News Club

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has been getting quite a bit of really bad press lately, with experts warning it could ultimately spell the end of the human race. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at what AI is, why some of the biggest names in tech are so worried, and what governments are going to do about it. Squiz recommends: A short clip of 60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort talking to an AI robot How to Spot an AI-Generated Image Like the 'Balenciaga Pope' - TIME Magazine

If you live anywhere along the east or west coast of Australia, chances are you might have heard it's whale watching season, when nature's biggest mammals head north in a mass migration. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at what a whale migration is, how whales are faring with so much concern about our oceans, and where and when you can get to see all the action. Squiz recommends: Underwater vision of the Humpback whale, narrated by the one and only Sir David Attenborough ORCCA census day information

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey's newly re-elected president, has made big promises but has a record of cracking down on dissent and diminishing democratic freedoms. In this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take you through Turkey’s politics and why it matters to the West. Other things we do: Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news. Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!

Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, has announced that he wants to become the president of the United States. He’ll go head-to-head with another Florida resident, former President Donald Trump. With the race heating up, let's have a look at who DeSantis is, what issues he’s known for, and whether he’s got a shot to become the Republican nominee and maybe even president. Other things we do: Squiz Today - a daily podcast and newsletter that gives a fact-filled run-down of what’s making news. Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!

The US has been in the middle of a crazy political stoush over this thing called the “debt ceiling” for the past few months which has been threatening to blow up and cause ripples around the world… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at what a debt ceiling is, why it's become such a big deal now, and how it could play out. Squiz recommends: Jimmy Fallon "slow jamming" about the debt ceiling. A good backgrounder from the Council on Foreign Relations on the whole debt ceiling issue

It's been a horrifying time in the African nation of Sudan with foreign nationals including Aussies being evacuated out of the country. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at why Sudan is in such strife, what's happening on the ground right now, and what the world is doing to try and stop it from becoming a full-blown civil war. Squiz recommends: Sudan's conflict explained in 5 minutes - The UK's Telegraph The backstory on the two Generals now fighting for supremacy in Sudan - BBC News

The election in Thailand over the weekend was tipped to be extraordinary, and boy, did it deliver... So in this Squiz Shortcut, we dive into the parties that ran on Sunday, and the results of the vote. You can listen to our 2020 Shortcut on the protests in Thailand here.

It's Budget week, and it's been hard to miss the news the Albanese Government has delivered our first surplus in 15 years... So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look why being 'back in the black' is such a big deal, what's in the Budget, and the big economic challenges still facing Oz. Squiz recommends: A guide to the Budget winners and losers from The Age and ABC News

King Charles III will be crowned on Saturday alongside his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort. The coronation is a centuries-old ceremony packed with symbols and meaning that the world hasn't seen for 70 years… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll take you through the ceremony's rituals, have a look at what we can expect this time around, and give you some of the lesser-known talking points so you can glisten like a crown jewel at your coronation party. Squiz recommends: 19 rarely seen images of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation - Vogue Recipes for Coronation Quiche and Coronation Chicken

The rise of the gig economy has had a huge impact on how we live so it's no wonder it's gotten the attention of pollies, the media and of course, workers or those who use the gig economy for everything from food delivery to cleaning your home. In this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take you through what the gig economy is, how it has grown over the past decade or so, and some of the challenges it is facing. This episode of Squiz Shortcuts is brought to you by Uber. For more about what Uber and Uber Eats are doing to provide flexible earning opportunities to more than 150,000 people in Australia each month, head to the link here. Squiz recommends: Dara Khosrowshahi, Dad of Silicon Valley - NYT Gig economy laws coming in first half of 2023 - AFR

For months we’ve been hearing horror stories from the rental market – of landlords jacking up prices by hundreds of dollars, and lines stretching around the block at open inspections. Australia is in a rental crisis, and experts say it could get a lot worse. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take you through Australia’s rental market, why we’re in a crisis right now, and some ideas being put forward to fix it. Squiz recommends: Renter-friendly renovator Alexandra Gater's YouTube channel An interactive chart of changes to Aussie rents over time - SQM Research

Donald Trump has become the first former US president to face criminal charges after 34 felony charges relating to business reporting fraud were made against him. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take you through what Trump has been accused of, how this all came about, the key players involved, and what it might mean for his 2024 presidential bid... Squiz recommends: A timeline of Trump's indictment - CBS News Don’t

The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom. In this episode, we go back to the early 1880s and The Married Women's Property Act, because there was a time when Aussie women couldn’t own their home or business. We will also take a look at how it impacts homeownership rates today and the work still to do. A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.

