Squiz Today

Inflation is making headlines, now at 3.8%, prompting political repercussions and debates about public spending cuts. In tech news, another Optus outage is under scrutiny, attributed to vandalism. The eagerly awaited return of Stranger Things has fans buzzing over its fifth season’s release timeline. Meanwhile, peace talks involving Ukraine see some progression. And don’t miss the quirky trivia segment to cap off this entertaining news roundup!

Trump and Xi's recent phone call raised eyebrows with no trade deal in sight. Tensions between China, Taiwan, and Japan escalate as regional dynamics shift. In local news, the Bondi Junction inquest questions psychiatric care following a tragic stabbing. Political intrigue brews as rumors swirl around Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce's potential moves. Meanwhile, Robert Irwin captures hearts on 'Dancing With The Stars,' gaining attention from the New York Times and showcasing impressive family support.

Despite winning a landslide victory just over a year ago, the Labour government in the UK is already in deep polling trouble, with plenty of speculation over the leadership of PM Keir Starmer. And at the same time, the polling for far-right party Reform UK and leader Nigel Farage has rocketed up. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at what’s behind Starmer’s fall in support and Farage’s rise - and what might happen next. SPONSORED: Head here to find out more about how copper powers our world and BHP. Squiz Recommends:  Watching: This video from TLDR News - a video news channel in the UK - which explains why young people in particular have left the Labour party and are increasingly turning their support towards both Reform and the Green Party in the UK. Reading: This piece from The Conversation that explains why Starmer’s government has hit such turbulence, and what might happen next.  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 Prefer to watch this episode? Check it out on YouTube here

Discover the upcoming social media ban for those under 16 and its implications, including potential verification workarounds and YouTube access without accounts. Tune in for updates on the Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations and hear about Skye Gingell's culinary legacy. Also, delve into Oscar Piastri's disqualification issue and the effect of skid plank erosion in Formula One. Plus, learn about a new campaign addressing digital violence against women, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Legislative reform for environmental protection is making waves as a major push unfolds in Parliament. Cyclone Fina wreaks havoc in Darwin, leaving a trail of destruction and heading towards Western Australia. The Ashes take a chaotic turn with an intense two-day match and a surprising victory for Australia. In the box office realm, 'Wicked' soars with impressive ticket sales despite mixed reviews. Meanwhile, a Gold Coast helicopter crash inquiry begins, shedding light on the tragic incident.

You might already know that we're on something of a crusade at the Squiz to improve the digital literacy of the next generation through our News Hounds program. It goes hand in hand with our commitment to civics education, engaging kids with the way our government works as a means of safeguarding our democracy. It's a passion we happen to have in common with Milton Dick, the federal member for Oxley and Speaker of the House of Representatives. In this special episode of Squiz Kids, Bryce Corbett chats with Milton Dick MP, the man whose job is to keep order in Australia’s Parliament, make sure everyone plays by the rules, and keep the country’s business moving. What happens when Aussie kids tell the Speaker of the House how to keep politicians in line? Find out in this special Question Time Takeover.

Each Saturday, we wrap up the news of the week with the (imaginatively named) Weekly Wrap podcast on our News Club show. We’re putting the main story here because we want to ensure Squizers are across what we’re talking about. This week was a big one for federal politics, starting with Australia ceding the bid to host COP31 (the annual global UN meeting) to Türkiye, and a hospital funding brawl between state and federal governments. Listen to the full episode on the News Club show feed.  Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@TheSquiz⁠⁠ PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about Squiz Today and News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista. Hosts: Claire Kimball & Jodie Speers Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton Video editor: Charlie Devenport Researcher: Nicoletta Hay

Australia's decision to withdraw from the COP31 bid raises questions about political leadership and regional commitments. In a pivotal move, Trump orders the release of the Epstein files, igniting discussions around transparency and public trust. The Ashes series looks promising as England's new strategies clash with Australia's seasoned lineup. Plus, listeners get a tasty recipe for snapper and green bean curry to try out over the weekend.

For the past few months, the US Navy has been deploying warships to the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela. Those ships have carried out several deadly strikes against what the US says are boats operated by drug cartels. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what’s led to this situation, and what could be next… Squiz Recommends:  Listening: This episode of The Daily podcast by The New York Times called Is the US Trying to Oust the Government in Venezuela? gives a good overview of what the US’ strategy could be… Reading: This article from CNN goes a bit deeper into the Cartel de los Soles and why it’s more of an idea than an organisation. 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 Prefer to watch this episode? Check it out on YouTube here⁠

A significant breakthrough emerges in the Epstein case with new legislation demanding the release of key documents. Tensions flare between China and Japan over Taiwan as diplomatic relations are tested. In sports, exciting news unfolds as Willem Dersmer is picked first in the AFL Draft, promising a bright future for his family in football. Meanwhile, the ARIA Awards celebrate Aussie music, honoring talents like Amyl and the Sniffers. All these dynamic discussions wrapped up with quick highlights from various topics.