…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which football legend announced their retirement this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Inspired by Alaska’s Fat Bear Week, votes were in for the inaugural Fat Marmot Week on Monday - and take a look at this diva… Researchers say the winner named Dawn is “really humongous” - rude. The project is raising money for research on the species in Colorado.

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In the Kitchen

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Double Lemon Chicken - this is up on the New York Times’ Cooking app, and it’s free to access. Even better - it’s bloody delicious. Chicken + a kick-butt sauce = a winner winner chicken dinner.

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What we Shortcut for you this week

The rising concern over smart glasses - Smart glasses have been in development for years. But recently Kmart released a pair for $89, which triggered a rush of buyers, followed by a rush of privacy concerns. In this Squiz Shortcut, we unpick what smart glasses actually are and what the issue is for the public and regulators. Have a read here or listen up.

Why is Australia in debt? - A few weeks ago, Australia’s national debt reached $1 trillion for the first time just as America notched up US$40 trillion… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what’s behind it and what it means for our economy. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - Triple J’s One Night Stand festival is on in Griffith - you can stream that on YouTube from 6pm. And we buried the lede - it’s International Bacon Day 🥓

Sunday - Happy Father’s Day (and BTW, Squiz Kids put out an episode all about dads and it’s a lot of fun…). At 7.30pm, Australia is playing Türkiye in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin - watch it on Kayo.

Monday - Federal Parliament resumes sitting. And at 7.30pm, Australia is playing Belgium in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin, which you can still watch on Kayo.

Tuesday - It’s the opening session of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York City.

Wednesday - King Harald of Norway’s funeral is on in Oslo.

Thursday - America’s premier football league - the NFL - kicks off a new season with an opener at 10.20am between the Seahawks and Patriots - watch that on ESPN on Disney+. At 12.30pm, former PM Kevin Rudd will address the National Press Club on 'Navigating Australia’s Future in an Uncertain World’. And check in on your mates - it’s R U OK? Day.

Friday - It’s the 25-year anniversary of 9/11.

*Times in AEST

Following the death of Dolly Parton this week, this is a message to any beloved figures who happen to read this newsletter: stay inside this weekend… Everyone else: if you're running the Sydney Marathon, settling in for some trash-adjacent telly, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 22-28 August

1. The Swans saga kicks on - Following last week’s suspension of 5 Swans players and a Victoria Police investigation into a report of sexual assault, the crisis peaked at last weekend’s historic SCG double-header. A club-record 16,672 AFLW fans watched the women win, and then hundreds of angry supporters left before the men's game. Off the ground, AFL boss Andrew Dillon officially barred the suspended players from attending the upcoming Brownlow Medal night.

2. A tragedy on the Nepal/Tibet border - A catastrophic glacier collapse triggered a deadly flash flood, leaving at least 580 people dead and over 2,000 missing, including 39 Aussies. The devastating torrent destroyed villages, roads, and 19 bridges, severely hindering emergency rescue operations. In response to the unfolding tragedy, Australia has deployed specialist emergency teams and committed $5 million in humanitarian aid.

3. Some alignment on AI and data centres - Australia’s National Cabinet has endorsed a world-first regulatory framework for AI. The upcoming laws will impose mandatory national standards on large data centres, regulating their immense land, water, and energy use. To get it done, the Feds offered flexibility to states reliant on coal and gas-fired power. 

4. Unveiling Secret Harbour’s secrets - When it comes to how its residents vote, anyway… This is about today’s state by-election in Perth's outer-south following the sudden retirement of long-serving Labor minister Paul Papalia. Historically a safe seat for the incumbent government, One Nation’s Luke Herdegen is shaping up as a major threat. It’s one for political junkies nationally this weekend.

5. Sticking with the West - A 2018 GST deal guarantees Western Oz a 75c floor per dollar so its mining boom wealth isn't redistributed to other states. And this week, eastern states revolted after a Productivity Commission report branded the $6 billion annual top-up arrangement a "costly mistake." But PM Anthony Albanese is holding firm, ruling out any changes, much to the aggravation of eastern states.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which Western Australia electorate is holding a by-election today (umm the hint might be in the news rundown…)? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Clip of the week

Sadly, it’s impossible to go past the incredible videos of the moment a torrent of water blasted down the Trishuli River in Nepal. If you want to dig further into what happened, this visual guide from The Guardian is a good one.

Instagram post

In the Kitchen

Some days, chopping up an onion or slow-cooking a sauce is in the too-hard basket. This creamy spinach and sausage pasta is for those days. It comes together very quickly, and because the sausage is pre-seasoned, it’s a lot of flavour without a lot of thinking.

Fun fact: anything with spinach in it makes it a health food.

What we Shortcut for you this week

Why do North and South Korea have beef? - In the past few weeks, South Korea has renewed its call for peace talks with North Korea. After 73 years, they’re technically still at war, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across the background to the conflict and where things are at today. Have a read here or listen up.

The US midterm elections explained - We’re talking US politics - and you get to meet the latest Team Squiz member, Jonathan Liondis. On the upcoming midterm elections, we unpack what they are, how they work and what it might mean for the rest of US President Donald Trump’s time in office. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - We mentioned, it’s polling day in the Western Oz state by-election in Secret Harbour. And Iceland is holding a referendum on whether it should restart membership talks with the EU.

Sunday - The Sydney Marathon kicks off at 6.30am. Hot tip: keep an eye out for the medals that accidentally feature Allianz Arena in Germany instead of Allianz Stadium at Homebush…

Monday - At 1am, tennis fans rejoice with the start of the US Open in New York - you can watch on 9Now.

Tuesday - It’s the 75th anniversary of the US-Australia security alliance, aka the day the ANZUS Treaty was signed in San Francisco back in 1951. And the documentary on Olympically challenged Raygun, Untold: Raygun - Breaking Badly, is dropping on Netflix. Also, it’s the first day of spring 🌷

Wednesday - Consent campaigner Chanel Contos will address the National Press Club in Canberra on 'the systematic promotion of outrage, misogyny, and radicalisation online'. You can watch it on ABC iview.

Thursday - The Australian Museum Eureka Prize winners will be announced, celebrating excellence in science 🧑‍🔬

Friday - At 7.30pm, the Aussie Opals play Puerto Rico in the Women's World Cup in Berlin. Dribble in that direction on Kayo.

*Times in AEST

After Robert Irwin hosted the Logies last weekend, we realised we’re fans, and probably had been for ages… This weekend, if you're putting together a last-minute Book Week ensemble, have friends staying from out of town, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 15-21 August

1. What a mess… - It’s the story that ran to the top of the news all week… Five Sydney Swans players are under police investigation for sexual assault, including vice-captain Isaac Heeney. All have been stood down for the remainder of the AFL season, but speculation has swirled all week about what happened in an East Melbourne hotel room on Monday morning. Yesterday, the representative for 2 of the women said they were “subjected to the most disgusting actions and behaviour I have ever heard about in my 28 years as a lawyer.”

2. Swing and a miss - The Aussie men’s Test team lost to Bangladesh for the second time ever/first time on home turf. Like, Bangladesh really smashed ‘em... Opener Jake Weatherald was dropped ahead of the second Test, which is kicking off today. C’mon Aussie…

3. A literal smoke break - One Nation is calling for a 75% cut to the tobacco tax to curb the illicit tobacco market in Australia. They reckon that if Aussies can buy cheaper darts, the black market will go bust and resulting crime will go up in smoke, but health experts have warned against it. Team Albanese says it’s not on the table.

4. The buyback begins - NSW is set to become the first state to undertake the gun buyback scheme following the Bondi Beach terror attack. The scheme will begin from 2 November and will be jointly funded by the state and federal government. Premier Chris Minns said the plan could cost "hundreds of millions of dollars", but gun owners reckon the compensation will put them at a loss.

5. A deal is struck - Legislation to reduce the number of participants on the NDIS and strengthen anti-fraud measures passed the federal parliament this week. Changes were made to continue support for people who need round-the-clock care, but there’s scepticism from advocates who want to ensure those in need get the right support.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they'll be doing this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

A large SpaceX Starship splashed down in the Indian Ocean and has become the latest attraction of Christmas Island. It’s not the SpaceX Starship that crashed into the moon, though… Busy few weeks for Elon Musk, it seems.

