Friday, 27 February - Guess I'm just difficult

February 27, 2026

Good morning, it’s Friday, 27 February. In your Squiz Today…

  • Talks between the US and Iran are continuing over the regime’s nuclear program

  • Hillary Clinton testifies about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein

  • And a salad to send off summer… 🥬

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Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

"I just ordered a muffin, feeling sad, but then he just appeared ... as soon as I saw him, I shouted, 'Benito, Benito!'”

Said content creator and Bad Bunny fan Pedro Cruz, who got a photo with the Puerto Rican superstar at The Rusty Rabbit cafe in Sydney. Bunny had brekkie but there was nothing rusty about his tipping - he left a signed US$100 bill and a free concert ticket for the very happy waitress…

Trying to talk it out…

The Squiz

The latest round of talks between the US and Iran to avoid a war breaking out is still going on in Switzerland this morning, and so far, they seem to be making progress… US President Donald Trump has his top negotiators there - special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner - as they try to strike a deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Reports say after last week’s negotiations sputtered out (prompting serious threats from Trump…) Iran’s come back to the table with “detailed proposals” and “ideas” to address US concerns about its nuclear activities. And for Iran’s part, its foreign ministry spokesperson says both sides are negotiating “in a very intense and serious manner”.

That sounds promising…

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over (aka a deal has been signed…) but you wouldn’t be alone in hoping they can get it done. It’s only been a week since reports broke that Trump was considering military strikes on Iran within days - which analysts said would likely lead to a major military conflict. That’s because, as he ramps up pressure on Tehran to wind back its nuclear activities (which the US already struck last year…), he’s been assembling the largest collection of US military equipment and personnel in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq. So while Trump hasn’t given the green light for new military action yet, his comments about Iran’s “sinister” nuclear ambitions and resulting threats are being taken seriously, and phrases like “last ditch efforts” have been used to describe these latest talks.

So what now?

TBD, but an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says an “immediate agreement” could be reached if the talks stick to Iran’s “non-production of nuclear weapons”. Tehran says it wants to focus on nuclear topics and the lifting of US sanctions, rather than also branching out into its ballistic missile program… But the US wants that wound back too, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “major problem” and saying the missiles pose a threat to America and regional stability. So we’ll see what updates we get when talks wind up today… And given the Middle East is on high alert - particularly if a deal isn’t reached - our federal government has told Aussies in the region the situation is “unpredictable” and to leave. You can follow the latest here…

Cutting through the AI noise

There’s plenty of talk at the moment about how AI is going to change the way we work, but figuring out how it will specifically affect your future career is a different kettle of fish. To help you get across all of that, the Future Women Leadership Summit is returning to look at how AI and inclusive leadership will work together. To grab an in-room ticket with a 20% discount, use the code FWLOVESTHESQUIZ and click here (that’s one big thing ticked off your 2026 to-do list).

Squiz the Rest

The Clintons testify on Epstein

Former US First Lady Hillary Clinton was up first to answer questions about her ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before a US congressional committee this morning. It was held behind closed doors, so we don't know exactly what was said - although transcripts/video will be released in the coming days. Clinton did share her opening statement on social media, which says she has no information on Epstein's crimes and doesn't remember ever meeting or speaking to him... And she says she only had a handful of interactions with his partner Ghislaine Maxwell (who's in jail for sex trafficking…). She says the Republicans have targeted her and her husband/former President Bill Clinton, and she's calling for President Trump to testify before Congress as well… Bill's up next - he’ll give his testimony overnight.

A difficult spot… 

...is what PM Anthony Albanese found himself in after labelling the 2021 Australian of the Year and child sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame “difficult”. He used the term when he was asked in an interview to respond to a list of people and topics in a single word. Before Tame, Albanese used “divisive” for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, “president” for Donald Trump, and “grub” for former Prince Andrew. The interview was broadcast on Sky News, and the backlash came fast, with critics calling the PM’s word choice “unwarranted” and “the misogynist's code for a woman who won't comply”. Albanese apologised, saying he meant that Tame "has had a very difficult life”. But Tame wasn’t happy, responding: "Spare me the condescension, old man. We all know what you meant". We've got a word for that - burn…

Qantas reports a sky-high result

The national carrier yesterday landed a record half-year profit of $1.46 billion - up $71 million from this time last year. Off the back of that, CEO Vanessa Hudson said Qantas plans to add 8,500 jobs by 2030, shake up its frequent flyer program so members can earn status points through everyday shopping, and launch a new Sydney to Las Vegas route from December - which NRL fans will lap up (see below…). Hudson said “Australians’ appetite for travel continues to be incredibly strong”, but she also flagged rising airport charges and government fees. Along with the purchase of “new generation” aircraft, those costs meant lower-than-expected dividends for shareholders - and on a day where mining, tech and health stocks soared, Qantas shares dropped by more than 9%...   

