News Club

It’s a new year, but an old story… COVID is still here, and now the Omicron variant is ripping through our communities and the world at a rapid pace. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the latest on Omicron, what Omicron's game-plan might be, and what’s being said about when this pandemic will be over. Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories. Squiz recommends: Pfizer ch...

When one of South Africa's biggest characters - Archbishop Desmond Tutu - died on Boxing Day, he was remembered as a champion for freedom and equality who made things happen for the troubled nation. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look back at Tutu's early life, his role in the anti-Apartheid movement, and his legacy both at home and abroad. Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories....

In the final episode of our 3-part Year in Review series, we revisit the stories that kept us entertained during 2021. You can find a written version of the content here: https://www.thesquiz.com.au/2021-news-year-in-review/ See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the 2nd episode of our 3-part Year in Review series, we revisit the big local stories that shaped 2021. You can find a written version of the content here: https://www.thesquiz.com.au/2021-news-year-in-review/ See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first episode of our 3-part Year in Review series, we revisit the big international stories that shaped 2021. You can find a written version of the content here: https://www.thesquiz.com.au/2021-news-year-in-review/ See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s a bit of fun, it’s a bit festive, with a lot of laughs. Take a lighter look at year that was 2021 by joining us for The Great Big Squiz Quiz. And a link to the quiz on our website is here: https://www.thesquiz.com.au/quiz/2021-great-big-squiz-quiz/ See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 16 years Angela Merkel is no longer Chancellor of Germany. Leading Europe's biggest economy - and in a lot of ways, Europe - through some of the most challenging times post-WWII, she has certainly left a mark on modern political history. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we delve a little deeper into Merkel's early life growing up in East Germany, her political legacy, and what's expected to happen...

It is near-impossible to ignore cricket news during an Aussie summer, and this year will be a big 'un… That's because the Ashes are on Aussie soil, where our team is going up against the Brits in one of our biggest sporting rivalries. The first Test started yesterday, so this week we've handed the Squiz Shortcut reins to the team from Sport Today to step you through the history of the Ashes, why t...

As much as we wish it wasn't the case, Omicron is here and it's a thing. And there are lots of questions about what that might mean... So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at what's different about the Omicron variant, what a variant even is, what it means for the current crop of vaccines, and vaccination inequality around the world. Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories. Squiz r...

The disappearance of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has us left with a lot of questions… After all, she's not the first high-profile person to have seemingly vanished after criticising the Chinese government. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at what's been called China's cultural crackdown. We’ll cover the rise of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his authority over the Chinese Communist Party an...

Inflation is a key piece of the economic puzzle, and it's a hot topic in Oz and across the globe right now. So In this Squiz Shortcut, we'll look at inflation and what drives it, what happens when it's too low or too high, and how inflation is playing out now and into next year's federal election campaign. Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news stories. Squiz recommends: Zimbabwe's infl...

At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month was the time in 1918 when the guns on Europe’s Western Front fell silent after more than 4 years of war. And to this day, we are encouraged to observe one minute’s silence in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we give you a quick guide to WWI and how it ended, how its commemoration was observed...

There's been a lot of buildup to the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. It's currently underway and the world leaders part of it is now wrapped up. So at the nearly halfway mark, we'll take you through Australia's climate change policy, what other nations' agendas are, and the 2 new pledges countries have made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Squiz Shortcuts is your backstory to the big news...

With a meeting of G20 nations this week and COP26 taking place next week, there's lots of talk about summits of late. So we've handpicked a few of the big meetings of world leaders that Australia is involved with each year to give context around each. We start with the one happening this weekend, the G20, and then get you across some other ones in our region that at certain times of the year, get...

In Japan, a royal wedding scheduled for 26 October is causing quite the stir. That's because it's the wedding of the Emperors' niece, and if you are female royalty in Japan and you get married, you're out of the family. It's an age-old rule and one that is now being challenged. So in this Squiz Shortcuts, we take you through how Japan's Imperial family works, their public life in Japan, and the ba...

Just a few weeks ago, Queensland joined Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania in passing voluntary assisted dying laws, which makes NSW the last state not to have them. That could all change soon with a new bill being introduced into the NSW parliament this week. It's a sensitive topic, and one that comes up from time to time in the news, in conversation, and of course, in our...

In a shock to many, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklan not only resigned but bowed out of state politics completely last Friday. That's because she's being investigated by the state's ICAC, the Independent Commission Against Corruption. If you're confused about why exactly she had to go, you're not alone... In this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we explain anti-corruption commissions and why they exist, t...

As we head towards the end of the year, climate change is going to be the talk of the town. That's because in just over a month's time, around 25,000 people will descend on Glasgow in Scotland for what's been called the most significant climate gathering since the Paris Agreement was nutted out in 2015: COP26. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at why this conference is such a big deal, whe...

Australia will join a new security alliance with the United Kingdom and the United States to share their top-secret technology, which means we can build our own nuclear-powered subs. And France isn't too happy about it... So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take you through why submarines are such a big deal in defense, the contention around nuclear, what's happening with the French, and our chequered h...

The closing of our state and territory borders is something most Aussies had never thought possible. But then came COVID-19, and those state lines have become the subject of much conjecture... As we look to a life free of lockdowns, state borders continue to throw up some hurdles in our quest to return to what was 'normal'. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we give you the background to the responsibilit...

This Saturday will mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Two decades later, the impact of what happened that day is evident around the world due to the wars that followed, but it’s also apparent in our day to day lives ... It's a huge topic so in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts we’ll recap what happened on September 11, how America and the West respo...

This week it's the 70th anniversary of the ANZUS alliance - that's a treaty between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. So, it's an important one... In this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at how it came to be, where things are out now and what the new focus is for the alliance. Squiz recommends: Squiz Shortcut - The China-Australia Relationship Squiz Shortcut - What's Happening in Taiwa...

There are set to be four different vaccines available to Australians in the coming year. If you're anything like us, incessant reporting about AstraZeneca and Pfizer has meant things can often get confusing - and now there are two more to consider... So in this Shortcut, we step back and talk through each vaccine that will become available to Australians, including how the deals were done, how the...

The Paralympics start next week and after a massive medal haul by the Aussies at the recent Olympics, we're riding the Olympics train for as long as we can... To get you geared up and ready for the start of the games we get you across how the Paralympics came to be, the sports included, how the often referred to 'classifications' work, and the big one - who and what to look out for.   Squiz Shortc...

This week the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Given the conditions in the country when they last ruled, there are huge concerns about what a Taliban-led Afghanistan will be like for the people who live there - and beyond. In this Squiz Shortcut, we talk through who the Taliban are and what they stand for, what life under the Taliban was like in the 1990s, how they have been able to regain con...