17 May 2025 - Saturday Squiz

It’s not a promise, but we reckon election-related news has just about washed through... This weekend, if you have a wall of post-it notes, a tolerance for spice, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

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

This week’s top 5 news stories

‘Leadership’ is the big theme out of this week - from domestic political contests to religious institutions to geopolitics, there’s been a spotlight on the people who run the show.

1. The Lib’s first female leader - Sussan Ley (pronounced ‘lee’ not ‘lay’) has beaten out Angus Taylor and she’s got a big job ahead - uniting the party after its historic defeat, sorting out a policy platform, and growing its electoral appeal to name 3 tasks. The ‘glass cliff’ was talked about a lot this week - the idea that women only get to the top right when things get bad…

2. A pope for peace - One week into the job, and Pope Leo XIV is making a name for himself in 2 ways - peace and tennis. Being the pope is a pretty big deal, but getting to meet World #1 Jannik Sinner was a real blessing…

3. Presidential jet-setting - US President Trump’s tour to the Middle East this week has been chock-full of billion-dollar deals. He also met with Ahmed al-Sharaa - the former rebel leader who overthrew the brutal Assad regime - marking the first time a US and Syrian leader have met in 25 years. With speculation over his choice to skip Israel, unanswered calls to Putin, and a shiny new jet gifted by Qatar, it’s been quite the week for Trump.

4. The Nationals hold steady - On Monday, David Littleproud was re-elected to lead the Nationals in the first of the 3 leadership contests this week. With Kevin Hogan as his deputy, he’ll now need to work with Ley to iron out the kinks within the Coalition, notably those over energy policy.

5. Putin pulls out of peace - Russian President Vladimir Putin ditched plans to meet in Turkey with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for what was meant to be the first direct meeting between the leaders since 2022. Russia’s hesitation to engage has become a major roadblock in progress toward a ceasefire.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know the name of Australia’s entry into this year’s Eurovision Song Contest? Test your knowledge at the Squiz Quiz.

Clip of the Week

There’s nothing like a dose of sparkly Lycra to start your Saturday… It might not have been enough to take him to the Grand Final of Eurovision, but you can’t deny that Aussie entry Go-Jo has got energy - and sparkles. Lots of sparkles...

Holiday shopping from home

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In the Kitchen

As much as some of us don’t think soup is food (ahem our founder Claire…), many more reckon that if it’s cold/rainy, that means one thing - soup. And this signature green soup with all the veggies that your heart desires ticks that box. A slab of well-toasted bread and a thick layer of parmesan are essential.

What we Shortcut for you this week

The conflict over Kashmir - After decades of relative peace, tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir have flared - an area at the foothills of the Himalayas that’s long been contested. We take a look at the region’s complicated history - read up on that here or listen to the podcast here.

Australia at Eurovision - We’re obviously not part of Europe (derr), but for the past 10 years, we’ve dazzled our way into the extravaganza that is the Eurovision Song Contest. This week, we unpack what the contest is and how Australia came to be a part of it. You can read about that here or listen to the podcast here.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The surf’s up for the Margaret River Pro - watch that live here. And if you fancy a pint, the Batlow Cider Festival is on this weekend too

Sunday - Go-Jo might not have made it this far, but the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final gets underway at 5am on SBS On Demand. Staying in Europe, the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV will be held in St. Peter’s Square at 6pm, with thousands expected to attend, including PM Albanese and former US President Joe Biden - watch it live on the Vatican’s YouTube channel 

Monday - Booklovers rejoice, the Sydney Writers’ Festival begins. And Qantas and the Transport Workers Union are back in court over outsourcing ground handling workers

Tuesday - The Reserve Bank will release its latest call on interest rates

Wednesday -  Happy birthday to us - The Squiz Today podcast turns 7 🎉 . The 2025 International Booker Prize Award winner will be announced at the Tate Modern in London. And make yourself a cuppa because it’s also International Tea Day

Thursday - If movies are more your thing, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning comes out in cinemas in Australia

Friday - Sydney's Vivid Festival is back with the whimsical theme of ‘Dream’, and the Women's Rugby Union Pacific Four Series (aka Australia, Kiwiland, Canada and the US) will see the Wallaroos play defending champions Canada in Brisbane

*All times in AEST