Instagram post

In the Kitchen

It’s still soup season, and this rich and tasty gnocchi soup is a good one to prep over the weekend and keep in the fridge. It comes together in one big pot and will keep you feeling cosy.

If there’s one thing we love at the Squiz, it’s another way to eat potatoes…

What we Shortcut for you this week

The near-misses at Sydney Airport - In the past month, there have been 4 incidents at Sydney Airport where planes came close to colliding on the ground. It’s unpleasant news for nervous fliers, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll look at what happened in the 3 close shaves, what the key players involved have had to say about it and what’s being done to stop it from happening again. Have a read here or listen up.

The rise of Robert Irwin - At just 22yo, Robert Irwin is super famous here and beyond. And he’s just added a well-received Logies hosting stint to his resume, so we thought we’d unpack exactly how this young conservationist grew to be one of our best-known faces… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The second Test between Australia and Bangladesh is kicking off at 10am in Mackay in the Sunshine State. You can watch that on 7Plus. And get to Spotlight if you have school-aged children, 2026 Book Week begins 📚️

Sunday - The Dutch Grand Prix begins at 11pm in Zandvoort - you can watch that on Kayo.

Monday - It’s the start of National Skills Week.

Tuesday - At 6.30pm, it’s AFL Awards Night with the Rising Star Award and Player of the Year presented in Melbourne (the Brownlow isn’t presented for another month BTW). You can watch that Kayo.

Wednesday - There will be a service at Bright Police Station at 10am to mark the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were shot by Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah in Victoria.

Thursday - It’s Red Nose Day. And the winners will be announced in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition 📸

Friday - It’s the final day of the final block of hearings in the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney. Note: the report is due by 14 December, which is one year after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

*Times in AEST

We see Squiz as a friends-building exercise, and about a million people* have sent us this link to the story of this unlikely pair of buddies. May it be the inspiration to strike up a conversation with someone outside your regular circle… This weekend, if you’ve been involved in some melon madness, have a favourite ‘Young Talent Time’ performance to recommend, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.
*Number may be overstated…

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Eliza Harvey

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 8-14 August

1. Are we there yet? - No… Talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked as Iran insists the vital waterway will stay closed until the US lifts its naval blockade, removes regional forces, and drops economic sanctions. See you back here again next week? 

2. A melon meltdown - Specifically, crown melons - 2 to be exact - and it was double trouble for the PM when Japan’s former ambassador wrote an op-ed in The Australian this week, pointing to comments/gestures on the Bush Deep podcast episode published a month ago. BTW, Japan’s PM might have given Albanese melons, but he gave her grapes…

3. Pushback on gambling reforms - With federal parliament’s return this week, the government’s gambling ad reforms have been front and centre of the news. The core controversy is criticism that the proposed laws do not go far enough to stop harm from problematic gambling, with critics accusing the government of caving to the wagering and media lobbies. Labor and the Coalition are negotiating…

4. Hold that rate/thought - It wasn’t much of a surprise that interest rates stayed on hold this week as the Reserve Bank board met and considered it, but there were some interesting reflections on property prices, which are heading down nationwide. Whether that’s sustained and what it might mean for the economy more broadly is TBD.

5. Bird flu on the march - The nasty H5N1 bird flu strain has officially spread to every Australian state, prompting the federal government to launch an unprecedented wildlife vaccination rollout. On Thursday, Tasmania became the final state to record the virus, and we’ve now reached over 230 confirmed wild bird cases nationwide.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which Aussie celebrity is hosting the Logies on Sunday? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

We missed out on this eclipse as it was a northern hemisphere-specific event (rude…), but that didn’t stop us from enjoying this gallery of stunning pics. Happily, it’s also put the recently departed Bonnie Tyler’s iconic banger back in the charts…

Instagram post

Take a chance on sleep

Picking a new mattress without lying on it first is a bit of a gamble - but thousands of Ergoflex customers are impressed with Australia's original mattress-in-a-box. Its Afterpay Day sale covers the memory foam range, bed frames, pillows and protectors, with a trial period so you can send it back if it's not right for you. The sale won't run forever - find out more about how you can rest easy here.

In the Kitchen

Winter means curry, and at this stage of the game, we value low-effort recipes. Stepping into the fray is this Donna Hay recipe for a baked curry that requires more time than its stovetop counterpart, but delivers crispy chicken worth the wait. Simple and delicious.

Truth be told, ours never looks this good because we’re garnish ignorers, but it’s tasty...

What we Shortcut for you this week

Understanding interest rates - They come up a lot in the news, particularly when the Reserve Bank makes decisions on the cash rate. But they’re a topic which can be hard to get your head around. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll decode some of the jargon and explain how interest rates work and the impact they have on our lives… Have a read here or listen up.

What’s the deal with peptides? - They’re being spruiked by fitness influencers online, mainly to young men, but concerns are being raised about their impacts on young bodies. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what peptides are and why they’re at the centre of a health debate… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - A funeral is being held for Kumanjayi Little Baby, and the NAIDOC Awards are on in Alice Springs. National Science Week starts today, and the second rugby Test match between the Wallabies and Japan is on in Townsville at 3.15pm - watch it on 9Now or Stan Sport.

Sunday - Robert Irwin is hosting the Logies from 7pm on Channel 7 - he’s bringing a live animal tribute to his dad... The red carpet starts from 5pm.

Monday - The Senate inquiry into the Albanese Government’s proposed changes to gambling laws is set to hand down its report. And the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion will begin its ninth and final hearing block with a focus on strengthening social cohesion.

Tuesday - Women’s Mental Health Australia to release its annual survey, the biggest of its kind. And if you like your reds, it’s Pinot Noir Day 🍷 

Wednesday - A 2-day appeal hearing is scheduled for mushroom murderer Erin Patterson in the Supreme Court of Victoria. It’s also World Photography Day and International Orangutan Day 🦧.

Thursday - Australia’s biggest outback music festival, the Mundi Mundi bash begins in Broken Hill, NSW. And we reckon a spa weekend might be in order after watching the trailer for Aussie actress Isla Fisher’s next movie. It’s out in theatres today.

Friday - The National Photographic Portrait Prize winner is announced at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. This will be the final prize - they’re retiring it after 19 years and launching a new one next year…

*Times in AEST

We’re a little shocked that Jetstar’s new carry-on baggage charge wasn’t a top 5 story this week, but for the packing-anxious amongst us, this hit close to home… This weekend, if you’ve got a staple that could do with a refresh, a safe-for-work alternative use for socks, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Kate Watson and Claire Kimball

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 1-7 August

1. Are we talking? - Direct engagement between the US and Iran is currently stalled or disputed, but indirect negotiations via Omani mediators are close to finalising a provisional agreement on commercial shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump insists direct talks are happening, but Tehran says yeah, nah it’s not happening.

2. A double whammy price hike at the bowser - Australian petrol prices surged this week with the federal fuel excise discount ending and an inflation-linked tax adjustment. Cost of living pressure, anyone?

3. Not a good result for our feathered friends - Australia recorded its first mass mortality event from the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain this week, prompting an official warning that a widespread wildlife outbreak is now "inevitable." Authorities maintain that the health risk to the general public remains very low - but we’ve been warned not to touch sick or dead wildlife and to report sightings immediately.

4. The case against Alan Jones - The criminal trial of former radio star Alan Jones commenced in Sydney this week - the 85yo has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges, including 20 counts of indecent assault and 2 counts of sexual touching without consent, involving 6 men between 2003 and 2020. In court, the focus has been on evidence from Complainant J, who alleged that Jones groomed him when he was 17yo.

