15 November 2025 - Saturday Squiz

May your escape from the week be as stealthy as a seal getting away from a pod of orcas… This weekend, if you were there for an epic moment in history, need reminding of an ‘80s earworm song that you now won’t be able to shake, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the Weekly Wrap with Claire Kimball and Jodie Speers

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. The Coalition’s zero interest in net zero - Following the Nationals’ lead, the Liberals abandoned support for the target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Leader Sussan Ley was hammered about what it would mean - if she won government - for Australia sticking with the Paris Agreement, but she says it’s about bringing Aussies’ power bills down. "If there are reasons why people in Paris or some United Nations organisation don't like it, I can deal with that," she said.

2. Getting back on track - There are a couple of things to clock there - the federal government shutdown ended after 47 days - the longest in the nation’s history… And 3 emails from a trove provided by Jeffrey Epstein's estate were released by Democrats on a congressional committee looking into his cross-over with US President Trump. The President denies any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's crimes.

3. Vale John Laws - Lots of tributes this week for one of Australia’s best-known talkback radio hosts of recent times. He died at 90yo after a 71-year-long career - he only hung up the headphones last year… As he signed off each show - “now you be kind to each other”…

4. Adult time for adult crime - Victoria’s been in the spotlight this year for carjackings, violent robberies, and gangs of armed teenagers breaking into people’s homes.. It’s put pressure on the Allan Government to do something about it - cue some Queensland-flavoured reforms…

5. A blow-up at the Beeb - BBC boss Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness resigned after an internal memo over a Panorama documentary that had misleadingly edited then-outgoing President Trump's 6 January speech from 2021 was leaked. The program made it look like Trump directly called for violence ahead of his supporters storming the Capitol. The broadcaster apologised for the "error in judgment", and Trump has threatened them with a billion-dollar lawsuit.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which legendary Aussie rock band kicked off the Australian leg of its world tour in Melbourne this week? Test your knowledge with this week’s Squiz Quiz.

And if you aced that, try this…

On our Weekly Squiz Quiz podcast and video this week, we’ve got our first dynamic duo in the hot seats - media legend Amanda Keller and forensic psychologist Anita McGregor, co-hosts of the podcast Double A Chattery.

The Weekly Squiz Quiz is out each Wednesday - listen here and/or watch on our YouTube channel.

Anniversary of the Week

With Tuesday marking 50 years since the dismissal of the Whitlam Government, reflections poured in, ranging from those who were there on the day to the leaders who stood in his shoes decades on.

Add this to the summer checklist

Sunscreen and hats are sorted, but kids' sunnies often fall off the radar. Experts reckon up to 80% of lifetime UV eye damage happens before 18yo, and you can't see or feel those UV rays doing their damage - including on cloudy days. Babiators have 100% UV protection and polarised lenses, plus frames that survive real life - being sat on, dropped, twisted, you name it. Worth a look if you're checking off the summer prep list...

In the Kitchen

Spinach and feta - a winning partnership. This recipe for an easy galette featuring that classic combo with a lemon and pine nut salsa - it’s a perfect way to put that bag of spinach lurking in the back of your fridge to good use…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Sudan’s brutal civil war - It’s a conflict that’s been raging for more than 2 years, with reports of genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes. With a peace deal now on the table, there’s a lot to unpack in how we got here and what could come next. Read here or listen here.

Thriving Kids and the NDIS rest - The reforms proposed by Health Minister Mark Butler to rein in NDIS costs stand to affect thousands of Aussie families. They’ve also caught the states and territories, who’ll be funding it, off guard... We look at what’s changing and where things are up to. Read that here or listen up.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 1pm, the Socceroos take on Venezuela in an International Friendly in Texas ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup - you can watch that on Paramount+.

Sunday - The Wallabies continue their Northern Spring Tour, going up against Ireland at 7.10am in Dublin - watch on Stan Sport. Chile votes for its next president. And the Coalition parties are set to meet to settle their climate policy after weeks of infighting over net-zero.

Monday - Foreign Minister Penny Wong will speak at a dinner hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs in Canberra. And the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards for the ACT will be announced at the National Gallery of Australia, also in Canberra.

Tuesday - The House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics will hold its annual public hearing at Parliament House to review Australia’s 4 major banks. And the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards for Tasmania will be announced.

Wednesday - The 2-day AFL Draft begins. ABC boss Hugh Marks will be at the National Press Club to outline his plan for the ABC. And at 5pm, the red carpet rolls out for the ARIA Awards in Sydney. Catch the show live on Paramount+.

Thursday - Tongans vote in the country’s election. And musical-lovers will be well and truly across this - Wicked: For Good (the sequel to last year’s film) is out in cinemas.

Friday - WiseTech Global are set to hold its AGM at 10am in Sydney - its been in the news over co-founder/executive chairman Richard White’s sexy times and professional conduct. And get ready to say goodbye to the cricket-lover in your life for days on end - it’s Ashes time… The first Test kicks off in Perth at 1.20pm, live on Channel 7.