Waking up in Vegas

Our men’s rugby league stars are prepping for the NRL’s big kickoff series in Sin City on Sunday, where the Knights, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Dragons are this year's lucky teams in the showcase event. It's the third year of the NRL starting things off in Vegas, part of the league's push to reach US audiences. But there's a whole season to look forward to after that, with last year's premiers, the Brisbane Broncos, and other usual suspects, the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm, expected to be good bets for your tipping comps. Here's a full rundown… Also kicking off on Sunday is the Women’s Asian Cup, with the Matildas taking on the Philippines in Perth - you can catch that from 5pm AWST (8pm AEDT) on Channel 10…
*Get across how the Asian Cup will work and the Tillies’ chances in it with our latest Squiz Shortcut… 

A not-so-new sensation

They’re already good enough for us, but iconic Aussie rock band INXS are in the running for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - one of music’s highest honours. Given the band has sold more than 70 million albums and played to packed stadiums, it might come as a surprise to some that this is the first time they’ve been considered. But they’re in good company - among the 17 other hopefuls are Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, P!nk, and Lauryn Hill. And if they make the cut, they’ll join other Aussie greats AC/DC and the Bee Gees… OG member Andrew Farriss said the band was “thrilled and excited” to be nominated, adding that late lead singer Michael Hutchence (who died in 1997) would be "honoured". He said Hutchence once told him: "'One day I'd like to think whatever we did mattered.' I think this shows that it did".

Friday Lites - 3 things we liked this week

Here’s a tip for anyone after some thoughtful sportswriting who loves Aussie Rules: We’ve been eating up Mateo Szlapek-Sezillo’s season previews over at his newsletter One Percenters - they’ve been coming out daily, and are the perfect way to get hyped for the season…

We enjoyed this interview with American Vogue’s past and present editors - aka fashion icons Anna Wintour and Chloe Malle. They spoke with the New York Times about work-life balance, the direction of the mag, and how Malle is putting her own stamp on things and “not AW lite in any way”.

If you’re mainlining protein like us, this chopped steak salad with barbecued corn, cherry toms and fresh mint is delicious and ticks all the healthy boxes. Cook the steak however you like it, rest, and then slice it up and mix everything with the garlicky dressing. If we must say bye to summer, this is a good way to do it…

Squiz the Day

Friday
9.00am (AEST) - There will be a hearing for an application to permanently halt Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial in Toowoomba - Ipswich District Court - Brisbane

2.50pm (AEDT) - Cricket: Women's ODI Australia v India (game 2 of 3), Ninja Stadium - Hobart, watch on 7plus

Former US president Bill Clinton is due to testify before the House Oversight Committee of the US Congress about his ties to billionaire financier/sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - New York

Coles, Star Entertainment and Maggie Beer Holdings will release half-year financial results, and TPG Telecom will share full-year financial results

Canberra Enlighten Festival begins (until 9 March)

A birthday for singer and actor Josh Groban (1981)

Anniversary of:

  • the birthdays of author John Steinbeck (1902) and actor Elizabeth Taylor (1932) 

  • the world's first women's magazine Ladies' Mercury published in London (1693)

  • the discovery of carbon-14 (radiocarbon dating) at the University of California Radiation Laboratory (1940)

  • General Hafez al-Assad becoming head of Syria via military coup starting the family's rule over the country (1969)

Saturday 
5.00pm (AEDT) - Athletics: Hobart Track Classic - Hobart, watch on 7plus

6.00pm (AEDT) - Mardi Gras Parade - the theme for 2026 is 'ECSTATICA' and will feature over 200 floats. The parade happens on Oxford street - Sydney 

Bad Bunny's DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour kicks off in Australia - Sydney 

Anniversary of:

  • Francis Crick and James Watson discovering the chemical structure of DNA (1953)

  • Egypt gaining independence from the United Kingdom (1922)

  • the end of the Gulf War after Iraq accepted a ceasefire following their retreat from Kuwait (1991)

Sunday
1.15pm (AEDT) - Rugby League: NRL Round one Knights v Cowboys - Las Vegas, watch on Kayo

2.50pm (AEDT) - Cricket: Women's ODI Australia v India (game 3 of 3), Ninja Stadium - Hobart, watch on 7plus

1.00pm (AWST) - Basketball: WNBL Grand Final series (game 2) Townsville Fire v Perth Lynx, Perth High Performance Centre - Perth, watch on 9now 

1.15pm (AEDT) - Rugby League: Round One, Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys followed by the Canterbury Bulldogs v St George Illawarra Dragons - Las Vegas, watch on Kayo 

5.00pm (AWST) - Soccer: AFC Women's Asia Cup Australia v Philippines, Optus Stadium - Perth, watch on 10Play

St David's Day -  a national celebration for the Welsh community 

The World's Greatest Shave begins for the month of March 

International Wheelchair Day

World Compliment Day

Birthdays for actor Lupita Nyong’o (1983) and singers Kesha (1987) and Justin Bieber (1994)

Anniversary of 

  • the start of the infamous Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts (1692)

  • Pennsylvania becoming 1st US state to abolish slavery (for newborns only) (1780)

  • Yellowstone becoming the world's first national park (1872)

  • Henri Becquerel's discovery of radioactivity (1896)

  • the release of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

  • colour television transmissions beginning in Australia (1975)