5. A false start on a big immigration reveal - Our Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke ditched a major National Press Club address because his proposed sweeping cuts to our migration intake haven’t been approved. On Thursday, Burke was scheduled to talk about a new plan to cut net overseas migration from next year, but he didn’t get it through Monday’s Cabinet meeting. Oops…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which celestial object part of a SpaceX rocket crashed into on Wednesday? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Half of England has been declared in drought - you read that right… Hot and dry conditions have taken a toll on what’s usually a green country. This pic caught our eye, as did these from the BBC depicting scenes you’d usually see in Oz mid-summer.

Instagram post

In the Kitchen

If zucchini slice is a staple in your rotation, you’ll know it’s a trusty ally, but it can get a bit old. Speaking of zhoozhiing things up - we did that with this recipe from Elizabeth Hewson, which removes the bacon but adds a delightful herby/chripsy element. As they say, all art is iterative…

Zucchini - one word we can never spell correctly on a first pass.

What we Shortcut for you this week

Making sense of the Census - The snapshot of Aussie life that the Australian Bureau of Statistics takes every 5 years is on Tuesday. In this Squiz Shortcut we unpack why we do this mega survey and what the data is used for. Have a read here or listen up.

What’s the construction crisis in Victoria? - The state’s new Premier Ben Carroll has announced a Royal Commission into the state's construction sector. It follows months of pressure to investigate alleged corruption involving the construction union and state government building projects. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at the allegations and what this inquiry might achieve. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz Kids Shortcut to understanding racism - We’ve had a heap of great feedback on this episode which helps kids (and adults…) get across this sensitive topic. Importantly, it takes listeners through what they can do: pause, question stereotypes, and speak up safely. Definitely worth a listen to the Squiz Kids team’s sensational work here.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Ekka (aka the Brissie Show) starts today - residents get Wednesday off to sample the best one of our iconic agricultural shows in the nation. And at 8pm, the Wallabies take on Japan in Osaka - watch that on Stan Sport.

Sunday - The AFLW 2026 season opens with St Kilda v Carlton at Marvel Stadium at 4.30pm - it’s on 7Mate and Fox Sports.

Monday - Roar into World Lion Day 🦁

Tuesday - Talk about a Super Tuesday. The spring session of Federal Parliament kicks off (boom…). At 2.30pm, we’ll hear the latest from the Reserve Bank on interest rates (bam…). And settle in for a night with the Bureau of Stats - it’s Census night (bang…).

Wednesday - It’s one of the first big results of company reporting season - Commonwealth Bank will announce its FY26 earnings this morning.

Thursday - The latest adaptation of Miles Franklin’s classic My Brilliant Career premieres on Netflix.

Friday - Not that this is week-shaping, but you might like to know that the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition is on in Sonoma, California. If you see pics of perfectly imperfect pooches next weekend, that’s why. Here’s last year’s winner. You’re welcome…

*Times in AEST

And just like that, August is upon us… The last vestiges of July brought us a change in leadership in Victoria, as we all took the time to get across who Ben Carroll is, and why he is very much not Jacinta Allan. Just in case that came as a shock to anyone…

Of course, the nation was supposed to be turning its lonely eyes to Victoria this year so we could all watch our Commonwealth Games athletes compete in a non-distressing timezone - but instead, we’re all getting up at ludicrous times to watch the Aussies in Glasgow pick up more medals than a metal detector at Michael Phelps’ place…

This weekend, if you’ve created a brand new midnight snack, watched something great that doesn’t require too much of our brain power (we’re still recovering from The Odyssey) or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Kate Watson and Eliza Harvey

And just before we get into it…

We have a big thank you to give out - to you… Every year we launch our annual survey, and every year we’re blown away by the response. This year, we’ve had more answers than ever - crossing our goal of 6,000 responses with time to spare. That means a donation to the Red Cross and a prize for one lucky winner. But what do you know, there’s still time to fill out the survey if you want to have your say - head to this link to find it.

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 25-31 July

1. Raining gold in Glasgow - Australia has dominated at the Commonwealth Games, and they’re not over yet… The Dolphins were especially strong in the pool, where we picked up 37 out of 56 gold medals. Up (bright and early) tomorrow are the mile races - keep an eye out for Cam Myers in the men’s, and Jess Hull as she tries to make history as the first-ever woman to win the event. Then it’s all over red rover until 2030 - the Closing Ceremony starts from 5.00am Monday Oz time.

2. Victoria gets a new Premier - That’s former Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, who was voted in to replace Jacinta Allan on Tuesday. Allan was tipped to lose a leadership spill, but she made the call to resign instead, saying that with an election 4 months away, it was “the right thing by the Labor Party and the Victorian people”. Carroll has a task ahead of him to turn around falling poll numbers, and his first move was to announce a Royal Commission into the corruption-plagued construction sector. 

3. The war in the Middle East escalates - The conflict between the US and Iran has continued to ramp up this week. Iran launched missiles (that were intercepted) on US military bases in Jordan, and the US and Saudi Arabia struck back, hitting Iranian militia groups in Iraq. And the conflict has now drawn in Egypt after a drone attack on commercial ships in the Egyptian Port of Damietta on Wednesday.

4. The AusAlert test goes off - The phones of most Aussies blared out a test of the national emergency siren for a few seconds on Monday at 2.00pm. We like to think we gave Squizers fair warning - but spare a thought for all the news-avoidant teens who snuck phones into class that day… All up, the federal government says the test was “a success” with 94% of phone towers able to receive and broadcast the AusAlert signal, although some people say their phones weren’t reached.

5. And the US raises our tariff rate - US tariffs were back in the headlines this week - they’ve raised them for a bunch of countries including Australia. It means that Aussie goods imported into the US will be hit with a new 12.5% tariff in place of the old 10% rate. They’ve pinned it on our modern slavery laws, saying they don’t go far enough. If that’s got you scratching your head, we’ve got a handy Squiz Shortcut to get you across it all…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know the name of Victoria’s new Premier? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Kate Bush fans gathered in droves this week for ‘The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever’ to celebrate her best-known song. They’re a sight to behold in their red gowns - but the flash mob dancing is always the best…

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In the Kitchen

We’ve got friends coming over on the weekend and we’re going to roll out this trusty roasted pumpkin dish. You can choose your own adventure here - serve it with a roast chicken or lamb, or let it be the hero and tuck in with some flatbread…

Winter salad or tasty side - up to you…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What’s going on with Trump’s tariffs? - The US President’s taxes on imports came back in a big way last week, when he announced that Australia would be subject to a new, 12.5% rate. In a bit of a surprise, the Trump administration used Australia’s forced labour laws to saddle it with the higher rate. To find out how it all links together, have a read here or listen up.

What’s the cockroach uprising in India? - We touched on it in Squiz Today when it started, but the cockroach movement in India, which plays on the dissatisfaction of young people in the world’s most populous country, has really taken off. In the last week or so, it’s led to the resignation of the country’s Education Minister, and drawn the attention of Indian PM Narendra Modi. We explain what it’s all about… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Tour de France Femmes begins, with West Aussie Mackenzie Coupland set to make her debut. Allez, Mackenzie…

Sunday - It’s the last day of the Commonwealth Games, with the Closing Ceremony set for 5.00am AEST Monday morning. Look, we love a closing ceremony, but we might watch that one on YouTube at a more reasonable hour… And there might be queues at petrol stations - it’s the last day to get the fuel excise rebate.

Monday - The Northern Territory gets a public holiday, known as Picnic Day… And staying in the Top End, it’s the last day of the Garma Festival which began on Friday.

Tuesday - The COSBOA National Small Business Summit begins in Sydney. Given the small business sector’s reaction to the Albanese Government’s recent tax changes, they’ll have a lot to talk about…

Wednesday - The winner of this year’s Miles Franklin Award is set to be announced in Sydney. Along with the kudos, the winner also gets a $60,000 cheque. Here’s the 6-book shortlist if you’d like something to add to your reading list… And Season 4 of Ted Lasso drops on Apple TV.

Thursday - Immigration Minister Tony Burke will be addressing the National Press Club on the fairly hot-button issue of Australia’s migration program. Expect some conversations emanating from that one…

Friday - And fresh off being sued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Optus is likely to be back in the news today. A parliamentary inquiry’s report into the outage is due to be tabled today, which will look into the cause as well as the response from Optus and the government.

