News Club

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.

It’s been a week of policy battles in parliament - the ATO delaying the credit card ban, changes to family trusts that have small business cranky, and Josh Frydenberg promoting his new memoir and making pointed comments about Liberal leadership.

Then to the US. Donald Trump has a new press secretary whose first appearance went viral, and the planned livestream of an execution has been cancelled, but raised hard questions about what our government could have done to stop it being shown here.

And the Trump–Zelensky relationship has taken another hit, this time over diesel. We’ll explain how a deal to import Russian fuel connects to petrol prices, the midterms, and Ukraine losing satellite access mid-war.

Plus the leap second has been abolished. (And for the timekeeping pedants listening, we see you: leap seconds have always added a second, not removed one. The vote ending them means we avoid the first ever negative leap second, so technically we've dodged losing one.)

Links

Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive

Kate’s recommendation: Politico’s Canberra Playbook Newsletter and Podcast

Claire’s recommendation: Chicken meatball risoni recipe

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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note: this episode discusses domestic violence. If you need support, 1800RESPECT is on 1800 737 732. And Lifeline is 13 11 14.

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Anna Pykett.

We’re starting with Firmus, the AI data centre company whose float fell apart this week. It was set to be the biggest listing since Telstra, and it collapsed in a matter of days. We’ll take you through how it all unfolded and why it’s been so big in the news this week.

Then to former Bachelor star and fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood, who has been refused bail on domestic violence charges.

And the Christa Pike case in Tennessee - a woman who survived her own execution and woke up in hospital six days later.

Links

Jeffrey Archer's final Australian interview

Anna’s recommendation: The Celebrity Traitors UK Season 2 on Channel 10 or Paramount+

Claire’s recommendation: A Failed Execution and the Future of the Death Penalty - The Daily Podcast

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

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Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Anna Pykett

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Eliza Harvey.

We’re starting with the FlyDubai flight that nearly didn’t make it to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot stabbed the captain in what appears to have been an attempted hijacking. We'll take you through it, what's still unknown, and what it might mean for the upcoming Israeli elections.

Then the economy, which was impossible to avoid this week. A rate rise, home prices falling for a sixth month, and a disagreement between the Treasurer and the Reserve Bank about what’s to blame. We've tried to do it without drowning you in numbers.

And Fat Bear Week has a winner.

Links

Eliza’s recommendation: Roll the Calls by Ari Emanuel

Claire’s recommendation: LIVFRESH Gel Toothpaste

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Eliza Harvey

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.

We’re starting with the OpenAI agent that gained unauthorised access to a Medicare service portal. We’ll get into what we know so far about what happened, and how we came to learn about the hack only this week, when it happened all the way back in June.

Then to Trump and Xi’s meeting. It’s the first time a Chinese president has been on US soil since 2015 (and that was also Xi). On the agenda for the two presidents - AI, Iran, and rare earth minerals.

In what’s coming up, the AFL grand final, and an interest rate decision on Tuesday with all four big banks expecting a rise.

Links

Kate’s recommendation: The 2026 Squiz Audience Report

Claire’s recommendation: One tray sausage, potato, tomato and caramelised onion bake - Elizabeth Hewson

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Kate Watson and Eliza Harvey.

We're starting with the AI warnings that dominated the week. A researcher who worked at OpenAI and Anthropic quit, saying both companies are racing toward something they can't control. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei agreed, calling for tech leaders to 'pace the frontier'. There are differing perspectives to cover here though - others say the warnings are overblown or insincere.

Then to migration. The government has given it's policy announcement this week. We'll take you through what actually changes for students, backpackers and visitors, how it compares to One Nation's much bigger proposed cuts, and why the housing question sits underneath all of it.

And Cue and Veronica Maine have gone into administration. Changes to how we dress for work might be responsible.

Links

Our Shortcut to Australia and the UN Security Council

Kate’s AI research list:Jacob Coxon's resignation post on X

Dario Amodei's essay calling for the industry to slow down

A.I. Is Outsmarting Its Creators - NYT’s The Daily

Ezra Klein on the AI race with China

Trump’s worst market nightmare suddenly seems possible - AFR’s Chanticleer

Eliza’s recommendation: My Sensory Space

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Kate Watson & Eliza Harvey

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Anna Pykett, stepping in from the Squiz Today team.

