Friday, 24 October - Know when to hold 'em...

October 24, 2025

Good morning, it’s Friday, 24 October. In your Squiz Today…

  • Sunday is the 40th anniversary of the Uluru Handback

  • US basketball faces a gambling scandal

  • And a breakfast burrito to start the day right…

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Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“Long live the kings!”

Said photographer Ralph Robinson about the King Penguins in his entry into the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. He snapped a ripper shot of the penguins appearing to “lead” a flock of sheep on the Falkland Islands - one of several funny photo finalists…

Looking back at the Handback

The Squiz

Sunday will mark 40 years since the traditional owners of Uluru reclaimed the title deeds for the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park after years of lobbying the Australian government. The dual UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sacred place for the Anangu people and integral to their Tjukurpa creation stories and belief system. After it was claimed by the federal government as a national park, it took decades for the land rights to be returned to the Anangu people, which is known as the Uluru Handback. It’s a day the Central Land Council says is a “landmark in land rights history”.

Give me the backstory…

In 1873, Uluru was climbed by explorer William Gosse, who named it Ayers Rock after South Oz Chief Secretary Sir Henry Ayers. After miners and tourists began visiting the area in the 1940s and 50s, it was made part of the Ayers Rock-Mount Olga National Park in 1958, leading to a tourism boom. During that time, the Anangu people were discouraged from visiting their own traditional site, and in the 1960s, they began advocating for its return, but the Northern Territory government refused. It took until the election of the federal Hawke Government in 1983 and the amending of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act to make the Handback happen, and the Governor-General at the time, Sir Ninian Stephen, officially did so on 26 October 1985.

And what’s happening to mark the occasion?

Tomorrow, there will be a celebration on Country at the National Park itself, including live performances, markets and dances - and it’s free to attend. Last week, some traditional Anangu owners travelled to the UK to take part in a commemoration ceremony at Australia House in London with King Charles - he visited the park in 1983, as did the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2014. That ceremony was the King’s first visit to Australia House since he became monarch, and High Commissioner to the UK Stephen Smith noted that the British Royals generally only celebrate 50/100-year milestones, but they made an exception for this particular 40-year mark. Anangu delegate Tapaya Edwards said the event was important to “tell the public and the world to understand and remember… culture is there forever.”

Chasing an endless summer

When our summer wraps up, the Mediterranean's just warming up. The May to October stretch is pretty magical in that part of the world, and Silversea runs cruises across that period. One morning you could be wandering Dubrovnik's old town, and then you could be swimming off the Amalfi Coast. There’s something appealing about unpacking once and waking up somewhere different each day. Picture yourself there with information about routes and booking with Silversea website.

Squiz the Rest

Trump tackles a reno

Images of a demolition at the White House have been making headlines this week, and if you’re wondering what it’s about, let us shed some light… Firstly, it’s the East Wing, first built in 1902 and modified in 1942, that’s coming down. It’s making way for a ballroom privately funded by US President Donald Trump, which he previously said “won’t interfere with the current building”. As you might imagine, there’s criticism… Aside from the teardown itself, the US National Trust for Historic Preservation says the 90,000-square-foot ballroom “will overwhelm” the 55,000-square-foot White House. It’s also raised questions over whether it’s allowed, with the National Trust saying demolition plans were “legally required”. The Trump administration takes a different view - Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said "there's a lot of fake outrage" over the project.

Make way for a new Irish leader…

The Republic of Ireland will soon have a new head of state, with the country heading to the polls today to elect a replacement for current President Michael D. Higgins. If you don't know Higgins by name, you might know his dog… He's been President since 2011, so it's a significant moment in Ireland's history, especially for a role that experts say has developed in recent years from a ceremonial figurehead to playing a bigger part in political issues. The leading contenders are both women - Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate from the left of politics, and Heather Humphreys, a candidate from the centre-right governing party in the Oireachtas, the Irish parliament. Connolly is leading the polls, but it’s been a tense week in Ireland after anti-immigration riots. Plus, Irish Presidential elections have seen upsets before, including when Higgins came to power, so nothing is guaranteed…

