Interested in the news but sometimes find there is a whole lot of assumed knowledge which makes it hard to get the full picture? Recent examples include the Hong Kong/China relationship, how the moon landing 50 years ago still impacts us today, and who Punky Brewster is... Each week, Squiz Shortcuts will give you the context on the news, personalities and historical events that often come up but can be confusing and time-consuming to get across. In the usual Squiz tone, we'll keep it short and sharp, and opinion-free. As always, The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed.
Interview: Tanya Notley on the critical issue of media literacy
The Bondi stabbings, the Wakely church attack, the Voice referendum, the war in the Middle East... They're just some examples of news stories that have sparked conversations that go beyond the events themselves. We're talking about the information we’re being fed: Is it harmful? Misleading? Persuasive? And what’s the intent behind it? This is all about the rise of misinformation and disinformation and the growing concern over how we, as a society, can make sense of what’s true and what’s not, especially regarding our kids.
To mark media literacy week, we sit down with Associate Professor Tanya Notley. We came across her through our work on Newshounds—our media literacy program for primary school kids. She dives into the problem of misinformation, the tricky task of solving it, and her frustration with how slow progress has been. Plus, we discuss what’s at stake if we don’t get this right.
Check out Tanya's work on media literarcy here and here.
You can check out Newshounds here. It's currently being used in 3,400 classrooms, and we want to get it into every school. If you know a teacher, or even a parent who might be keen, share it with them!
Want more News Club in your life? We've got you...
Sign up to our News Club newsletter
Watch all our interviews on Youtube
Follow us on Instagram: @The Squiz
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 News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
10/22/2024 • 28 minutes, 25 seconds
A flurry of activity around Taiwan, Vale Liam Payne, and King Charles touches down
In the news this week, a whirlwind of developments between China and Taiwan, PM Anthony Albanese’s new home purchase making headlines, and tributes pour in for former One Direction star Liam Payne. Plus, your guide on where to spot the royals during their visit to Canberra and Sydney
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
Watch The Iron Claw on Amazon Prime
Watch Cunk on Earth on Netflix
Our media literacy program Newshounds
10/18/2024 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
Interview: Adam Harvey on being in Israel a year on from 7 October
It’s been a year since the October 7 attacks, and the conflict in the Middle East remains a huge news topic around the world.
ABC journalist Adam Harvey recently went back to Israel to report on the kibbutz that was targeted during the 7 October attacks. He shares his reflections on what’s happening on the ground, how things have changed since his last visit, and the mood in Israel towards their government and the West. Plus, with his experience as a former Middle East correspondent in Beirut, we ask about how he views the escalating war between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
Read his report on the Be'eri massacre here
Listen to our previous episode with Adam on a foreign correspondent's perspective on the Israel-Gaza war here
Want more News Club in your life? We've got you...
Sign up to our News Club newsletter
Watch all our interviews on Youtube
Follow us on Instagram: @The Squiz
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 News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
This week, we’re breaking down Hurricane Milton’s impact, Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon, and marking the anniversary of October 7. Plus, tennis legend Rafa Nadal announces his retirement, and the King and Queen are heading to Australia.
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
The Daily's podcast episode - The Parents Aren’t Alright…
Raising Parents podcast with Emily Oster
30 for 30 Lance Armstrong documentary
10/11/2024 • 30 minutes, 34 seconds
Interview: Ben Smith on the US election
Today, we're launching the second season of our News Club interview series! This time, we're unpacking the biggest stories of the year – kicking off with the US election.
Our first guest is Ben Smith, former media reporter for The New York Times, political reporter for Politico, and ex-editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News. Two years ago, he launched Semafor, a media company tackling the issue of polarization. Ben shares his insights on how the media is playing into this election, plus what it's like being in the US right now. He’s met Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, has stories from covering Barack Obama’s election, and even a cracking tale about the Clintons.
You can check out Semafor here
Want more News Club in your life? We've got you...
Sign up to our News Club newsletter
Watch all our interviews on Youtube
Follow us on Instagram: @The Squiz
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 News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
10/8/2024 • 35 minutes, 45 seconds
Queensland’s election ramps up, tensions rise between Iran and Israel, and what we learned about Maggie Smith
As the 7 October anniversary approaches, Iran and Israel’s airstrikes continue, and the local spotlight is on the pro-Palestine protests. We pay tribute to Maggie Smith and Kris Kristofferson and chat about an A-lister’s daughter who made a splash this week. Plus, Queensland’s election campaign officially kicks off, the NRL Grand Final looms, and Melania Trump’s memoir makes headlines.
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
Guardian piece on Maggie Smith and Judy Dench's friendship
ABC's Australian Story on Fiona MacDonald
BBC's explainer on the Iron Dome
10/4/2024 • 32 minutes
The big conversations: our next News Club series
Get ready because next week, we’re launching our new interview series all about the big news conversations of 2024! Stay tuned...
10/4/2024 • 1 minute, 25 seconds
This week in the Middle East, the ACCC takes on supermarkets, and P Diddy's downfall
It’s a big one this week… We’re breaking down the escalating tension between Israel and Hezbollah, plus what the Aussie government’s saying about it. We’ll also dive into the latest inflation data and why negative gearing is making headlines again. Meanwhile, the ACCC is taking Woolies and Coles to court, and we take a look at P Diddy’s history and the charges he’s facing. What’s coming up? The AFL Grand Final, the NRL’s Dally M Awards, the US Vice Presidential debate, and yes… Fat Bear Week!
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS:
Squizers will know we’re dedicated to this edamame dip, and it’s with good reason.
Claire recommends A Very Royal Scandal on Prime and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix
9/27/2024 • 35 minutes, 4 seconds
Our wrap on Newsmakers
Kate & Claire dive into thier four big takeaways from our Newsmakers series. Our first season is done and dusted, but don’t worry—we’ll be back very soon with our next limited series on News Club. Want more News Club in your life? We've got you...
Sign up to our News Club newsletter
Watch all our Newsmakers interviews on Youtube
Follow us on Instagram: @The Squiz
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 News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
9/24/2024 • 24 minutes, 49 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Pagers explode in Lebanon, another assassination attempt, and our best recommendation yet
This week, we dive into the escalating conflict in the Middle East, another assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and why a debate over housing policy in the Senate could trigger a double dissolution election this year. Looking ahead, we’ve got footy finals and the Reserve Bank’s decision on interest rates. And Kate delivers what could be our best recommendation yet.
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
ABC's Four Corners episode on Hezbollah and Israel
This Free Press article about why journalists took Ryan Routh seriously
Justin Steven's speech at the Melbourne Press Club
Snackachangi Chips
9/20/2024 • 31 minutes, 24 seconds
Weekly Wrap: The US presidential debate (ft. Taylor Swift), age limits for social media, and the Murdoch's showdown
This week's biggest headline is a toss-up between Taylor Swift’s US Open appearance, her endorsement of Kamala Harris, and her wins at the VMA's. We also break down the US presidential debate, the government's move to set social media age limits, and what’s going on with the protests in Melbourne. And we get you prepped for the footy finals and the Murdoch family's showdown in court.
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
Our Shortcut on the Royal Family's wealth
Part 1 of ABC's Australian Story on Lachlan Murdoch
Watch The Perfect Couple on Netflix
Princess Kate's health update video
King Charles' hug with the NZ women's rugby team
9/13/2024 • 32 minutes, 24 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Protests in Israel, Chalmers v.s the RBA, and Elle Macpherson comes under fire
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
Our Newsmakers episode with Dr Karl
Elle Macpherson's interview in Women's Weekly
Politico's article on what to know about the US debate
The Front's episode on Netanyahu and the hostages
9/7/2024 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
Newsmakers with Dr Karl
For many Aussies who grew up listening to Dr Karl's science show on Triple J, he’s an icon. Beyond that, he's written 48 books, co-hosted the Sleek Geeks show with Adam Spencer, made countless TV appearances, and even had a brief political run in 2007. Kate’s 4-year-old knows him from Playschool.
Dr Karl’s latest book, A Periodic Tale, dives into his life – from being the son of Holocaust survivors to becoming a physicist, taxi driver, children's doctor, and TV star. In typical Dr Karl fashion, this chat is a bit whirlwind...We hope you enjoy!
This is our final episode of Newsmakers. If you've enjoyed it, we'd love if you shared an episode with someone you know or left us a review.
A Periodic Tale :HarperCollins Australia, $45.00, available now.
9/6/2024 • 36 minutes, 29 seconds
Weekly Wrap: The CFMEU protests, trouble for Telegram's founder, and Oasis returns
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
Take 5 with Zan Rowe and Noel Gallagher
ABC's Four Corners episode on 'The Big War'
Our Newsmakers episode with Leigh Sales
8/30/2024 • 27 minutes, 46 seconds
Newsmakers with Leigh Sales
When Leigh Sales, one of our earliest supporters, said yes to joining us on Newsmakers—it was a big moment for us. With so much to ask, we dive into everything from her time as a foreign correspondent and anchoring 7.30 to her writing on journalism, research into grief and fear, and her thoughts on news fatigue. Plus, we chat about her side hustle, Chat 10 Looks 3, which has grown into a community of tens of thousands.
Leigh shares her interview approach, dream guests, and even a few celebrity stories. Whether you’re into news, journalism, or just curious, there’s something here for everyone.
You can watch The Assembly on ABC iview
8/27/2024 • 48 minutes, 11 seconds
Weekly Wrap: The star-studded Democratic Convention, a new NDIS deal, and a yacht conspiracy theory
Weekly Wrap is published every Saturday morning in our News Club podcast feed. Follow News Club on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, Weekly Wrap is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
LINKS
Our News Club interview with Bernie Shakeshaft
Kate recommends our Squiz Shortcut on the astronauts stranded in space
Claire recommends this podcast series about the 300 bodies discovered in Noble, Georgia
You can watch Leigh Sales' new series The Assembly on ABC iView
8/23/2024 • 26 minutes, 54 seconds
Newsmakers: Capital Brief's John McDuling on the new economy
Capital Brief is the new kid on the business block and John McDuling is leading the charge as editor-in-chief. You might know him as the former national business editor for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, or from his stints at the Financial Review and US-based Quartz.
Why chat with John? Capital Brief just celebrated its first year, launched with the belief that Australia needs more than just a couple of business papers. John says there's a gap for a publication focused on "decision-makers in the new economy." We dive into what that means, how millennials are shaking up boardrooms, the state of trust in media, and how Capital Brief is tackling it. Plus, we get into some of the big business themes of late.