*Times in AEST

Just FYI, you only have 145 days to watch 26 years of Marvel movies and TV shows before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is released in cinemas (if that’s your jam)… This weekend, if you’re messing with your circadian rhythm to watch the Commonwealth Games live (Aussies won 6 gold medals on Day 1…), heading to a costume party or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Kate Watson and Andrew Williams

Before we get into it, we have a favour to ask…

We know how much our Saturday Squizers love the weekly quiz, so we have a favour to ask that’s kind of like a quiz… Every year we hear from our Squiz audience about what you’re liking, what we can improve, and how you’re feeling about our content. It helps us to bring you more of what you want and less of what you don’t. We’ve got over 5,000 responses now, and if you could give us 10 mins of your time to help get us over 6,000, we’ll love you forever - and you could win a little something… Head to this link to find it.

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 18-24 July

1. Sounding the (test) alarm - At 2pm on Monday every phone in Australia will blare a siren for 10 seconds to test the new national warning system. It’s received some criticism around accessibility, and each state may still maintain its own emergency warnings. Anyway, don’t panic at 2pm Monday…

2. An update on an ISIS-linked Aussie - A Perth paediatrician turned Islamic State doctor (dubbed ‘Dr Jihad’) has been found alive in an Iraqi jail, following reports that he’d died in 2017. Tareq Kamleh had been charged with terrorism offences by the AFP and the government says he can “rot in jail”.

3. Siddown! - An interview with One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has gone viral after Joyce yelled at his barking dog mid-interview. His tone has divided people, but he’s since assured the public that the dog is ok and still loved him in the morning. 7.30’s Sarah Ferguson was asking him about One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s comments on the White Australia policy - a conversation that got a bit derailed thanks to #doggate.

4. More teacher strikes - Victorian teachers have downed tools for the second time this year in a 24-hour strike on Thursday. Australian Education Union members rejected a recent pay offer after a year of back and forth with the Victorian Government. Teachers say it’s about more than money, and that workload and staff shortages need to be addressed.

5. And Laos charges laid - The people responsible for the 2024 methanol poisoning that resulted in the death of Aussie teens Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles have been charged with offences that carry max one year in jail, and a $1,600 fine. The families and Oz government have shared their disappointment and DFAT has raised travel warnings for Laos.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which city is hosting the Commonwealth Games at the moment? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

There are so many moments we could pull out from the World Cup half-time show but the chaos of a full orchestra, joined by the Muppets, all playing Seven Nation Army just seemed to capture the vibe of the whole show best. Interpret as you like…

Instagram post

In the Kitchen

For those chili nights (get it? Honestly, our jokes are on fire…), this Alison Roman chili recipe is delicious and warming. It gets better after a day or 2, so it’s perfect to make ahead or store in the freezer as a gift to your future self.

Adjust the spice level to what you prefer/can handle, no judgement…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What’s Australia’s plan for AI? - The federal government has announced it’s taking a new approach to how artificial intelligence will be regulated. It’s a tricky balancing act between the economic opportunities it presents and the environmental, social and legal issues that come with it… so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at some of those issues, what’s in store, and what happens next. Read that here or listen up.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games - We’ve just bid adios to the FIFA men’s World Cup, but sports fans can keep a bounce in their step because the next big event is here. The Commonwealth Games are being held in Glasgow after the Aussie state of Victoria pulled out of hosting... so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you up to speed with why Victoria pulled out, what these and future Games will look like, and some of the Aussie talent to watch out for… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 6.30pm the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final is on in Sydney. And Merry Christmas in July…

Sunday - At 11pm the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix begins in Mogyoród - watch that on Kayo. And it’s the final day of the Tour de France. You can watch it on SBS.

Monday - A Critical AusAlert test will be sent to every mobile device in the country at 2pm - you can read more about it here. And Season 3 of Colin from Accounts drops on Binge.

Tuesday - At 7.45pm the Super Sydney Cup kicks off between Chelsea FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC. You can catch it on 10Play.

Wednesday - At 12.30pm, CSIRO chief executive Doug Hilton will address the National Press Club in Canberra on how sovereign science can help Australia navigate the decade ahead, which you can watch on ABC iView.

Thursday - The People’s Choice Award for the Archibald prize will be announced. And Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be released in Aussie cinemas.

Friday - Garma Festival begins in Arnhem Land and is on until 3 August. And Ariana Grande's Petal album will be released.

*Times in AEST

Hug your English friends this weekend - turns out it’s not coming home… At least the French had Bastille Day to celebrate this week… If you’re getting ready for a big trip, curling up with a hot chocolate or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

Before we get into it, we have a favour to ask…

Every Saturday we pop up in your inbox, so this weekend we’re asking a favour… We hear from over 5,000 Squizers each year in our audience survey about what you like about what we do, what we can improve, and how you’re feeling about things more broadly. This information really helps us plan our year - and we’re about halfway to our response target. If you wouldn’t mind giving us 5-10mins to do this for us, we’ll love you forever - and you could win a little something… Head to this link to fill it out.

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 11-17 July

1. The Strait of Hormuz closes (yes, again…) - After a week of airstrikes from the US and Iran, the latter has resumed its blockage of the Strait and the US has blockaded Iranian ports. Experts say the way forward is tricky… All this to say, it’s not looking great for oil prices…

2. Setting out an AI agenda - Anthony Albanese gave a speech about AI on Wednesday, including the announcement of an Office for AI that will sit in the PM’s department. Some big takeaways focus on how data centres operate here, and that AI companies will need to comply with our copyright laws.

3. Vale to acting legend Sam Neill - Oh Sam… The much-loved actor died in Sydney on Monday at 78yo, with his agent confirming it was pneumonia that got him. Sure, he grew up in Kiwiland, but he was pretty much adopted as an Aussie, right?

4. Flying in the face of danger - Australia has 15 confirmed cases of bird flu, but the Department of Ag says our native birds are doing ok and that the risk to both the farming industry and people is still low. Stay safe out there, our feathered friends…

5. And Telstra explains the outage - The company’s executives faced a Senate Inquiry following the outage last week and accepted full responsibility for what happened. CEO Vicki Brady explained that the outage was caused by maintenance work gone wrong.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which event attempted to break the world record for biggest gathering of people wearing bald caps last weekend? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

An anonymous buyer has become the owner of the most expensive fossil ever sold. The 61% complete T-Rex fossil nicknamed Gus sold for $71.8 million at Sotheby’s after the fossil was found on a property in South Dakota in 2021. Where do you even put an 11m-long dinosaur fossil?

In the Kitchen

Making dumplings sounds faffy, but it can be simple… Note: the process of folding the dumpling wrappers is quite meditative, and the result is something you can brag about. Here’s a recipe we like, but you can change the filling to your preferences - think adding more ginger, cabbage, prawns or whatever. We’re not the boss of you...

Your first few might look a little wonky but they’ll still taste good…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What's happening with gambling ads in Oz? - Australians are known as the biggest gamblers in the world, and there’s now legislation in parliament to reform how bookmakers and betting companies can advertise their platforms. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at why gambling is seen as so harmful, what the government is proposing and how it’s gone down. Read that here or listen up.

What’s the big deal with The Odyssey - We’ve been admiring the premiere looks for The Odyssey for the past few weeks, and it’s now out in Aussie cinemas. You might be wondering how a movie that adapts an age-old epic poem has become one of the most talked-about films this year. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across director Christopher Nolan’s track record of blockbusters and why it’s being called a win for cinema… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The BMX Racing World Championship kick off in Brisbane - that’s on until 25 July and you can watch it on SBS. At 8pm, the Wallabies are playing Italy in rugby’s Nations Championship in Perth - that’s on 9Now.

Sunday - At 7am, France and England will play for third place in the FIFA World Cup - you can see that on SBS. At 8.50pm, Pauline Hanson’s interview with Liam Bartlett will air on 7NEWS Spotlight - the way it’s been talked about this week it might make some news…

Monday - At 5am, the FIFA World Cup is coming to a close with Spain v Argentina. And in the UK, new Labour MP Andy Burnham is set be confirmed as the nation’s incoming prime minister.

