17 October 2026 - Saturday Squiz

Salem is attempting a world record number of witches gathering for its 400th anniversary today, but we’re not sure it’s the best place to be if you’re actually a witch… This weekend, if you’re growing a massive pumpkin, donating some clothes, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most-mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio, and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

1. Testing, testing… - The Aussie men’s Test cricket side returned to South Africa for the first series there since the ‘Sandpaper-gate’ cheating incident back in 2018 - and they won the first of the 3-match series, bringing it home on day 5 by 214 runs. It was a big week for Josh Hazlewood, who missed the Ashes due to an injury, but Matt Renshaw stole the show, winning player of the match. The next match starts tomorrow at 7pm, you can watch it on Kayo.

2. Trust issues - The Albanese Government has introduced legislation for a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts - those are the financial structures that can divvy up income between beneficiaries as it chooses, minimising tax as they go along. Clear as mud? The Coalition opposes the tax change because of the implications for small businesses, but Labor might get it through with support from the Greens.

3. Credit where it’s due - The Reserve Bank banned card surcharges from being passed onto customers at the start of the month - cue the Tax Office saying it would have to stop accepting credit cards for payment of tax bills, which is something about 5% of small businesses use. Last Friday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers gave the ATO extra funding so it could keep accepting credit cards until the end of the financial year, but the issue simmered along this week.

4. Duty of care gets digital - Communications Minister Anika Wells introduced this legislation on Thursday, which includes the ability to opt out of social media platforms’ algorithms (revisit our handy Shortcut here), and forcing tech platforms to protect under-18yos from harmful content. The main change from the draft is that additional categories of ‘harmful content’ need to go to parliament, and can’t be managed by the Communications Minister of the day.

5. My Happiness has returned - Millennials and Gen Xers rejoiced around the country at the announcement this week that Aussie rock band Powderfinger are doing a reunion tour, after splitting in 2010. Tickets to the initial 18-show run sold like hotcakes, and more shows were added for Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. General tickets go on sale Monday, thoughts and prayers if your hand is up…

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which film trailer released this week licensed Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven for the first time? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

At the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off this week, these Rhode Island growers produced a 1,431.5kg monster that broke the world record for the heaviest pumpkin ever. For context, that’s a pumpkin that weighs the same as an average adult hippopotamus. Good gourd…

Time to get organised

Today is the annual Uber x Australian Red Cross Clothing Drive, which means there is still time to find some clothes you don’t wear anymore but are still in good nick and donate them to raise funds for their humanitarian programmes across Australia and around the world. Between 10am-4pm today, if you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, you can jump on the Uber or Uber Eats app and order a courier to come and pick up your clothes - at absolutely no cost to you. What an easy way to do your bit and feel good about it too. More details here.

In the Kitchen

Leek and lemon orzo with Mediterranean-style chicken meatballs. Herby, subtle, easy and satisfying for a great Sunday night dinner.

What we Shortcut for you this week

The Cornell 7 case - One of the biggest stories in the US over the last few weeks has been the case of the Cornell 7, a group of college students accused of sexual assault at a prestigious American university. It’s shone a spotlight on how institutions respond to cases like this. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at the allegations, why the case has struck such a nerve and how it’s turned into a full-blown culture war in the US. Have a read here or listen up.

The Rugby League World Cup 2026 - The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicked off this week here in Australia, co-hosted with New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. It's a tournament with a long but patchy history, so in this Squiz Shortcut, we take a look at how the Rugby League World Cup came to be, why this one almost didn't happen and which teams and players to keep an eye on. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The final game of the Bledisloe Cup between the Wallabies and the All Blacks begins at 3.45pm in Sydney - you can watch that on 9Now. We’ve already lost that series - we’re playing for pride… And put on your fanciest hats, the Everest Cup is on in Sydney, and the Caulfield Cup is on in Melbourne 🏇

Sunday - The first game of the netball Constellation Cup between Australia and New Zealand begins at 5.30pm in Auckland (big week for the Oz-New Zealand rivalry…). And it’s not a hot flush; it’s World Menopause Day.

Monday - Strike a pose, Melbourne Fashion Week is on until 25 October.

Tuesday - The next round of public hearings in the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence begins - that’s on until 22 October in Sydney and Melbourne. And at 5.30pm, the final New Zealand leaders' election debate between New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins is on, ahead of the 7 November election.

Wednesday - At 12.30pm, ACT Independent Senator David Pocock will address the National Press Club on 'What we could build with our natural wealth if we thought and planned for the long term' - you can watch it on ABC iView.

Thursday - Sentencing for author Craig Silvey is happening in Perth today - he’s pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child exploitation material. And the World Barista Championships begin in Panama (which the Aussies took home last year BTW) ☕️

Friday - Lily Allen's West End Girl tour kicks off for Australia in Brisbane.

*Times in AEST