Squiz Today
Squiz Media
A daily news podcast, getting you across the latest Australian and international news in under 10 minutes. Agenda-free, independent, and delivered by hosts that'll come to feel like mates. It's the news without the noise, cutting through with a touch of analysis and an eye on what's coming next. And there's always a quirky news story or two to give a touch of balance to the news of the day. News for busy people, out 6am weekday, perfect for your morning routine.The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed.Top tip - check out The Squiz Today newsletter. It's the daily news stories, in your inbox each weekday at 6am, with links and more info to all the stories covered in The Squiz Today podcast. Sign up at www.thesquiz.com.au - it's free.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 29, 2025 • 12min
Squiz Shortcuts: The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia over a number of sacred holy sites that sit on their shared border has been in the news over the past week. It’s the latest flare up of violence in a dispute that’s been going on for more than a century… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at the history of the conflict, the events of the past week, and the push to resolve it.
SPONSORED: If you’re keen to discover your next regional escape, check out Airbnb’s Hidden Vines Guide at airbnb.com/hiddenvines
Squiz Recommends:
Reading: If you’d like to learn more about the political elements of the conflict, this article in The Guardian is a good deep dive into those…
Reading: If you’re a lucky duck with travel plans that involve Thailand or Cambodia, the Aussie Government’s Smart Traveller website is a good one to keep an eye on. There are currently warnings in place to give that border area a wide berth due to risks of military action and landmines.
Email us: We’re planning a fresh episode of Ask the Squiz, so we’re putting the call out for your questions about the news… If you’ve got anything you’d like explained by Claire and Andrew, please get in touch with us at hello@thesquiz.com.au - we love getting your questions.
Jul 28, 2025 • 12min
Pushing for a solution in Gaza, and a good week for astronomers
Tuesday, 29 July: Pushing for a solution in Gaza; Trump gives Putin a deadline; A TV star's trial is about to begin; And a good week for astronomers...
SPONSORED: If you’re keen to discover your next regional escape, check out Airbnb’s Hidden Vines Guide at airbnb.com/hiddenvines
You can find some of Tom Lehrer's work here and the Daniel Radcliffe video we mentioned here
You can 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.
Jul 27, 2025 • 13min
All eyes on Gaza's hunger crisis, and an iconic Aussie tune
Monday, 28 July: All eyes on Gaza's hunger crisis; Australia and the UK boost defence ties; Wet weather strikes; And an iconic Aussie tune...
SPONSORED: If you're curious about opportunities at Nous Group and want to discover your potential doing interesting, meaningful work, you can find out more at nousgroup.com.
SPONSORED: If you’re keen to discover your next regional escape, check out Airbnb’s Hidden Vines Guide at airbnb.com/hiddenvines.
Here's the video where a photographer in Gaza talks about the image he took of 18mo Mohammed, one of the Palestinian children suffering from severe malnutrition.
You can 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.
Jul 25, 2025 • 12min
Weekly Wrap Preview: What to know about federal parliament’s return
Federal parliament is back in action, with Labor holding a commanding 51-seat majority. The dynamic between the Labor party and the coalition sets the stage for heated debates. New reforms are on the table, but personal stories add a layer of complexity to the political drama. Independents and Teals face challenges in a Labor-dominated landscape, and contentious decisions, like U.S. beef imports, stir controversy. Plus, an upcoming economic roundtable promises to address key reforms for the nation.
Jul 24, 2025 • 14min
Settling a trade gripe, and a big weekend for Aussie music lovers
Friday, 25 July: Settling a trade gripe; Pleas for more aid in Gaza; Vale Hulk Hogan; And a big day for music lovers...
SPONSORED: To hear the full episode, search for the Woolworths’ series From Grassroots in your favourite podcast app - or you can find out more here.
You can find an explanation of the original Qatar Airways decision here.
Here's a full obituary for Hulk Hogan.
You can find more info on the Triple J Australian Hottest 100 here and a list of venues hosting events here.
You can watch Sam Docherty's first goal when he returned to footy from illness back in 2022 here.
Here's the recipe for Thai Coconut Pumpkin Soup - best served with crusty bread.
