Squiz Today
A daily news podcast presented by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Anna Pykett and Larissa Huntington, getting you across the latest Australian and international news in under 10 minutes. Agenda-free, independent, and delivered by hosts that'll come to feel like mates. It's the news without the noise, cutting through with a touch of analysis and an eye on what's coming next. And there's always a quirky news story or two to give some balance to the news of the day. News for busy people, out 6am weekday, perfect for your morning routine. The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Top tip...
The US turns 250, and a big weekend for the green and gold
Friday, 3 July: The US turns 250; Fuel shortages hit Russia; A big weekend for the green and gold; And the giraffes have a party trick...
SPONSORED - Try Claude at claude.ai.
SPONSORED: Click here to find out more about the Festival of Dangerous Ideas.
You can find the Squiz Kids brainteasers here.
And here are those (delicious!) chocolate chip cookies.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Larissa Huntington
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Squiz Shortcuts: America’s 250th birthday
America’s got a big anniversary coming up this year, its 250th - and if countries had birth certificates, the US Declaration of Independence would be theirs. It’s one of the most famous documents in the world and it’s incredibly important to the way the United States of America - arguably the most powerful nation in the world - acts and elects its leaders. So as the US gears up to celebrate its big day, in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take you through what’s planned, how the Declaration of Independence ties in, and why it’s so importa...
The US eases restrictions on powerful AI, and the case of the forgotten pugs
Thursday, 2 July: The US eases restrictions on powerful AI; ARN drops Karl Stefanovic; A mega rugby league deal is incoming; And the case of the forgotten pugs...
SPONSORED: Click here to find out more about the Festival of Dangerous Ideas.
You can see footage of that couple on the Empire State Building here and here.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids
New financial year changes are ahead, and our most attractive jobs
Wednesday, 1 July: New financial year changes ahead; A birthright citizenship ruling in the US; Maya Joint takes on Serena Williams; And the most attractive jobs...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
SPONSORED: Click here to find out more about the Festival of Dangerous Ideas.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for
Squiz Shortcuts: What's going on with the Beckhams?
There’s no doubt Britain’s most famous family is the Royals - but in terms of headlines and column space, the Beckhams give the Windsors a run for their money… A family feud between David and Victoria Beckham and their eldest 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…
Squiz Recommends: ...
Antisemitism is back in focus, and men's fashion gets more transparent
Tuesday, 30 June: Antisemitism is back in the spotlight; The US and Iran meet again; Our property market slows down; And men's fashion gets more transparent...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
If news about the Royal Commission has brought up anything for you or anyone you know, support services are available here.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids
Serena serves up a comeback, and US passports get the Trump treatment
Monday, 29 June: Serena serves up a comeback; The search for survivors in Venezuela; A social media ban crackdown; And US passports get the Trump treatment...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
You can find access to some support services here.
Here's the reunion of a father and baby in Venezuela.
The Trump passport is here, and the Trump coin is here...
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Claire Kimball, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
A new political party takes shape, and Neil the seal is back again...
Friday, 26 June: A new political party takes shape; Deadly earthquakes hit Venezuela; The Socceroos face off against Paraguay; And guess who's back, back again...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
Here's our Shortcut to the Socceroos' squad.
You can read the Rolling Stone review of Olivia Rodrigo's interview here.
And here's that delicious Donna Hay sticky date pudding recipe.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Larissa Huntington
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Ge...
Squiz Shortcuts: What’s going on at KPMG?
There’s been a story bubbling away in the news that’s set corporate tongues wagging about the goings on at one of the county’s biggest accounting/consultancy firms, KPMG. It’s to do with a former employee who blew the whistle on how the company was using the confidential data of its clients. Some of them are major corporations, and the fallout has led to a public inquiry and several execs being shown the door… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what it’s about, some context, and explain why it’s getting so much attentio...
Karl Stefanovic lands Nine in a bind, and Supergirl flies into cinemas
Thursday, 25 June: Karl Stefanovic lands Nine in a bind; A third confirmed case of bird flu; Headline inflation eases slightly; And Supergirl flies into cinemas...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
You can watch the Supergirl trailer here.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
A Green light for Labor's tax reforms, and an impressive interstellar find
Wednesday, 24 June: A Green light for Labor's tax reforms; Europe's heatwave turns deadly; Vale Clive Davis; And an impressive interstellar discovery...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
You can see photos of Clive Davis - and some of the massive stars he worked with - here.