The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom. In episode 2, we’re taking you back to WWII - a time that saw thousands of Aussie women enter the workforce for the first time, and the setting of women’s pay at 25% of men’s wages. This episode will explore the gender pay gap and what it means for us today. A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.

The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom. In episode 3, we’re taking you to 1966 when the bar on employment of married women in the Commonwealth public service was abolished. It’s notable because it changed the nation's approach to allowing women to take on permanent employment. So in this episode, we’ll look at women and the fight for the right to work, and issues around participation today. A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.

The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom. In episode 4, we’re diving into one of the watershed moments in family law. Unless you can ‘unconsciously uncouple’ like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, splitting up isn’t easy… It’s also something that many go through, and a factor in why women over 55yo are the fastest-growing demographic when it comes to homelessness. In this episode, we’ll talk about no-fault divorce and what it means for women’s financial independence today. A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.

The Squiz team is on a long weekend so we thought we’d pop ‘How Far We’ve Come’ into the Shortcuts feed for any long road trips or lazy mornings you may have planned. It's a 6-part series that looks at some key moments for women on the path to financial equality and aims to give women the tools to lock down their financial freedom. In episode 5, we’re talking about the 1984 Sex Discrimination Act - a landmark moment for Australian women. We’ll introduce Susan Ryan and talk about the bill she drafted prohibiting discrimination based on gender when it came to hiring, firing, pay, and promotion. A special thanks to our podcast partner on this series, NGS Super. Find out more about them here.

In the space of just a few weeks, a handful of big banks have collapsed around the world and many others have got the wobbles. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at why these banks fell over, if any Aussie institutions have problems, and why there's so much talk about this sparking a global recession. Squiz recommends: What happens if your bank goes bust? - Money Magazine Why almost everyone failed to predict Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse - CNN

Australia's most populous state heads to the ballot box on Saturday, so in this week's Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the vibe after 12 years of Coalition government, the relative newbies battling to be Premier, and the big pitches and promises of their campaigns. Squiz recommends: ABC election analyst Antony Green on where the NSW election will be decided Deborah Snow's feature profiles on Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns

This week, PM Anthony Albanese got together with US President Joe Biden and UK PM Rishi Sunak to unveil one of the biggest Australian defence announcements in decades. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll take you through why we're getting nuclear-powered subs, how it's going to play out over the next 30 years, and whether we can actually build them on Aussie shores. Squiz recommends: I'm On a Boat - The Lonely Island China’s Submarine Fleet Is Huge. The U.S. Navy Plans To Whittle Away At It With Mines - Forbes

Plenty of high-profile people have recently been involved in defamation cases in recent times, like Lisa Wilkinson, Ben Roberts-Smith, and Erin Molan - not to mention the big one in the US last year involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at what defamation is, why it seems to be in the news all the time, and the push by media companies to have the laws changed. Squiz recommends: Ben Roberts-Smith v the media podcast - Guardian Australia Sydney man wins $35,000 defamation payout over Rose Bay Facebook stoush - ABC News

Plenty of us have a go at recycling - but it turns out a whole lot more than we think is ending up in landfill, despite a bunch of good intentions… So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at how recycling is organised in Australia, why soft plastics are one of our biggest issues, and what we can do to stop a massive waste problem. Squiz recommends: Clean Up Australia's tips to reduce waste 'Dow said it was recycling our shoes. We found them at an Indonesian flea market' - Reuters

