1 March 2025 - Saturday Squiz

Let’s go, Autumn - you’ve got this… This week, if you have a controversial take on a traditional method, an obvious recommendation, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

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🤷‍♀️ IDK: If you can still claim that you’ve roasted a chook if you’ve taken the thighs off…

This week's top stories

1. Pope on a health rope - Pope Francis was improving from a bout of double pneumonia, but the latest update this morning outlined a sudden worsening in his condition. Doctors say his "prognosis remains guarded" - an interpretation of that is that they do not think he is out of danger.

2. That’s not a good sign… - Russia’s war on Ukraine has been in the news all week, including US President Donald Trump’s drive for a deal for some of the troubled nation’s mineral wealth for an as yet unspecified security guarantee. Presidents Trump and Zelensky met overnight - and it did not go well. "He can come back when he is ready for peace," Trump posted to his socials.

3. Tariff troubles - This was in the Aussie news a lot this week because Treasurer Jim Chalmers went to Washington. He and fellow Queenslander/Ambassador Kevin Rudd hosted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – the man with a direct line to President Trump on all things money – to talk about exempting Oz from the tax. Chalmers says the chat was “very constructive”.

4. Warships making waves - Three Chinese warships - which have been cruising our coast for a few weeks - took things to another level last Friday when they held live fire exercises (aka they used real ammo) in the Tasman Sea without giving us or the Kiwis a heads-up. How that all unfolded - and the Chinese ships’ circumnavigation of Oz -was a big talking point this week.

5. Questions over Gene Hackman’s death - The celebrated 95yo actor was found dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their 3 dogs at their home in Santa Fe. His daughter thinks toxic fumes caused by a carbon monoxide leak are the cause, and police say they are investigating. Our favourite flick of his - Unforgiven.

S’Quiz me real good…

Reckon you know which big-name musician cancelled 4 concerts in Australia and New Zealand this week? Have a crack at the Squiz Quiz.

Video of the Week

If you like your international politics with a side of drama, this Instagram post from French President Emmanuel Macron featuring US President Donald Trump is the trailer. Let’s just say Macron took a different approach to Zelensky...

In the Kitchen

We’re new to poaching fish in coconut milk. If the word ‘poaching’ scares you a bit - don’t let it because it’s arguably the easiest way to cook fish. We used this recipe with salmon and chucked in a punnet of cherry tomatoes with the fish for fun (which worked a treat). Quick and delicious.

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What we Shortcut for you this week

What’s going on with bird flu - There’s been another outbreak of bird flu in Victoria, where thousands of chickens have been culled, adding extra pressure to our egg and poultry industry. It’s the latest in a series of flare-ups locally, but overseas, the US has been grappling with a far deadlier strain of the disease. You can read up on that here or listen to the podcast here.

How to win an Oscar - The Academy Awards honouring the best movies and performances from the last year will soon be handed out. Behind the scenes, the nominees and their teams have been working hard to curry favour with Oscar voters in what’s become known as Oscar campaigns. If you want to know how that works ahead of Monday’s ceremony, you can read more here or listen to the podcast here.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - Get your fab on with Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade set to take over Oxford Street from 7pm. And it’s the start of Autumn

Sunday - The political world is a’flutter with speculation PM Anthony Albanese will call a federal election today 🤷🏻‍♀️. And if you like your sport a bit less savage, the NRL’s season opener from Las Vegas will be beamed across the Pacific at 11am with the Warriors taking on the Raiders

Monday - It’s a public holiday in Western Oz (where you’ll be gathering your strength for next Saturday’s state election… ). And the Oscars as live from Los Angeles from 11am

Tuesday - The Workplace Gender Equality Agency will publish its 2023-24 private sector employer gender pay gap report

Wednesday - It’s Ash Wednesday (aka Lent begins). And the next big report card on our economic health is in - the Bureau of Stats will release our National Accounts for the December quarter

Thursday - The AFL’s 2025 season gets underway with a game between last year’s premiership winners Brisbane taking on Geelong on home turf at the Gabba

Friday - Board game nerd activate… It’s the anniversary of the invention of Monopoly (1933)

Double-Tapping

Roasting a whole chicken to perfection is something we pride ourselves on. But this video from Milk Street’s Christopher Kimball (no relation…) has us all turned around. We’re definitely going to have to try removing the legs because he’s adamant it’s the way to go…