15 February 2025 - Saturday Squiz

There were pop cultural moments aplenty this week. But one that the Gen X’er on the team reckons didn’t get enough attention was the anniversary of British boy band Take That announcing their end, prompting the UK Government to set up counselling phone lines. FYI that happened on 13 February 1996… As for this week, if you have a chatbot’able food love, a New Year’s resolution you’re sticking with, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

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This week's top stories

1. Tariff talk’s 2-time turn … - Ok, we got a bit carried away by the alliteration there… Last week, US President Donald Trump’s moves on the trade taxes for Canada, Mexico and China topped the news list. This week, there was more, particularly for Aussies, with PM Anthony Albanese touching base with Trump to ask for Australia to get a leave pass.

2. Peace, but on whose terms? - Speaking of the US President, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have pledged to begin talks to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. Its leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who also had a call with Trump on Wednesday, said his country could not accept "any agreements [made] without us".

3. Thar she blows… - Tropical Cyclone Zelia crossed Western Australia's Pilbara coast to the east of Port Hedland as a Category 5 system mid-yesterday. Sounds bad - and there were destructive wind gusts and heavy rainfall - but authorities say things are not as bad as they could have been. Stay safe if you’re in that region please and thank you…

4. First, do no harm - Two nurses at Bankstown Hospital in Western Sydney were stood down over an exchange with a man in Israel via the online video chat program Chatruletka. Dressed in nurse scrubs, the pair bragged about killing Israeli patients. Authorities say there’s no evidence that’s happened, but it’s unleashed inquiries galore…

5. Cleared, but not fully in the clear… - Matildas captain Sam Kerr was found not guilty of racially harassing a police officer this week, and her club side Chelsea says they won’t be taking any disciplinary action against her 2 years on from her messy night out. Still pending: word from Football Australia about whether she’ll keep the national captaincy.

S’Quiz me real good…

Reckon you know the name of the athlete who made a surprise appearance in Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Super Bowl Show? Have a crack at the Squiz Quiz.

Post of the Week

Speaking of Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show - it was a big talking point in the media and on the socials. Kate and Andrew cover it in this morning’s Weekly Wrap podcast, but a good explainer of why it’s gained such traction is here. For our part, the tune of the moment is on high rotation…

In the Kitchen

It might be the day after Valentine’s Day, but TBH any day is a good day for this strawberry and chocolate dessert. The recipe is from Adam Liaw, it’s billed as an easy one to execute (we agree…), and it’s guaranteed to impress the socks off your nearest and dearest - even if that’s yourself.

What we Shortcut for you this week

Your Squiz Shortcut to conflict in the DR Congo - Nearly 3,000 people have died and millions have been forced to leave their homes since fighting broke out in recent weeks. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across the background to the conflict, who’s involved, and what’s at stake… You can read about it here and listen to the podcast here. 

Your Squiz Shortcut to Belle Gibson - Squiz Kids’ very own Bryce Corbett is one of a small handful of journalists to have spoken directly to Belle - he and his then Woman’s Weekly colleague Clair Weaver were the ones she first confessed her lies to. In this Shortcut, Bryce takes you through Belle’s story - from ‘wellness’ crusader/entrepreneur to fraudster. You can read about it here and listen to the podcast here. 

Squiz the Week

Saturday - Kylie Minogue kicks off her Tension tour in Perth - the first of 70 shows that will conclude in Mexico in August

Sunday - Watch out there’s an election about… A 60 Minutes feature on Coalition leader Peter Dutton will air at 8.45pm on Nine

Monday - Drama fiends who like their glamorous resorts with a side of murder rejoice… The first episode of The White Lotus season 3 drops on Binge. This season’s tagline: "Karma comes for everyone”…

Tuesday - The Reserve Bank board continues its meeting today, and an announcement about official interest rates will come at 2.30pm - this report says 3 out of 4 experts are expecting a cut. And Billie Eillish's Aussie leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour starts in Brisbane

Wednesday - Author Kathy Lette will address the National Press Club in Canberra on why women are each other's human wonder bras. That’s on ABC24 from 12.30pm

Thursday - And while Belle Gibson’s on our minds… Netflix is releasing a 2-part British documentary called Instagram’s Worst Con Artist - it features journalist Richard Guilliatt (who was the first to break the story in The Australian) and her estranged friend Chanelle McAuliffe

Friday - The SheBelieves Cup women’s soccer friendly tournament kicks off (hehe) in Houston, Texas with the Matildas v Japan. Pop it on the telly via Paramount+

Double-Tapping

Let’s be frank - social media can be a putrid raging dumpster fire. But there’s something marvellous happening on Instagram with Bret McKenzie (of Flight of the Concords) aiming to write a song a week this year - and he’s taking suggestions from his followers. Week 2 is a catchy tune about a pair of politically opposed local counsellors falling in love…