22 November 2025 - Saturday Squiz

As the holidays draw close, we’re getting ready to break free like this runaway robot - let’s just hope it has a happier ending... This weekend, if you have a grandma-approved cabbage concoction, a devotion to double denim, or 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 Epstein files: pending release - With US President Donald Trump’s approval, a 30-day countdown has begun for the release of the Department of Justice’s files on the investigations into child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This has long been a headache for Trump, but pressure from his MAGA base made it hard to ignore.

2. Welcome to killing season - First-term MP Jess Wilson has become the first woman to lead the Victorian Liberals after Brad Battin lost party room support on Monday. Commentators say Wilson is economy-focused, which is important in the Libs’ effort to win back support before next year’s state election, given polls show cost of living is a key issue for voters.

3. No sand, no play, no school today - More than 100 schools were closed across Tasmania, the ACT and NZ on Monday and Tuesday (and other states issued removal instructions) as coloured play sand sold at Target and Kmart was recalled for asbestos contamination. So far, samples have come back negative, but if you have the products at home, advice says to glove/mask up, double wrap the sand/packaging and head to your closest asbestos disposal site.

4. If one leadership change wasn’t enough - Why not make it 3… To start with, the NSW Nats found a new leader in Gurmesh Singh after Dugald Saunders stepped down for family reasons on Monday. Then, after speculation over the state’s Liberal Party leadership, Mark Speakman resigned on Thursday, and Kellie Sloane was locked in on Friday. And breathe…

5. Turkey comes out on COP - As this year’s COP came to a (fiery) close in Brazil, Australia announced our 3-year campaign to host next year’s event was over, leaving Turkey with the win. But as part of the deal, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will lead the conference activities and there will be a pre-COP meeting in the Pacific. With estimated costs of up to $2 billion, some suggest the result might not be such a bad thing…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which band dominated the ARIA Awards 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, comedian/satirist/Andrew’s new BFF, Mark Humphries joins us for all things news nerdiness.

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

Munch of the Week

Animals doing weird animal stuff is a reliable place to go for a good laugh. This carousel of the Comedy Wildlife Awards brought us some lols.

Group gifts without the group chat chaos

Organising teacher gifts, office farewells, or team thank yous can turn into an administrative nightmare, only for someone to panic-buy at the last minute... But GroupTogether can do the heavy lifting for you by setting up a collection, everyone chips in online, and it all turns into a digital gift card for 100+ retailers. No awkward cash collections or tracking who hasn't paid. You can even schedule delivery and personalise the card - and the whole thing takes about 2 minutes start to finish. Head here for on GroupTogether.

In the Kitchen

To ring in Kimchi Day today, we’re making our own with this easy recipe, but if you’re feeling committed, give the traditional method a crack like this Korean Grandma. And to make a meal of it, this crispy kimchi fried rice is a big bowl of spicy goodness.

What we Shortcut for you this week

How the Coalition works - The Liberal and National parties’ relationship has been in the news a lot since the federal election. It’s the longest political partnership in our country’s history, so we dived into the Coalition’s history, how it works, and the challenges ahead… Read here or listen here.

Is the US going to war with Venezuela? - You might’ve seen some photos floating around of US Navy ships off the coast of Venezuela? They’ve been carrying out deadly strikes against what the US says are boats operated by drug cartels, so we unpack what on earth is going on and what could come next…. Read that here or listen up.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The first African-hosted G20 Leaders Summit kicks off for a 2-day event in Johannesburg, South Africa. And Schoolies week begins on the Gold Coast - to the parents, we’re thinking of you… 

Sunday - Bosnia & Herzegovina’s autonomous Serb Republic will vote to replace pro-Russian Serb Nationalist president Milorad Dodik after his removal from office. The Wallabies continue their Northern Spring tour against France in Saint-Denis, ooh la la you can watch that at 7am on 9Now. And go Oscar Piastri in the Las Vegas Grand Prix - watch at 3pm on Kayo.

Monday - Federal Parliament is in session for the last sitting week of the year (and they have a fair bit to get through, so hold onto your hat…). The AFLW will celebrate its best and fairest at the 2025 W Awards night before next Saturday’s Grand Final. And it’s Fairy Bread Day - any excuse for some sprinkles…

Tuesday - It’s the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - find help here. The ABS will release its plan for the 2026 Census. Star Entertainment will hold its Annual General Meeting at 10am. Oh, and it’s a month until Christmas - yikes…

Wednesday - Deputy leader of the Liberals Ted O’Brien will address the National Press Club in Canberra. And we’ll get monthly Consumer Price Index data from the ABS.

Thursday -  It’s Thanksgiving in the US and (you learn something new every day…) Norfolk Island. Pope Leo XIV kicks off his first international trip - first stop Turkey. The Walkley Awards will be held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre. And Adam Scott returns to the Australian PGA Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club, watch that on 9Now.

Friday - At 7.30pm, the Matildas take on NZ’s Football Ferns in a friendly ahead of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup - catch that on Paramount+.