22 August 2026 - Saturday Squiz

After Robert Irwin hosted the Logies last weekend, we realised we’re fans, and probably had been for ages… This weekend, if you're putting together a last-minute Book Week ensemble, have friends staying from out of town, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

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. What a mess… - It’s the story that ran to the top of the news all week… Five Sydney Swans players are under police investigation for sexual assault, including vice-captain Isaac Heeney. All have been stood down for the remainder of the AFL season, but speculation has swirled all week about what happened in an East Melbourne hotel room on Monday morning. Yesterday, the representative for 2 of the women said they were “subjected to the most disgusting actions and behaviour I have ever heard about in my 28 years as a lawyer.”

2. Swing and a miss - The Aussie men’s Test team lost to Bangladesh for the second time ever/first time on home turf. Like, Bangladesh really smashed ‘em... Opener Jake Weatherald was dropped ahead of the second Test, which is kicking off today. C’mon Aussie…

3. A literal smoke break - One Nation is calling for a 75% cut to the tobacco tax to curb the illicit tobacco market in Australia. They reckon that if Aussies can buy cheaper darts, the black market will go bust and resulting crime will go up in smoke, but health experts have warned against it. Team Albanese says it’s not on the table.

4. The buyback begins - NSW is set to become the first state to undertake the gun buyback scheme following the Bondi Beach terror attack. The scheme will begin from 2 November and will be jointly funded by the state and federal government. Premier Chris Minns said the plan could cost "hundreds of millions of dollars", but gun owners reckon the compensation will put them at a loss.

5. A deal is struck - Legislation to reduce the number of participants on the NDIS and strengthen anti-fraud measures passed the federal parliament this week. Changes were made to continue support for people who need round-the-clock care, but there’s scepticism from advocates who want to ensure those in need get the right support.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they'll be doing this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

A large SpaceX Starship splashed down in the Indian Ocean and has become the latest attraction of Christmas Island. It’s not the SpaceX Starship that crashed into the moon, though… Busy few weeks for Elon Musk, it seems.

In the Kitchen

It’s still soup season, and this rich and tasty gnocchi soup is a good one to prep over the weekend and keep in the fridge. It comes together in one big pot and will keep you feeling cosy.

What we Shortcut for you this week

The near-misses at Sydney Airport - In the past month, there have been 4 incidents at Sydney Airport where planes came close to colliding on the ground. It’s unpleasant news for nervous fliers, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll look at what happened in the 3 close shaves, what the key players involved have had to say about it and what’s being done to stop it from happening again. Have a read here or listen up.

The rise of Robert Irwin - At just 22yo, Robert Irwin is super famous here and beyond. And he’s just added a well-received Logies hosting stint to his resume, so we thought we’d unpack exactly how this young conservationist grew to be one of our best-known faces… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The second Test between Australia and Bangladesh is kicking off at 10am in Mackay in the Sunshine State. You can watch that on 7Plus. And get to Spotlight if you have school-aged children, 2026 Book Week begins 📚️

Sunday - The Dutch Grand Prix begins at 11pm in Zandvoort - you can watch that on Kayo.

Monday - It’s the start of National Skills Week.

Tuesday - At 6.30pm, it’s AFL Awards Night with the Rising Star Award and Player of the Year presented in Melbourne (the Brownlow isn’t presented for another month BTW). You can watch that Kayo.

Wednesday - There will be a service at Bright Police Station at 10am to mark the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were shot by Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah in Victoria.

Thursday - It’s Red Nose Day. And the winners will be announced in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition 📸

Friday - It’s the final day of the final block of hearings in the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney. Note: the report is due by 14 December, which is one year after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

*Times in AEST