US basketball is in foul trouble

A high-profile NBA coach and player have been put on immediate leave after the FBI announced the arrests of more than 30 people on illegal gambling charges overnight. The arrests stem from 2 separate (but linked) investigations, both of which involve the US Mafia, according to the FBI. The first probe - Operation Nothing But Bet - looked into NBA figures fixing sports bets using inside information, and in one case, Charlotte Hornets player Terry Rozier (now with the Miami Heat) allegedly feigned an injury to ensure a winning bet. The other investigation (Operation Royal Flush) looked into a series of illegal poker games in which prosecutors allege suspects used X-ray poker tables and high-tech contact lenses to read other players’ cards - the FBI arrested current Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups in connection with that. The NBA season only began this week, so it’s off to a flying start…

Oz is at the top of the board…

… Although not for the best of reasons. New medical research shows that Australia has a “significantly higher than expected” rate of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS. Globally, the endocrine disorder - which can cause weight gain, excessive hair growth, mood swings and irregular periods - affects 1 in 8 women. There’s no cure, and experts widely describe it as “misunderstood”. Out of data from 204 countries, the study found Italy has the highest rate of new/existing PCOS cases, followed by Japan, New Zealand and Oz. Increased awareness/diagnosis is likely part of it, but the research also suggests genetics could be a factor (paywall). The study’s authors say it’s an “emerging global public health priority requiring urgent policy attention” - they’re calling for more funding for early screening and research.

Mister-y Men and Little Miss-teries…

In an adorable literary collab, Roger Hargreaves' Mr Men/Little Miss series is crossing over with Agatha Christie novels, of all things. An adaptation of 4 of Christie’s most famous murder mysteries will be getting the Mr Men/Little Miss treatment - and we know what you're thinking… There will be no gruesome murders in these versions; they're very much SFB (safe for bedtime). Rather than Death on the Nile, Mr Poirot will be solving Mischief on the Nile - and instead of The Murder at the Vicarage, Little Miss Marple will be investigating the Muddle at the Vicarage. Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard says they are “clever and very funny re-imaginings of my great-grandmother’s stories”, and if they’re a hit, more crossovers could be on the way… Perhaps The Hairy Maclary of the Baskervilles, or The Girl with the Very Hungry Caterpillar Tattoo…

Friday Lites - 3 things we liked this week

The only thing we love more than a red carpet gallery is scrolling through Fashion Critical’s take on the celebrity lewks. And PSA: the anonymous Aussie fashion commentator now has a book out, full of their sassy critiques - and of course, it’s stylishly designed…

If you’re a fan of the New York Times Connections game, why not check out the fiendishly difficult UK quiz show that did it first... Only Connect has been running since 2008, and it’s hosted by the extremely witty Victoria Coren Mitchell. Not for the faint-hearted, though…

We think it doesn’t get any better than a brekky burrito for weekend brunches at this time of year… You can chuck pretty much anything in them, but this recipe includes roasted spicy potatoes to make it extra delicious.

Squiz the Day

Friday
9.30am (ACDT) - The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals will hold its annual national summit - Adelaide

10.00am (AEDT) - Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock and NSW Premier Chris Minns will speak at the Future Sydney: Bradfield Oration hosted by the Daily Telegraph - Sydney

11.00am (AEDT) - The 10th annual Nimbin Roots Festival gets underway and runs until Saturday - Nimbin 

4.30pm (AEDT) - Horse racing: The Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes at the Royal Randwick Racecourse - Sydney

5.20pm (AEST) - Athletics: Gout Gout will represent his school, Ipswich Grammar, for the final time when he runs the 400m and 4x100m relay at the GPS meet at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre - Brisbane

ABS data releases: Australian System of National Accounts, 2024-2025, Longitudinal Labour Force, 1982-Sep 2025

Ireland heads to the polls for the country’s presidential elections

Demi Lovato will release her 9th studio album, It's not that deep

It’s United Nations Day - this year is the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, marking the creation of the UN

