4 July 2026 - Saturday Squiz

If you’re an early riser this morning/Socceroos fanatic, sorry the World Cup didn’t work out the way we wanted - but at least the Aussie tourists are having fun out and about… This weekend, if you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, climbing tall things or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

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. Winners are grinners - After a big week of World Cup coverage, the Socceroos were knocked out this morning with a 4-2 loss in a penalty shootout with Egypt. Bring on the men’s Asian Cup in 2027…

2. Taking a timeout on the fighting - After tit-for-tat strikes kicked off (again) last week, the US and Iran are back on speaking terms with negotiations happening in Doha, Qatar earlier this week. Talks are on pause next week for the start of the funeral/memorials for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which begins in Tehran today.

3. Getting (extra) serious about the social media ban - The government wants tech companies to face increased fines of up to $99 million for “not doing enough” to stop kids under 16yo accessing social media sites. The eSafety commissioner says some of the major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat are not complying with the minimum age restrictions.

4. Prices have gone up at the pump - The Albanese Government’s excise discount dropped to 16c/litre (which is half what it has been) on Wednesday. It will be in place until 2 August, and is in response to the ongoing uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

5. An Aussie murder suspect in Thailand - Thai police have charged a 46yo Victorian Simon Carman in connection with the murder of a teenage girl, after her naked body was found dumped in a suitcase. Police say CCTV shows the 17yo Tunchanok Donhomla entering a hotel room with Carman, before she was reported missing by friends.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which task giraffes were found to be capable of in a recent study? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

These daredevils climbed to the top of the Empire State Building this week to send a message about world peace - and to get engaged. What they did is obviously super illegal, but it does make that one person you went to high school with who makes their engagement their whole online identity seem comparatively low-key…

Where curious minds gather...

If who/what/when/where and why are questions you often ask, Festival of Dangerous Ideas might be your kind of event... It’s returning this August and will bring together more than 120 thinkers, artists and provocateurs for 10 days of talks, films, art and excursions across Sydney. This is a chance to see topics from a different perspective, question assumptions, and explore the ideas shaping the world around us. Tickets are on sale now.

In the Kitchen

For a red sauce with a twist, we recommend this creamy roasted capsicum pasta. Sounds involved, but it’s easy enough for a weeknight - we added chicken but go crazy with whatever you like - or none at all, no judgement…

What we Shortcut for you this week

What's going on with the Beckhams? - When it comes to headlines and column space, the Beckhams give the Royals a run for their money… A family feud between David/Victoria and their son Brooklyn was made public in January - and the clan has been back in the news due to a controversial World Cup ad and an attempt at a reunion… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across brand Beckham, how the feud began and where things are at… Read that here or listen up.

America’s 250th birthday - America’s got a big anniversary today, it’s 250th - and if countries had birth certificates, the Declaration of Independence would be theirs. So as the US marks its big day, we’ll take you through what’s planned, how the Declaration of Independence ties in and why it matters. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 7.30pm, the Super Netball final between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Melbourne Vixens is on in Melbourne - you can watch that one for free on Kayo. The rugby Nations Championship round one between Australia and Ireland kicks off in Sydney, watch it on 9Now. And it’s the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Sunday - PM Anthony Albanese is travelling to Fiji and Solomon Islands for 3 days. And NAIDOC Week begins - the 2026 theme is '50 Years of Deadly'. And happy birthday to our teammate Sophie, who pulls this newsletter together every week 🥳.

Monday - At 12.30am (aka just after midnight, not midday…) Australia is playing in the Women's cricket T20 World Cup final in London. Watch it on Prime Video. And if you’ve got someone to go sit in a tree with, it’s International Kissing Day.

Tuesday - The NATO Summit begins in Turkey today - the focus will be on defence investment and industry, and support for Ukraine.

Wednesday - India's PM Narendra Modi is visiting Australia; he’ll be in Sydney and Melbourne until 10 July. And at 8.10pm, it’s the tie-breaker State of Origin game 3 in Brisbane, you can watch that on 9Now (or at the pub)…

Thursday - Nominations open for the leader of the UK Labour Party following the resignation of Keir Starmer. Andy Burnham is expected to run uncontested.

Friday - There are 2 new album releases today with The Rolling Stones’ Foreign Tongues and Temper Trap’s Sungazer.

*Times in AEST