Tuesday - At 6pm, Alessandra Galloni, the Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, will deliver the ABC’s 2026 Andrew Olle Media Lecture in Sydney. And go off like a coconut, it’s National Lamington Day.

Wednesday - At 12.30pm, former AFP investigator Rohan Pike, Dr Nick Coatsworth and federal MP Mary Aldred will address the National Press Club on the cost of the illicit tobacco market in Australia.

Thursday - The 50th Australian Labor Party National Conference begins in Adelaide (it wraps up on Saturday). And Victorian public school teachers are set to strike for 24 hours over pay disputes.

Friday - At 5am, the Commonwealth Games start. Get ready for the opening ceremony in Glasgow (remember when Victoria was going to host that?). It’s the final day of hearing block 5 in Melbourne for the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. And Charli XCX's Music, Fashion, Film album will be released today.

*Times in AEST

Yesterday was World Capybara Day, so we hope you’re going into the weekend as cool, calm and collected as these giant rodents and their random mates… This weekend, if you’re heading to a winery, cheering for Norway at the World Cup or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Eliza Harvey and, for the first time in a while, Andrew Williams

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 4 July-10 July

1. The Blues get a year of bragging rights - It was anyone’s game going into State of Origin on Wednesday night, but in the end the Blues made it theirs. NSW halfback Nathan Cleary picked up the Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the Series. Here’s 19 minutes of highlights if you missed the action - Maroons fans do be advised the result won’t change…

2. A very happening few days in the Pacific - Australia has been getting extra cosy with our Pacific neighbours, having freshly signed a formal defence alliance with Fiji on Monday. The party didn’t last long, though - just hours later, China test-launched a ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. Regional leaders weren’t impressed, but China has said it’s all above board. We break this all down on News Club this week…

3. We fight, we break up - US President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire with Iran is “over” after launching strikes on Iranian targets in response to Iran’s attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This was all set to the backdrop of the burial of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Trump’s attendance at the NATO summit - which brings us to…

4. He’s not angry, just disappointed - Those were (more or less) Donald Trump’s words to NATO members during the summit this week, where he told France, Italy and Germany he wasn’t happy about their response to the conflict in Iran. NATO members have agreed to increase their defence spending, which did wonders for Trump’s attitude about the whole thing…

5. And India’s PM secures the goods - Indian PM Narendra Modi had an action-packed visit to Australia this week that included very friendly exchanges with PM Anthony Albanese. The 2 signed a major deal for Australia to export uranium to India, which stipulates that the uranium can only be used for peaceful purposes (i.e. energy and not nukes).

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which show picked up the most Emmy nominations this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

The Opals swept China’s women’s basketball team this week - winning both games in Melbourne. You wouldn’t guess it from this pic, but Alicia Froling, who plays in the number 9 jersey for the Opals, is 191 cm tall - but she may look short here because China’s teenage basketball star Zhang Ziyu is 220 cm tall (that’s 7’3” just to be clear)…

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A tenner for a whole roast chook

Supermarket roast chickens might set you back $13 these days, but Red Rooster's dropping its whole chooks to $10 every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 18 August. Each bird is hand-seasoned, dry brined for 12 hours and slow-roasted in-store for at least 55 minutes. Stocks are limited and not every restaurant is taking part - check if yours is here.

In the Kitchen

We talk about easy meals fairly frequently (because we’re all busy people) but this simple and hearty leek, chorizo and potato stew is barely even a recipe. It’s simple, flavourful and a perfect excuse to eat half a baguette with dinner. Sounds like a lovely winter evening to us…

Back off onion, leeks don’t make us cry like you do…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Australia’s theatre crisis - They say the show must go on, but in recent weeks, there have been a series of high-profile closures in Australia’s theatre industry... It’s raising alarm about how the arts industry is faring, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll have a look at what shows have closed, why they’ve found themselves in trouble and what can possibly be done about it… Read that here or listen up.

What’s going on with property prices? - If you listened to News Club last week, you’d know that Australia’s property market has been in the news after a slowdown in auction clearance rates and falling home prices across major capital cities. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at what’s going on, where the government sits and what the experts are saying…. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Wimbledon women's singles final is on at 11pm, and for the first time ever it’ll feature 2 Czech players, Linda Nosková and Karolína Muchová. You can watch that on 9Now.

Sunday - Get a good spot on the couch or at the pub, at 7am the men's FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final is on between England and Norway. And at 11am Argentina will play Switzerland - you can watch those on SBS. The Wimbledon men’s singles final is on later at 11pm, you can watch it on 9Now.

Monday - At 11am there’ll be a state funeral for former Australian of the Year and renowned melanoma researcher Professor Richard Scolyer at the Sydney Opera House. We can also expect the return of the Coroner's Inquest into the Sea World helicopter collision deaths in January 2023. The inquest was delayed from February following new findings of illicit substance abuse from one of the pilots.

Tuesday - It’s Bastille Day in France - you can check out what’s on to celebrate in Sydney here…

Wednesday - At 5am the men's FIFA World Cup Semi Final is on - that’ll be between France and either Spain or Belgium, and you can watch it on SBS. And at 12.30pm, Inspector-General of Aged Care Natalie Siegel-Brown will address the National Press Club.

Thursday - Another early start for football fans, at 5am there’s another World Cup Semi Final is on - teams are TBC and you know where to find it at this point… And Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is released in Australian cinemas.

Friday - Gracie Abrams' Daughter From Hell album will be released. And it’s World Emoji Day - here are some of our favourite emojis to celebrate 😋🤓💃…

*Times in AEST

If you’re an early riser this morning/Socceroos fanatic, sorry the World Cup didn’t work out the way we wanted - but at least the Aussie tourists are having fun out and about… This weekend, if you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, climbing tall things or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 27 June-3 July

1. Winners are grinners - After a big week of World Cup coverage, the Socceroos were knocked out this morning with a 4-2 loss in a penalty shootout with Egypt. Bring on the men’s Asian Cup in 2027…

2. Taking a timeout on the fighting - After tit-for-tat strikes kicked off (again) last week, the US and Iran are back on speaking terms with negotiations happening in Doha, Qatar earlier this week. Talks are on pause next week for the start of the funeral/memorials for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which begins in Tehran today.

3. Getting (extra) serious about the social media ban - The government wants tech companies to face increased fines of up to $99 million for “not doing enough” to stop kids under 16yo accessing social media sites. The eSafety commissioner says some of the major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat are not complying with the minimum age restrictions.

4. Prices have gone up at the pump - The Albanese Government’s excise discount dropped to 16c/litre (which is half what it has been) on Wednesday. It will be in place until 2 August, and is in response to the ongoing uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

5. An Aussie murder suspect in Thailand - Thai police have charged a 46yo Victorian Simon Carman in connection with the murder of a teenage girl, after her naked body was found dumped in a suitcase. Police say CCTV shows the 17yo Tunchanok Donhomla entering a hotel room with Carman, before she was reported missing by friends.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which task giraffes were found to be capable of in a recent study? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

These daredevils climbed to the top of the Empire State Building this week to send a message about world peace - and to get engaged. What they did is obviously super illegal, but it does make that one person you went to high school with who makes their engagement their whole online identity seem comparatively low-key…

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Where curious minds gather...

If who/what/when/where and why are questions you often ask, Festival of Dangerous Ideas might be your kind of event... It’s returning this August and will bring together more than 120 thinkers, artists and provocateurs for 10 days of talks, films, art and excursions across Sydney. This is a chance to see topics from a different perspective, question assumptions, and explore the ideas shaping the world around us. Tickets are on sale now.

