Friday, 12 June - Got a pocketful of dreams

June 12, 2026

Good morning, it’s Friday, 12 June. In your Squiz Today…

  • Trump cancels strikes on Iran, saying a peace deal has been approved

  • SpaceX is ready to launch on the US stock market

  • And some sweet cinny buns…

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🙋🏻‍♀️ This newsletter was written by Andrew Williams, Larissa Huntington, Alice Dempster, Anna Pykett and Sophie Felice

Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“SPEECHLESS”

Said New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his home team, the Knicks, beat the San Antonio Spurs yesterday 107-106 in the biggest comeback in NBA finals history. If they take the next game, they’ll win their first title since 1973 and finish top of the heap…

Trump hits the brakes

The Squiz

After threatening to hit Iran “very hard” and take control of its energy hubs “in the not too distant future”, US President Donald Trump cancelled the planned strikes early this morning, saying they’re on the verge of signing a peace agreement. The escalation of attacks in the past 2 days by both sides had world leaders and the United Nations calling for calm, and raised questions about whether the ceasefire would hold. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the truce had been left “practically meaningless”, but Trump says he put a stop to the strikes because discussions “have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved”.

Where are things at?

Late last night, the US launched fresh attacks on multiple targets, including air defence sites in southern Iran. The conflict looked to be ramping up after Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US had plans to take control of Iran’s fuel export hub of Kharg Island and to “assume total control of their oil and gas markets, much like we have with Venezuela”. But around 4am (AEST), he hit the brakes on that, saying “discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.” There’s been no word yet from Iran, but earlier, the regime warned that “impulsive decisions” by the US could “explode energy infrastructure and markets", creating an "endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years”. 

And the Strait of Hormuz remains a pressure point…

Yesterday, the US had to explain why one of its missiles killed 3 Indian sailors on board a ship it struck in the Strait near Oman. It says the ship “violated” its blockade, but the deaths - the first reported since the US began blocking Iranian ports in April - have added to international pressure to resolve the conflict. The Strait is still crowded with ships waiting to get through, and reopening it to commercial shipping is a key condition in the peace talks. But a major sticking point is that Iran wants to oversee traffic after the conflict, which the US won’t agree to. In his latest comments, Trump says the US naval blockade would “remain in full force” until the deal is finalised. If you want to follow where it’s up to, here’s a live blog…

Investing in the future

When it comes to regional and remote communities across Australia, services can be stretched thin, and that’s where BHP reckons it can play an important supporting role. An example of BHP’s investment in regional Western Australia is the Pilbara Education Partnership, which is focused on improving school readiness and employment outcomes for local kids and young people. It’s the kind of long-term program that can make a difference for generations…

Squiz the Rest

Ebola cases are growing

Health workers are struggling to contain the spread of the current outbreak in Africa, with confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo rising to 598, and another 19 in neighbouring Uganda. So far, at least 115 people have died from the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, but officials fear those numbers could be much higher. Researchers have been racing to develop a vaccine, but until that’s available, health workers are relying on contact tracing to alert patients - but with an armed conflict going on and difficult terrain to navigate, it hasn’t been easy. The World Health Organisation also says community mistrust is another big issue, with many people wrongly believing they’re protected against the current strain by previous vaccinations.
*For more background on the current Ebola outbreak, check out our latest Squiz Shortcut…

An “unacceptable” culture in NSW Police 

An independent review into Australia’s biggest police force has found that bullying, harassment and discrimination are rife. NSW Police launched the investigation in 2024 after allegations that it fostered a ‘boys club’ culture that didn’t provide proper support for its officers. Former Victorian human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton led the review - she’s made 29 recommendations to improve diversity and accountability in leadership, fair access to promotions and more mental health support. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon says he "accepted every single one" and encouraged workers “to come forward if you need help.”NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley says the state government is taking the review “very seriously”.
*Need help?

SpaceX is ready for list-off

Elon Musk’s rocket company will list for the first time on the US stock market today - and if predictions are right, when trading closes he could be the world’s first trillionaire. Pre-orders of shares were set at US$135 each (A$189.50), and with 555.6 million available, it’s shaping up to be the richest initial public offering in history. Sceptics say the high-value launch could result in investors being disappointed if the value falls in coming months, as happened to Facebook. But Musk’s EV company Tesla has defied those odds, going from US$15 in 2017 to a current value of US$381. And with his vision for making life “multiplanetary”, he sees space as a growth market… The NASDAQ will open at 11.30pm AEST - look for the SPCX ticker. 

