31 January 2026 - Saturday Squiz

Don’t be sad that it’s the end of January, watch this video of baby hyenas instead… This weekend, if you’re afraid of heights, have a new favourite song, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the Weekly Wrap with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson (yep, the OG Squizers are back together…)

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 Australian Open hits the final stretch - The women’s final is tonight between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina at 7.30pm - Sabalenka is going for a third straight Australian Open title. A couple of Aussies also make an appearance - how you ask? Wildcards Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans are in the men’s doubles final tonight too… Sunday night is the men's final, it’s Carlos Alcaraz v Novak Djokovic after 2 epic 5-setter semis yesterday...

2. Liberals and Nationals’ leadership in the air - Nationals MP Colin Boyce is challenging David Littleproud’s leadership on Monday, but it’s doubtful he’ll win. It’s more about dissent over the decision to split from the Libs… Meanwhile, Angus Taylor has Sussan Ley in their sights - Andrew Hastie confirmed he won’t challenge for the leadership yesterday.

3. Fresh bushfire warnings in Victoria - There have been multiple blazes across Victoria this week - the ones to watch are the Carlisle River Fire in the Otways and the Walwa and Dargo fires in the state's North East. Emergency warnings were downgraded later in the week, but some residents are still unable to return home.

4. Rising heat Australia’s east and south - Temperature records have been smashed across NSW, Queensland, and parts of Victoria this week, with some areas reaching close to 50C… Renmark in South Australia took the dubious honour of being the hottest place in Australia – indeed, in the world – on Tuesday, recording a top of 49.6C. Yikes…

5. And a second person killed by ICE agents in Minnesota - Alex Pretti - a protester against the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown - was killed in scenes reminiscent of Renée Good’s death a couple of weeks ago. After pressure from Democrats, Republicans and notable Americans, US President Donald Trump has agreed that the situation could not continue…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know who was named Australian of the Year last weekend? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Dana Allen’s black and white photo of a bull elephant, shot in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area, won the Travel Image of the Year earlier this week. The award judges said, “Sometimes photography is about the defining moment, and you don’t get much more defining than this.” Wonder how close he got to that elephant…

Add this to the summer checklist

Sunscreen and hats are sorted, but kids' sunnies often fall off the radar. Experts reckon up to 80% of lifetime UV eye damage happens before 18yo, but you can't see or feel those UV rays doing their damage - including on cloudy days. Babiators have 100% UV protection and polarised lenses, plus frames that survive real life - being sat on, dropped, twisted, you name it. Worth a look (see what we did there…).

In the Kitchen

This super simple satay soup with jammy eggs and frozen dumplings is perfect for those nights when cutting up an onion really is too much work. It might sound a bit too cosy for summer, but the fish sauce, lime and coriander cut through the richness for a balanced taste with minimal effort. Frozen dumplings just got a whole lot more sophisticated…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Ask the Squiz: Ambassadors, NATO and shark culling - Squizers have sent us some excellent questions to tackle in our first edition of Ask the Squiz for 2026… We tackle why we have ambassadors, and which countries are in NATO and why it exists. And in the wake of the recent shark attacks in NSW, we had some questions about shark culling. Read that here or listen up.

What to watch for at the Winter Olympics - The 2026 Winter Games kick off in Italy next week, and we have some definite contenders in the mix… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you up to speed with who the big Aussie chances are, some of the new events, and how to watch. Read here or listen here.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - It's Independence Day in Nauru, celebrating the island nation becoming independent from Australia back in 1968. And we’re at the pointy end of the Australian Open… At 7.30pm, it’s the women’s final with Aryna Sabalenka taking on Elena Rybakina - should be an exciting one given their top form. You can stream that on 9now.

Sunday - There's a community paddle out at North Bondi at 7am to honour the life of 12-year-old Nico Antic, who died last week after being attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour - he was a North Bondi surf lifesaving nipper, so that will be an emotional one. It's the Midsumma Pride March on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda at 10.30am. Winding up the summer of tennis, tonight is the men's final in the Aussie Open with Djokovic looking for his tenth title against world #1 Carlos Alcaraz.

Monday - The Grammy Awards are on from 11am on Stan. Aussie acts Amyl and the Sniffers, Tame Impala and RÜFÜS DU SOL are all up for awards. Federal pollies return to Canberra ahead of sitting tomorrow. And parents can breathe again, kids are heading back to school in NSW, the ACT and WA for Term 1…

Tuesday - The Reserve Bank announces its latest interest rates decision at 2.30pm, followed by a media conference at 3.30pm. This is one to watch closely because the inflation numbers out this week weren't great…

Wednesday - It's the second anniversary of the disappearance of Samantha Murphy from a Ballarat run - Patrick Orren Stephenson’s trial for Murphy’s murder begins in April, and he has pleaded not guilty. It’s also the birthday of a small social media platform that began in 2004 - Facebook - you might’ve heard of it…

Thursday - The NSW Coroner will hand down findings from the inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbing. That attack in April 2024 saw 6 people killed and 10 injured at the Westfield shopping centre. It’s also World Nutella Day.

Friday - There's a court mention in Perth at 12.30pm for 20yo Brodie Jake Dewar over the alleged assault and death of former Labor strategist Tim Picton in December. And the AACTA Awards ceremony is on in the Gold Coast - the red carpet fires up at 7.30pm. Rick Astley also turns 60 today. Never gonna give him up…

*Times in AEDT