8/20/2024 • 27 minutes, 54 seconds
Weekly Wrap: A helicopter crash in Cairns, Ukraine's push into Russia, and biscotti...
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
Our Heroes in Paris - 60 Minutes
Lemon and Pistachio Biscotti - Great British Bake-off
The Ezra Klein Show - The New York Times
Our Squiz Kids shortcut on Roald Dahl
Newsmakers episode with Mia Freedman
8/16/2024 • 23 minutes, 52 seconds
Newsmakers with Mia Freedman
Mia Freedman is a powerhouse in Australian media and the co-founder of women's media company Mamamia. In this chat Mia talks about her approach to content, her thoughts on authenticity, cancel culture, and the complex role of social media. We also discuss the unique dynamics of working with family, the challenges facing young men today, and even touch on topics like Botox.
Check out Mia's own interview podcast, No Filter. She also hosts the daily podcast, Mamamia Outloud, where she and her co-hosts dissect the news and issues of the week.
8/13/2024 • 52 minutes, 3 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Australia's Olympic gold rush, riots in the UK, and a visit from across the ditch
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
Squiz Kids Q&A episode with gold medalist Arisa Trew
Two astronauts are stuck at the International Space Station
This read on the Russian spies who went deep undercover with their children
Media Watch covered how fake news started the UK riots
Kate's interview on the Future Women Leadership Series podcast
8/9/2024 • 29 minutes, 43 seconds
Newsmakers: What Aussies really want with Nine.com.au's Kerri Elstub
Kerri Elstub oversees some of Australia's biggest websites: nine.com.au, 9news.com.au and 9honey.com.au. This means she leads a team producing news that millions of Australians read and watch every day. She is also one of those people you immediately want to grab a glass of wine with - she's relatable, energetic, and positive.
What do we care about? What are we really reading? How trashy are we? Kerri answers all this and more in our conversation, including the story behind her appearance on the Royals' Instagram account and her big concerns about the future of the industry she has worked in since starting as an intern at 2UE back in 1991.
Why you should never tie a ribbon to your suitcase - Nine.com.au
8/6/2024 • 36 minutes
Weekly Wrap: An Olympics around the grounds, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and mustard day...
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
Chris Burton's interview following his silver medal win
This profile on Harry Garside in The Australian. And you can watch his interview after his Olympic loss here
Watch Nine's segment on BMX siblings Kai and Saya Sakakibara
Claire recommends this tiramisu recipe from Neil Perry
8/2/2024 • 27 minutes, 11 seconds
Newsmakers: The big challenges for local news with Claire Stuchbery
Claire Stuchbery is the CEO of LINA - the Local and Independent News Association. LINA works to ensure that local audiences are served with independent, original, high-quality public-interest news reporting covering important issues. In our conversation, Claire points to some real examples of where local reporting has been able to combat misinformation and surface stories that would not have been told otherwise.
Most of us would agree this is important work. But if the business model doesn’t stack up, the means ability for these newsrooms to continue is diminished. Claire doesn’t sugarcoat or shy away from that reality. So the question becomes, what does an Australia without local news look like?
Claire is one person who’s doing her best to ensure we don’t find out.
7/30/2024 • 26 minutes, 57 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Biden drops out, wall to wall Olympics, and the Australian birthrate recession
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
The most clicked link was to this ballet-inspired double skyscraper design that tricks the eye
Claire recommends The Rest is Politics (US) podcast
Kate recommends checking out Nielsen's Gracenotes predictions
7/26/2024 • 23 minutes, 59 seconds
Newsmakers: From Paris to our screens with Murray Shaw - our Olympic newsmaker
Murray Shaw, one of Nine’s Executive Producers for the Olympics, is the guy behind getting the Games from Paris to your screen. He’s on top of everything from camera setups to guessing which athletes will steal the spotlight. And in this chat he provides a behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together. Not an Olympics fan? Shaw’s enthusiasm might just win you over...
The episode was hosted by Kate Watson and produced by Annelise Taylor
7/23/2024 • 26 minutes, 45 seconds
Weekly Wrap: The assassination attempt on Donald Trump, troubles at the CFMEU, and our new socks
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
The most clicked link this week was to this gallery of celebrities at Wimbledon
Here is JD Vance's memoir Hillbilly Elegy. It was also made into a Netflix movie.
Claire recommends these Uniqlo socks
And we're hiring! Send us your CV at [email protected]
7/19/2024 • 28 minutes, 36 seconds
Weekly Wrap (US Politics Bonus Ep): Donald Trump shot, the Republican Convention, and Biden's next moves
There was so much US politics news following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump this week that we had to make a special Weekly Wrap episode to cover it all. We dive into what happened, who the shooter was, and the big questions about who’s to blame. Plus, the Republican National Convention, the latest on Trump's court cases, and what this all means for Biden.
LINKS
Obstructed view may have delayed sniper response at Trump rally - Washington Post interactive.
Here’s What Would Happen If Joe Biden Drops Out - Forbes
The Chief Photographer in Washington Evan Vucci's Instagram
7/19/2024 • 21 minutes, 37 seconds
Newsmakers: Chris Uhlmann on western values and what’s worth fighting for
Chris Uhlmann began his journalism career at The Canberra Times, eventually joining the ABC and becoming their chief political correspondent. Since then, he has co-authored several books and now works for Sky News and The Australian. In this episode of Newsmakers, Chris shares his views on Australia’s pandemic response, the rise of China, and Donald Trump’s leadership. He also discusses the importance of values and why he participated in a documentary about Ukraine, believing it’s a fight for us all.
This episode is hosted by Kate Watson and produced by Annelise Taylor.
7/15/2024 • 42 minutes, 16 seconds
Weekly Wrap: A tragic fire in Sydney, Biden's name problem, and the $320 million wedding we can't get enough of
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
French cyclist Julien Bernard fined after stopping to kiss his wife at the Tour de France - CNN
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's Estimated $320 Million Wedding - Architectural Digest
The marathon Indian wedding turning heads around the world - BBC
7/12/2024 • 28 minutes, 18 seconds
Newsmakers: Nick Shelton on why he built Broadsheet, our go-to city guide
Welcome to our Newsmakers series. We believe quality journalism is essential, and throughout this series, we chat with people who work behind the headlines to explore their approach to news, media and publishing in Australia. In our first interview we talk to Nick Shelton, founder and CEO of Broadsheet. He shares the founding story of the popular culture and lifestyle publication, the surprising impact of COVID-19, and why social media, AI, and big tech are shaking things up (again).
Check out Broadsheet, Australia's go-to city guide, here
This episode is hosted by Kate Watson and produced by Annelise Taylor.
7/9/2024 • 33 minutes, 24 seconds
Weekly Wrap: It's raining elections, Senator Payman quits Labor, and World Chocolate day...
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
Watch Austin on ABC iview
Check out Ms Peacock Chocolates
Our most clicked link in Squiz Today
Your local events for NAIDOC week
7/5/2024 • 30 minutes, 31 seconds
Trailer: Introducing Newsmakers...
Our first interview with Broadsheet's Nick Shelton drops on Wednesday, 10 July. Sign up to our News Club newsletter here.
7/2/2024 • 1 minute, 47 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Wall to wall Assange, inflation and federal parliament’s night of nights
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter.
LINKS
Watch I Am Celine Dion
Watch Federer: Twelve Final Days
NYT’s Rogue to Victim
4:00
6/28/2024 • 28 minutes, 2 seconds
Weekly Wrap: A nuclear update, Putin embraces North Korea, and the world's most valuable company
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
Watch Summer Love on Netflix
The Brutal Calculation of Hamas’s Leader - The Journal podcast
Europe tilts right. Australia is watching - The Fin
Read/listen to our Squiz Shortcuts on the European parliament
SPONSORED: To learn more about Woolworths Group click here
6/21/2024 • 30 minutes, 1 second
Weekly Wrap: The Chinese Premier to visit down under, the UK election, and swimming to the Olympics
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was on the UK's bamboo crisis
Claire recommends Roger Federer's Dartmouth commencement address
Kate recommends this round table video from Hollywood Reporter
Our Squiz Shortcut on the Nuclear energy debate
SPONSORED: To learn more about Woolworths Group and the Baronio family click here
6/14/2024 • 33 minutes, 9 seconds
Weekly Wrap: D-Day anniversary & Ukraine, a Canberra Airport tangle, and that State of Origin hit...
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was Simone Biles Leotard
You can sign up to our Squiz Today newsletter here
Our Shortcut on the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Larissa recommends two episodes of The Daily. This one on Trump's guilty verdict and this one on how it may shape the US election
Kate recommends this episode of Conversations with Bonnie Garmus
Hosts: Kate Watson and Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
6/7/2024 • 27 minutes, 45 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Trump found guilty, the latest from Rafah, and Iceland's election....
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
We'd love it if you could take our 2024 Audience Survey
Sign up to our weekly News Club newsletter
Our shortcut on Donald Trump's legal issues
Our shortcut on Rafael Nadal - you can read or a listen here
Claire recommends watching the third season of Hacks on Stan
Kate recommends this BBC article on underground schools in Ukraine
Hosts: Kate Watson and Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
5/31/2024 • 28 minutes, 25 seconds
Are magazines back?... With Galah founder Annabelle Hickson
Annabelle Hickson is the founder and editor of Galah Magazine, an independent print magazine that captures regional Australia and the people who live there. With the return of several big magazine titles this year, we ask her if there is a growing desire for non-digital experiences. We also talk about the lack of local newspapers and how that might be feeding perceptions of rural and regional Australia that aren’t quite accurate.
Club picks:
This Australian Financial Review piece from last year by Squiz fave Lauren Sams about the magazines making a comeback lays out the case and data.
This article from ABC Online about the closure of Broken Hill’s last newspaper, The Barrier Truth. After more than 125 years, they published their final edition in April.
A piece of research by Pew that takes a look at American’s local news consumption habits. While a large majority say they value local news, only 15% have paid for it in the last year.
Finally, we’ve recommended Galah a few times on the podcast and often gift it to friends and family. Sign up here, and you’ll receive 3 issues delivered to your door.
5/27/2024 • 24 minutes, 2 seconds
Weekly Wrap: From slop to Telstra job cuts, what the ICC did this week, and a very wet Rishi Sunak...
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was a link to Tatler's portrait of Princess Kate
This video demo of Google's AI platform Gemini
A video of Rishi Sunak's press conference announcing the UK general election.
