17 January 2026 - Saturday Squiz

Holiday? What holiday?? We’re well and truly back, baby... This weekend, if you have a handbag essential, a use for your sad fridge herbs, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the Weekly Wrap with Claire Kimball, and it’s Jodie Speers’ last episode with us 😢

Got a second for us?

We know that the news can be overwhelming at times and that news fatigue is a real thing. Our approach at The Squiz is to keep you informed about the news, not overwhelmed. We've got a favour to ask... tell your people about us. Whether it's our podcasts or newsletters, let your mates know there's an easy way to stay across the news in 2026. It's as easy as hitting forward on our newsletters, or passing on this link to our Squiz Today podcast. Merci buckets, legend.

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. Huge bushfires in Victoria wreak havoc - The stats: more than 400,000 hectares have been burned across the state. Almost 900 buildings have been destroyed, including more than 250 homes, and more than 15,000 livestock have been killed, along with countless wildlife. The Longwood fire also claimed the life of grazier Max Hobson. It’s reignited the conversation about how well-equipped and supported our firefighters are…

2. Will he or won’t he? - By ‘he’ we mean US President Donald Trump - and the question is whether he will order the US military to intervene in what’s happening in Iran… The latest mass protests were started by shopkeepers, angered by the collapse of the nation’s currency. Experts say the state is using new techniques to crush dissent. CNN reports that “low-flying surveillance drones, signal jammers, a rapid-response propaganda apparatus, and the violent deployment of force were unleashed simultaneously by a regime keen to learn from each wave of unrest.” Yikes…

3. Kevin gets an early mark - Former PM Kevin Rudd has had his run-ins with President Trump in his time as our Ambassador to the US, and now he’s heading out a year before his appointment expires. The Sinophile has been appointed global president of the Asia Society think tank, and before you could say ‘see ya’, speculation mounted about who would replace him…

4. A deal to be done? - This story about Venezuelan oil was in the news last weekend after President Trump convened a meeting of the big oil company chiefs, looking for at least US$100 billion in oil industry spending for Venezuela. He received a less than favourable response - one executive warned the South American country is "uninvestable" given the instability that persists there.

5. And they’re back… - PM Anthony Albanese has called out federal pollies back to the nation’s capital to debate - and he hopes to pass - new hate speech and gun laws in the wake of the Bondi terror attack last month. The Coalition and One Nation aren’t onside with what’s been suggested, which means Labor needs the Greens to get the package through the Senate. Get ready for some early week hustle…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know the name of the Aussie cricket legend who retired from the sport this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Go the Aussie… Congrats went to Rose Byrne on Monday for her Golden Globes win for her turn in the small-budget movie If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Her shoutout to her parents in Sydney, who “bought Paramount+ so they can watch” hit a note for anyone who’s taken out a streaming sub just to watch one show…

Sweet dreams are made of this

If sleeping better is a New Year’s resolution, you might be interested to know that Sleep Republic is a top choice for comfort and support. Recommended by CHOICE and backed by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, their award-winning 'mattress-in-a-box' is all about comfort. Experience the Sleep Republic difference with a 100-night trial, and get ready to dream.

In the Kitchen

Sick of throwing out your sad supermarket herbs that never get used after the one recipe you needed them for? Have we got a solution for you… We freeze ‘em, and when we have critical mass, we put together this salsa verde that’s easy to make and a flavour bomb to use across your meals. You’re welcome…

What we Shortcut for you this week

An uprising in Iran? - As we mentioned in the top stories, massive protests in Iran have been taking place over the last few weeks. They’ve spread to become the largest uprising in the country's recent history, so it’s a good one to get across. Read here or listen here.

The uproar over ICE - A huge news story at the moment is how ICE is being deployed in the US - that's their federal agency that's being deployed in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown - particularly after the shooting of Minnesota woman Renee Good, which has sparked widespread protests. Read that here or listen up.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Australian Open has its first-ever Opening Ceremony at 7pm - it's also a chance for Roger Federer to farewell his Australian fans after he retired in 2022. Across the country, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds kick off their Australian tour in Fremantle. Get on ya bike - stage one of the women's Tour Down Under is on in Adelaide, and here’s cheers for the Geelong Beer Festival.

Sunday - The Australian Open main draw gets underway this morning. And Midsumma kicks off at Alexandra Gardens - it’s Melbourne's LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival. Portugal heads to the polls in what's shaping up as another test of the far-right's momentum in Europe. And say your prayers for the UN’s World Religion Day, observed annually to promote interfaith understanding and harmony.

Monday - Speaking of religion, it’s Orthodox Epiphany, commemorating Christ's baptism - if you've ever seen footage of Russians diving into frozen lakes to retrieve a cross - that's this. And federal parliament is back to debate those hate speech and gun laws. One more thing - the World Economic Forum kicks off in Davos. US President Donald Trump's attending in person, as are most of the G7 leaders.

Tuesday - Speaking of Trump, today marks one year since his inauguration.

Wednesday - The Bureau of Stats releases September's building activity data, and the men's Tour Down Under kicks off…

Thursday - The National Day of Mourning for victims of the Bondi terrorist attack. The theme is ‘Light Will Win’ - chosen by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, the spiritual leader of the Chabad community in Bondi. His son-in-law Rabbi Eli Schlanger was among those killed. Details are still to come, but there will likely be a nationwide minute of silence, and Australians are encouraged to light a candle at home as a quiet act of remembrance. Flags will be at half-mast on Commonwealth and state government buildings. And there’s a formal gathering of unity being organised. 

Friday - The ABS releases employee earnings and hours data - it only comes out every 2 years. What a gift for employment data nerds… 🤓

*Times in AEDT