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- 27 September 2025 - Saturday Squiz
27 September 2025 - Saturday Squiz
Umm just saying here that it’s 3 months to Christmas - not to freak you out or anything... This weekend, if you have a book on the PM’s shortlist, an accidental op-shop drop, 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…
Leading News Stories via Streem - 19 - 26 September
1. World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly - Climate policy, Palestinian recognition and global conflicts dominated the discussion at New York’s summit this week. China’s pledge to cut its greenhouse gas emissions for the first time was one big takeaway - US President Donald Trump, on the other hand, used his speech to denounce Palestinian recognition and hurl some choice words at climate-focused countries. All that and more dominated the headlines all week…
2. Optus’ triple-0 outage - Three deaths have been linked to last Thursday’s incident when people in parts of South and Western Oz, the Northern Territory and border regions of NSW couldn't call emergency services as a result of human error during a routine tech upgrade. CEO Stephen Rue has apologised, and with owner Singtel set to meet with Communications Minister Anika Wells next week, this story isn’t going away anytime soon…
3. Footy fever takes over Melbourne - It’s been a classic lead-up to today’s Grand Final clash between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions. As the Daicos bros helped half-time act Snoop Dogg polish his punt, Gout Gout has been priming his starter’s pistol for the half-time sprint. And as for the game itself, the Cats are the favourites to dethrone the Lions as the reigning champs.
4. Trump turns off Tylenol - You might’ve noticed Tylenol has been getting a lot of airtime this week - that’s because President Trump cautioned pregnant women against taking the paracetamol due to what he said is associated with a “very increased risk of autism". The medical response was quick, with major groups including the World Health Organization calling Trump's claims "irresponsible" and “highly concerning”.
5. Jimmy Kimmel is back - The late-night show aired Wednesday arvo our time, after the ABC (the US one, not ours…) lifted the show’s suspension after Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination being used for political gain went down badly with the Trump administration. Back in the studio, Kimmel’s opening monologue was received by a standing ovation - but the President was not happy…
Meet the voices behind Squiz Shortcuts
Our YouTube channel has had a bit of a makeover over the past month or so, and now we’re taking things up a notch with video Shortcuts too. It’s an extra option for you to watch along as Andrew, Claire, and Larissa unpack the back stories to the big news stories. Catch this week’s episodes as well as all of our News Club content if you just can’t get enough Squiz - and hit subscribe while you’re at it so you never miss a thing.
It’s you against the news…
Reckon you know which AFL player won the Brownlow Medal for being the fairest and best this year? Test your knowledge with this week’s Squiz Quiz.
Shot of the Week
Last Sunday’s memorial for conservative political activist Charlie Kirk at Arizona State Stadium was a spectacle, and this gallery captures that. With over 60,000 attendees and with impassioned speeches, the event has sparked widespread commentary about growing religiosity and the shrinking space for political opposition in American politics.
Squiz Recommends
Listening - To this interview with the boss of one of Europe’s largest defence firms, Armin Papperger from The Economist (paywall). His company Rheinmetall has seen massive profits through its supply of weapons to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and for that reason, he’s not in Russia’s good books. It’s a fascinating listen on the business of war.
A short watch - This Australian Story episode about Kate Reid, the founder of the ultra-popular croissanterie Lune. A former F1 aerodynamics engineer, it highlights how her battle against a life-threatening eating disorder turned into an obsession with perfecting pastry.
And a long watch - Three Identical Strangers on Netflix - this doco was a huge hit when it came out in 2018, and after seeing it around a bunch this week, we’re bringing it to the top of our recommendations. Following identical triplets who were separated at birth and find their way back to each other, it’s an incredible story and a worthy weekend watch.
Wrapped in comfort from day one
Love To Dream’s newborn swaddle collection has become a go-to for parents wanting safer, better sleep for their babies. Now, it’s got the tick of approval from The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, which supports 20,000 women and babies across NSW. If you’re expecting - or know someone who is - it's a good one. Explore the collection here.
In the Kitchen
A hearty pasta always goes down well in our house, and this creamy lemon and salmon pasta brings the comfort factor without sending you into a food coma. The recipe calls for leftover salmon, but a fresh fillet or even a packet of smoked salmon will do the trick.
Get stuck in…
What we Shortcut for you this week
A big week at the UN - This week, leaders from around the world met in New York for ‘High-level Week’ at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. We explore what’s been on the agenda, the role of the UN, and what our own PM aims to get out of it… Read that here or listen here.
Squiz the Week
Saturday - It’s a big weekend of sport - Geelong and Brisbane go head to head in the AFL Grand Final at the MCG, with kick-off at 2.30pm on 7+. At 3pm the Wallabies take on the All Blacks in the first of 2 Bledisloe Cup matches, watch live on Channel 9 or Stan Sport. And then at 7.45pm, the Sydney Roosters play the Cronulla Sharks in an NRLW preliminary final, watch on 9Now.
Sunday - An early morning for Rugby fans - Canada plays England in the finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup at 1am on Stan Sport. And a double-header of NRL pre-lims at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with the women’s Brisbane Broncos taking on the Newcastle Knights at 1.15pm, before the men’s Penrith Panthers play the Broncos at 4.05pm - watch on 9Now.
Monday - Western Oz gets a public holiday for the King’s Birthday, and school holidays officially begin in NSW and the ACT. And the PM’s Literary Awards will be announced, with Tim Winton’s Juice on the shortlist for the richest literary prize in the nation.
Tuesday - At 2.30pm, the Reserve Bank will hand down the latest interest rate decision - the vibe is they’ll hold steady... And cabaret fans are in for a treat as Melbourne Fringe Festival kicks off.
Wednesday - It’s Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. The Dally M Medals will be announced, celebrating the NRL and NRLW’s best and fairest. At 7.30pm our time, Australia takes on New Zealand in their first game of the Women's ODI Cricket World Cup in Indore, India - watch it free on Prime Video. And the chunky champion of this year’s Fat Bear Week will be crowned at Katmai National Park in Alaska.
Thursday - The ABS will release data on monthly household spending and international trade in goods. And the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards will be announced, with artists Chappel Roan, Charli XCX and Lana Del Ray among those snapped in the shortlist.
Friday - Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will face sentencing in New York after being found guilty of 2 counts of transportation to engage in prostitution back in July. And the Czech Republic will head to the polls for their parliamentary elections. And breathe…
Double-Tapping
Ever left something quite valuable somewhere when your attention is stretched too thin? This cry for help resonated - we hope it worked out in the end…