Our Squiz Shortcut on the Aussie debate about nuclear energy
Listen to our News Club episode on Baby Reindeer
Hosts: Kate Watson and Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
5/24/2024 • 24 minutes, 59 seconds
The truth about Baby Reindeer
Over 60 million people have watched the massive Netflix hit, Baby Reindeer. Made in the UK, it’s described as a dark comedy drama-thriller miniseries, but it’s the label it gave itself that has thrust the show into the news - ‘this is a true story’. Cue a debate about entertainment and the truth in the era of streaming platforms that aren’t necessarily putting much stock in compliance with broadcasting codes of conduct. It’s an issue that has made it all the way to the UK’s Parliament…
Club Picks:
An interview with Richard Gadd in GQ from early April outlining where he is coming from…
This piece in the Free Press called Baby Reindeer Is a True Story - But Whose True Story?
The Hollywood Reporter’s report on some comments made by Russell T Davies. He’s the guy behind the most recent Doctor Who series and he’s got a lot of experience in complying with broadcasting standards.
5/21/2024 • 18 minutes, 25 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Unpacking the Budget, a global wrap on protests, and happy b'day to us...
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was a link to Horseshoe jeans
Claire recommends watching The Holdovers
Kate recommends this episode of Conversations with Troy Cassar-Daley
Listen to our News Club episode with BackTrack founder Bernie Shakeshaft. And you can listen to our episode with James Chessell about making and reporting on the Federal Budget here.
Hosts: Kate Watson and Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
5/17/2024 • 23 minutes, 14 seconds
BackTrack's Bernie Shakeshaft on more kids, more towns, more empathy in Aus
With all the news of late about youth crime, gendered violence, and incarceration rates, we have found ourselves asking - I wonder what Bernie thinks? Bernie Shakeshaft is the 2020 Australian Local Hero of the Year recipient and the founder of Backtrack. It's a community-led organisation for young people who are having a tough time. In this chat, he delves into what helping those kids who need it most means and why it makes a big difference.
Club Picks:
This piece on the ABC looks at the data around youth offender rates and the various solutions being offered.
This Moree report, written by Adam Harvey in March, paints a picture of what it is like to live with the issue of youth crime on your doorstep. We interviewed Adam Harvey previously on News Club about reporting on conflict zones.
This is the documentary made in 2018 about BackTrack and a recent update to it. You can also watch the trailer here.
This is Bernie featured in the AFR’s Philanthropy edition. If you don’t have time for the doco or our News Club interview, this is an easy way to get across what he has built/is building.
Find out more about BackTrack here
Host: Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
5/13/2024 • 30 minutes, 47 seconds
Weekly Wrap: The Meh-Gala, Aussie brothers murdered in Mexico, and what to expect in the Federal Budget
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was a gallery of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower
Listen to our News Club episode on making and reporting on the Federal Budget
Larissa recommends this viral tomato soup recipe
Kate recommends this episode on HECS from our How Far We've Come series
Listen and/or read our Shortcut on the Nuclear Power debate
Hosts: Kate Watson and Larissa Moore
Producer: Annelise Taylor
5/10/2024 • 21 minutes, 29 seconds
Making and reporting on the Federal Budget with former Managing Director of Nine Publishing James Chessell
With Treasurer Jim Chalmers set to hand down the Federal Budget next week, we thought it would be a good time to dive into the process of how it gets made and how the media reports on it. James Chessell, a Walkley Award-winning journalist and former Managing Director of Publishing at Nine Entertainment, is well-versed in covering budgets. Plus, his former time working as a staffer for Joe Hockey makes him uniquely qualified on the topic.
Club Picks:
This episode of Politics with Michelle Grattan with economist Chris Richardson. She’s the doyen of political coverage out of Canberra’s Press Gallery, and he’s the go-to guru for anyone looking to make sense of the Budget. Ahead of its release, they set the scene for what’s on the government’s economic plate.
This piece from 2017 by Dr Denis Muller, a journalism expert from Melbourne Uni, goes into the art of the leak…
And speaking of leaks, the mother of them all came about in 1980 when then-Ten News political reporter Laurie Oakes got access to the Budget in a dark Canberra car park 2 days ahead of its release… This clip of how it unfolded on air is fun, if only for then Treasurer John Howard’s reaction…
5/6/2024 • 21 minutes, 48 seconds
Weekly Wrap: National Cabinet tackles gendered violence, Solomon Island's has a new PM, and it's Eurovision time...
Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram.
LINKS
This episode of The Daily on the pro-Palestine student protests at Columbia University
Listen to the Eurovision entry from Electric Fields here
Larissa recommends this doco that goes behind the scenes for the 2015 Met Gala
Kate recommends this episode of The NYT's new podcast series called The Interview
Listen to our News Club episode on ultra-fast fashion with AFR fashion editor Lauren Sams
You can sign up to our Squiz Today and Saturday Squiz newsletters here
Hosts: Kate Watson and Larissa Moore
Producer: Annelise Taylor
5/3/2024 • 23 minutes, 19 seconds
AFR fashion editor Lauren Sams on faster, faster, faster fashion
This week on News Club, we talk with Lauren Sams, fashion editor at the Australian Financial Review, about the rise of ultra-fast fashion and how businesses like Temu and Shein manage to offer such cheap clothes. In Australia alone, they are on track to record more than $2 billion in sales this year and they’re fast grabbing a huge chunk of market share both here and overseas. But there are plenty of questions about the ethics of what we’re buying from these sites.
Club Picks:
Two videos from the Wall Street Journal - ‘How Temu’s Explosive Growth Is Disrupting American E-Commerce’ and ‘How Shein Built a $66B Fast-Fashion Empire’ - are less than 10 mins each and very informative.
A 2022 investigation by Wired, ‘Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control: Inside Shein’s Sudden Rise,’ explores the problems facing the company.
This Money Talks podcast episode by The Economist called ‘Why Amazon should be afraid of Temu’.
Lauren Sams recommended this book - Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes.
Host: Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
4/29/2024 • 30 minutes, 18 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Musk v eSafety, the US TikTok ban, and a viral baby story
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
LINKS
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was about the Aurora Australis
Unmade's article on why the Arj Barker story went viral
Kate recommends ABC's Australian Story on Aiden Dix
Listen to our News Club episode on Ozempic
Hosts: Kate Watson and Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
4/26/2024 • 22 minutes, 41 seconds
The weighty issue of Ozempic
Ozempic, designed for type-2 diabetes treatment, has garnered widespread attention for its potential to aid weight loss in obese individuals. In Australia, where obesity affects 30% of the population, it has sparked significant interest and Novo Nordisk, the company behind it, has seen its share price surge by almost 500% in 5 years. While there are other similar drugs on the market, Ozempic is the OG. Which is why we are delving into it for News Club...
Club Picks:
This podcast on ABC Radio National’s Life Matters program includes an interview with podcaster Claire Murphy. S
The invention of these drugs has had - and will continue to have - economic impacts. This episode of The Economist’s Money Talks podcast goes through that, and the industry that’s booming off the back of them.
You can’t go far in this discussion without mentioning Oprah Winfrey… The US multi-media legend has had a decades-long struggle with her weight. She’s even made a show about it - Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution - a clip is here.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
4/23/2024 • 24 minutes, 38 seconds
Weekly Wrap: 2 knife attacks in Sydney, Lehrmann loses his case, and a buttery recommendation
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
LINKS
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was about the floods in Dubai
Listen to our News Club ep with Adam Harvey on a reporter's perspective on the Israel-Hamas war
Check out our Shortcut on Iran and Israel
Claire's recommendation is this Vegemite butter recipe
Hosts: Kate Watson & Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
4/19/2024 • 25 minutes, 54 seconds
Adam Harvey: A foreign correspondent's perspective on the Israel-Gaza war
Adam Harvey is a reporter with ABC TV’s 7.30 and their former Middle East correspondent. We sat down with him to talk about his experience working in the Middle East, what it was like when he returned to Israel late last year, and how journalists get their information. Plus, we ask whether he would ever have thought the events of 7 October were possible and if he is surprised by Israel’s response.
Club Picks:
This article that was written by Adam himself. He talks about it in the podcast because it was published 24 hours after the 7 October attack.
He also discusses CNN reporter Clarissa Ward, one of the only reporters who has been able to enter Gaza without an escort. Here is a piece she produced after doing so.
Adam recommends this podcast by Yonit Levi of Israel’s Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian - 2 prominent journalists - called Unholy: Two Jews on The News.
Finally, Adam pointed us in the direction of 3 books called ‘Jerusalem’ as background to a city he and so many others love:
Simon Montefiore’s biography Jerusalem*
Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collin’s O! Jerusalem*, which covers the events surrounding the creation of the state
And Ottolengi’s famous Jerusalem cookbook*
*Purchase using this link, and we may earn a little commission
4/15/2024 • 30 minutes, 4 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Wong floats 2-state solution, Trump's abortion issue, and an unfortunate bird update...
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
Links:
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was about these 2 unlikely friends
Listen to our News Club ep on The business of Bluey
The Daily's podcast episode on Arizona and Trump's abortion dilemma
Kate recommends this episode of The Fin podcast with Lauren Sams
Claire recommends Season 2 of Loot and Not Dead Yet
Hosts: Kate Watson & Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
4/12/2024 • 27 minutes, 31 seconds
The business of Bluey
Bleuy is one of the most-streamed TV shows in the world. But whilst Bluey is owned and produced by Ludo Studios - an Aussie outfit based in Brisbane - the commercial rights are owned by the BBC. It’s all a bit interesting, so this week, News Club will be about the juggernaut that is Bluey.
Club Picks:
An interview in The Independent with the creator of Bluey, Joe Brumm.
A piece in the Financial Review from a few years ago which goes through how the ABC missed out on the commercial rights to Bluey.
A recent piece by Bloomberg that throws up the possibility Bluey won’t continue forever. You can listen to the transcript of that for free here.
And ahead of the Bluey ‘movie’ on Sunday, an interview in the Weekend Australian with Melinda Zanetti aka Chilli.
