30 November 2024 - Saturday Squiz

We closed out our week with our Team Squiz Christmas lunch - it was lively and, like the good morning people we are, we were pretty much done by 5pm... This Saturday, if you’ve decided to change up your career, have a go-to dish for gatherings, or anything else to tell us, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Get the Weekly Wrap podcast with Kate Watson and Claire Kimball

🤷‍♀️ IDK: Since when do Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales go all month?

This week's top stories

1. One ceasefire down, one to go… - This deal has taken effect to end 14 months of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah. Brokered by the US and France, US President Joe Biden said it was "designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities”. Reports say things are still fragile…

2. Rolling out the guillotine… - The Senate made its way through 31 government bills late on Thursday night after the Greens agreed to support a vote on 27 bills in return for $500 million for social housing energy upgrades and commitments against fossil fuel investment. To do that, motions were passed to cut off debate - something the Coalition and independent senators were not happy about…

3. A sad homecoming - The bodies of the 2 Melbourne teenagers who died from methanol poisoning in Laos returned home mid-week - their families urged authorities to continue to pursue those responsible.

4. What free trade agreement? - This week, the incoming US President Donald Trump flagged his intention to impose a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% on goods from China. The reasons he cited are illegal immigration and the trade of illicit drugs. That sound you could hear was international economic policymakers gasping…

5. Hope for the 5 imprisoned Bali Nine - It was Friday last week that speculation bubbled up that the men could soon return to Australia. By the end of this week, Indonesian officials were making reassuring noises about the potential prisoner swap deal.

S’Quiz me real good…

Reckon you know which carmaker defended its controversial rebrand this week? Have a crack at the Squiz Quiz.

Picture of the Week

Emma McKeon - our most decorated Olympian - announced her retirement from swimming via Instagram. After competing in 3 Olympic games and winning over 14 medals, we already knew the 2024 Paris Olympics would be her last, but now she’s called it quits. Can’t wait to see her next brilliant chapter.

emmamckeon

View more on Instagram

Question of the week

What are you playing at Christmas?

So about half of Squizers enjoy a game and the other half enjoy vegging out - and we can relate to both. Here are some responses…

Have your cake and eat it too - “Where was the option for 'board games/head outside for a game of cricket or swim/watch countless movies/eat yourself stupid?’ Bring it all on. I LOVE this time of year.”

Treat yourself - “By the time I’ve consumed my son-in-law’s Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, washed down with a few glasses of vino, playing games is not on my agenda.”

Sorry we asked… - “Attending Christmas Day with family is traumatic enough.”

🎄It’s not too early for some skincare Christmas picks…

We’re here to help this Squizmas with skincare gift ideas for those you love…or maybe a treat just for you:

🥛Kotia Skincare - 100% pure New Zealand deer milk, will be perfect for the Skincare Squizers - best part is a 15% discount, use GLOW15.

✨Bescher Beauty - Skincare infused with sea cucumber collagen - 30% off and freebies on select buys.

🌷Body Bendz - An award-winning Australian skincare company that combines natural and cruelty-free ingredients. Secret Santa has never been so hydrating.

_{*If you buy products using these links, The Squiz could get a little commission.}

In the Kitchen

‘Tis the season for hosting… We made this Amatriciana pasta for a group dinner the other night, and it was an absolute hit. It only requires a few ingredients, is simple to make, and is easy to scale for a group of people. Note - the recipe requires guanciale which is best sourced from a deli. We also used tubular spaghetti to soak up all the delicious sauce.

What we’re Squizin’

Squiz Shortcuts on the AFLW - The Grand Final is on tonight so this episode is a timely one. And as a relatively new competition, there’s plenty happening off-field as well, so we get you across how it’s tracking, the challenges, and where it’s headed in the future. Listen to the Shortcuts here. 

Our final News Club interview for the year with Richard Scolyer - He’s our joint 2024 Australian of the Year and a world-leading melanoma researcher. In June 2023, Richard was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer with an average survival rate of 14 months, it has now been 18 months since his diagnosis… That could come down to luck, or it could be because of his world-first approach to treatment. Watch the interview on YouTube - and subscribe while you’re there.

Regulating the use of plastics

We get it - when someone mentions plastics, it can be daunting to think about the effects they can have on our health. But the reality is that, even though we can’t see them, toxic plastic chemicals are everywhere in our modern daily lives and they are affecting us. That’s why the Minderoo Foundation wants to see regulations to protect us, our children’s health and future generations. If you want to learn more about the actions you can take to reduce exposure to plastic chemicals, this is a good place to start.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - As mentioned… 7.35pm is the time for the AFLW Grand Final between the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions - it’s at Ikon Park in Melbourne and live on 7Plus… 

Sunday - The Women’s Big Bash League Final between the Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat, live on Kayo… And we’re hoping for sunshine on the first day of summer ☀️

Monday - What feels like neverending sales will be coming to an end with Cyber Monday - here’s a list of the best sales to get into before they’re over 🤑

Tuesday - 32 years ago, the very first text message was sent via computer… You’ll be surprised to learn it didn’t say something like “Lol. C U L8r” but a simple “Merry Christmas”…

Wednesday -  It’s been one year since Brenda Lee's 1958 festive classic Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree hit the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart… It was a whole thing…

Thursday - Have a moment of reflection for Bartender Appreciation Day - it’ll be a big month for them…

Friday - At 3pm, the second Men’s Cricket Test between Australia and India begins in Adelaide and live on 7Plus

*Times in AEDT

Double-Tapping

If you’ve ever been intrigued by Americans deep-frying whole turkeys for Thanksgiving, this is for you…