Exploring the ideas shaping our politics, culture and identities

In the Kitchen

For a red sauce with a twist, we recommend this creamy roasted capsicum pasta. Sounds involved, but it’s easy enough for a weeknight - we added chicken but go crazy with whatever you like - or none at all, no judgement…

We’d say winter is the time to eat lots of pasta, but it’s always pasta time to us…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What's going on with the Beckhams? - When it comes to headlines and column space, the Beckhams give the Royals a run for their money… A family feud between David/Victoria and their son Brooklyn was made public in January - and the clan has been back in the news due to a controversial World Cup ad and an attempt at a reunion… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across brand Beckham, how the feud began and where things are at… Read that here or listen up.

America’s 250th birthday - America’s got a big anniversary today, it’s 250th - and if countries had birth certificates, the Declaration of Independence would be theirs. So as the US marks its big day, we’ll take you through what’s planned, how the Declaration of Independence ties in and why it matters. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 7.30pm, the Super Netball final between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Melbourne Vixens is on in Melbourne - you can watch that one for free on Kayo. The rugby Nations Championship round one between Australia and Ireland kicks off in Sydney, watch it on 9Now. And it’s the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Sunday - PM Anthony Albanese is travelling to Fiji and Solomon Islands for 3 days. And NAIDOC Week begins - the 2026 theme is '50 Years of Deadly'. And happy birthday to our teammate Sophie, who pulls this newsletter together every week 🥳.

Monday - At 12.30am (aka just after midnight, not midday…) Australia is playing in the Women's cricket T20 World Cup final in London. Watch it on Prime Video. And if you’ve got someone to go sit in a tree with, it’s International Kissing Day.

Tuesday - The NATO Summit begins in Turkey today - the focus will be on defence investment and industry, and support for Ukraine.

Wednesday - India's PM Narendra Modi is visiting Australia; he’ll be in Sydney and Melbourne until 10 July. And at 8.10pm, it’s the tie-breaker State of Origin game 3 in Brisbane, you can watch that on 9Now (or at the pub)…

Thursday - Nominations open for the leader of the UK Labour Party following the resignation of Keir Starmer. Andy Burnham is expected to run uncontested.

Friday - There are 2 new album releases today with The Rolling Stones’ Foreign Tongues and Temper Trap’s Sungazer.

*Times in AEST

If you feel like your personal life is lacking drama, here’s a video of all the exes expected to attend Taylor Swift's upcoming wedding… This weekend, if you’re enjoying a tasty pastry, giving your home a deep-clean or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Eliza Harvey

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 20-26 June

1. Keep your birds at home - The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has hit Aussie shores, after cases were detected in Western Oz last weekend. It’s not much of a health risk to people, but it does raise some serious concerns for our native birds and poultry farmers. A case has been detected in South Australia, but experts say it’s not necessarily cause for major concern. Watch this space…

2. It’s 2 steps forward, one step back - According to mediators, negotiations between the US and Iran have progressed well. Israel v Hezbollah is still a thing though... And in the Strait of Hormuz, the UN had started escorting ships that were stuck for months, but had to pause when one of the ships was attacked. Baby steps…

3. The Socceroos make it through - The Aussies finished in second place in Group D of the initial round of the World Cup after a draw with Paraguay. That means we are through to round 32 (woot…). The Socceroos will play the runner-up of Group G next Saturday at 4am our time - it’s an early start, but sacrifices must be made…

4. The revolving door on Downing Street - After mounting calls for him to step down,, Keir Starmer has resigned as PM of the UK. The parliament’s newest MP, Andy Burnham, is expected to run uncontested for the role at this stage.

5. About 4,000 NDIS submissions later - The Senate inquiry into the NDIS has been extended with a due date for the report in mid-August. The Greens agreed to support the CGT changes in exchange for extending the inquiry after growing concerns from the disability sector. For its part, the Albanese Government is a bit grumbly about it, saying the extension will delay cost-cutting measures.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know the name of Australia's newest political party? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Swimmers took the plunge at dawn in Hobart for Dark Mofo’s annual nude solstice swim on Monday. And while dropping your pants in front of strangers is brave, keep in mind the 3C temperature that morning…

Starting the day with a fresh face

Napoleon Perdis has been a go-to for Australian makeup artists for decades - and right now, there's 30–50% off site-wide until the end of June. If you've been meaning to try something or need to restock, the hero products are worth a look: Stroke of Genius foundation, Auto Pilot Primer, BBB Cream and Advanced Mineral Makeup SPF 15. You can browse the full sale here.

In the Kitchen

If dessert for breakfast sounds like a great start to the day, then this frozen berry breakfast crumble might be for you… It’s healthier than it sounds because it’s basically just granola, oats and berries combined in an extra yummy way.

Any day that starts with a sweet treat is bound to be a good one…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What's going on at KPMG? - A former employee at KPMG blew the whistle on how the company was using the confidential data of its clients, and the fallout has led to a Senate inquiry and several execs being shown the door. It’s got corporate tongues wagging, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what the allegations are and why it’s getting so much attention… Read that here or listen up.

A change at the top in the UK - Britain is about to get its seventh PM in 10 years after the resignation of Labour’s Keir Starmer this week. The man tipped to replace him is former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. So in this Squiz Shortcut we’ll look at what went wrong for Starmer, what Burnham’s promising and how things stand in the UK a decade after Brexit. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Super Netball preliminary final between the Vixens and Fever is on in Melbourne - you can watch that one on Kayo.

Sunday - The Darwin Beer Can Regatta is on in the Northern Territory, which is exactly what it sounds like, and we can’t wait for the pics… And at 11pm, the F1 Austrian Grand Prix kicks off in Spielberg. You can see that on Kayo.

Monday - Block 3 of hearings in the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion will begin at 9am in Sydney. This block will focus on the sharing of anti-Semitic content and other hateful content online as well as in traditional media. And Wimbledon kicks off in London - it’s on until 12 July. We’ll be watching out for the return of Serena Williams…

Tuesday - The report for the inquiry into illegal tobacco is due in federal Parliament. And have a little scroll if you fancy, it’s Social Media Day.

Wednesday - At 12.30pm, Tim Duggan, chair of the Digital Publishers Alliance, will address the National Press Club, followed by a panel Q&A with Natalie Harvey from Mamamia and our very own Claire Kimball. And it’s Territory Day in the Top End.

Thursday - At 7.45pm, the NRLW season will kick off with an opening round match between the Sharks and the Knights in Sydney. Watch that on 9Now.

Friday - At 9.30pm, Australia’s basketballing blokes will play Guam in a World Cup qualifier in Perth - you can watch that on Kayo. And it’s the rumoured start date of wedding celebrations between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at Madison Square Garden in New York…

*Times in AEST

If Team Mexico has a jersey-wearing duck as their World Cup mascot, we’re pitching Robert Irwin and a quokka as ours… This weekend, if you’re taking your dog for a morning stroll, in the mood for some cosy French cuisine, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 13-19 June

1. The US and Iran sign on the line - The 2 countries have signed a ceasefire extension and a 14-point plan on the road to a full peace deal. There’s a bit to it, but essentially the the Strait of Hormuz is open, and there will be a $428 billion fund for Iran’s reconstruction from regional partners. But there’s a lot to talk through on Iran’s nuclear program and Israel v Hezbollah before a peace deal is struck…

2. It’s one-all in SOO - The Maroons pulled an UNO reverse card on the NSW Blues for game 2 on Wednesday night, pulling off a comeback after they were down at half-time to win 44-24. They’re heading to the deciding game on 8 July in Brisbane, and we’re guessing the atmosphere will be intense…

3. The global game is everywhere - We’re more than a week into the FIFA World Cup, and there’s been some surprises in the first round of matches. The Socceroos faced the US team early this morning on its home ground in Santa Clara, California. After a lot of, shall we say, colourful back and forth between the teams, the US managed to grab a 2-0 win. We’ve still got another game left against Paraguay on Friday to turn things around…

4. An eventful afternoon in politics - One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson addressed the National Press Club for the first time in her political career, and it didn’t miss... She spoke for 55-minutes (when convention is to speak for 30…) on policy (in a little detail) and her broad positioning (in broad detail), and activist group GetUp unfurled a protest banner on the stage. And we’re not even in an election campaign yet…

5. A shark attack at Coogee - Locals are slowly returning to the water after a woman was attacked by a shark close to shore at Coogee in Sydney last Saturday. The 35yo victim Leah Stewart remains in hospital after multiple surgeries, inclusing to amputate her arm. Her brother shared the update saying “As a family we’ve been blown away by the support, care, love and generosity we have received.”

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which Aussie rock band announced a reunion this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

To help us shake off this morning’s loss, could our selection be anything but the Socceroos’ first goal of the World Cup? Nestory Irankundra is the youngest Aussie rep to score at a World Cup as he put us ahead of Turkey in the first half of game 1. You little beauty…

Something's stirring under Wynyard

HBO Max has turned Sydney's old Wynyard station tunnels into a free, immersive House of the Dragon experience this weekend. Imagine being guided through hidden passages to the Dragon Pit, where you find out if you'd survive a dragon... Not a bad way to get ready for season 3 - it kicks off Monday, 22 June.

In the Kitchen

Is there a better way to curl up in the cold than with a French favourite? This coq au vin (AKA chicken in wine) recipe is delicious alongside some mash. And trust us, this recipe is a super easy one (thank you, Women’s Weekly…). You can even pop it in the freezer as a gift to your future self.

We wish we could smell this picture…

What we Squizzed for you this week

Squiz Special Series on AI - Between market moves and tech breakthroughs, AI news is everywhere, leaving us average peeps to figure out what to make of it. We’ve partnered with Minderoo on a 3-part series to help you get across the big questions - how Australians really feel about AI, who's protecting our data and legal rights, and what it all means for our national security. You'll find all 3 episodes at the top of the Squiz Today feed, listen here.

The Socceroos World Cup squad - Soccer fans will know that the squad has quite a few new faces in the mix, with some remarkable stories behind them - but a lot of us are hearing their names for the first time. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across some of the players making news and their path to the World Cup. Read that here or listen up.

Zooming in on One Nation’s policies - According to the polls, the party has seen a surge in support since last year’s federal election, as Senator Pauline Hanson’s party challenges the major parties for support. So in this Squiz Shortcut, you will get across the party’s signature policies and who is influencing them. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Super Rugby final between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs kicks off at 5.05pm in Wellington - you can watch it on Stan.

Sunday - House of the Dragon season 3 drops on HBO, and it’s the Winter Solstice.

Monday - Federal Parliament resumes for a fortnight of sittings. And keep your eyes up here in Hobart - the Nude Solstice Swim for Dark Mofo is on.

Tuesday - The Queensland and NSW governments will hand down their Budgets. And the Aussies who were quarantined after being on the Hantavirus cruise are set to be released.

Wednesday - The Bureau of Stats will release the May Consumer Price Index, so check that out for the latest on inflation…

Thursday - Supergirl, starring Aussie Milly Alcock, will be released in Australian cinemas.

Friday - At 12pm, the Socceroos will play Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup in Santa Clara. You can catch that on SBS. We’ll be watching from Squiz HQ…

*Times in AEST

It’s National Vegemite Day on Tuesday, so we’re giving a shout-out to Hugh Jackman for teaching Jimmy Fallon (and hopefully all Americans) how to eat our national spread the right way… This weekend, if you’re cheering for the Socceroos, want a slice (or 5) of chocolate cake, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 6-12 June

1. A rocky road to peace for the US and Iran - This week, an American helicopter was downed near the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in tit-for-tat strikes from both sides. US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran “very hard”, but canned that early yesterday morning, saying that the 2 were close to a peace deal (again).

2. The first Big Freeze without Daniher - FightMND co-founder and AFL great Neale Daniher’s presence at the Collingwood v Melbourne AFL game for The Big Freeze each year was always a feature - and his absence was felt last Monday. Philanthropic Queenslanders Quentin and Kylie Birt donated $40 million to FightMND, saying Daniher was an inspiration: “He just did his thing better than all of us put together.”

3. NDIS reforms under the microscope - Public hearings in the Senate inquiry into the changes were on this week, and advocates voiced some serious concerns. Some said that the changes would disproportionally effect women, and push more families to child protective services… The changes are designed to make the NDIS more financially sustainable long-term, with 300,000 people either being removed or prevented from gaining access to the scheme.

4. A stabbing attack in Belfast - Violent protests broke out after what PM Keir Starmer described as a “sickening” knife attack on Monday night. The accused, Hadi Alodid, is a 30yo Sudanese refugee, and the attack stirred up anti-immigration sentiment. The victim Stephen Ogilvy is still in hospital, and his family has called for calm.

5. Origin in the air - For the Rugby League following states, Game 2 selections were abuzz this week. On the Maroons’ side of things, Reece Walsh is back in the game after being snubbed for selection in game one… They’re looking for a win after an epic comeback from the Blues to take the early series lead.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which show won Best Musical at this week's Tony Awards in New York? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Fresh off featuring at the Big Freeze in Melbourne on Monday, Jai Arrow, the South Sydney Rabbitohs star who was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, was honoured at the team’s game against the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night alongside his fiancée Berina Colakovic and daughter Ayla Rae. The Rabbitohs brought home a win, with his teammate calling it "A big win for a special bloke”.

Instagram post

Spring blossoms to autumn colour

Silversea's extended 2027 Asia season opens with Japan's cherry blossoms in spring and runs through to December, covering more departures across more of the year than previous seasons - with time across Japanese temples and South Korean cities along the way. The all-inclusive cruises take in well-known stops alongside some less-visited ports, with shore experiences built around local culture. For a limited time save up to 40% on select voyages worldwide - reserve a suite by 8 September with a reduced deposit from 15%.

In the Kitchen

This flourless chocolate cake is our favourite low-skill baked good at the moment, coming together without any complicated equipment. It’s easy, yummy, serves 8 people (or 6 hungry people, we don’t judge), and we recommend it with creme fraiche and a few berries on the side…

We’re excited just thinking about it…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Containing the Ebola outbreak - You might’ve seen in the news that struggling to manage a recent Ebola outbreak in Africa… The World Health Organisation has declared the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what Ebola actually is, the challenges involved in containing it, and what’s next… Read that here or listen up.

The FIFA World Cup - The FIFA men’s World Cup has officially kicked off, and it’s promising to be one of the most unusual and newsworthy in history. There are more teams, more games and more host countries than ever before, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at how this tournament is different, some of the big news stories leading in and what we can expect on the pitch… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 11.30pm, Australia is playing England in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Manchester, you can watch it on Stan.

Sunday - At 2pm, the Socceroos will play their first match in the FIFA World Cup against Türkiye in Vancouver - you can see it on SBS. The Barcelona F1 Grand Prix starts at 11pm, which you can watch on Kayo. And think about rolling up your sleeve in the near future - it’s World Blood Donor Day.

Monday - At 10am, the UFC Freedom Fight at the White House (yes, you read that correctly) begins. The RBA monetary policy board meeting starts - watch out for the update on interest rates on Tuesday… And the G7 Leaders Summit kicks off in France, where leaders will meet until 17 June (note: Australia didn’t score an invite this time…).

Tuesday - Get a round of toast on and soften up the butter - it’s National Vegemite Day.

Wednesday - At 12.30pm, One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson will address the National Press Club in Canberra. And at 8.05pm, State of Origin game 2 will see NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons go head to head at the MCG. You can catch it on 9Now.  

Thursday - Toy Story 5 and The Death of Robin Hood will be released in Australian cinemas.

Friday - KPMG’s senior execs are set to appear before the federal parliamentary joint committee on corporations and financial services in Canberra following a recent scandal over audit services…

*Times in AEST

The 2026 ski season kicks off in Australia today, but if you’re like these blokes putting their crocs in the freezer, you could ski all year round… This weekend, if you’re trying to keep up with all the sports happening in June, fancy some pikelet action, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Eliza Harvey

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 30 May-5 June

1. You’ll never guess it - US-Iran negotiations continue… - At this point, we could just copy and paste last weekend’s paragraph and move on with our day… The US and Iran exchanged strikes this week, and communication between the 2 countries has apparently paused for now. Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives has passed a resolution condemning US President Donald Trump over the war in Iran. Same time next week?