And here's the Miles Franklin Literary Award Facebook page, and Instagram page.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Get...
Squiz Shortcuts: A change of PM in the UK
Britain is about to get its seventh Prime Minister in 10 years after the resignation of Labour’s Keir Starmer. The man tipped to replace him is former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, the country’s newest MP, who won a crucial by-election last week over his main competition from the far-right Reform UK party. So in this Squiz Shortcut we’ll look at what went wrong for Starmer, what Burnham’s promising, and how things stand in the UK a decade after Brexit.
Squiz Recommends:
Reading: This article in the New York Times abo...
Sir Keir Starmer calls it quits, and the plight of Vegemite lite
Tuesday, 23 June: Sir Keir Starmer calls it quits; Canada makes a big Australian purchase; The Logie nominees are in; And the plight of Vegemite lite...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Fuel relief is extended for another month, and a famous tree meets its end
Monday, 22 June: Fuel relief is extended for another month; Questions about Keir Starmer's future; A heatwave in Europe; And a famous tree meets its end...
SPONSORED: Try Claude at claude.ai.
You can check out some of those fancy dress costumes in the UK here.
And here's where you can read up on Andy Burnham.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Claire Kimball and Alice Dempster
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids
Squiz Series on Artificial Intelligence
All three episodes of our special AI series, in partnership with Minderoo, are now out. It's all about how we're feeling about AI in Australia, our level of trust in it, protecting our data and legal rights in the age of AI, and also what role AI plays when it comes to our national security. We're here to help you get across it.
The US-Iran ceasefire is locked in, and unearthing a smaller Stonehenge
Friday, 19 June: The US-Iran ceasefire is locked in; The government updates its tax reforms; The Socceroos prepare for game 2; And finding a smaller Stonehenge...
SPONSORED: You can find out more and help the lifesaving work of MSF at msf.org.au
You can find our Shortcut to the Socceroos here.
And here are those beef brisket buns - enjoy!
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Larissa Huntington
Researched by Anna Pykett, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington and Sophie Felice
Get...
Squiz Shortcuts: The Socceroos World Cup squad
The FIFA men’s World Cup is under way and Australia’s Socceroos are off to a great start with a win over Turkey. Soccer fans will know that the squad has quite a few new faces in the mix with some remarkable stories behind them - but a lot of Aussies are hearing their names for the first time… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across some of the players making news and their path to the World Cup…
Squiz Recommends:
Watching: Sarah Ferguson’s interview on ABC’s 7.30 with 2 o...
Pauline Hanson addresses the press, and Toy Story 5 hits cinemas
Thursday, 18 June: Pauline Hanson addresses the press; More details of the US-Iran deal; The Maroons stage a comeback; And Toy Story 5 hits cinemas...
SPONSORED: You can find out more and help the lifesaving work of MSF at msf.org.au
Here's our recent Squiz Shortcut on Pauline Hanson and One Nation's rise.
You can watch some highlights from State of Origin Game 2 here.
You can check out the full interview with Ian Langford, with thanks to Minderoo, here.
Hosted by Alice De...
Squiz Series: AI, national security, and the shifting world order
Artificial intelligence is the topic of a lot of conversations at the moment - and recent research commissioned by Minderoo Foundation shows that us Aussies have a bunch of concerns. So thanks to Minderoo, we’ve been able to talk to some of those experts in a special Squiz Series of podcasts on AI.
For part three, we’ve spoken with Professor Ian Langford. Ian is definitely a big-picture thinker - he’s a former brigadier in the Australian Defence Force, and he’s since turned his attention to looking at how artificial intelligence plays our national security...
Interest rates hold steady, and the Williams sisters serve up their return
Wednesday, 17 June: Interest rates hold steady; The UK follows in our social media footsteps; Digging into our news trends; And the Williams sisters serve up their return...
SPONSORED: You can find out more and help the lifesaving work of MSF at msf.org.au
You can read the 2026 Digital News Report in full here, or some coverage of what's in it here.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington and Sophie Felice
<...
