Squiz Today

It’s a bit of fun, it’s a bit festive, with a lot of laughs. Take a lighter look at the year that was 2024 by joining us for The Great Big Squiz Quiz! Can you beat Claire Kimball, Kate Watson, Alice Dempster, and Andrew Williams? Keen to watch? Catch our episode on YouTube.

Friday, 20 December: Australia's household wealth is on the rise; A verdict in the Gisèle Pelicot trial; A new Hewitt enters the arena; And a Christmas glaze to amaze... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). You can find the recipe for the Christmas ham glaze here. And you can check out our Squiz Shortcut on Cyclone Tracy here. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

We’re about to hit 50 years since Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin early on Christmas Day in 1974. It was one of Australia’s most devastating natural disasters and it prompted a lot of changes to keep Aussies safe. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what happened, the response, and its legacy that lives on today. Squiz Recommends Listening: To Bill and Boyd’s song Santa Never Made it to Darwin… Reading: This piece by Australian Geographic on the 50th anniversary - it tells some moving personal stories and has a collection of incredible photos. Thank you for listening, as always… And that’s a wrap on Squiz Shortcuts for the year… We’ll be back with you in January. In the meantime, we’ll be putting a few of our favourite Shortcuts from this year into the feed for you to catch up on, so listen out for those. Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories… Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here

Thursday 19 December: A gloomy economic outlook; Searching for survivors in Vanuatu; Alan Jones defends himself; And Tom Cruise gets a military honour... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Wednesday, 18 December: A major earthquake hits Vanuatu; A Russian general is assassinated; Victoria cracks down on protests; And why Popeye's in the headlines... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, stepped away from official duties with the UK’s royal family in 2019, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped causing them headaches. Last week, another of the Prince’s problematic relationships surfaced - this time with a businessman accused of spying for China. So in this Shortcut, we’ll take a look at how this relationship came to light and why it’s caused concern in the UK. Squiz Recommends Watching: The movie Scoop on Netflix, and/or if you’ve got a bit more time to invest, the series A Very Royal Scandal: Season 3 on Prime Video… They’re both absorbing, nail-biting dramatisations of the infamous 2019 Newsnight interview between Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew. Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories… Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here

Tuesday, 17 December: Investigating another alcohol poisoning event; Israel moves on Golan Heights; A new-look Reserve Bank; And Guinness finds some Gen Z fans... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). If you'd like to find out more about the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, click here Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Monday, 16 December: The last of the Bali Nine are back home; A heatwave hits; Prince Andrew's in trouble again; And a chess champion is crowned... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). You can read up on how to stay well during a heatwave here. And find your state/territory fire service - and their local fire warnings - here. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Friday, 13 December: Social media giants are told to pay up; Policing ramps up in Alice Springs; A big weekend for stargazers; And perfecting a puttanesca... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). You can find out more about the Geminid Meteor Shower here. You can read up on/watch the trailer for Black Doves here. And for some pasta puttanesca inspo, look no further than this Italian nonna - and then you might like to give this recipe a whirl. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Thursday 12 December: Another antisemitic attack in Sydney; The US makes contact with Syrian rebels; Rex faces a lawsuit; And so does an influencer...  The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). You can take a look at the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Award winners here. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

With a federal election due in the first half of next year and interest rates likely to influence the outcome, we’re taking a closer look at the number the Reserve Bank says is a major factor in the decisions it makes when determining the nation’s cash rate. It’s called the trimmed mean… We’ll look at what it is, why it’s important, and why the Reserve Bank watches it so closely.  Squiz Recommends Reading: The ABS explainer on inflation - Ok, we’re nerding out here but this is a fascinating look at how the prices of some items (like movie tickets) have changed significantly over time. Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories… Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here

Wednesday, 11 December: A shooting suspect is charged; Rupert Murdoch loses a court battle; Modified mozzies are on their way; And a look into our search history...  The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). Sponsored: For more information about the Global Plastics Treaty, visit globalplastictreaty.com. You can find one of the viral recipes for cucumber salad here. You can read up on the genetically modified mozzies here. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Tuesday, 10 December: All eyes are on Syria; The synagogue attack is declared a terror incident; A big allegation against Jay-Z; And a deal for the record books... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). For the latest on the World Chess Championships (it's tied at 6-6), click here Sponsored: For more information about the Global Plastics Treaty, visit globalplastictreaty.com. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Ending Bashar al-Assad’s rule in Syria was almost unthinkable just a couple of weeks ago, but rebel fighters have made a big push against the regime, taking Aleppo and now the capital of Damascus. So to help you get your bearings, we’ll give you a quick reccy on Assad and his brutal regime.  Squiz Recommends:  Listening/reading: If you’d like some more background to the rebel uprising in Syria, we did a Shortcut last week on the civil war… Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories… Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here

Monday 9 December: Police meet over the Melbourne synagogue attack; Assad jumps ship in Syria; Remembering the White Island victims; And a Raygun musical bites the dust... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). Sponsored: For more information about the Global Plastics Treaty, visit globalplastictreaty.com. You can see the famous photo from the 1968 Olympics and more about the event and Peter Norman here Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Friday, 6 December: A murder in Manhattan; The French government runs into problems; The second Test gets underway; And a cheesy pasta... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). Sponsored: For more information about the Global Plastics Treaty, visit globalplastictreaty.com. You can find the recipe for spinach ricotta stuffed shells here. You can watch comedian Chris McCausland on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing here. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

A deal is underway between the Indonesian and Australian governments to transfer 5 Aussies serving life sentences for drug trafficking back home. They’re part of a group known as the Bali Nine who were caught trying to smuggle heroin into Australia in 2005. It was a huge story at the time, so in this Shortcut, we’ll get you across who the Bali Nine are, and what we know about the deal to bring them home. Squiz Recommends Reading: This interview piece by our very own Bryce Corbett, who flew to Bali to speak with Renae Lawrence in Kerobokan Prison in 2013 for The Australian Women’s Weekly. She tells him how she got mixed up in a bad circle, what was going through her mind when she was arrested, and how she survived daily life in a Bali prison.  Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories… Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here

Thursday, 5 December: Chaos in South Korea, Australia breaks from the US over Israel, Commbank backtracks on new fees, and Beyonce is top of the pops... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). Sponsored: For more information about the Global Plastics Treaty, visit globalplastictreaty.com. Here's a link to an explainer on a 2-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

Wednesday, 4 December: A break in the Easey Street murders; Cracking down on dodgy texts; Vale Neale Fraser; And a deep sea mystery... The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news). Sponsored: For more information about the Global Plastics Treaty, visit globalplastictreaty.com. Here's a link to Neale Fraser talking through moments from his playing career. Other things we do: Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties! Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it. Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers. Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style. Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.

The civil war in Syria has flared up again after rebels launched an offensive last week into the country’s second-largest city, Aleppo. It’s a major development in a conflict that’s been simmering for 13 years. So, in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll give you a quick refresher on the war - how it started, what’s happened so far, and why Aleppo is so important.  Squiz Recommends Reading: This explainer from USA Today - if you’d like to read in more detail about how the conflict has evolved over time.  Reading: This piece in the New Yorker about the actions of the Assad regime - it’ll give you an idea of the human cost of this war. Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories… Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here