Critical minerals have been in the news a lot lately, particularly in relation to world conflicts and trade deals, so in this Squiz Shortcut we thought we’d take a look at what they are, what they’re used for, and why they’re considered to be critical…

Squiz Recommends: 

Reading: This article in The Conversation explains the US-Ukraine minerals deal if you’d like to know what’s been agreed between them.

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Thursday, 8 May: Tensions erupt between India and Pakistan; The conclave begins; WA nabs a new NRL team; And Valerie's happy ending...

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SPONSORED: For more tips on making your home energy efficient and saving money on your power bills, visit Origin Energy's podcast So Watt? ⁠here⁠.

You can read up on the background to the crisis in Kashmir here.

And check out some of the candidates being considered as the new Pope here.

The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Squiz Today newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all 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 Squiz Kids⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠News Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers.

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Wednesday, 7 May: A mushroom meal witness testifies; The Senate gets a shake-up; A social media ban for Kiwi kids; And a Met Gala spectacular...

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SPONSORED: For more tips on making your home energy efficient and saving money on your power bills, visit Origin Energy's podcast So Watt? here.

Here's a link to the Squiz Kids civics series.

The link to the eSafety Commissioner's call for social media ban submissions is here.

Here's a link to a gallery of all the Met Gala looks.

And Anthony Pratt's ... unique look is here.

The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Squiz Today newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all 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 Squiz Kids⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠News Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers.

Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - it's the news, weekend style.

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Well, here we are on the flip side - Labor has been returned to government in a resounding win over the Coalition, which is staring down the barrel of its worst-ever election result. So to wrap up our Shortcuts series on the 2025 election, we'll get you across why it was notable, and what it means for the shape of the next parliament. And we'll take Ask The Squiz for another trot around the park with some great questions about what the result means and what comes next. 

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Tuesday, 6 May: Taking stock of an election shock; A plan for Alcatraz; The Met Gala is almost upon us; And a mega moose migration...

SPONSORED: You can find out more about the Breeze AI platform by visiting Hubspot ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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SPONSORED: For more information about how to claim your free subscription - and to view the terms and conditions - visit ⁠⁠mumsandco.com.au/squiz⁠⁠.

If you want to join us as a Podcaster and News Writer, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here's the job ad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more info.

The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Squiz Today newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all 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 Squiz Kids⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠News Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers.

Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - it's the news, weekend style.

Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a weekly explainer on big news topics

Support The Squiz by sharing our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and podcasts with your friends.

Monday, 5 May: A result for the ages; Prince Harry offers an olive branch; An investing guru retires; And snake bites for a cause...

SPONSORED: You can find out more about the Breeze AI platform by visiting Hubspot ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

SPONSORED: For more information about how to claim your free subscription - and to view the terms and conditions - visit mumsandco.com.au/squiz.

SPONSORED: You can find out more about Telstra Business Technology Centre and discover how technology can transform your business. Learn more here.

If you want to join us as a Podcaster and News Writer, ⁠⁠⁠⁠here's the job ad⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more info.

The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Squiz Today newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all 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 Squiz Kids⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠News Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers.

Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - it's the news, weekend style.

Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a weekly explainer on big news topics

Support The Squiz by sharing our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and podcasts with your friends.

Friday, 2 May: It's almost election time; a change at the White House; The Women's State of Origin kicks off; And an adorable vulture...

SPONSORED: You can find out more about the Breeze AI platform by visiting Hubspot ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

SPONSORED: You can find The Parenthood and Future Women's podcast about Australia's childcare crisis - called At What Cost? - here.

You can check out the interactive 'seats to watch' map here, learn about how to vote guides here, and find your nearest democracy sausage location here.

Watch the cute vulture video here - you know you want to...

Check out the zucchini and mozzarella toastie here - and here's a similar written recipe version.

Here's some info on the movie Sinners that Andrew really liked...

And if you want to join us as a Podcaster and News Writer, ⁠⁠⁠here's the job ad⁠⁠⁠ for more info.

The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Squiz Today newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all 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 Squiz Kids⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠News Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers.

Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - it's the news, weekend style.

Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a weekly explainer on big news topics

Support The Squiz by sharing our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and podcasts with your friends.

Can you believe it - polling day in the 2025 federal election is almost here... Over the past 5 weeks, we've taken you through the notable twists and turns of the campaign, and it's now time to wrap it up and make sense of it all. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across the policies and politics of that each side has announced, and what it will take to lock in our next government. And in our last Ask The Squiz of the campaign, we're talking seats, snacks and (multiple) screens...

Speaking of Ask The Squiz - we're thinking of keeping it going... If you want us to answer more stuff, let us know by dropping us a line at [email protected]

Squiz Recommends: 

Reading: The AEC's guide to help you navigate your options for voting

Email us: Send us your questions about the election to [email protected]. You can ask us anything about politics, how the government works, whatever’s on your mind, and we'll pick the top few to answer next week.

Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories…

Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here

Thursday, 1 May: Inflation hits its target; Trump marks 100 days in office; The Wallabies welcome a new coach; And a winning screech...

SPONSORED: You can find out more about the Breeze AI platform by visiting Hubspot ⁠here⁠.

SPONSORED: You can find out more about Mums & Co. and claim your free, 12-month membership - and read the terms and conditions - ⁠here⁠.

SPONSORED: For more tips on making your home energy efficient and saving money on your power bills, visit Origin Energy's podcast So Watt? here.

Here's a link to our shortcut on underlying inflation

Check out the excellent gull costumes here.

And if you want to join us as a Podcaster and News Writer, ⁠⁠here's the job ad⁠⁠ for more info.

The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Squiz Today newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all 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 Squiz Kids⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠News Club⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers.

Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ - it's the news, weekend style.

Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ - a weekly explainer on big news topics

Support The Squiz by sharing our ⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠ and podcasts with your friends.

Wednesday, 30 April: Erin Patterson's trial begins; Canadians elect their new PM; A major day in history; And a climber's conundrum...

SPONSORED: For more information about the federal election - including where your nearest polling station is - visit ⁠⁠aec.gov.au⁠

SPONSORED: You can find out more about the Breeze AI platform by visiting Hubspot here.

SPONSORED: You can find out more about Mums & Co. and claim your free, 12-month membership - and read the terms and conditions - here.

You can watch an interview with a couple of people who came to Australia after the Fall of Saigon here.

And if you want to join us as a Podcaster and News Writer, ⁠here's the job ad⁠ for more info.

The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. Get ⁠⁠⁠The Squiz Today newsletter⁠⁠⁠ in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all 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 Squiz Kids⁠⁠⁠ - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠News Club⁠⁠⁠ - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball and Kate Watson - including the interview series, Newsmakers.

Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ - it's the news, weekend style.

Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ - a weekly explainer on big news topics

Support The Squiz by sharing our ⁠⁠⁠newsletters⁠⁠⁠ and podcasts with your friends.