Squiz Shortcuts: A closer look at One Nation’s policies
According to the polls, One Nation has seen a surge in support since last year’s federal election… Senator Pauline Hanson’s party is challenging the Coalition as Australia’s conservative party of choice - and she’s identified kicking Labor out of government as the major goal… So as One Nation shakes up this electoral cycle, this Squiz Shortcut will get you across the party’s signature policies and who is influencing them.
Squiz Recommends:
Listening/watching: Karl Stefanovic’s interview with Pauline Hanson on The Karl Stefanovic Show back in January where she...
A US-Iran ceasefire is locked in, and Delta gets set to dance
Tuesday, 16 June: A US-Iran ceasefire is locked in; Questions over fuel prices; Tackling crime that targets Australian kids; And Delta gets set to dance...
SPONSORED: You can find out more and help the lifesaving work of MSF at msf.org.au
You can catch up on our Shortcut to the Stanley Cup here.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Trump talks up a peace deal, and the Socceroos beat the odds
Monday, 15 June: Trump talks up a peace deal; Pauline Hanson jumps in the polls; The Socceroos beat the odds; And a parade fit for a King...
You can see some of those World Cup celebrations for the Socceroos here.
And here are some photos from Trooping the Colour.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Anna Pykett, Claire Kimball, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids
Trump hits the brakes on strikes, and going for gold in the T20 World Cup
Friday, 12 June: Trump hits the brakes on strikes; SpaceX prepares for launch; Going for gold in the women's T20 World Cup; And the perfect cinnamon bun...
The live blog covering the US-Iran conflict is here.
See the trailer for Remarkably Bright Creatures here.
And here's Nagi's cinnamon buns - and her new puppy, Jaffle...
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Larissa Huntington
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids
Squiz Shortcuts: The Ebola outbreak
You might’ve heard in the news that medical workers in parts of Africa are struggling to bring an outbreak of Ebola under control… The World Health Organisation has declared the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern rather than a pandemic, but there’s still no vaccine available yet. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what Ebola is, why there’s another outbreak and what’s next in the public health response…
Squiz Recommends:
Reading: This story from the BBC which explains why contact tracing has become such a c...
The US and Iran trade strikes, and kicking off the FIFA World Cup
Thursday, 11 June: The US and Iran trade strikes; More charges are laid over the Bondi terror attack; Kicking off the FIFA World Cup; And no privacy for some lovebirds...
You can find out more about FightMND here.
Here's our Shortcut to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
And if you'd rather watch the osprey cam, you'll find it here.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Anna Pykett
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids
Squiz Series: AI agents and the law
Artificial intelligence is the topic of a lot of conversations at the moment - and recent research commissioned by Minderoo Foundation shows that us Aussies have a bunch of concerns. So thanks to Minderoo, we’ve been able to talk to some of those experts in a special Squiz Series of podcasts on AI.
For part two, we’ve spoken to Peter Lee, who has been working at the centre of AI and the law for longer than most of us have probably known what it is. He’s a partner at the international law firm Simmons and Sim...
Another AI giant is going public, and an exciting day for Squiz Kids
Wednesday, 10 June: Another AI giant is going public; An exciting day for Squiz Kids; Barbeques Galore is no more; And voting on our favourite Aussie shows...
You can find our Shortcut on AI data centres here.
Here's more about the Newshounds program.
And here's that iconic moment Aussies were first welcomed to TV.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Andrew Williams
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Squiz Shortcuts: The FIFA World Cup
The upcoming FIFA men’s World Cup is promising to be one of the most unusual and newsworthy in history. There are more teams, more games and more host countries than ever before - and the presence of the US as one of the hosts (and US President Donald Trump looming large over everything) adds an extra layer of uncertainty. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at how this tournament is different, some of the big news stories leading in, and what we can expect on the pitch.
Squiz Recommends:
Vale Professor Richard Scolyer, and Pink lights up the Tonys
Tuesday, 9 June: Vale Professor Richard Scolyer, Iran and Israel launch - and then pause - strikes, some French Open first-timers, and thinking Pink at the Tonys...
Here's the link to our Newsmakers interview with the late Professor Richard Scolyer
And here's the P!nk performance of Lady Marmalade from the Tonys
Hosted by Andrew Williams and Anna Pykett
Researched by Andrew Williams, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Trump threatens more tariffs, and the Bayeux Tapestry is on the move
Friday, 5 June: Trump threatens more tariffs; Israel and Lebanon renew their ceasefire; A big Big Freeze is coming; And the Bayeux Tapestry is on the move...
You can find out more about The Big Freeze and MND here.
And here's that fragrant chicken noodle soup.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Larissa Huntington
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Squiz Shortcuts: Going deep on cave rescues
Rescue missions to reach people trapped inside caves have been in the news lately, with a crew in the southeast Asian country of Laos racing against the clock to save villagers who’ve been stuck deep inside one for just over 2 weeks. The operation is one of a number of highly risky rescue missions that happen across the world every year. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll look at what attracts people into cave systems, who rescues them if they get into trouble, and what’s involved…
Squiz Recommends:
Watching: This Four Corn...
The US and Iran trade strikes, and introducing our new co-host
Thursday, 4 June: Iran and US trade strikes, there's a policing uproar in the UK, a Disney-duet legend dies, and a palaver over a Big Potato...
Here's a link to that duet by Peabo Bryson and Celine Dion
Hosted by Andrew Williams and Anna Pykett
Researched by Andrew Williams, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Squiz Series: Do Aussies trust AI?
Artificial intelligence is the topic of a lot of conversations at the moment - and recent research commissioned by Minderoo Foundation shows that us Aussies have a bunch of concerns. So thanks to Minderoo, we’ve been able to talk to some of those experts in a special Squiz Series of podcasts on AI.
First up is Professor Nicole Gillespie - she’s the Chair of Organisational Trust with KPMG and she’s involved in polling the public on their level of trust in AI. So she’s an expert in public sentiment towards it - and she talks...
Minimum wages get a boost, and a devilish mystery on the Gold Coast
Wednesday, 3 June: Minimum wages get a boost; Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine; Anthropic prepares to list; And a devilish mystery on the Gold Coast...
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Andrew Williams
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
The heated rivalry behind the Stanley Cup
The sport of ice hockey has transcended a game just for the fans this year as it's found itself at the centre of a couple of big cultural moments across the world. We’re talking, of course, about the raging success of TV shows Heated Rivalry and more recently Off Campus - but it goes well beyond that and into real life. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across the impacts of those shows on the sport and, as the current season of the North American competition comes to its conclusion, we’ll get you across one of...
The tax reform debate continues, and Farnesy tickets are on sale
Tuesday, 2 June: The tax reform debate continues; The ceasefire in Iran is up in the air; Our World Cup team is named; And some iconic voices make a noise...
You can find tickets to the John Farnham tribute concert here, and learn more about Head and Neck Cancer Australia here.
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Andrew Williams
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
An update to our AUKUS plans, and cashing in on horror
Monday, 1 June: An update to our AUKUS plans; Ebola spreads in Africa; Another poll puts One Nation ahead; And cashing in on horror...
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Andrew Williams
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, and Anna Pykett
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Newshounds, by Squi
The government launches a lawsuit over PFAS, and a huge French Open upset
Friday, 29 May: The government launches a lawsuit over PFAS; The US and Iran reach a deal; A huge upset in Paris; And a heated musical parody...
Our Shortcut on PFAS is here.
Here's one of the reviews of the Heated Rivalry musical parody in NYC.
And last but not least - Larissa's potato pizza recommendation. Enjoy!
Hosted by Alice Dempster and Andrew Williams
Researched by Andrew Williams, Alice Dempster, Larissa Huntington, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice
Get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids
Squiz Shortcuts: Teal or no teal
You might’ve heard that several independent politicians in Australia known as ‘teals’ are looking to formalise the movement by creating a new political party. It’s early days, but experts say it’s a move to lure voters who’re looking for alternatives to the major parties - and a counter to the swell of support continuing to build for One Nation. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across who the teals are, what they stand for and what might come next…
Squiz Recommends:
Reading: This piece in the Guardian by D...
