14 March 2026 - Saturday Squiz

(Our) Queen Mary and King Frederik are visiting Australia this week, so if you need us, we’ll be hoping to catch a glimpse… This weekend, if you have a favourite hot cross bun flavour, are trying to reduce your screen time, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the Weekly Wrap with Claire Kimball and (a big welcome back to) Eliza Harvey

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. And once again, the week has been dominated by events in the Middle East…

1. Growing attacks on Beirut - The Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel have been met with heavy air strikes on Lebanon’s capital of Beirut, in an attempt to disarm the group. The IDF has warned residents of areas to evacuate, but according to Lebanese authorities, almost 700 people have been killed, and another 800,000 have been displaced.

2. Some Lionesses seek asylum - Members of the Iranian women’s soccer team (aka the Lionesses to close that loop for you…) have been granted asylum in Australia following concerns for their safety. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that those who stay will have pathways to permanent residence and that “as Australians, I think a lot of us would just wish the context was something fundamentally different”.

3. Mixed messages over the future of oil exports - The Strait of Hormuz is closed. It’s been a danger zone since the beginning of the conflict, with Iran targeting shipping vessels to put pressure on the West by restricting oil exports from the region. Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said that Tehran is committed to freedom of navigation, but Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei says it will remain closed for now.

4. Fuel arrangements being made in Oz - Aussie fuel standards have been eased for 2 months to allow for an additional 100 million litres of domestic supply to become available. Australia will also make 6 days’ worth of petrol available from the country’s stockpile to allow retailers to better manage their supply. Meanwhile, fuel prices are climbin’…

5. Calls to leave the Middle East - More flights have become available for Aussies leaving the Middle East, with reports that most travellers stranded at the start of the conflict have returned home. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has advised expats from the region to return to Australia, but not all are making plans to.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which dog breed won best in show at Crufts? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Para-snowboarding legend Ben Tudhope brought home Australia’s first medal at the Paralympics this week. The 26yo actually dislocated his shoulder in the first heat of the competition, but you wouldn’t know it based on that smile…

A fix for an overstuffed suitcase

If you’re anything like us, packing for the holidays means a bulging suitcase... To help with that, Brisbane brand Simplify Living has created vacuum travel bags that compress with a small handheld pump - squeeze the air out and watch your stack halve in size. Genius... Find out more here.

In the Kitchen

If you want to impress your guests with a recipe that seems more intimidating than it is, a traditional carbonara comes together quickly and is a showstopper. Letting the ingredients shine is key.

What we Shortcut for you this week

The business of the Oscars - There are big changes ahead for the Oscars, which air Monday morning our time. In this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at the awards’ significance in the industry and where they might be headed. Read that here or listen up.

What are the Gulf States? - The Gulf States have come under direct attack from Iran because of their diplomatic ties to the US and Israel. The conflict has put them in a tricky position, testing their energy-reliant economies and relatively new friendships with the West. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take you through who the Gulf States are, why they've come under fire and where their allegiance lies…. Read here or listen here.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Super Netball season kicks off tonight, the Mavericks and the Giants are playing at 5pm, and the Thunderbirds and the Swifts are playing at 7pm - you can watch both those games on Kayo. And King Frederick and Queen Mary of Denmark arrive in Australia today for their first official visit since getting the top jobs in 2024.

Sunday - The F1 Shanghai Grand Prix starts at 6pm - you watch it on Kayo. And there’s a general election in Vietnam.

Monday - The 98th Academy Awards are on from 10.30am, you can stream them on 7plus and check out the main contenders here. And Harmony Week begins, celebrating diversity.

Tuesday - The Reserve Bank will announce the latest on interest rates at 2.30pm, and the report from the Senate inquiry on the Capital Gains Tax will be shared in a public hearing (we released a Shortcut all about the CGT last week - check it out). And the former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are making another court appearance in New York.

Wednesday - The ABS will release data on offenders or recorded crime in Australia from the 2024-2025 financial year.

Thursday - It’s National Close the Gap Day.

Friday - Eid al Fitr begins at sunset, marking the end of Ramadan. And it’s International Astrology Day, learn more about your star sign here…

*Times in AEDT