12 September 2026 - Saturday Squiz

If we’re going to get the option to opt out of our Instagram algorithm, we should bring back the old logo while they’re at it (we miss you, vintage camera…). This weekend, if you're participating in flower festivals, buying concert tickets, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Anna Pykett in her News Club debut

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

1. Get that cash money - At a Republican convention (aka Trump-a-palooza) on Thursday, President Trump pledged to pay every American adult US$5,000 (that’s approx A$7,000 BTW…) if the party keeps its majority in Congress in November’s midterm elections. The polls show his approval ratings have taken a hit over Iran and cozzie livs, but there are plenty - including on his own side - who think the ‘dividend’ would be economically irresponsible.

2. To algorith-in or algorith-out - That’s what the ‘My Feed, My Way’ legislation announced this week by the Albanese Government would make social media platforms offer to Aussies. If users ‘opt-out’, their social media feeds will display content from accounts they follow in chronological order instead of the additional suggested content too. The Coalition is concerned that the bill oversteps and has implications for censorship and free speech. TBC…

3. Super trooper - One Nation announced policy on Monday which would give renters and people paying off a home loan the ability to direct part of their super into their salary for up to 3 years. May are worried about what that would mean for inflation and Aussies’ retirement savings, but ON MP Barnaby Joyce said it’s a solid policy despite not modelling the impacts (and that “he’s not Jesus Christ” if you’ve heard that quote out of context…).

4. A further escalation - Iran and the US have picked up the tit-for-tat strikes, with Tehran saying it’s attacked 10 ships around the Strait of Hormuz and targeted an American base in Jordan after the US sank 5 Iranian oil tankers. Oil is up to US$100 a barrel - the highest it’s been since July - but Trump reckons the war will end “immediately after our election”.

5. Square up… - Liberal MP Andrew Hastie is white-hot angry with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over a cartoon she posted online in July that repeatedly calls him a “traitor”. It’s a reference to his testimony against Ben Roberts-Smith, his former military colleague, who’s facing charges of war crimes. The video has been criticised across the political spectrum, but Hanson says she’s not going to take it down and that critics should “take a chill pill”…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which shiny new product Apple announced this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Yesterday’s NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers sold out at the MCG in Melbourne. It was a spectacle, but it also showed how much ground AFL players cover when you look at the NFL pitch on top of it…

In the Kitchen

These chicken meatballs in red Thai curry sauce are delicious and pretty simple to throw together with some rice and green beans/broccolini for a bit of crunch. You can sub the protein out for whatever tickles your pickle…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Behind the scenes of the Emmys - Television’s biggest night, the Emmy Awards, are on Tuesday morning. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll take a look at how the Emmys became the biggest awards ceremony for television, why winning one is such a big deal and who's in the running this year. Have a read here or listen up.

What is the algorithm? - The Albanese Government released draft laws for a Digital Duty of Care this week, which would require social media platforms to give users the option to opt out of our algorithms. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll dive into what the algorithm actually is and how it might change. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The BRICS Summit kicks off in New Delhi and is on until 13 September. We did a handy Shortcut last year explaining BRICS - you can read that here. And Floriade flower festival kicks off in Canberra for the next month 💐

Sunday - At 6am, the US Open Women’s singles final is on in New York City. You can watch that on 9Now. And there’s a general election in Sweden.

Monday - The US Open Men’s singles final begins bright and early at 4am - that’s on 9Now 🎾

Tuesday - At 10am, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are on in Los Angeles. You can watch that on Binge.

Wednesday - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to deliver her State of the EU speech - a livestream will be available here.

Thursday - It’s Australian Citizenship Day 🇦🇺  

Friday - Russian legislative elections begin. And previously unreleased David Bowie tracks titled David Bowie: The Shel Talmy Recordings will be released.

*Times in AEST