4/9/2024 • 23 minutes, 27 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Lehrmann case hears new evidence, Alice has a curfew, and a Bluey kind of movie
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
Links:
The most clicked link in Squiz Today was about this Gucci wallet in Big W
The Daily's podcast episode on Israel's airstrike on the World Central Kitchen
Claire recommends The Rest is History's 2-part podcast episode on Captain Cook
Kate recommends watching Oppenheimer on Netflix
Read Kate's op-ed in Mumbrella here
Hosts: Kate Watson & Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
4/5/2024 • 23 minutes, 53 seconds
Interview: Bryce Corbett on teaching the next generation to be media literate
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
Bryce Corbett is the director of Squiz Kids. In this special episode, he discusses the challenges facing the next generation of news consumers and how we, through our media literacy program Newshounds, are doing our bit to help.
Bryce also discusses his life as a journalist, his work as a ghostwriter on two best-selling biographies, and how his journey from gossip columnist to deputy editor at the Women's Weekly, to author, and more personally to father led him to be at the forefront of helping the next generation become critical news consumers.
Host: Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
4/1/2024 • 29 minutes, 20 seconds
The high cost of hosting big sporting events
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram. If you have 2 minutes, we'd love if you could complete our survey
Last week, several major news stories highlighted the tension between governments wanting to host big sports events and the substantial cost to taxpayers. Cue plenty of opinions and analyses about whether it's worth it. So, we're delving into the debate in this week's News Club
Club Picks:
Want a presentation with arrows? You got it… This link takes you to the International Olympic Committee’s thinking on the expense of hosting the Games and how they’re trying to solve it.
Some analysis from John Verano from Oxford Uni on the risk and reward of hosting the Olympics, and why emerging nations/those with reputation problems are willing to pay the price.
And what’s happening with the Brissie Olympics? The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age’s Chris Barrett looks at the money and the people involved in deciding how to pull it off.
Melburnians are no strangers to the cost-benefit discussion around big sporting events… This article by Chip Le Grand in The Age dives into the economics of the Australian Grand Prix, an event which has been angering/delighting locals since 1996.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
3/26/2024 • 22 minutes, 11 seconds
Weekly Wrap: When sports and politics collide, the latest on Donald Trump, and a very big yeehaw
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
If you have 2 minutes, we'd love if you could complete our survey
Links:
Sign up to the Squiz Today Newsletter here
Watch ABC's 730 report on Trump's possible running mate here
Claire recommended The New York Times' The Daily episode on the Trump campaign and the US Wildlife Bald Eagle cam
Kate recommends subscribing to Galah
Listen to our News Club interview with ITV's royal producer here
Hosts: Kate Watson & Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
3/22/2024 • 28 minutes, 28 seconds
Interview: ITV's Lizzie Robinson from inside a royal newsroom
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
If you have 2 minutes, we'd love if you could complete our survey
Lizzie Robinson is the royal producer for ITV in London. When we asked Squizers about the recent coverage of Princess Kate and that photo, 65% said the situation had been blown out of proportion. It left us with lots of questions about royal PR strategies and their interactions with the media. So, we sat down with Lizzie to delve into the dynamics of the British media's relationship with the Royals.
Listen to Lizzie's podcast The Royal Rota here
3/21/2024 • 21 minutes, 30 seconds
The Royals and that photo that won't go away...
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
We ummed about this week’s News Club topic. Questions like ‘are people still interested?’, ‘is it too old?’, is it too gossipy’ and ‘can we all just leave Kate alone?’ were the kinds of conversations we were having. But the news around Princess Kate, her whereabouts and that photo just keep on keeping on - so here we are...
If you have 2 minutes, we'd love if you could complete our survey
Club Picks:
This interview with BuzzFeed News’ former royal reporter on how the game works between the palace and the press.
A piece in The Scotsman about why this is more than a photo editing fail
A video of White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answering questions about Kate’s pic. It got us thinking about the difference between ‘digitally altered’ and deep fakes and how it relates to the upcoming US election.
3/19/2024 • 20 minutes, 57 seconds
Weekly Wrap: State elections, the US TikTok ban, and where's Kate...
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
If you have 2 minutes, we'd love if you could complete our survey
Links:
Our most clicked link in Squiz Today was about this mysterious silver monolith
Claire recommends the US Wildlife Bald Eagle cam
Kate recommends this podcast by The Free Press in Israel
Our News Club episode on 'Meta's beef with news' and listen to our interview with Tim Duggan here
Hosts: Kate Watson & Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
3/15/2024 • 23 minutes, 54 seconds
Interview: Tim Duggan on Meta and news
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
Tim Duggan is the co-founder of several digital media ventures, most notably junkie media. He is also the Chair of the Digital Publishers Alliance, an industry body that represents over 150 titles from leading independent digital publishers. Meta's recent decision not to re-sign deals with some news Aussie publishers has set in motion a chain of events that could see them pull news from Facebook and Instagram. So, we sat down with Tim to chat about what that means for publishers and you as news consumers.
3/15/2024 • 29 minutes, 36 seconds
Meta's beef with news
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
Meta, the mega US company that owns Facebook and Instagram, recently announced it would not re-sign deals with some Aussie news publishers. That sets in motion a possible chain of events that could change a lot for our media industry - and you as a news consumer.
If you have 2 minutes, we'd love if you could complete our survey
Club Picks:
To answer the question of what’s going on here and how it could affect publishers, we have an opinion piece in The Australian by Tim Duggan, the chair of the Digital Publishers Alliance.
A podcast from Future Media by tech/media insider Ricky Sutton. Let’s just say he has some “tough truths” he reckons Australia’s publishers need to hear…
A look more widely at how Meta is looking at news content is picked up in this New York Times article
3/12/2024 • 21 minutes, 58 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Sam Kerr faces court, tweaks to paid parental leave, and 7 years of The Squiz
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Links
Our most clicked link was to this pic of QLD Premier Steven Miles
Kate recommends the Unmade podcast with Tim Burrows. You can find our recent interview on it here.
Listen to our News Club episode with Jamila Rizvi on the gender pay gap
Follow News Club on Instagram for all our Weekly Wrap content
3/8/2024 • 26 minutes, 7 seconds
Interview: Jamila Rizvi on the gender pay gap
Support News Club by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Instagram
Jamila Rizvi is the Deputy Managing Director of Future Women, a gender equality commentator, and best-selling author. Last week, WGEA released data on the median pay gap for individual private-sector companies. Kate sat down to chat with Jamila about her take on the data, getting out of her bubble to see things from other perspectives, and that big essential question: what sort of society are we looking to build here?
3/8/2024 • 24 minutes, 57 seconds
Perspectives on the gender pay gap
Last week the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) published data from all private sector companies in Australia that employ over 100 people on their gender pay gaps. Cut to Wednesday, and there were scores of headlines with varying takes on the data. So in this episode, we'll explore some of those takes, you can form your own opinion on the reasons behind the gap and how to address it.
Follow us on Instagram and sign up to our News Club newsletter
Club Picks:
The first is the cold hard data published by WGEA - this is their Instagram post, so you don’t have to read the full report
The transcript of the press conference with federal Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher and the WGEA CEO Mary Woodridge -
An opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald/The Age by Jacqueline Maley titled ‘Pay gap stats aren’t about naming and shaming? Um, they kind of are.’
This personal piece in The Australian by columnist Janet Albrechsten on women's choices
3/5/2024 • 21 minutes, 32 seconds
Weekly Wrap: A private look at the gender pay gap, viva las NRL, and is Kate Middleton ok...
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Links
Our most clicked link was this viral TikTok of Golf pro Georgia Ball
Kate recommends this Fred Again article from the Guardian
Claire recommends the TV series Estonia on SBS On Demand
Follow News Club on Instagram for all our Weekly Wrap content
3/1/2024 • 21 minutes, 28 seconds
Supermarkets...price gouging or good business?
It’s the BBQ stopper of our time - how much things cost at the supermarket. Throw in six enquiries, headlines on competition, the cost of living, and a CEO's interview walkout, and it's a prime topic for this week's News Club
Club picks:
This graph on the market share of different supermarkets in Australia.
The Four Corners episode on the tactics supermarkets are using to keep prices high and competition out.
This editorial in the Financial Review says the price gouging claims levelled against the Coles and Woolworths are a bit of a beat-up. Instead, they say it has more to do with the pressure the Albanese Government is facing on the cost of living.
For more News Club content, follow us on Instagram and sign up for our News Club newsletter.
2/27/2024 • 24 minutes, 55 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Banducci walks out, a naval overhaul, and Swift-mania
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
Follow News Club on Instagram
Listen to our Taylor Swift-themed episode with Georgie Tunny
Kate recommends The Daily's podcast episode on 'What happens if America turns its back on its allies?'
Claire recommends watching One Day on Netflix
2/23/2024 • 21 minutes, 8 seconds
News Club Special: Georgie Tunny on Taylor Swift
There isn’t much bigger news so far in 2024 than Taylor Swift. And there isn’t a much bigger fan than co-host of The Project Georgie Tunny. This New Club special is for anyone who is bamboozled by Swiftmania or is just interested in how the celebrity media machine works (note: she recently interviewed Tom Cruise).
Follow Georgie Tunny on Instagram and check out the Ready For It podcast here.
2/22/2024 • 19 minutes, 12 seconds
Is Julian Assange a criminal or journalist?
For more News Club content, follow us on Instagram and sign up to our News Club newsletter.
Club Picks:
This article from Time is a good overview to get up to speed on who Julian Assange is and why the US is pushing for his extradition.
This Sydney Morning Herald/Age profile from 2022 of Jennifer Robinson. She’s an Aussie human rights lawyer who works with Assange’s legal team.
Hillary Clinton’s interview on ABC TV’s Four Corners (skip to the 25-minute mark). Clinton was the US Secretary of State when WikiLeaks published the classified information in question.
Extras:
This New Yorker article on the Russian artist holding art hostage in a bid to protect Assange
David Crowe's opinion piece on the showing of support by Aussie politicians towards Assange
2/20/2024 • 20 minutes, 25 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Albanese proposes, Kanas triumphs, and VIC in the dark
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
Follow News Club on Instagram
Our most clicked link this week was this video of Jeff Goldblum at the Superbowl
This Australian article by Jared Lynch in The Australian on the Victorian outage and surge in electricity prices
Kate recommends this Jennifer Lopez profile in Variety
Claire recommends this NYT piece on the rise of celeb-funded docos
2/16/2024 • 21 minutes, 57 seconds
Is Joe Biden too old to be president?
For more News Club content, follow us on Instagram and sign up to our News Club newsletter.
News Club recommendations:
Politico Playbook’s podcast episode goes into the nuts and bolts of the Special Counsel’s report and how it’s relevant to the US election.
