2 August 2025 - Saturday Squiz

We had an ‘OMG it’s August’ moment yesterday and booked a venue for the team Christmas lunch - yep, we’re at that stage of 2025… This weekend, if you have a mix tape someone made you in the 90s, a hot Aussie song in your heart, or anything 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. Tariffs are back on top - Yesterday was US President Donald Trump's ‘D-Day’ for countries to either negotiate a trade deal with the US or get whacked with the tariffs he announced some months ago. The EU struck an agreement on Monday, as did many others this week, but some nations, including neighbour Canada at 35%, now have a steep tax on their exports to the US. We didn’t cut a deal, but we did ok - our rate has remained at 10%.

2. Plans for Palestinian statehood- At the end of last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would officially recognise the state of Palestine. This week, UK PM Keir Starmer and Canada’s Mark Carney joined him with their own spin on it. As for Australia, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says it’s a matter of “when, not if” we follow suit, though some Coalition frontbenchers aren’t at all happy with the notion.

3. You too, YouTube - Communications Minister Anika Wells announced on Wednesday that the video-sharing platform will be included in the social media ban for under-16yos - a reversal from its initial exemption. Google, which owns YouTube, has lobbied hard against that, but the Albanese Government says it’s on track to intro the ban on 10 December.

4. The 6th-strongest earthquake on record - A magnitude-8.8 earthquake hit the east coast of Russia on Wednesday morning, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuations for countries across the Pacific. By Thursday, those warnings were mostly downgraded, but parts of South America remained on alert for potential aftershocks.

5. Thailand and Cambodia’s fragile peace - The peace deal to resolve the border dispute between the 2 countries seems to be holding, despite Thailand’s accusations that Cambodia violated the agreement. The truce came into effect on Tuesday after diplomatic efforts from Malaysia, China and the US, ending a 5-day conflict that killed at least 43 and displaced 300,000. For a deeper look at the history of the dispute, check out this week’s Squiz Shortcut. 

Shining a light on The Big Threat

We’ve got a new podcast series out called The Big Threat - all about the global information wars and the rising threat mis- and disinformation pose to democracies around the world. In January, Bryce Corbett went to the US and Europe, meeting the journalists, academics and media literacy advocates to talk about how to safeguard ourselves, communities and democracy. The first episode is out now on the News Club channel. You can also read the highlights here.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know what major change might be coming to Virgin Australia flights by Christmas? Test your knowledge with this week’s Squiz Quiz.

Musical moment of the Week

More than 2.6 million people voted in Triple J’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs to celebrate 50 years of the radio station showcasing Aussie music. Taking the top spot was INXS with Never Tear Us Apart, and though the list caused some controversy (as expected), it proves Australia has some serious bragging rights when it comes to musical talent…

Turning water into shine

If you're hitting reset or doing a mid-year refresh, Skipper’s #1 just-add-water home and body care range is for you. Chuck one of their tablets into some water, and you can save some cash and reduce waste. The range includes universal cleaners, body washes, laundry sheets and more, and you can build your own bundle and get up to $120 off. Skip to it...

In the Kitchen

Ugly weather calls for comfort food - and this creamy lemon chicken from RecipeTinEats brings some zing to an easy dish. As Nagi says, “chicken breasts can be so dull… Time to step it up…” Yeah it is…

What we Shortcut for you this week

The border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand - Last week, fighting broke out between Thailand and Cambodia over several sacred sites on their shared border in the latest flare-up in a century-long dispute. We dive into the history of the conflict and the push to resolve it… Read that here or listen to the podcast here.

The Big Threat of mis- and disinformation - In this Squiz Shortcut, we chat with Bryce about what he’s learned from his travels to see how media literacy is being taught in other countries, the importance of teaching kids media literacy skills, and why mis and disinformation is the ‘big threat’ of our times. As you know, we’re committed to the cause… Read here or listen to it here.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Melbourne Vixens take on West Coast Fever in the Super Netball Grand Finals at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena - watch at 7.30pm on Kayo. The Wallabies play the British & Irish Lions in their third test at Sydney’s Accor Stadium - that’s at 7.30pm on 9Now. And the NRLW Magic Round gets underway from 12.15pm at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium, also on 9Now.

Sunday - Palestine Action Group have said they will march across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge after being blocked by NSW Police. The TV WEEK Logie Awards will get underway at 7pm on Channel 7. And in F1, the Hungarian Grand Prix race is on at 11pm on Kayo (go Oscar…).

Monday - The Northern Territory gets the day off for Picnic Day - lucky ducks. The Cook Islands celebrates its 60th Constitution Day. And it’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

Tuesday - If you’re in one of these towns, you might be one of the 60,000 households participating in Census testing ahead of 2026. If you haven't heard anything we’re sorry to say you're not one of the chosen ones…

Wednesday - Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman will address the National Press Club in Canberra on racial equality in Australia. Hiroshima Day commemorates the 80th anniversary of the first atomic bomb being dropped on Japan to end WWII. And Wednesday season 2 is out on Netflix.

Thursday - Darwin Festival begins. Freakier Friday, a sequel to the 2003 film Freaky Friday is out in cinemas - on a Thursday…

Friday - The deadline that Trump has set for ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia is set to expire. And from 7pm the 2025 Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong will see 18yo rising star Luke Littler return to compete for the title - watch on Kayo.

*All times in AEST