When one World Cup isn’t enough

The men’s FIFA World Cup will likely dominate sports headlines over the coming weeks, but it’s not the only Cup in town… Tomorrow, the women’s T20 World Cup gets underway in England and Wales. This is the short-form version of cricket that’s over in a few hours, and the World Cup takes place every 2 years. Unlike the football version, Australia are considered heavy favourites to take this one out - not only have we won it 6 times before (far more than any other), but we’ve got star players like Annabel Sutherland and new captain Sophie Molineux (replacing Alyssa Healy) lining up for us. Our first game is against South Africa tomorrow night at 11.30pm AEST - you can watch the whole thing on Prime Video - and for free, too… 

A massive historical find

The largest and deepest whale graveyard ever found has been discovered off the south-west coast of Australia in the Indian Ocean. A Chinese research vessel made the find on the sea floor of what’s known as the Diamantina Zone - an area 1,200km long, made up of underwater trenches. Along with 5 actively decomposing whales, scientists found 476 cetacean fossils believed to be 5.3 million years old. Of the fossils, 5 were extinct beaked whales, and one skull was of a previously unknown species which they named Pterocetus diamantinae after the site. But if you’re hoping to dive down there, hold off - at over 7km deep, it’s only accessible through submersibles. One academic said it reminded him “of a trailer for the first in a series of epic movies”, so we’re hoping there’s more to come…

Friday Lites - 3 things we liked this week

If you’re looking for a warm-and-fuzzy watch for the weekend, a recent Netflix film called Remarkably Bright Creatures might fit the bill. It stars Sally Field, Lewis Pullman and - stay with us - a giant Pacific octopus in the lead roles, and it’s unexpectedly heartwarming… 

Lena Dunham - the US actress, writer and director behind the comedy Girls (which some said was the millennial Sex And The City) has released a memoir - and she doesn't hold back. Famesick is a pretty frank reflection on what was happening behind the camera, and it had us hooked.

When we’re in the mood for a baking project in winter, there’s nothing like the smell of cinnamon buns in the oven. These no-knead ones with cream cheese icing from RecipeTin Eats are the goods - as fluffy and sweet as Nagi’s new puppy...

Squiz the Day

Friday
9.30am (AEST) - The cases of 3 men accused of kidnapping and murdering Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian will return to court for a brief status, Penrith Local Court - Sydney

10.00am (AEST) - Former Hobart Hurricanes cricketer Aaron Williams Summers to appear in court on child abuse charges, Supreme Court of Tasmania- Hobart

3.30pm (AEST) - Independent MP Zali Steggall to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan, making the Warringah electorate office Australia’s first electorate office to adopt a Reconciliation Action Plan - Sydney 

5.05pm (AEST) - Rugby union: Super Rugby Pacific semi-final between Chiefs and Crusaders, FMG Stadium - Hamilton, watch on Stan 

Rugby union: Super Pacific Rugby semi-finals begin (until 13 June) 

Cricket: Women's T20 World Cup begins - England (until 5 July)

ABS data release: Overseas arrivals and departures, June 2026; multiple job-holders, March 2026

Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love will be released

National days for the Russian Federation and the Philippines

🦸 Superman Day

A birthday for model Adriana Lima (1981) and actor Dave Franco (1985)

Anniversary of:

  • New Amsterdam legally becoming an English colony and renamed New York (1665)

  • Anne Frank’s birthday (1929) – she received her famous diary as a birthday present in 1942

  • the release of Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock (1954)

  • Nelson Mandela being sentenced to life in prison in South Africa (1964)

  • the premiere of the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

  • a coroner’s report ruling that a dingo was responsible for the death of baby Azaria Chamberlain in 1980 (2012)

Saturday
5.05pm (AEST) - Rugby Union: Super Rugby Pacific semi-final Hurricanes v Blues, Sky Stadium - Wellington, watch on Stan 

11.30pm (AEST) - Cricket: Women's T20 World Cup Group A, Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford - Manchester, watch on Prime Video

🧘 Global Wellness Day 

Birthdays for Aussie musician Red Symons (1949), actor Stellan Skarsgård (1951), actor Chris Evans (1981) and fashion designers and former actors Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (1986)

Anniversary of:

  • the US Post Office stating that children cannot be sent by parcel post after several instances (1920)

  • the birthdays of poet WB Yeats (1865) and musician Slim Dusty (1927)

  • the premiere of the film Grease (1978)

  • Coldplay releasing the single Viva la Vida, which became the band’s first US number one song (2008)

Sunday
6.00am (AEST) - the Cairns Ironman begins - Cairns

1.00pm (AEST) - Cricket: Third ODI in a 3-match series Bangladesh v Australia, Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium - Bangladesh, watch on Kayo 

2.00pm (AEST) - Football: FIFA World Cup Türkiye v Australia, Group D, BC Place - Vancouver, watch on SBS

11.00pm (AEST) - Motor sports: Formula One, Barcelona Grand Prix - Spain, watch on Kayo 

Refugee Week begins (until 20 June) 

International Bath Day

Birthdays for US President Donald Trump (1946) and singer Boy George (1961)

Anniversary of:

  • the founding of the US Army (1775)

  • Captain William Bligh and his men reaching Timor after sailing 5,800 km in a 6-metre boat following the mutiny on the HMS Bounty (1789)

  • the recording of the first country music hit Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane (1923)

  • Nelson Mandela stepping down as President of South Africa (1999)

  • The Bourne Identity starring Matt Damon being released in cinemas (2002)