This Sydney Morning Herald/The Age opinion piece by Bruce Wolpe explores what it would look like if Biden did step aside for the 2024 election
This SBS article zooms out on the question of leadership and age
This article on 'How will America choose?' by The Guardian's Marina Hyde
2/13/2024 • 17 minutes, 6 seconds
Weekly Wrap: A royal diagnosis, the right to disconnect, and our Grammy's roundup
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
Our most clicked link this week was the Wildlife Photographer of the year winner and this video of a graffiti-covered luxury high-rise
Tracey Chapman sang ‘Fast Car’ at the 1989 Grammys
Get your royal gossip fix from Tatler
This SBS explainer on the Lunar New Year
Our Squiz Shortcut on this week’s election in Pakistan
This read by Hannah-Rose Lee on going inside the Golden Globes
The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
2/9/2024 • 24 minutes, 5 seconds
News Club: The backstory to The Squiz...
Drumroll....We're launching News Club! Before the first episode drops next week, Kate and Claire take a look back at how they met, how The Squiz started, and the journey that led us to here.
Follow @thesquiznewsclub on Instagram
2/6/2024 • 17 minutes, 27 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Swifties tackle AI deepfakes, changes to tax cuts, and a Sydney shark attack...
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
The most clicked article this week was on the coastal grandma trend
ABC's article on the AI-generated image of MP Georgie Purcell
Read this SMH article on shark attack survivors
Watch Nemesis on ABC iView
Listen to The Front's episode with journalist Yoni Bashan
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
2/2/2024 • 25 minutes, 28 seconds
Weekly Wrap is back...
1/29/2024 • 1 minute, 52 seconds
The Year Ahead with Abbey Gelmi and Georgie Tunny
In our final Year Ahead ep for 2024, Claire and Kate talk with sports journalist Abbey Gelmi and The Project host Georgie Tunny about their sports news predictions for 2024. They chat about the Paris Olympics, the exoneration of Peter Bol, and the big 'bin-fires' of 2023...
Listen to Abbey and Georgie's podcast, Two Good Sports, and follow them on Instagram.
Buy The Thursday Murder Club series here
Watch Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV and The English Game on Netflix (correction from: The Gentleman's Game).
Listen to Take Me to Your Leader here and Empowering Leaders with Luke Darcy here
Know someone who'd enjoy the way we do news? You telling them about us is the only present we need... go on, give us a plug. Or leave a review!
1/24/2024 • 21 minutes, 53 seconds
The Year Ahead with Helen McCabe
Today, Claire and Kate talk with Helen McCabe, the former editor of Australian Women's Weekly and founder of Future Women. They chat about the number of female politicians at the top of their game, the big changes to workplace gender equality laws, and housing.
Squiz listeners can redeem a free FW Red membership valued at $48 using the code SQUIZ2024
Read Helen's speech at the Andrew Olle Media Lecture here
Watch the Beckham doco on Netflix
Follow Helen McCabe on Instagram
Know someone who'd enjoy the way we do news? You telling them about us is the only present we need... go on, give us a plug. Or leave a review!
1/17/2024 • 22 minutes, 12 seconds
We're working on something...
1/15/2024 • 1 minute, 23 seconds
The Year Ahead with fashion editor Lauren Sams
We're talking with our friends in the news about what stuck with them in 2023 and their predictions for 2024, with 4 special episodes across January.
Today, Claire and Kate talk with AFR fashion and lifestyle editor, Lauren Sams, about the big Aussie fashion and business news, fast fashion, and the return of the concept store. Next up - Helen McCabe, ex-editor of the Australian Women's Weekly and founder of Future Women
Follow Lauren Sams on Instagram
Read Lauren Sams' interviews with Kayla Itsines and Tom Parker Bowles
Listen to the Articles of Interest podcast here
Watch Kingdom of Dreams on AppleTV+
Know someone who'd enjoy the way we do news? You telling them about us is the only present we need... go on, give us a plug. Or leave a review!
1/10/2024 • 24 minutes, 53 seconds
The Year Ahead with Sammy J
We're talking with our friends in the news about what stuck with them in 2023 and their predictions for 2024, with 4 special episodes across January.
Today, Claire and Kate talk with Sammy J, ABC radio host and comedian, about the Referendum, the return of Neighbours, AI, and the future of media. Next up - Lauren Sams, the fashion and lifestyle editor at the Financial Review.
Follow Sammy J on Instagram or Facebook
Check out his reading recommendation - Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Know someone who'd enjoy the way we do news? You telling them about us is the only present we need... go on, give us a plug. Or leave a review!
1/3/2024 • 25 minutes, 38 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Our 2023 news wrap, floods and fires in Oz, and a news-y gift exchange
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
A visual explainer from the ABC on the conflict in the Red Sea
Is the world in a democracy recession? - Stanford
Send us your 2024 news predictions
Claire's recommendations are Netflix's WHAM! doco and these $25 jogger jeans from Kmart
Kate's recommendations are The Deepest Breath and the Bluey Cricket episode
#Sponsored: Find out more about Woolworths teaming up with OzHarvest here.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
12/22/2023 • 25 minutes, 16 seconds
Weekly Wrap: The UN resolution, QLD loses their premier, and what we googled in 2023
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
The most googled search terms in 2023
David Crowe wrote this piece about Australia's vote in Israel-Gaza- The SMH
Squiz Kids' podcast episode on media literacy
Watch Ukraine: Forged in the Fire on Nine
Listen to WSJ's podcast episode on Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Hayley
#Sponsored: Find some Woolworths Fresh Ideas Magazine recipes here
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
12/15/2023 • 22 minutes, 54 seconds
Weekly Wrap: A big wrap of Aussie politics, airstrikes in Gaza, and Taylor Swift named 2023 Person of the Year
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
The most clicked link was this article on the new IOS update
How Victoria is really governed - The Age
Taylor Swift's interview with Time Magazine for Person of the Year
Jewish families confront the generational divide over Israel - NYT
Claire's foot cream recommendation
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
12/8/2023 • 24 minutes, 15 seconds
Shortcuts has a new home...
Looking for your weekly explainer? It's got a new home over on The Squiz Today podcast feed. Just search 'Squiz Today' in your podcasting app, and hit follow.
The Squiz Today podcast is a daily news podcast designed to fit into your morning routine. In a 10 minute listen we'll get you across the main Australian and international news stories of the day. It's like your smart friend taking you through it, always with a quirky/good news story or two as well. Opinion-free, agenda-free news, with a touch of analysis and an eye on what's coming next.
As for News Club? Watch this space... and in the meantime, enjoy Kate and Claire taking you through the week in news and what's ahead, each Saturday in the Weekly Wrap. News Club is the place for conversations about news.
12/4/2023 • 1 minute, 41 seconds
Weekly Wrap: Bruce Lehrmann v. Network Ten, Aussie journos pen a letter, and a tunnelling hero
Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
The lead negotiator for the release of Thai hostages spoke to Sky News
Harriet Alexander (SMH/ The Age) wrote this piece on the Lehrmann defamation trial
The letter signed by over 300 Australian journalists to media outlets
Watch Cliffy on ABC iView
Sponsored: Woolies has the little things that help make Christmas special
Hosts: Kate Watson and Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
12/1/2023 • 26 minutes, 40 seconds
Weekly Wrap Nov 25, 2023: The ceasefire in Israel-Gaza, Open AI's rollercoaster week, and Jeff Bezos's cowboy hat
25 November 2023: Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
Vogue's profile on Jeff Bezos and his fiance, Lauren Sanchez
The Guardian's long read on Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Watch Nyad on Netflix
Why Treasurer Jim Chalmers went on the wagon - Good Weekend
Kayla Itsines is finally ready to talk now - AFR
#Sponsored: Find the Woolworths Group Regional Report at www.woolworthsgroup.com.au
Hosts: Kate Watson and Claire Kimball
Producer: Annelise Taylor
11/30/2023 • 28 minutes, 35 seconds
Weekly Wrap, Nov 18, 2023: Navigating antisemitism and Islamophobia, David Cameron's surprise return to UK politics, and the Robbie William doco
18 November, 2023 - Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
Our 2023 Women and News report
Evacuation is a 3-part series about the UK military’s evacuation of Afghanistan’s capital Kabu on ABC
Kylie Moore Gilbert wrote this piece about her experience as a hostage
ABC's 7:30 segment on how Israel and Gaza tensions are playing out in Australia
Robbie William's new doco series is on Netflix
Watch Liberals in Power on Sky
The Buccaneers is on Apple TV+
#Sponsored: Angas Park's apricot and thyme recipe is here
11/30/2023 • 26 minutes, 12 seconds
Weekly Wrap Nov 11, 2023: Optus outage stops the nation, Maxwell's record innings, and Albanese's China visit.
11 November, 2023: Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
A profile on Glenn Maxwell and the video of him cramping during his double-century.
The Guardian's piece on the benefit of talking to strangers
Barbra Streisand's interview with Vanity Fair. You can also read an excerpt of her memoir here
#Sponsored: Sunbeam’s pearl couscous salad recipe is here
11/30/2023 • 25 minutes, 30 seconds
Weekly Wrap Nov 4, 2023: Vale Matthew Perry, the Israel-Hamas propaganda war, and Albanese's visit to China
November 4, 2023: Weekly Wrap is a look at the week in news, and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it's s all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
The 2024 Australian Fire Fighters Calendar
Check out Mathews Perry's book Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing
Listen to the BBC podcast episode on the Battle of Dis-information
Read the New Yorker piece on Hamas and propaganda
Our Squiz Shortcut on the what's what of summits
Our Squiz Kids episode on the Israel-Hamas conflict
#Sponsored: Sunbeam’s Australian Fruit Cake recipe is here
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Annelise Taylor
11/30/2023 • 24 minutes, 53 seconds
Your Shortcut to... what's going down at COP28
World leaders will be gathering in Dubai for COP28, the annual United Nations conference on climate change. It's the biggest event on the climate calendar, and this year's meeting comes at a fascinating moment for the climate – with wildfires, storms, and heatwaves felt across the last 12 months. In this episode, we look at what COP28 wants to achieve, as well as Australia's current climate policies.
Squiz recommends:
The Uninhabitable Earth, a book by David Wallace-Wells
The latest Squiz Kids episode on climate change
#sponsored: Study a course with Monash Online. Designed by those who change it. Find out more at: https://online.monash.edu/contact/
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
11/27/2023 • 15 minutes, 7 seconds
How Far We've Come: Giving a Gonski...
Welcome to season 2 of How Far We've Come, our short series on the big moments that have shaped Australia, plus a look at the challenges we face today. This week, we're diving into the 2011 Gonski reforms....the big personalities, how it has played out, and what's coming up.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
Want more How Far We've Come? Find all episodes and written content here.
11/25/2023 • 14 minutes, 29 seconds
How Far We've Come: Put your pencils down... It's NAPLAN
Welcome to season 2 of How Far We've Come, our short series on the big moments that have shaped Australia, plus a look at the challenges we face today. This week, we're diving into the story of NAPLAN, the controversies, the results and what lies ahead.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
Want more How Far We've Come? Find all episodes and written content here.
11/22/2023 • 13 minutes, 2 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Sam Altman and OpenAI
Internal troubles at OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, have led to its high profile CEO Sam Altman being sacked – followed by scrambled efforts by investors to reappoint him. It's a messy corporate story with consequences for AI and one of the world's most important tech companies.
Squiz recommends:
Reading: The New Yorker profile on Altman, from back in 2016.
Listening: Our Squiz Shortcut on artificial intelligence from June, if you want to get your head around the basics.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
11/20/2023 • 14 minutes, 43 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the business of Taylor Swift (Part 2)
In our last Squiz Shortcut, we talked about the road Taylor Swift has taken to the top. In Part 2, we're going deep on why her music is so good; her relationship with her fans; and her wealth and business savvy.
Squiz recommends:
The Bloomberg article we mentioned, for a breakdown of Taylor’s net worth
Netflix's Miss Americana from 2020
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
11/14/2023 • 14 minutes, 44 seconds
How Far We've Come: The HECS chronicles
Welcome to season 2 of How Far We've Come, our short series on the big moments that have shaped Australia, plus a look at the challenges we face today. This week, we're diving into the journey from limited access to free uni... and we talk HECS.
SA special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
Want more How Far We've Come? Find all episodes and written content here.
11/11/2023 • 12 minutes, 3 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Taylor Swift's Empire (Part 1)
Taylor Swift is a pop icon… Not only has her new music been lauded by the critics, she’s on a record breaking tour and remaking the rules when it comes to her back-catalogue of hits. In this episode, we lay the groundwork for how Taylor got to icon status.
Squiz recommends:
Delicate – from Reputation
All Too Well: The Short Film – from Red (Taylor's Version)
You're On Your Own, Kid – from Midnights
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
11/6/2023 • 15 minutes, 22 seconds
How Far We've Come: The tale of free and compulsory schooling
Welcome to season 2 of How Far We've Come, our short series on the big moments that have shaped Australia, plus a look at the challenges we face today. This time around we are diving into the big education moments, starting with the birth of free, compulsory, and secular education.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
Want more How Far We've Come? Find all episodes and written content here.
11/4/2023 • 12 minutes, 41 seconds
How Far We've Come: Learning and earning with TAFE
Welcome to season 2 of How Far We've Come, our short series on the big moments that have shaped Australia, plus a look at the challenges we face today. This week, we're diving into the rise of TAFE and what it means for the future of our workforce.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
Check out the Australian skills priority list
Want more How Far We've Come? Find all episodes and written content here.
11/4/2023 • 13 minutes, 21 seconds
TRAILER: News Club
Hosted by the OG Squiz team, Kate Watson and Claire Kimball, News Club is the place to go for conversations about the news. The Weekly Wrap is like the weekend newspaper in audio form. We take you through the big news stories from the week that was, what's coming up, and the stuff we're reading, watching and listening to. And from early 2024, News Club launches. It's a weekly podcast dedicated to one news topic, sort of like a book club for news...
10/31/2023 • 1 minute, 8 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Lebanon and Hezbollah
As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues to unfold, one major question is whether Israel’s northern neighbour Lebanon will be dragged into the war by Hezbollah, the anti-Israel Islamic militant group that’s based there. So in this episode, we look at the history of Lebanon, and the role Hezbollah might play in the conflict.
Squiz recommends:
The Council on Foreign Relations and their explainer on Hezbollah
A piece from Dr Julie Norman on Hamas and Hezbollah
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
10/30/2023 • 12 minutes, 38 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Sam Bankman-Fried
Sam Bankman-Fried is on trial, accused of one of the biggest frauds in American history. In this episode we look at the rise of crypto's former golden boy, and his spectacular collapse.
Squiz recommends:
Search Engine's episode on where the money went
Judging Sam, the podcast from veteran journalist Michael Lewis, who was profiling Bankman-Fried during the collapse of his crypto exchange.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
10/23/2023 • 11 minutes, 56 seconds
Weekly Wrap, 21 October: The fallout in Israel-Gaza, unpacking the Voice referendum results, and some top linen tips...
Introducing the Weekly Wrap - the week in news, and what’s coming up. Hosted by the OG team of Claire Kimball and Kate Watson, it drops at 6am Saturday morning and is all about helping you stay on top of the news + we give you some talking points for the week ahead. (Psst: For those who listen to the Saturday Squiz it’s the same, with a fresh new name and look...)
Looking for more? Check out our Saturday Squiz newsletter. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekend.
LINKS
Read this profile on New Zealand's new PM Christopher Luxon
Read two analyses of the Voice referendum results by The Australian's Janet Albrechtsen and Guardian Australia's Katharine Murphy and Josh Butler
Watch Take 5 With Zan Rowe's episode featuring Natalie Imbruglia
Read Lauren Sams' article on how to iron linen - Australian Financial Review (paywall)
Get involved in the Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive
And we'd be over the moon if you could fill in our survey
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer: Lara Robertson
10/20/2023 • 25 minutes, 57 seconds
A quick hello from us...
We'd be over the moon if you could complete our survey. You can fill it out here.
10/19/2023 • 1 minute, 2 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Voice results
The votes are in, and so is the analysis. In this Squiz Shortcut, we break down the geography of the vote, and what the major players say are the next steps after a resounding 'No'.
Squiz recommends:
Browsing: We're big data nerds, and luckily for us, the referendum result provided plenty. The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age has taken a deep dive into how the vote divided Aussies by income and education.
Reading: You might not know that South Oz is well on the way to establishing its own state-level Voice to Parliament - so here’s an article explaining how that’s going to work.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
10/18/2023 • 13 minutes, 48 seconds
ASK THE SQUIZ: Answering your questions about the Voice
Want opinion-free, agenda-free information on the Voice and the Referendum? We've got you covered with our resource centre here. If you found it useful, please share it with your people.
Got a question for us? Ask it here or send us an email at [email protected].
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
10/11/2023 • 12 minutes, 11 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Israel at War
Hamas militants launched a huge attack against the state of Israel in the latest in a long history of conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. But it wasn't just another attack… Experts say what’s happened is ‘unprecedented’, and Israel has declared war.
Squiz recommends:
A map of the conflict from Reuters
The Guardian's photo gallery from the weekend
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
10/10/2023 • 12 minutes, 17 seconds
ASK THE SQUIZ: Answering your questions about the Voice
Want opinion-free, agenda-free information on the Voice and the Referendum? We've got you covered with our resource centre here. If you found it useful, please share it with your people.
Got a question for us? Ask it here or send us an email at [email protected].
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
10/4/2023 • 13 minutes, 37 seconds
Your Shortcut to... New Zealand's Election
New Zealand is heading to a general election on the 14th of October, in a vote that’s predicted to see a big shake-up of the Kiwi government. It’s also the first election since the former PM Jacinda Ardern stepped down. So ahead of the election, we’re going to look at some of the key issues, as well as the many parties that could form a coalition government after New Zealand votes.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
10/3/2023 • 11 minutes, 27 seconds
ASK THE SQUIZ: Answering your questions about the Voice
In this episode we cover questions about the wording of the proposal, how other nations have done constitutional recognition, and the difference between a referendum and a plebiscite.
Want opinion-free, agenda-free information on the Voice and the Referendum? We've got you covered with our resource centre here. If you found it useful, please share it with your people.
Got a question for us? Ask it here or send us an email at [email protected].
Other things we do:
Squiz Shortcuts - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/27/2023 • 12 minutes, 21 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Rupert Murdoch's empire
Rupert Murdoch has named his successor: his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch. The announcement comes as Rupert gets set to step down from his management roles with his global media empire in mid-November at the age of 92. In this Squiz Shortcut, we’re going to look back at the power Murdoch accumulated as one of the biggest news proprietors in the world; plus the challenges Lachlan faces as he leads the businesses into their next chapters.
Squiz recommends:
Journalist Paddy Manning's biography of Lachlan Murdoch, The Successor
Wondery's podcast British Scandal on 'The Murdoch Phone Hacking Scandal'
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/25/2023 • 16 minutes, 36 seconds
ASK THE SQUIZ: Answering your questions about the Voice
In this episode we cover the issue of campaign funding, who will represent the Voice, and how to postal vote if you can't get to the voting booth on 14 October.
Want opinion-free, agenda-free information on the Voice and the Referendum? We've got you covered with our resource centre here. If you found it useful, please share it with your people.
Got a question for us? Ask it here or send us an email at [email protected].
Other things we do:
Squiz Shortcuts - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/20/2023 • 11 minutes, 44 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Noel Pearson
The referendum on enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament into Australia’s constitution is coming at us rather quickly, so in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts we thought we’d step away from the headlines of the day to get to know 2 of the most prominent people of the campaign. From the ‘No’ side, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and from the ‘Yes’ campaign, Noel Pearson.
Further watching:
Pearson's Boyer Lecture
Price's National Press Club address
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/19/2023 • 15 minutes, 23 seconds
ASK THE SQUIZ: Answering your questions about the Voice
In this episode we cover the issue of legal challenges, existing Indigenous bodies, and get into the nuts and bolts of voting again.
Want opinion-free, agenda-free information on the Voice and the Referendum? We've got you covered with our resource centre here. If you found it useful, please share it with your people.
Got a question for us? Ask it here or send us an email at [email protected].
Other things we do:
Squiz Shortcuts - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/13/2023 • 12 minutes, 48 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the earthquake in Morocco
A powerful earthquake hit Morocco over the weekend, with the death toll quickly climbing over 2,000. As the search and rescue operation continues, we look at Morocco’s vulnerability to this type of disaster, and what can and has been done elsewhere to mitigate earthquake risks.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/11/2023 • 10 minutes, 24 seconds
ASK THE SQUIZ (Voice Referendum) - Ep1
In this episode we cover questions about improving Indigenous outcomes, how risky is constitutional change, and the ticks and crosses of your vote...
