8 November 2025 - Saturday Squiz

We never thought we were mug cake people, but needs must… This weekend, if you’ve got a catastrophic negative review, a gloved gift, or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the Weekly Wrap with Claire Kimball and Larissa Moore

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. Half Yours, total winner - Aboard the only Aussie-bred horse in the Melbourne Cup field, South Oz’s Jamie Melhan rode into the history books when she became the second female jockey to win the $10 million race on Tuesday. Over 2.3 million people tuned in to Channel 9 to watch, though an unlucky few mistakenly went to Seven…

2. A political (net)zero-sum game - The Nationals officially dropped their support for net zero emissions, and that’s put Liberal leader Sussan Ley in a tricky spot, with colleagues speculating that she’s losing support. Liberal pollies have been called back to Canberra on Wednesday to talk it out before a full Coalition meeting on Sunday.

3. A hail of a time - As a massive supercell thunderstorm wrought havoc across Southern Queensland last weekend, leaving thousands without power. Up to 8cm of hail was recorded in some parts, damaging homes, cars, and local wildlife. Soz but thunderstorms are expected for parts of NSW and Southern Queensland this weekend, so don’t put away the brolly yet…

4. London-bound train attack - Ten people were hospitalised after a stabbing attack on a train travelling from Doncaster to London last Saturday evening. Police have since arrested 32yo Anthony Williams, saying there’s “nothing to suggest” it was an act of terrorism.

5. Holding steady - After last week’s shock bump in inflation, it was a surprise to no one when the Reserve Bank held interest rates at 3.6%. It also predicted that inflation will be out and about next year, so maybe don’t expect a cut anytime soon…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know who won New York City's mayoral election this week? Test your knowledge with this week’s Squiz Quiz.

And if you aced that, try this…

Our Weekly Squiz Quiz podcast and video, hosted by the quizalicious Andrew Williams, got fellow podcaster/co-host of Sportish Georgie Trickett in the studio to take on Larissa Moore in the 8-question challenge. If you can beat their scores, we’re all ears (and you can listen with yours here).

The Weekly Squiz Quiz is out each Wednesday - hit follow on News Club so you don't miss a drop, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Shot of the Week

Getting the call that a humpback whale has been beached at your local swimming spot might not sound like the source of inspiration to capture the beauty of marine life and the people dedicated to their protection, but for Craig Parry, it was. This image won him the Human Connection prize at the 2025 Ocean Photographer of the Year awards.

For the person who's done with doom-scrolling

Some of the best gifts teach you something new and get you off your phone. Cardigang's DIY kits have everything you need to make jumpers and scarves (yes, even if you've never touched yarn before). Forget panic-buying another candle and consider the gift of a new hobby. It’s the ultimate anti-doom-scrolling device that comes with bragging rights. Take a peek at Cardigang's feel-good kits.

In the Kitchen

All you need is 75g of Nutella, one egg, ¼ teaspoon of baking powder, a mug, mix it together and 1 minute in the microwave for this Nutella pudding cake (paywall, but we’ve just given you the recipe and instructions…). Note: it’s a dangerous one because anytime you have a hankering for an after-dinner chocolatey treat, this is so easy to whip up... We put it to the test on this week’s Weekly Wrap (listen/watch on our News Club channel) and you can see for yourself just how much joy it brings…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Why Andrew is an ex-prince - Last Friday, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had his remaining titles removed by his bro, King Charles. We look at what led up to the King’s decision and what the fallout could be... Read here or listen here.

Ask the Squiz - Andrew and Claire are back to answer Squizers’ questions from October - they cover the new incentives for bulk billing, why there’ve been bulldozers at the White House, and netball’s push to make it into the Brisbane Olympics…. Read that here or listen up.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The 5th and final T20I between Australia and India bats off at 6.15pm at the Gabba in Brisbane, watch on Kayo. And it’s ho ho ho in Adelaide as the city’s Christmas pageant gets underway as the largest public parade in the Southern Hemisphere 🎅

Sunday - It’s a sporty kinda day - the Wallabies take on Italy on their home turf - live on Stan Sport at 4.40am. In rugby league, the Jillaroos play the Kiwi Ferns in the Pacific Cup women’s final at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, watch on 9Now at 1.35pm. And in cricket, the Women’s Big Bash kicks off at 1.40pm with Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades in Melbourne, watch on 7+.

Monday - COP30 kicks off in Belem, Brazil, marking the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement. Also in Brazil, the Sao Paolo Grand Prix gets underway at 4am our time, watch on Kayo. And over in Washington, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s meeting with US President Donald Trump will be a first for the war-torn nation.

Tuesday - It’s Remembrance Day - that comes with a minute’s silence at 11am. At 11.30am, Global Spokesperson of UNICEF Australia James Elder will address the National Press Club on his insights from his 6th deployment to Gaza. And the 2025 Booker Prize will be announced at 8.30am our time - guest judge Sarah Jessica Parker called the shortlisting process “real agony”…

Wednesday - Calling all bagpipers (you never know…) - the Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash at Fed Square will attempt to smash the world record for the largest ever bagpipe ensemble. And Japanese Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Kazuhiro Suzuki, will speak about 50 years of Japan-Australia relations at the National Press Club.

Thursday - Superannuation giant Cbus is being sued by corporate regulator ASIC for failing to process over 10,000 death and disability claims in a timely manner - that lands in the Federal Court today.

Friday - The Beach Volleyball World Championships get underway in Adelaide and will run over the next week. And it's Australia v Portugal in the Billie Jean King Cup Play-off in Hobart in the lead-up to 2026’s qualifying matches.