Over the past few months, ChatGPT has set the tech world alight with predictions that it will change the internet - and it's raised big questions about artificial intelligence and how it will be used in our everyday lives. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at exactly where ChatGPT has come from, what the chatbot experience is, and some early problems that have played out very publicly for Microsoft and Google. Squiz recommends: Microsoft's Bing search engine Bing AI chatbot's 2-hour conversation with a New York Times columnist 'The Online Search Wars Got Scary. Fast.' - NYT's The Daily podcast

Sydneysiders wouldn't be able to miss the fact that the Harbour City is hosting the 2023 WorldPride - the world's biggest LGBTQIA+ festival that's kicking off this week. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at the origins of the Pride movement, how Sydney snagged hosting duties, and what's going down during the festivities. Squiz recommends: The 2023 WorldPride Program 'I’m a proud, gay, married man. But World Pride looks like a drag' - SMH The first gay Mardi Gras - National Museum of Australia

Last week's Squiz Shortcuts episode got across what's been happening in Alice Springs lately and some historical context. In this week's follow-up episode, we take a look at the discussion around alcohol and step you through a bit more on Alice Springs itself, what the latest report into the problems there has recommended, and what our governments are doing now. Squiz recommends: Dorelle Anderson's report 'When will they listen to us?' Town camps on the fringe of Alice, but at the heart of Indigenous debate - Guardian Australia

Alice Springs has been in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons over the past couple of weeks after a shocking escalation of crime in the town forced the PM to take action. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at what it's been like living in Alice lately, how things got so bad, and the complicated history behind all the previous attempts to help. Squiz recommends: 'Why an Indigenous Voice to parliament would have helped in Alice Springs' - Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour in The Sydney Morning Herald NT reporter Matt Cunningham's emotional reaction during live cross about Alice Springs violence - Sky News A dangerous game - ABC News

You might have seen the name Andrew Tate in the news over the summer - and wondered who is this guy and what has he done to get locked up in a Romanian prison? So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts we take a look at who he is, why he has such a huge influence, particularly on boys and young men, and why we should care. Squiz recommends: Squiz Kids - Newshounds Young people interviewed about Andrew Tate (scroll down to watch) Greta Thunberg's viral reply to Andrew Tate

If all you know about Hunter Biden is that he's the son of President Joe Biden and he's a bit controversial, this episode of Squiz Shortcuts will fill in the blanks. And he's going to be someone to know about because a big spotlight is about to fall on him as the political cycle heats up ahead of next year's presidential election. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we'll get you across who he is, what his critics say about him, and how it could play out. Squiz recommends: Excerpt from Hunter Biden's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle's memoir about the end of her marriage Transcript of former US President Donald Trump's 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

There have been some big developments over the summer break in the Albanese Government's proposal to establish a Voice to Parliament. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at what the Voice is, who's lining up on each side of the debate, and how it's all going to shake out in 2023. Squiz recommends: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's letter to PM Anthony Albanese Uluru Statement: a quick guide - Parliament House Library Parliament, not the devil, should control the detail on the Voice - SMH The Uluru Statement from the Heart - Squiz Shortcuts

With 2022 drawing to a close, it got us thinking about what happened to a whole bunch of stories that were really big and then just fell out of the news cycle - like the unrest in Sri Lanka, Monkeypox and of course, Wordle… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we give you the updates on some of the biggest events of the year, some of the people that were grabbing headlines in 2022, and some of the lighter stuff that had us all talking. Squiz recommends: Skywhale image gallery Time Magazine's top 10 viral moments of the year

It's been a pretty turbulent couple of weeks for the Royal family, with Prince Harry and Meghan's new Netflix series really putting the cat among the corgis… So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at the fallout from the latest Sussex download, how the family split is affecting the monarchy, and what's ahead for the Palace and King Charles in 2023. Squiz recommends: The Palace Papers by Tina Brown Harry & Meghan - Netflix

China is a country known for quashing any dissent before it makes it anywhere near the media. But recently, anti-lockdown protests have been springing up all over the country and once unheard-of criticism of the Government is creeping into social channels. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at what's fuelling those demonstrations, where COVID's at in China, and what it all means for President Xi Jinping. Squiz recommends: Why is China struggling to vaccinate the elderly? - BBC The Prince: Searching for Xi Jinping - The Economist

Alright Squizers, strap yourselves in because we're going to the Moon… Yep, you read that right - US space agency NASA reckons it's about to take another giant leap for man (and woman) kind and this time it's not just about walking on the moon - but actually setting up camp there. So in this week's Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at what steps are being taken to return to the moon, how NASA is planning to set up a village, and why the 2030s will be the big space decade to watch. Squiz recommends: The Dish - Netflix NASA's Twitter and Instagram Everyday objects that were actually invented for space exploration

Victorians head to the ballot box on Saturday and this campaign has been pretty bruising. Premier Daniel Andrews is going for a 3rd term, and while the polls suggest he's on track to stay in power, the state's seemingly endless lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 meant the gloss has well and truly come off. So in this week's Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the post-COVID vibe in Victoria, why Andrews has earned the name "Teflon Dan", and how the election might play out. Squiz recommends: Mashd N Kutcher - Get On The Beers (feat. Dan Andrews) Daniel Andrews's legacy could be immortalised in bronze, but there's a tightening Victorian election to win first - ABC News

Next week, billions of eyeballs will be on Qatar for the start of the soccer World Cup. This has been one of the most controversial tournaments in the game's history - and that's before a ball is even kicked. So in this week's Squiz Shortcut we take a look at why Qatar is hosting the tournament, how the world's reacted to the decision and a form guide on who might take home the glory. Squiz recommends: Grey Wiggle video Ted Lasso clip Lionel Messi highlights

Next week leaders from around the globe will converge on Bali for a meeting of the G20 - which is the forum that brings together the world's biggest economies. There’s been a lot of focus on a possible showdown between the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia - but there is plenty more to watch out for. So in this week's Squiz Shortcut, we break down the big issues on the G20's agenda, how the Russia issue is going to play out in Bali, and some of the other diplomatic landmines waiting for the world's leaders. Squiz recommends: Malcolm Turnbull's selfie with Xi Jinping and Donald Trump A British Vogue gallery celebrating Brigitte Macron's G20 outfits back at the G20 in 2017. So chic...

Next week in the US voters will cast their votes in the midterms, which will elect a whole bunch of new members to Congress (which is the equivalent of our Federal Parliament.) So in this week's Squiz Shortcut, we break down what the midterms are, why you'll be hearing about them and Donald Trump and the big issues for voters in America right now. Squiz recommends: Tracking the states where abortion is now banned - NY Times Joe Biden falls off bike while cycling in Delaware - YouTube Why Kari Lake is the next Republican star - Politico

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has just handed down his first Budget, the first for a Labor Government in nearly 10 years. He's called it "solid and sensible" but warned that the world is heading towards tougher economic times. So in this week's Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the state of the economy, what's in the Budget for you and the big challenges headed our way. Squiz recommends: ABC's overview of the winners and losers from the Budget A summary of the Budget verdicts from SMH's and Age's experts

Mahsa Amini was a 22yo Iranian woman who was arrested by the country’s morality police in mid-September for wearing her hijab too loosely. She died in custody some days later, which led to large-scale protests across Iran and the world. So in this week's Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at what life is like for women in Iran, how these protests have been unfolding, and what might shake out in Iran's future. Squiz recommends: Iranian women before and after the Islamic Revolution The journalist who broke Mahsa Amini’s story and the price she is paying for it

It was on 12 October 2002 that 202 people including 88 Aussies were killed in a terror attack in Bali. This week marks 20 years since that horrific event, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at what happened on that night in downtown Kuta, who was responsible for the attacks, and how it changed our relationship with Indonesia. Squiz recommends: Life-saving medical innovations and burns treatments that came from the Bali bombings, 20 years on - ABC News Operation ALLIANCE: 2002 Bali Bombings - AFP Podcast

Whether you're an Optus customer or not, you might have heard the news of one of Australia's worst-ever data breaches that left millions of peoples' data exposed. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at how it happened, what the federal government is doing to try to stop history from repeating, and why a lot of Aussie businesses will be stepping up their cyber game. Squiz recommends: The government's Essential Eight checklist is a must-do to keep on top of cybersecurity for all your devices. Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast

There have been some big developments in the war in Ukraine, and the world's on edge wondering how it's all going to play out. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at Russia's big call-up of troops, its threats to go nuclear, and the way it's using referendums to claim parts of Ukraine. Squiz recommends: Global News Podcast - BBC Two Cities, Two Armies: Pivot Points in the Fight in Ukraine’s East - The New York Times

It wasn't that long ago Netflix was that shiny new thing we all went crazy for, but huge competition from other streaming services and a bit of audience fatigue with its shows means the gloss has come off. So in this Squiz Shortcut we take a look at the extraordinary rise of Netflix, who's who in the current world of streaming, and how all this competition might shake out. Squiz recommends: Top 10 TV shows in Australia My Brilliant Friend - SBS On Demand

It doesn't matter about your age, where you live, or what you were doing last week - it's very likely you've been swept up in coverage of the Queen's death and the new era of King Charles III. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we cut through the noise and take a look at a brief overview of the Queen’s 70-year reign, the events of the past week and what could happen going forward, and the future of the monarchy here in Oz. Squiz recommends: The Queen's handbag symbolism The Queen's best outfits The Age’s Tony Wright gives us an insight into how Queen Consort Camilla has won over hearts and minds after being a much-loathed figure in the UK and abroad.

It's been a bit of a ride in recent months when it comes to politics in the United Kingdom. The nation's new prime minister - former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss - was sworn in this week, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we get across why there's been a leadership change in the UK, who Liz Truss is, and the biggest challenges she's facing at home and abroad. Squiz recommends: The Liz Truss Foreign Secretary One - Political Thinking with Nick Robinson podcast Liz Truss' dance moves

Everywhere you turn in Australia people are looking for workers. Businesses are calling it a “crisis” and the new Albanese Government is holding a Jobs and Skills Summit this week to try to fix some of the most serious issues. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we look at how it’s come to this, who's responsible for educating and training the workforce of the future, and some of the ideas on the table to try to turn it around. Squiz recommends: Treasury's issues paper for the Jobs and Skills Summit 12 of the most fun jobs

We're currently going through a pretty extraordinary period in Australian politics, with revelations that former PM Scott Morrison secretly appointed himself as a minister to 5 key portfolios. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we'll answer all the big questions on how and why this happened, how are we governed in Australia, and who calls the shots in our Parliament. Squiz recommends: Plagued by Simon Benson and Geoff Chambers A collection of the best memes on the Morrison ministries saga - Pedestrian

This week marks one year since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan after the United States and its allies left the country. The country's economy is now in a state of collapse, with the United Nations estimating that almost all Afghans are living below the poverty line and human rights abuses are running rampant, particularly for women and girls. So in this episode of Squiz Shortcuts, we take a look at how Afghanistan got to where it is now, what's been happening in the last year under Taliban rule, and what's next for the troubled nation. Squiz recommends: Photo essay on women and girl's lives under Taliban rule - Time Magazine Counterterrorism Chief Christy Abizaid on Top Terror Threats to the US - Intelligence Matters podcast Secret girls' schools in Afghanistan; China's kangaroo astronaut; mystery caves on the moon; and squirrels that sploot - Squiz Kids podcast

Judith Durham and Olivia Newton-John were both giants of Australian music and died within one week of each other. They had very different musical styles, but both left a huge mark, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we get across what was shaping the Australian music scene at the time, the life and times of the 2 women, and the massive legacies they both leave behind. Squiz recommends: The Seekers performing I Am Australian at the 1994 AFL grand final One of ONJ’s classic songs from Xanadu, Magic

▲ The Albanese government said it would deliver the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, and we've now heard of plans to hold a referendum to establish a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament within the next couple of years. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at how a referendum works, what a Voice to Parliament is, and the hurdles it's likely to come across in the process. Squiz recommends: The Uluru Statement from the Heart full text PM Anthony Albanese's annotated Garma Festival speech - The Sydney Morning Herald The Uluru Statement from the Heart - Squiz Shortcuts Took the Children Away - Archie Roach