Want opinion-free, agenda-free information on the Voice and the Referendum? We've got you covered with our resource centre here. If you found it useful, please share it with your people.
Got a question for us? Ask it here or send us an email at [email protected].
Other things we do:
Squiz Shortcuts - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/6/2023 • 12 minutes, 41 seconds
Your Shortcut to... India's G20 Summit
The G20 is meeting this weekend in New Delhi, India, and its a big opportunity for international leaders. So in this Squiz Shortcut we’re going to remind you what the G20 is, what it aims to achieve, and what members – including Australia – are hoping to get out of this year’s summit...
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
9/5/2023 • 10 minutes, 53 seconds
Your Shortcut to... political conferences
Over the next few days you're going to be hearing a lot about the Australian Labor Party's national conference – the big Labor love-in which sets the party's policies. In this episode, we're going to dig into how the conference actually works, what might happen this time around, and how similar conferences work for the Liberals and other political parties.
Squiz recommends:
The ABC's list of the greatest hits and biggest moments from previous Labor Party conferences.
Political Lives by historian Chris Wallace, a book about Australian PMs and their biographers.*
*Buy using this link and The Squiz may earn a little commission.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8/16/2023 • 11 minutes, 40 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Matildas
The Matildas have had a best-ever World Cup performance, progressing through to the final 4. So we thought now would be a great time to get across the history of our national women’s football team and nail down how we got to this big moment.
Squiz recommends:
Kieran Pender's excellent writing for The Guardian on all things Matildas.
The Disney+ doco Matildas: The World at Our Feet.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8/14/2023 • 8 minutes, 39 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the downfall of China's Foreign Minister
China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, disappeared from public view in June, and after a month of speculation reports surfaced that he’d been removed from his job. Once a rising star in the Chinese Communist Party, the minister’s sudden downfall has raised questions about doing business with the world’s second biggest economy.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8/1/2023 • 8 minutes, 9 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Hollywood's strikes
So many of the TV shows and movies we love come out of America, but a writers' and actors' strike over pay and the use of artificial intelligence is disrupting production schedules. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what's behind the dispute, and what effect the strikes could have on the industry.
Are these extras in a film real people or AI generated? Check it out for yourself...
Squiz Recommends:
Dropout.tv, a streaming service for original comedy shows. Find it here or on YouTube.
And from Vox, 'Hollywood's historic double strike, explained'
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/25/2023 • 10 minutes, 17 seconds
Your Shortcut to... China's economic slowdown
We've been hearing a drip-feed of worrying economic data coming out of China, and we heard this week that their annual growth rate might fall below expectations. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we talk through why China's economy is slowing, and what it might mean for the rest of the world.
Squiz recommends:
The Prince podcast about Xi Jinping - The Economist
The US-China trade war, an interactive graph - The Lowy Institute
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/19/2023 • 6 minutes, 45 seconds
Your Shortcut to... NATO and Ukraine's relationship
This week NATO held a summit of its leaders, with big consequences for the war in Ukraine. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we though we'd go back to basics and get you across NATO and its involvement in the Ukraine war so far, as well as what the military alliance has to do with the future of the war – and of Ukraine.
Squiz recommends:
A explanation from the NATO website on Australia's involvement with the military alliance
A map from CBS showing the nations currently in NATO
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/12/2023 • 11 minutes, 59 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Robodebt report
Robodebt has been in the news all week, after the Royal Commission dropped its final report into the illegal debt recovery scheme. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the fallout for the politicians and public servants involved in the scheme, and what might change as a result of this report.
Squiz recommends:
The 7am podcast's 'Inside Robo-debt' series
The Royal Commission's list of recommendations, and the report
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/11/2023 • 10 minutes, 6 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Israel's latest strike on Palestinian militants
At the start of this week, Israel launched its most intense airstrikes on the occupied West Bank in nearly two decades and sent hundreds of ground troops into a crowded refugee camp, saying they are trying to root out armed militants after a year of escalating violence.
In this Squiz Shortcut, we lay out the basics of the conflict between Israel and Palestinians and get across the latest development.
Here's our 2021 Shortcut on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/4/2023 • 8 minutes, 9 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Yevgeny Prigozhin
The recent turmoil in Russia centers on one man: Yevgeny Prigozhin. With all the talk of private armies and the potential end of Putin's regime, this Shortcut gives the backstory to Prigozhin: Who is he? And how did he get so much power?
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/27/2023 • 7 minutes, 8 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Mediterranean migrant ship disaster
More details are emerging about a migrant ship disaster off the coast of Greece, where an estimated 500 passengers are still missing. We take you through what we know about the boat disaster so far, as well as the latest on Europe’s attitudes towards migration.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/20/2023 • 8 minutes, 43 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Trump's Second Indictment
Donald Trump has been indicted again, and it’s the first time a former US president has faced federal charges. Those charges will see Trump back in court this week, so in this Squiz Shortcut we’ll get you across what the Justice Department has claimed, why the development is so extraordinary, and what’s next.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/12/2023 • 8 minutes, 52 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Erdoğan's re-election in Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey's newly re-elected president, has made big promises but has a record of cracking down on dissent and diminishing democratic freedoms. In this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take you through Turkey’s politics and why it matters to the West.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
5/30/2023 • 9 minutes, 27 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Ron DeSantis
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, has announced that he wants to become the president of the United States. He’ll go head-to-head with another Florida resident, former President Donald Trump. With the race heating up, let's have a look at who DeSantis is, what issues he’s known for, and whether he’s got a shot to become the Republican nominee and maybe even president.
Other things we do:
Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news.
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
5/25/2023 • 10 minutes, 59 seconds
Ep 1: How Far We’ve Come… The Married Women’s Property Act
The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom.
In this episode, we go back to the early 1880s and The Married Women's Property Act, because there was a time when Aussie women couldn’t own their home or business. We will also take a look at how it impacts homeownership rates today and the work still to do.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
4/5/2023 • 10 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep 2: How Far We've Come... A tale as old as time: WWII and the fight for equal pay
The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom.
In episode 2, we’re taking you back to WWII - a time that saw thousands of Aussie women enter the workforce for the first time, and the setting of women’s pay at 25% of men’s wages. This episode will explore the gender pay gap and what it means for us today.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
4/5/2023 • 11 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep 3: How Far We've Come... The lifting of the Commonwealth Marriage Bar
The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom.
In episode 3, we’re taking you to 1966 when the bar on employment of married women in the Commonwealth public service was abolished. It’s notable because it changed the nation's approach to allowing women to take on permanent employment. So in this episode, we’ll look at women and the fight for the right to work, and issues around participation today.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
4/5/2023 • 11 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep 4: How Far We've Come... The introduction of no-fault divorce
The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom.
In episode 4, we’re diving into one of the watershed moments in family law. Unless you can ‘unconsciously uncouple’ like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, splitting up isn’t easy… It’s also something that many go through, and a factor in why women over 55yo are the fastest-growing demographic when it comes to homelessness. In this episode, we’ll talk about no-fault divorce and what it means for women’s financial independence today.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
4/5/2023 • 11 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep 5: How Far We've Come... Susan Ryan and The Sex Discrimination Act
The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom.
In episode 5, we’re talking about the 1984 Sex Discrimination Act - a landmark moment for Australian women. We’ll introduce Susan Ryan and talk about the bill she drafted prohibiting discrimination based on gender when it came to hiring, firing, pay, and promotion.
A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.
4/5/2023 • 11 minutes, 59 seconds
Your Shortcut to... how we're keeping the lights on
One of the biggest news stories going around is what's happening with our energy system, with Oz facing a raft of issues that have smashed supply and demand for electricity. It's a discussion that's packed with technical jargon and detail, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we get back to basics and take you through how our power grid works, what's happened to bring it to crisis point, and what can be done about it.
Squiz recommends:
Energy Made Easy website
5 tips on how to save energy and money
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6/22/2022 • 16 minutes, 48 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Murugappan family's return to Biloela
Over the past 5 years, the Murugappan family has become the most high-profile asylum seeker case in Australia. Their fight to stay here started almost 10 years ago, and has taken many twists and turns as the couple and their 2 children fight for permanent residency after the adults' applications for refugee status were rejected. So in this Squiz Shortcut we go through the background to the case, how the Central Queensland town of Biloela took them under their wing, and what happens now that they've gone 'home to Bilo'.
Squiz recommends:
Why do Tamil asylum seekers need protection and why does the Australian government say they don't? - The Conversation
Home to Bilo campaigners for Tamil asylum-seeking family await weekend reunion - ABC News
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6/15/2022 • 14 minutes, 25 seconds
Your shortcut to... building a business: Is timing everything? with Collective Closets
Figuring out how to start and grow a business can be intimidating, so in this 4-part series, we talk to 4 Aussie businesses about what they wished they knew before they started and how they got to where they are today. In this third episode, we talk to Collective Closets about dealing with the unexpected, being able to adapt and how it can drive success.
This limited series is brought to you by Square. Learn about how Square can help you to start, run or grow your business here.
Check out Collective Closets on Instagram or through their website.
See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
6/13/2022 • 11 minutes, 59 seconds
Your shortcut to... building a business: Levelling up with Tribe Skincare
Figuring out how to start and grow a business can be intimidating, so in this 4-part series, we talk to 4 Aussie businesses about what they wished they knew before they started and how they got to where they are today. In this second episode, we talk to Tribe Skincare about growing your side hustle from the kitchen bench to a fully-fledged enterprise.
This limited series is brought to you by Square. Learn about how Square can help you to start, run or grow your business here.
Check out Tribe Skincare on Instagram or through their website.
See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
6/9/2022 • 13 minutes, 6 seconds
Your Shortcut to... why Boris Johnson's in trouble
UK PM Boris Johnson is a colourful character whose career has ranged from journalist to politician, to world leader. He's been a significant figure in the UK during Brexit and has been leader throughout the COVID pandemic, which hasn't been without scandal. Having just survived a challenge to his leadership, we take a look at his life, his career, and why 'partygate' has got him into a bit of hot water.
Squiz recommends:
My Boris Johnson story - The Spectator
Boris Johnson, the mystery man and the Bullingdon Club: Where are they now? - ITV
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6/8/2022 • 17 minutes, 13 seconds
Your Shortcut to... building a business: You've got an idea with Grumpy Donuts
In the first episode of our new Squiz Shortcut series on building a business, we take a look at the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. Figuring out where to start can be intimidating, so in this 4-part series, we talk to 4 Aussie businesses about what they wished they knew before they started and how they got to where they are today. And in this episode, we're talking to Grumpy Donuts about where it all starts: finding your big idea.
