9 December 2023 - Saturday Squiz

It’s the little things with Woolworths

There are just 2 weeks to Christmas, and things are not slowing down… This Saturday, if you’ve got a name to drop, a cloudy disposition, or have anything else you want to share with us, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

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

🤷‍♀️ IDK: If attaining nice feet should occupy as much of our headspace as it does…

This week's top stories

This week, it’s a list we reckon we could have guessed…

1. Another week of fighting in the Middle East - Since the truce between Israel and Hamas ended last Friday, Israeli has been targeting Gaza’s south. It’s prompted the UN’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to call for a big intervention.

2. The immigration detention story that just won’t quit… - The Federal Parliament rushed through new laws on Wednesday to redetain some of the worst offenders from the group of people released from immigration detention last month. But not before 4 of them had fresh run-ins with the law…

3. Tackling the NDIS to bring down the cost - The states and territories will step up to support kids who the experts say don’t need full access to National Disability Insurance Scheme plans. It comes after a review was released that confirms a cost blown out.

4. Hot weather and cyclones - As about two-thirds of Oz swelter through a heatwave, scientists say we’ve just had our hottest year on record. Not to mention the warnings over Tropical Cyclone Jasper in Queensland… Stay safe and hydrated, please…

5. Another big week for a big defamation trial - And aside from what happened in court, there are questions over Brittany Higgins’ $2.45 million settlement with the Commonwealth, and Bruce Lehrmann’s paid interview with Seven also created waves.

Picture of the week

Taylor Swift was voted Time’s Person of the Year, and the world was blessed with this incredible article and photoshoot. The reason she got the nod? “She became the main character of the world,” said journo Sam Lansky.

Question of the week

The question: It’s the festive season, and good tunes are in hot demand. Give us a playlist to pop on, why don’t ya? 

The story: Confession time… We totally forgot to put the question of the week into yesterday’s Squiz Today newsletter to get your response. That ship has sailed, so we’ve collated some favourite Spotify playlists to help you bop through the rest of December. You’re welcome…

Zan Rowe’s Monthly Mixtape - It’s a great way to discover new music, and Zan’s picks are bang on for ours. 

Zoë Foster Blake’s playlist for when your cool friend comes over - Perfect for when you want to impress friends and family. 

The World’s Best Christmas Playlist - It’s a big claim, but this playlist has 790,000 likes on Spotify… And in our Christmas survey, you told us you like the classics, so fill your boots… 

Squiz Recommends

Reading - We’ve all been there - a show that you’ve streamed once haunts your recommendations for the rest of time. But there is a way to reset these automated recs, which is particularly timely given the influx of Christmas movies… 

Watching - …but there was one recommendation we’ve gratefully received, and that’s the spectacular Hannah Waddingham in her Apple TV+ Home for Christmas Special. Starring none other than the Ted Lasso cast, it’s a welcome injection of the festive spirit.

Buying - There is nothing fancy here - just a foot cream that works. It’s not expensive, and it’s not spa-like in perfume or glitzy packaging. But it does fix your heel cracks/rough skin/unsightly tootsies. 

In the Kitchen

Sick of your smug neighbour's humble bragging about their perfect pav? Give them a run for their money at your end of year street party with this salted caramel banoffee pavlova. Yes, it's delicious, but the best bit is you buy the award-winning pav bases and toppings from Woolies, and it takes a few minutes to assemble. We won't tell if you don't...

What we Squized this week

Your Squiz Shortcut to where the economy’s landed for 2023 - This week, we looked back at the economic story of 2023, and the question of whether central banks can achieve a 'soft landing'. Then we go through some predictions for 2024. Read/listen here.

And get ready for some summer Squizing… - We’re a little bit excited TBH. We’ve recorded a little somethin’ with our good friend/ABC Melbourne brekkie host/comedian extraordinaire Sammy J… Jump into your podcast app and hit ‘follow’ on our ‘News Club’ show to make sure you don’t miss any of our summer break programming. Fine, we’ll make it easy for you - on Spotify here and Apple Podcast here).

Squiz the Week

Saturday - It’s Dame Judi Dench’s birthday (1934). That is all… 

Sunday - Human Rights Day will likely see big free Palestine rallies around the country

Monday - If you can believe it, we’re back into Hollywood’s awards cycle… Today, the nominees will be announced for the 2023 Golden Globes

Tuesday - Kick your spice rack into gear it’s Gingerbread House Day

Wednesday - Former UK PM Boris Johnson will speak at a Menzies Research Centre event in Sydney, and it’s a very happy birthday to Taylor Swift 

Thursday - The start of the Aussie cricket season is well and truly here with the first Test match between Australia and Pakistan batting off in Perth

Friday - Soz/yay (depending on your level of preparedness…) - it’s 10 days until Christmas…

Let’s get Squizzical

Reckon you know which Christmas classic has hit the #1 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart? Have a crack at the Squiz Quiz.

Double-Tapping

We quite enjoy actor Hugh Grant’s role as the entertainment world’s chief curmudgeon, and this is a masterclass. For context, he plays an oompa loompa in the upcoming prequel musical, Wonka. He says he didn’t enjoy the experience one little bit…

We’re very social…

Add to your weekend to-do list: chuck us a follow.