One Nation has had a bit of a wild week - questions over the party's finances, a state leader answering allegations about his past, and a controversial political cartoon about Andrew Hastie. Meanwhile the Prime Minister is under pressure over a community grant fund and a golf club membership. There’s a throughline to all this that Claire will pull together for you.

Then to Germany, where the far-right AfD has won 44% in a state election - the strongest result for a right-wing party since World War II. We'll explain what it can and can't do with that, and why European leaders elsewhere are watching.

The government has introduced its Digital Duty of Care bill, which would make platforms offer you the choice to switch your algorithm off. We spoke about calls for this last week, and the government has since announced draft legislation.

And the UN has voted to back a new world map. Africa's been the wrong size for 450 years, and 54 African nations have been pushing to fix it.

Links

The West Wing map scene

Anna’s recommendations: 

Viral Biscoff Cheescake

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (in Cinemas)

Claire’s recommendation: Season 3 of Colin From Accounts on BINGE

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Anna Pykett

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're starting with the algorithm. Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, used a National Press Club address this week to go after the way social media platforms funnel boys toward misogynistic content. She asked the government for something specific: the right to switch off the algorithm. We'll explain what she's proposing, and what the response has been from members of government.

Then to the Lindsay Clancy trial in the US. It's a difficult one, involving the deaths of three young children. So we've flagged it in the episode if you'd rather skip ahead. 

The Coalition has put its tobacco policy on the table - an 80% cut to the excise, aimed at the black market rather than at smokers. We'll take you through the argument, the numbers, and why the health lobby is not on board.

And we remember Gloria Steinem, who died this week at 92.

Links

The Moms of TikTok Have Gone Insane - The Free Press

Oprah’s podcast interview with Gloria Steinem

Claire’s recommendation: Untold: Raygun on Netflix

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.

We're starting in Nepal, where an avalanche near the border with Tibet triggered a catastrophic flood down a valley popular with trekkers and pilgrims. Hundreds are dead and many more are missing, including Australians. We'll take you through how it happened, and why the early warning systems didn't do their job. 

Then to Meta, which has settled a multi-billion dollar lawsuit over claims its platforms harmed young people.

Claire's retail corner returns - she’ll explain how Ooshies and Sumo mandarins factored into Woolworths’ massive profits. 

And Dolly Parton died this week, aged 80. We look at her musical legacy, her sharp business instincts, and how she managed to stay beloved on both sides of American politics.

Links

The BBC’s Nepal flood explainer

Kate’s recommendation: Yogi Peace Club Yoga Mats 

Claire’s recommendation: Bill Gates AI essay

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.

We're starting with the Sydney Swans and sexual assault allegations. We’ll walk you through the chain of events, and the responses to that. Then,  the week in Aussie politics, including the Israeli ambassador being summoned to parliament over the decision not to criminally investigate the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankom. We’ll cover Harry and Meghan moving back to the UK. And we’ve also got a genuinely hopeful story for you - an exciting medical breakthrough in cancer research.

Links

Kate’s recommendation: The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

Claire’s recommendation: Jersey Barrel Leg Pants from UNIQLO

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Eliza Harvey.

We’re starting this week with the housing market, which, after all, is our national pastime. This week saw some heavyweights give us their take on where things are at and where it might be going. 

Donald Trump has delivered an executive order on vaccinations, linking vaccines to rates of autism. He also confirmed a ruse to ensure he was removed from the risk of being shot down in Air Force One. 

And, we’ll explain why melons and smelters have been the focus in Aussie politics this week.

Links

Eliza’s recommendation: Patience on ABC iview

Claire’s recommendation: Politico Canberra Playbook

Want more News Club in your life? We've got you…

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our News Club newsletter⁠⁠

Watch all our episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on YouTube⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @TheSquiz⁠⁠

PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.

Hosts: Claire Kimball & Eliza Harvey

Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton

Researcher: Sophie Felice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices