25 July 2026 - Saturday Squiz

Just FYI, you only have 145 days to watch 26 years of Marvel movies and TV shows before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is released in cinemas (if that’s your jam)… This weekend, if you’re messing with your circadian rhythm to watch the Commonwealth Games live (Aussies won 6 gold medals on Day 1…), heading to a costume party or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Kate Watson and Andrew Williams

Before we get into it, we have a favour to ask…

We know how much our Saturday Squizers love the weekly quiz, so we have a favour to ask that’s kind of like a quiz… Every year we hear from our Squiz audience about what you’re liking, what we can improve, and how you’re feeling about our content. It helps us to bring you more of what you want and less of what you don’t. We’ve got over 5,000 responses now, and if you could give us 10 mins of your time to help get us over 6,000, we’ll love you forever - and you could win a little something… Head to this link to find it.

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. Sounding the (test) alarm - At 2pm on Monday every phone in Australia will blare a siren for 10 seconds to test the new national warning system. It’s received some criticism around accessibility, and each state may still maintain its own emergency warnings. Anyway, don’t panic at 2pm Monday…

2. An update on an ISIS-linked Aussie - A Perth paediatrician turned Islamic State doctor (dubbed ‘Dr Jihad’) has been found alive in an Iraqi jail, following reports that he’d died in 2017. Tareq Kamleh had been charged with terrorism offences by the AFP and the government says he can “rot in jail”.

3. Siddown! - An interview with One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has gone viral after Joyce yelled at his barking dog mid-interview. His tone has divided people, but he’s since assured the public that the dog is ok and still loved him in the morning. 7.30’s Sarah Ferguson was asking him about One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s comments on the White Australia policy - a conversation that got a bit derailed thanks to #doggate.

4. More teacher strikes - Victorian teachers have downed tools for the second time this year in a 24-hour strike on Thursday. Australian Education Union members rejected a recent pay offer after a year of back and forth with the Victorian Government. Teachers say it’s about more than money, and that workload and staff shortages need to be addressed.

5. And Laos charges laid - The people responsible for the 2024 methanol poisoning that resulted in the death of Aussie teens Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles have been charged with offences that carry max one year in jail, and a $1,600 fine. The families and Oz government have shared their disappointment and DFAT has raised travel warnings for Laos.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which city is hosting the Commonwealth Games at the moment? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

There are so many moments we could pull out from the World Cup half-time show but the chaos of a full orchestra, joined by the Muppets, all playing Seven Nation Army just seemed to capture the vibe of the whole show best. Interpret as you like…

In the Kitchen

For those chili nights (get it? Honestly, our jokes are on fire…), this Alison Roman chili recipe is delicious and warming. It gets better after a day or 2, so it’s perfect to make ahead or store in the freezer as a gift to your future self.

What we Shortcut for you this week

What’s Australia’s plan for AI? - The federal government has announced it’s taking a new approach to how artificial intelligence will be regulated. It’s a tricky balancing act between the economic opportunities it presents and the environmental, social and legal issues that come with it… so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at some of those issues, what’s in store, and what happens next. Read that here or listen up.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games - We’ve just bid adios to the FIFA men’s World Cup, but sports fans can keep a bounce in their step because the next big event is here. The Commonwealth Games are being held in Glasgow after the Aussie state of Victoria pulled out of hosting... so in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you up to speed with why Victoria pulled out, what these and future Games will look like, and some of the Aussie talent to watch out for… Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 6.30pm the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final is on in Sydney. And Merry Christmas in July…

Sunday - At 11pm the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix begins in Mogyoród - watch that on Kayo. And it’s the final day of the Tour de France. You can watch it on SBS.

Monday - A Critical AusAlert test will be sent to every mobile device in the country at 2pm - you can read more about it here. And Season 3 of Colin from Accounts drops on Binge.

Tuesday - At 7.45pm the Super Sydney Cup kicks off between Chelsea FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC. You can catch it on 10Play.

Wednesday - At 12.30pm, CSIRO chief executive Doug Hilton will address the National Press Club in Canberra on how sovereign science can help Australia navigate the decade ahead, which you can watch on ABC iView.

Thursday - The People’s Choice Award for the Archibald prize will be announced. And Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be released in Aussie cinemas.

Friday - Garma Festival begins in Arnhem Land and is on until 3 August. And Ariana Grande's Petal album will be released.

*Times in AEST