2. 2.8 million Aussies to get more pay - The Fair Work Commission signed off on lifting the minimum wage by 6% and award wages by 4.75% this week. Economists are split on what this might mean for inflation/interest rates, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers says it’s the right thing to do.

3. New second-hand submarines - Is that an oxymoron? The AUKUS security pact had a bit of a wobble this week… Australia is now purchasing all second-hand nuclear submarines from the US, rather than one new and 2 used ones. FYI, we dive into why this is a thing on our News Club podcast this morning…

4. His presidential era - Former PM Tony Abbott was elected unopposed as the Liberal Party President last week. Typically it’s a role that flies relatively under the radar, but Abbott says he plans to dramatically grow party membership and (without explicitly referencing One Nation) bring voters back to the Liberal Party.

5. Tariff talks - In (another) case of déjà vu all over again, this week the US listed Australia as one of 54 countries facing a possible new 12.5% trade tax on imports. They say it’s because we haven’t cracked down enough on imports of products to Oz that are made using cheap slave labour.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which upcoming film Taylor Swift's new song will feature in? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

There is a lot of serious news in this world, so we can understand the appeal of the photos of pop star Dua Lipa and actor Callum Turner’s wedding. The 2 met at a restaurant when they realised they’d both just finished the same chapter in a novel. Turner then clinched it with: “So, we’re on the same page” - seriously sweet…

Winter is here...

Aussies (should) know that the potential for UV damage doesn't go away when the temperatures drop, and that's why daily SPF is one of those year-round habits worth forming. If you're fresh outta sunscreen post-summer, iHerb has a buy one, get one 50% off deal across its SPF range until 9 June, with products for face, body and sensitive skin. It’s better to be safe than sorry…

In the Kitchen

Squiz founder Claire’s mum swore by this pikelet recipe, and as the long weekend rolls in for many this weekend, it’s one she’ll be whipping out. Topped with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar, of course... So wholesome.

What we Shortcut for you this week

Going deep on cave rescues - Rescue missions to reach people trapped inside caves have been in the news lately, with a crew in the Southeast Asian country of Laos racing against the clock to save villagers who’ve been stuck deep inside one for just over 2 weeks. The operation is one of a number of highly risky rescue missions that happen across the world every year. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll look at what attracts people into cave systems and what happens when things go wrong… Read that here or listen up.

The heated rivalry behind the Stanley Cup - You might’ve noticed that we’re quite the fans of ice hockey (and hockey-related shows like Heated Rivalry and Off Campus) here at the Squiz… As the current season of the NHL in North America wraps up, we’re getting you across the impacts of those shows on the sport, how the league works and why the Stanley Cup is one of the hardest sporting trophies in the world to win… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 11.00pm, the French Open women’s singles final between Maja Chwalinska and Mirra Andreeva is on in Paris - you can watch it on 9Now. And ski season is go.

Sunday - The French Open men’s singles final starts at 11pm. Also at 11pm, the Monaco Grand Prix begins - you can see that on Kayo.

Monday - It’s the King’s Birthday public holiday in the ACT, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Northern Territory… At 3.15pm the AFL King's Birthday game between Collingwood and Melbourne, which features FightMND’s ‘Big Freeze’, kicks off at the MCG. Even Governor-General Sam Mostyn is going down the ice slide… You can donate to support research into motor neurone disease here.

Tuesday - At 1pm, the first men’s cricket ODI in a 3-match series between Bangladesh and Australia begins in Bangladesh - watch it on Kayo.

Wednesday - At 1pm, there’s a state funeral for AFL great and founder of FightMND, Neale Daniher. That’s on at the MCG in Melbourne, and it will also be livestreamed.

Thursday - At 7pm, it’s the 40th anniversary of the ARIA Awards, with 6 new Hall of Fame inductees - Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End, and Vika & Linda.

Friday - The FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off at 5am with a match between Mexico and South Africa - you can catch that on SBS (and you can learn more about the World Cup in our Shortcut next week…). And Olivia Rodrigo’s third studio album You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love will be released…

*Times in AEST

Happy International Day of the Potato (aka the best day of the year)… This weekend, if you’re a new hockey fan, planning a shopping trip, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

Leading News Stories via Streem - 23-29 May

1. Never-ending negotiations - An agreement between the US and Iran that extends the ceasefire for another 60 days and would launch talks on Iran’s nuclear program is still being considered by US President Donald Trump. It’s been a rollercoaster week, including airstrikes by both sides.

2. Another round of arrivals from Syria - Seven women and 12 children with links to ISIS landed in Sydney and Melbourne on Tuesday evening after leaving the al-Roj camp last week. No arrests have been made, but their belongings and devices have been searched. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has reiterated that the government did not assist these families to return…

3. Tax changes hit parliament - The Albanese Government introduced its Budget legislation this week, including the CGT changes that some business owners and startup founders say will hinder investment and innovation in Australia. The Greens have indicated they will play ball in Team Albanese’s quest to get it done and dusted by the end of June.

4. A second round of public hearings - This block is focusing on security and intelligence in the lead-up to the Bondi attack, with the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion hearing from ASIO boss Mike Burgess and senior federal and NSW police officers. There was a bit to unpack, so here are 2 articles to get you across the key revelations from ASIO and NSW Police.

5. The death of a legend - AFL great and last year’s Australian of the Year Neale Daniher died on Monday at 65yo - it was 13 years on from his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND)… Daniher was AFL royalty before he worked tirelessly to raise awareness and a lot of money for the dreadful disease. There will be a state funeral for Daniher on 10 June at the MCG.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which luxury car brand launched its first-ever fully electric vehicle this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Origin fever hit this week in a dramatic game between the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons… In fact, ‘State of Origin’ got over a million Google searches in Australia this week. That’s a lot of Queenslanders wondering what just happened…

Winter is coming...

Aussies (should) know that the potential for UV damage doesn't go away when the temperatures drop, and that's why daily SPF is one of those year-round habits worth forming. If you're fresh outta sunscreen post-summer, iHerb has a buy one, get one 50% off deal across its SPF range until 9 June, with products for face, body and sensitive skin. It’s better to be safe than sorry…

In the Kitchen

Potato Day celebrations are obviously in full swing at the Squiz, and this potato lasagna (or pasagna) is a great way to enjoy the humble spud. This satisfying meal will also leave you with delicious leftovers all week long.

Our feelings about potatoes are that deep…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Teal or no teal - You might’ve heard that several independent politicians might be looking to formalise the movement by creating a new political party. There’s a lot going on as Aussies indicate their disillusionment with the mainstream parties, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across who the teals are, what they stand for and what might come next… Read that here or listen up.

A Kylie commotion - Last week, we recommended the new Kylie documentary series on Netflix, so this week, we brought you our very own Squiz Shortcut of the explosion of global interest over the Aussie pop star. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’re looking at Kylie Minogue’s career - and why the experts say she’s been so good for so long. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 11am in Crescent Head, there’s a memorial service and paddle out for Shane Stedman, the first major seller of Ugg boots in Australia (you can read our Shortcut to learn more about his legacy)… At 9.20pm is the first day of a 3-match ODI series between Australia and Pakistan, you can catch that on Kayo. And it’s the dolphin census in NSW…

Sunday - At 2am, the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal kicks off in Budapest. You can watch it on 9Now if you don’t value your sleep…

Monday - ACT has a public holiday for Reconciliation Day, and on the other side of the country, it’s Western Australia Day… And it’s the start of LGBTQ Pride Month.

Tuesday - Calling all Farnsy fans… Tickets to the John Farnham tribute concert go on sale at 10am (good luck with that…). It’s also Rotisserie Chicken Day 🍗.

Wednesday - Sydney Film Festival begins. And it’s Mabo Day…

Thursday - It’s Budget Day in South Australia. And it’s Cheese Day 🧀…

Friday - At 12.30pm in Sydney, Australia's Economic Outlook hosted by Sky News and The Australian is on, with keynote speakers PM Anthony Albanese and RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser.

*Times in AEST