You can 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.
Jul 24, 2025 • 16min
Squiz Shortcuts: Why this Lions tour is crucial for Aussie rugby
Even if you’re not a fan, you might’ve clocked that there’s a lot of attention on rugby union at the moment… It’s because the British and Irish Lions are touring Australia. The tour is expected to inject millions of dollars into the economy and help pull the code out of financial strife, but even with renewed interest in the sport, those in the know say Rugby Australia’s got some big challenges to get it back to the glory days of the late 90s/early 2000s. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across some of the issues they’re facing, and why there’s so much riding on this Lions tour.
SPONSORED: If you're curious about opportunities at Nous Group and want to discover your potential doing interesting, meaningful work, you can find out more at nousgroup.com
Squiz Recommends:
Watching: The second Test between the Wallabies and Lions at 8pm AEST Saturday night - watch via Channel 9 or Stan Sport
And the Wallaroos vs. Wales on Saturday afternoon - watch via Stan Sport
Reading: This interview with Phil Waugh in the Financial Review (paywall) gives his take on the direction he’s taking things at RU…
Looking: Here’s a bit of info and history about the rivalry between the British and Irish Lions and the Wallabies - skip to the second half of the article to What are the British and Irish Lions?…
Email us: Got a topic you want us to tackle? Send us your Shortcut suggestions to hello@thesquiz.com.au.
Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories…
Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here
Jul 23, 2025 • 13min
Reckoning with the childcare crisis, and the return of Venus
Dive into the pressing childcare crisis as new safety regulations are introduced in Australia. Discover how international trade agreements are reshaping relationships in Asia. Explore the surprising rise in marriage stability amid declining divorce rates. Celebrate the inspiring return of a tennis legend making waves once again. Finally, navigate the dynamic world of consulting, where intense workloads meet personal growth in a supportive environment.
Jul 22, 2025 • 14min
An algal disaster grows, and the Earth picks up the pace
Wednesday, 23 July: An algal disaster grows; Israel criticises a Gaza statement; Trump blocks the Wall Street Journal; And picking up the pace...
Here's the full Hunter Biden interview (language warning) and Stephen Colbert's response to US President Donald Trump
Here's an obituary for Ozzy Osbourne
Here's some more info on the pending International Court of Justice decision
You can 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.
Jul 22, 2025 • 14min
Shortcut: Trump’s Jeffrey Epstein headache
US President Donald Trump is dealing with backlash from his political base over the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the paedophile and former financier who died in jail before his case could go to trial. There’s a long history to this, and it’s arguably the most significant political issue Trump has had to deal with since he became President again in January. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll cover the history between the 2 men and why it’s become such a headache for Trump.
SPONSORED: If you're curious about opportunities at Nous Group and want to discover your potential doing interesting, meaningful work, you can find out more at nousgroup.com
Squiz Recommends:
Reading: A CNN article: 5 Big Questions about Trump’s Ties to Epstein... It gives a breakdown of their history together.
Listening: This episode on The New Yorker Radio Hour podcast about MAGA’s Revolt Over Jeffrey Epstein explores the backlash from Trump’s supporters.
Reading: And we’ve also found this article in the New York Times from the POV of one of Epstein’s accusers, Maria Farmer, suggesting why there’s a possibility that Trump’s and other high-profile names could be in the Epstein files… But just a heads up, you’ll need a New York Times subscription to access it.
Email us: Got a topic you want us to tackle? Send us your Shortcut suggestions to hello@thesquiz.com.au.
Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories…
Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here
Jul 21, 2025 • 13min
Parliament's back in the saddle, and vale to a social media-savvy veteran
Tuesday, 22 July: Back in the parliamentary saddle; A new offensive in Gaza; Employment Hero heads to court; And vale Papa Jake...
SPONSORED: If you're curious about opportunities at Nous Group and want to discover your potential doing interesting, meaningful work, you can find out more at nousgroup.com
Read or listen to our Shortcut on the super tax debate here.
Papa Jake's obituary is here.
You can read Claire's newsletter on why the Astronomer cheating scandal has become so huge here.
You can 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.
