Friday, 18 September - Runnin' down to the riptide

September 18, 2026

Good morning, it’s Friday, 18 September. In your Squiz Today…

  • President Donald Trump lashes out at the US rate hike

  • The Federal Government outlines its migration plan

  • And get ready for the return of Fat Bear Week… 🐻

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

Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“Are you right with a bit of spin, Rusty?"

Said Bluey’s dad, Bandit, in a cricket scene loved by kids all over Oz, which will now feature on a $1 collector’s coin. The Royal Australian Mint is releasing 200,000, and although you won’t be able to pay for stuff with them, it hopes it’ll get more little people into collecting. Howzat…

US rate hike

The Squiz

For the first time in 3 years, the US Federal Reserve has jacked up interest rates to try and tackle rising prices, and President Donald Trump isn’t happy. He’d made it clear he wanted to see a cut, but the US economy has been dealing with years of high inflation, which hasn’t been helped by the Iran war and his tariff regime. It was a unanimous decision amongst the board, with Fed Chair Kevin Warsh saying it was the “responsible” thing to do, and that another hike could be on the cards before the end of the year.

Tell me more…

Trump handpicked Warsh to head up the US central bank in January, and this decision is being seen as a bit of a surprising turnaround. That’s because he’s done the exact opposite of what the President has been calling for by raising rates 25 basis points to between 3.75–4%. Trump has lashed out because he wants rates lowered to 1% - he’s previously said he would ban trade with countries the US buys more from than it sells to if he doesn’t get his way. In terms of what it means for Americans - it depends... If you’re a borrower, it’ll make loans, mortgages, and credit cards more expensive, but savers will get better returns. Like here in Oz, cost-of-living pressures are a hot topic, and with the midterms around the corner, high prices will be at the front of many voters’ minds.

What does it mean for Oz?

What happens in the world’s largest economy has flow-on effects to other countries, including us. Some economists reckon the US Fed’s decision means it’s more likely the Reserve Bank will raise interest rates at its next meeting on 29 September, because we’re also dealing with stubborn inflation. On that, the International Monetary Fund has told federal and state governments to cut spending to try and get on top of rising prices, and it’s also downgraded its forecast for Australia’s economic growth in 2027. This puts pressure on Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who wants to convince voters that living standards are improving. We’re going to get an update on this next week when Chalmers releases his latest intergenerational report.

*If you want a refresher on interest rates, we’ve got a Squiz Shortcut for you…

More’s possible with Google AI

Hearing loss is an important risk factor for dementia because of the social isolation it causes people. The good news is that it’s reversible. Bringing back clear sound and conversation is one of the most effective ways to stay connected to loved ones and protect cognitive health. That’s why researchers are using Google AI to help hearing devices better isolate sound, just like the human ear, and restore those vital connections. When medical research joins forces with Google AI - more's possible...

Squiz the Rest

The European Union opens the door for Canada

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated inviting Canada to be the bloc’s first ‘associate member’, which would bring it closer on things like defence, energy security and critical minerals. This follows the breakdown of trade talks between Canada and the US last month, with each imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on the other. President Trump didn’t react well to the plan, saying it was “laughable”, and that the US would whack “very serious tariffs” on Europe. Canada’s PM Mark Carney said it wasn’t about creating a new geopolitical bloc “to become a great power rival, only with better manners”, but rather to build “resilience” for his country. The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also hinted Oz could follow suit, and although EU associate member status doesn’t currently exist - we are part of Eurovision…

Burke’s migration plan revealed

Migration policy has been a hot topic all week, and yesterday Immigration Minister Tony Burke unveiled his plan at the National Press Club. It includes a clampdown on temporary visa holders, so visitors, backpackers and international students. Burke said the changes "aren't as comprehensive" as he'd like, but implementing stronger measures requires new laws, and the government lacks the crossbench and Coalition support to pass them, so it’s going the regulation route. Not everyone's convinced - the Coalition immigration spokesman Jonno Duniam called it “tinkering around the edges”, while One Nation said it falls well short. Yesterday we learned that the number of people arriving minus those leaving is falling - the Bureau of Stats has it at 292,000, but Team Albanese wants it down to 225,000 a year by 2028.

The Fitz is in

That’d be the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, which the International Olympic Committee ticked off yesterday to host rowing and some canoe events at the 2032 Olympics in Queensland. This has been a knotty issue after international rowing bodies raised concerns that the river wouldn’t be a suitable venue: partly because of how far it is from Brisbane (it’s a 7-8hr drive), and partly because of croc worries. An alternative site in Moreton Bay was floated, but the Queensland Government refused to entertain an either/oar situation… Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says the Fitzroy passed the IOC’s assessment “with flying colours.” So it’s all systems row in Rocky…

Love where you live

We know we’re biased, but we reckon Oz is a pretty awesome place to live, and it turns out Time Out agrees. Three Aussie suburbs have made it into its list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods for 2026, which is put together by its global network of writers who nominate their city’s fav burbs. Brissy’s New Farm came in at 29th, with its cycling paths, fancy hotels and galleries singled out, and ‘NoHo’ (aka North Hobart) was described as “having a major moment right now” - it took 32nd place. And South Melbourne was 39th, with its market, restaurants and bougie bathhouses highly praised. In a shock to no one, the quality of our coffee rated highly, so if you live in one of those areas, expect a tourist boom sooner or latte…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Christmas for Squizers - aka Fat Bear Week - is nearly here, when members of the public vote for their favourite chonky brown bear in Alaska’s Katmai National Park. If you’re new to this, it’s a competition celebrating the largest brown bears on earth as they get as portly as possible by gorging on salmon ahead of their winter hibernation. Rangers are still narrowing down the field, but if last year is anything to go by, the bear to beat will be 32 Chunk, who clawed his way to victory despite having a broken jaw. Another team favourite to keep an eye out for on the live cams is Grazer (she was champ in 2023 and 24) with her fluffy blonde ears. Voting begins early on Wednesday morning for us in Oz until 29 September, and the big reveal of this year’s competitors is from 5am eastern time tomorrow morning - you can catch that live here…
*And if you want to know more about Fat Bear Week, we’ve got a big fat Squiz Shortcut for you…