Brought to you by Square. Learn about how Square can help you to start, run or grow your business here.
Check out Grumpy Donuts on Instagram @grumpydonutsofficial or through their website.
See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
6/2/2022 • 15 minutes, 30 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Uluru Statement from the Heart
When Anthony Albanese's claimed victory for Labor in the recent federal election, he acknowledged the traditional owners of the land and committed to delivering the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the background to the statement, what it's about, and how it might be delivered.
Squiz recommends:
The Uluru Statement from the Heart
Treaty - Yothu Yindi (Original Version)
Treaty - Yothu Yindi (Filthy Lucre Radio Edit)
The 2022 federal election sees record Indigenous representation - ABC
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6/1/2022 • 15 minutes, 46 seconds
Your Shortcut to... digging into the election result
The 2022 federal election was quite a ride... What we saw was a result that ushers in a change of government to Labor, sends the Coalition into opposition for some deep reflection, and the arrival of the biggest crossbench the Australian Parliament has seen since WWII. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll get into where things have landed, the trends that delivered that remarkable result, and what's next.
Squiz recommends:
The path to power: How the 2022 federal election was won and lost - ABC Four Corners
How the election result has changed our cities - ABC
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5/25/2022 • 14 minutes, 37 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the life and times of Mike Cannon-Brookes
Mike Cannon-Brookes - the billionaire co-founder of tech company Atlassian - has been making a few headlines recently off the back of his attempt to buy Australia's largest energy retailer AGL and transform it into a lean, green, power-generating and retailing machine. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at his early life, his career in business, and why he's so keen on getting his hands on AGL.
Squiz recommends:
Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Ted Talk on imposter syndrome
Article on Atlassian's approach to remote working
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5/18/2022 • 16 minutes, 20 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Roe v Wade
A big battle is brewing in America over the future of abortion rights after it was revealed that the Supreme Court is on the cusp of overturning a judgement that legalised terminations across the country: Roe v Wade. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at the landmark legal decision, the efforts over the years to overturn it, and what will happen if that occurs.
Squiz recommends:
'Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows' - Politico
'The Roe Baby' - The Atlantic
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5/11/2022 • 16 minutes, 18 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter
The world's richest man, Elon Musk, stunned the business world when he launched a $44 billion takeover bid for social media giant Twitter. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the backgrounds of Twitter and Elon Musk, how this transaction came about, and what's next for the platform Musk calls a digital "town square".
Squiz recommends:
Profile on Aussie Tesla chair Robyn Denholm - Australian Financial Review
Live updates on Musk's Twitter acquisition - The New York Times
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5/4/2022 • 15 minutes, 55 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the French election and the future of France
The French have voted to give incumbent President Emmanuel Macron another 5 years in the top job. It was a decisive win, but he faces a divided nation, which is split between the haves and the have nots and differing visions about the future of France. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we run through the election result, what's happening in France, and what it means for the world, including here in Oz.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Macron bares his 'he-vage' - https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/french-president-emmanuel-macron-turns-heads-with-bristling-carpet-of-chest-hair-exposed/news-story/0c471279134ccb29ea4256a7bda1be09
Macron's official photographer's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soazigdelamoissonniere/
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4/27/2022 • 15 minutes, 47 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Russia-China alliance
Before the war in Ukraine and on the eve of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping entered into a strategic partnership to cooperate with each other and challenge the power of the West. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the 2 countries, their shared world views, and how this new alliance has been challenged by the war in Ukraine.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Who are Putin's daughters? (BBC) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61011141
Xi and Putin admire some pandas (Reuters) - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-china-xi-putin-zoo-idUSKCN1T62HW
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4/20/2022 • 16 minutes, 26 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Queen and the future of the British royal family
This year, Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the British throne. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look back at her reign, what's in store for the Jubilee celebrations, and what's next for the scandal-plagued royal family.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
The infamous 2019 BBC interview with Prince Andrew - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtBS8COhhhM
The Queen (2006) - available to watch on Binge, Foxtel and Paramount+
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4/13/2022 • 17 minutes
Your Shortcut to... the Solomon Islands and China
The Solomon Islands is poised to sign a controversial security deal that would increase China's military presence in our region, putting them less than 2000kms from Australia. It's fair to say that our government isn't too thrilled about it, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll get to know our Pacific Island neighbour, their recent troubles, and how China fits into it all.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Squiz Kids' Squiz the World podcast on the Solomon Islands - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/subscriber-content-squiz-the-world-goes-to-solomon-islands/id1494238283?i=1000556272890
Australia's role in the Battle for Guadalcanal in WWII - https://www.navy.gov.au/history/feature-histories/australians-guadalcanal-august-1942
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4/6/2022 • 16 minutes, 57 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the pre-election Budget
The Federal Government handed down its latest Budget this week, including some big-ticket items designed to win your vote in the upcoming election. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at the health of the economy as we recover from the pandemic, the sweeteners in the Budget, and the politics of it all as we sprint to the ballot box.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Liberal and Labor's social media take on the Federal Budget - https://fb.watch/c3r0g-hjIQ/
https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1508724113346469888 https://fb.watch/c3r0g-hjIQ
Politics Today website - politicstoday.com.au
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3/30/2022 • 14 minutes, 52 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Wild weather and climate change
La Niña has hammered eastern Australia during the last couple of summers. Across Queensland and NSW, so many communities have experienced unprecedented flooding. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we get you across a few of the different weather systems affecting Oz, what climate change has to do with it, and what it means for Aussies going forward.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
The Australian Academy of Science website - https://7news.com.au/news/nsw/elderly-woman-93-found-floating-on-mattress-just-20cm-from-the-ceiling-in-her-flood-ravaged-home-c-5911907
Interview with a 93yo woman who had an incredible escape from her flood-ravaged home - 7News - https://7news.com.au/news/nsw/elderly-woman-93-found-floating-on-mattress-just-20cm-from-the-ceiling-in-her-flood-ravaged-home-c-5911907
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3/23/2022 • 15 minutes, 43 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Volodymyr Zelensky
Just a few years ago, Volodymyr Zelensky was a comedian and actor playing Ukraine’s president on television. Now, he’s a real-life wartime leader directing his country in its fight against a Russian invasion. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at Zelensky's early life, his path into politics, and how he's galvanised Ukrainians - and the West - behind resisting Russia.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Watching: Zelensky on Dancing with the Stars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlJywp7E3Gw
Reading: 'The Betrayal of Volodymyr Zelensky' - The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/12/zelensky-ukraine-impeachment/602905/
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3/16/2022 • 15 minutes, 51 seconds
Your Shortcut to... Shane Warne and Rod Marsh
It's been a devastating few days for Australia's cricket community and fans around the world with the deaths of 2 giants of the game, Shane Warne and Rod Marsh. So The Squiz and Sport Today have come together for this look at these icons' achievements on the field, and their lives off it.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Vale Shane Warne: Legends recall their favourite Warnie stories - The Unplayable Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/vale-shane-warne-legends-recall-their-favourite-warnie/id1093437634?i=1000552975945
Rod Marsh's best catches - https://www.cricket.com.au/video/rod-marsh-caught-bowled-dennis-lillee-australia-test-one-day-cricket-1970s-1980s-classic/2022-03-04
Shane Warne's 50 best wickets on home soil - https://www.cricket.com.au/video/shane-warne-top-50-wickets-on-aussie-soil-countdown-highlights-greatest-moments-extended/2022-03-05
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3/6/2022 • 19 minutes, 3 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the West's sanctions on Russia
As Russia pushes forward with its invasion of Ukraine, the West has been using sanctions as a key method of retaliation and punishment. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at what they are exactly and who imposes them, the impact of these sanctions, and Russia's reaction.
Squiz Shortcuts is the backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
'How Russian sanctions work' - The Atlantic - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/02/how-russian-sanctions-work/622940/
'As sanctions batter economy, Russians face the anxieties of a costly war' - The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/world/europe/russia-economy-sanctions-ukraine.html
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3/2/2022 • 13 minutes, 59 seconds
Your Shortcut to... NATO and the Ukraine crisis
As you well and truly know, Russia has launched a full-scale assault on Ukraine. To get you across the background to this, it's time to get to know NATO - the military alliance that is the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. It's at the centre of the stand-off between Russia, Ukraine and the West. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across why NATO was established, how it has operated in times of conflict, and what it has to do with this crisis.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Smiley's People by John le Carré - https://www.booktopia.com.au/smiley-s-people-john-le-carr-/book/9780241322529.html
A map of NATO's expansion since 1997 - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18023383
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2/23/2022 • 15 minutes, 49 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the Religious Discrimination Laws
It's been a fractious few weeks in politics as we head towards a federal election. And one of the issues that burned brightly was a new Religious Discrimination Bill. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll look at Australia's existing anti-discrimination laws, why religious discrimination is on the agenda now, and what the Coalition had hoped to achieve before an election.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
ABC interview with Paddy Quilter-Jones - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-10/paddy-stephen-jones-son-speech/100819064
Bonegilla website - https://www.bonegilla.org.au/
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2/16/2022 • 14 minutes, 29 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the crisis in Ukraine
It's a part of Europe that many of us don't know much about, but the crisis in Ukraine has been in the news a lot recently. Western nations are worried Russia will invade Ukraine, but there's a whole lot of baggage that's gotten us here. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we cover the history of Ukraine's relationship with Russia, why things are at a flashpoint now, and how the US, the UK and Europe are reacting.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Russia and the US face off over Ukraine - The New York Times' The Daily podcast
Chicken Kyiv nuggets recipe
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2/9/2022 • 13 minutes, 58 seconds
Your Shortcut to... the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games
It feels like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were on 2 seconds ago - and they basically were because of COVID delays. But it's time to get set for the next round - the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. And there's a lot going on, including international politics, human rights issues, the pandemic, and environmental concerns. And, of course, a big global sporting event where Aussies will compete for the medals... So in this Squiz Shortcut, we cover issues like why Australia and other nations are staging a diplomatic boycott, as well as taking a look at the sporting side and Australia's chances on the podium.
Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories.
Squiz recommends:
Cool Runnings movie - available on Disney+
Sport Today's Beijing Blitz podcast
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