Birthdays for former PM Malcolm Turnbull (1954), rapper Drake (1986), and YouTuber PewDiePie (1989)

Anniversary of:

  • the founding of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC (1857)

  • the first photograph of Earth being taken from outer space - by a camera on board the V-2 No 13 rocket (1946)

  • the deaths of civil rights activist Rosa Parks (2005) and rock and roll pioneer Fats Domino (2017)

Saturday
9.30am (ACST) - Celebrations will be held to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Handback, when the Governor-General of Australia returned the title deeds for Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa back to the Aṉangu people - Uluṟu

10.00am (AEST) - Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai, an exhibition honouring the late Torres Strait Islander artist Billy Missi, will open at the State Library of Queensland - Brisbane

2.30pm (AEDT) - Cricket: The third and final ODI in the 3-match men’s series between Australia and India - Sydney, watch on Kayo

3.00pm (AEDT) - Rugby union: Japan v Australia at Olympic Stadium - Tokyo, Japan, watch on Stan Sport

5.10pm (AEDT) - Horse racing: The Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racing Club - Melbourne

7.00pm (AEST) - The All Night Long charity walking marathon begins as participants walk across Brisbane to raise funds for Ronald McDonald and the Children’s Hospital Foundation - Brisbane

8.30pm (AEST) - Cricket: Australia v South Africa in the ICC ODI Women's Cricket World Cup - Indore, India, watch free on Prime Video

Presidential elections take place in Côte d’Ivoire

Indulge yourself - it’s International Champagne Day AND World Pasta Day

Birthdays for authors Anne Tyler (1941) and Zadie Smith (1975), and pop singer Katy Perry (1984)

Anniversary of:

  • the birthdays of artist Pablo Picasso (1881) and actor Helen Reddy (1941)

  • Vegemite first appearing on Aussie supermarket shelves (1923)

  • the flight of the first Airbus A380 - the world's largest passenger airliner - between Singapore and Sydney (2007)

  • the release of Taylor Swift's third studio album Speak Now (2010)

  • the death of 4 people on a theme park ride at Dreamworld (2016)

Sunday
12.00am (AEDT) - Football: Australia v Wales in an international friendly as part of the Matildas’ preparation for the Asian Cup in March - Cardiff, Wales, watch on Paramount+

12.30am (AEDT) - Rugby league: First Ashes Test between Australia and England at Wembley Stadium - London, UK, watch on Kayo

9.30am (AEDT) - The 2025 Dog Lovers Festival begins for the weekend - Melbourne 

11.00am (AEDT) - Baseball: Game 1 of the MLB World Series begins with the LA Dodgers v Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre - Toronto, Canada, watch on Kayo

2.00pm (AEDT) - Rugby league: Pacific Cup Women - Australia v Samoa at Suncorp Stadium - Brisbane, watch on 9Now

2.10pm (AEST) - Supercars: Gold Coast 500 at Surfers Paradise Street Circuit - Gold Coast, watch on Kayo

6.00pm (AEDT) - MotoGP: The Malaysian Grand Prix at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, watch on Kayo

7.10pm (AEDT) - Netball: Australia’s Diamonds play NZ’s Silver Ferns in match 3 of the 4-match Constellation Cup at Globox Arena - Hamilton, NZ, watch on Kayo Freebies

The 47th ASEAN Summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with US President Donald Trump and PM Anthony Albanese among those to attend

Legislative elections take place in Argentina

Birthdays for former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (1947), country singer Keith Urban (1967), comedian Seth MacFarlane (1973), and singer Guy Sebastian (1981)

Anniversary of:

  • the first use of a lead (graphite) pencil (1492)

  • the last natural case of smallpox being discovered in Somalia (1977)

  • the premiere of the film The Terminator (1984)

  • Jacinda Ardern being sworn in as PM of New Zealand, becoming the world’s youngest female head of government (2017)

  • the death of ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria by US Special Forces (2019)

  • the Uluru climb ban coming into force (2019)