Help us handle this even better

Financial abuse isn't an easy topic to write about, and getting it right matters to us. So after our recent CommBank Next Chapter campaign, we'd love to know how it landed with you. We're asking readers a few quick questions, which you can find via this link, because we really care what you think.

Friday Lites - 3 things we liked this week

The second series of Saturday Night Live UK is back, and we found this skit poking fun at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the UK quite amusing. It features a comedian playing UK PM Andy Burnham, calling for a Number 10 on every British street that made us laugh out loud. You can watch it on HBO Max.

For the Swifties in our ranks, you can now watch all of TayTay’s music videos on Spotify if you have a premium account. The drop comes just over a week before the 2026 MTV Video Awards - Taylor’s up for 9 gongs, and fun fact, she already has 30 under her belt… She truly never goes out of style.

We’re sold on these easy Burnt Butter Oat Bars from Tilly Pamment for when we want a nice bickie with minimum faff. It’s like a big Wheaten crossed with an Anzac cookie, cut into bars - great for lunchboxes or the office and guaranteed to win you MVP.

Squiz the Day

Friday

9.30am (AEST) - RBA Governor Michele Bullock and assistant governors to appear at a federal parliamentary committee public hearing on the RBA's 2025 annual report - Canberra

2.00pm (AWST) - Cricket: Men's One Day Cup Western Australia v South Australia - Perth, watch on Kayo 

5.30pm (AEST) - Cricket: Second Men's ODI Zimbabwe v Australia - Zimbabwe, watch on Kayo 

7.40pm (AEST) - Aussie rules: AFL Preliminary Final Sydney - Fremantle, the winner will advance to the Grand Final next weekend - Sydney, watch on 7Plus 

7.50pm (AEST) Rugby league: NRLW elimination final West Tigers v Canberra - Sydney, watch on 9Now 

Russian legislative elections begin (until 20 September) - this is the first election since the invasion and war in Ukraine 

PM Anthony Albanese will travel to the US ahead of meetings with Apple Chairman Tim Cook and the UN 81st General Assembly Leaders Week

David Bowie's previously unreleased album David Bowie: The Shel Talmy Recordings to be released 

MobLand season 2 drops on Paramount+

🇨🇱 Chile's national day 

🍔 National Cheeseburger Day in the US

Birthdays for road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong (1971) and actor Jada Pinkett-Smith (1971)

Anniversary of:

  • the birthday of actress Greta Garbo (1905)

  • the release of the film A Streetcar Named Desire starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh (1951)

  • the premiere of The Addams Family (1964), Get Smart (1965) and I Dream of Jeannie (1965)

  • the deaths of Jimi Hendrix (1970) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2020)

Saturday

2.00pm (AEST) - Cricket: Men's One Day Cup Queensland v Victoria - Brisbane, watch on Kayo 

4.05pm (AEST) - Rugby league: NRLW elimination final Brisbane v Newcastle - Brisbane, watch on 9Now 

5.15pm (AEST) - Aussie rules: AFL preliminary final Hawthorn v Brisbane - Melbourne, watch on 7Plus 

5.30pm (AEST) - Batman to make an appearance on top of the Sydney Opera House as part of national Batman Day - Sydney 

7.50pm (AEST) - Rugby league: semi-final Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks - Sydney, watch on 9Now 

PM Anthony Albanese will meet with Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook in Silicon Valley before attending the UN General Assembly in New York City 

The Asian Games begin (until 4 October) - Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan 

Oktoberfest begins (until 4 October) - Munich 

NBL season begins 

Athletics: World road-running championships - Copenhagen 

Talk Like a Pirate Day, supporting families affected by childhood cancer

Birthdays for model Twiggy (1949) and late night host Jimmy Fallon (1974)

Anniversary of:

  • New Zealand becoming the first country to grant all women the right to vote (1893)

  • Chubby Checker's The Twist hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (1960)

  • the first documented use of emoticons by computer scientist Scott Fahlman (1982) ;)

  • the US theatrical release of Goodfellas (1990)

  • the death of Slim Dusty (2003)

Sunday 

5.30pm (AEST) - Cricket: Third Men's ODI Zimbabwe v Australia - Zimbabwe, watch on Kayo 

7.00pm (AEST) - John Farnham tribute concert (featuring Keith Urban, Jimmy Barnes, Celine Dion and Hugh Jackman) - Melbourne

Yom Kippur begins in the Jewish calendar (until 21 September) 

German elections - State election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the state of Berlin 

World Cleanup Day

National Pepperoni Pizza Day in the US

Birthdays for Aussie musician Tim Rogers (1969), author George RR Martin (1948), and actor Sophia Loren (1934)

Anniversary of:

  • the 'Battle of the Sexes' tennis showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs (1973) 

  • Australian service in Timor Leste (1999)

  • US President George W Bush declaring a "war on terror" following the 11 September terrorist attacks (2001)

  • the release of Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe single (2011)

  • Hurricane Maria, which resulted in 2,975 deaths in Puerto Rico (2017)