Tuesday, 14 April - In the army now

April 14, 2026

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, 14 April. In your Squiz Today…

  • The US begins its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz

  • PM Albanese announces new leaders for our defence forces

  • And Harry and Meghan drop in down under…

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Squiz Sayings

“I’m still pretty sure I was the happier side of this reunion.”

Said astronaut Christina Koch about reuniting with her dog Sadie after her history-making 10-day Artemis II mission. Even after a spin around the moon, there’s no place like home…

Blockade busters

The Squiz

At midnight last night, the US officially began a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, following a collapse in peace talks with Iran over the weekend. How exactly it’s working is still a little murky, but essentially the US Navy will be monitoring all ships heading through the strait - a crucial waterway for the world’s fuel supplies - and stopping any that it thinks are going to or from an Iranian port. It’s a move that’s placing a strain on an already shaky ceasefire… Iran says the blockade is illegal and described it as “piracy”, and threatened to strike other ports in the Gulf in response. 

Why is the US doing this?

It’s mostly about money. Hormuz has effectively been closed to commercial shipping vessels since the beginning of the war, but in recent days, Iran has allowed some countries it has stronger relationships with, like China and India, to have their ships go through if they pay a toll. By blocking that, the US hurts Iran’s hip pocket - possibly forcing it to return to peace negotiations and reopen the Strait entirely. But it’s also putting pressure back on the global economy, with oil prices rocketing up again, and raising the prospect of direct tension with China - one of Iran’s big customers. Plus, despite US President Donald Trump’s claim that other countries would help out with the blockade, none have officially confirmed they will just yet…

How could they help?

Trump flagged that some of his country’s allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) could help clean out the strait by removing mines that Iran claims it has planted there. The mines are a key part of why Iran can charge tolls - if a ship pays a toll, Iran tells it how to get through while avoiding the mines. But the UK and France have said they’re not getting involved in the blockade, while maintaining that reopening the strait is a priority. As for Australia, PM Anthony Albanese said we weren’t asked to help out - though our incoming new Defence Force chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond (more on him below…) says the navy is “as ready as it ever has been” if we’re called upon.

A slippery ripple effect

If you’ve noticed oil prices popping up in the news lately, CommBank Newsroom has an explainer that gets into why it matters. Since the war in Iran began, prices have jumped from $60USD a barrel to more than $100USD - and with Oz importing more than 90% of the fuel we use, that's why changes in oil prices can flow through to things like petrol, transport costs and inflation.

Squiz the Rest

Pope Leo doesn’t back down

The new-ish Pontiff has said he won’t stop speaking out against the war and the Trump administration, after Trump had a go at him over the weekend. In a speech on Saturday, the first US-born Pope talked about the “madness of war” - leading Trump to criticise him in recent days for being “terrible for foreign policy” and claiming Leo thought it “was OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” But the Pope is holding firm - he says he has “no fear… of the Trump administration.” And Trump is dealing with a religious scandal of his own - he’s copped serious heat, including from his political allies, after posting an AI-generated image of him as a Jesus-like figure. He’s now removed the post, saying he thought it was “me as a doctor.”

No spoils for this Viktor

The Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán - the longest-serving leader in the European Union - was soundly defeated in the country’s election yesterday. Despite his years in power and backing from the Trump administration, he was crushed by challenger Péter Magyar. Though Magyar is also from the conservative side of politics, he’s not as far right as Orbán, and is likely to have a better relationship with the broader European Union. The win is also worth noting in terms of the war in Ukraine, because Orbán was allied to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and consistently blocked EU aid to Ukraine. Magyar’s approach is different - he says he’s open to speaking to Putin and asking him to end the war. Though he noted his advice isn’t likely to make much of a difference… 

And in another changing of the guard…

…the Oz military has some new top brass, with a couple of big appointments announced yesterday. We’ll start with Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, who’s been appointed as Chief of Army. She’s the first woman to hold the role, and Defence Minister Richard Marles called it a “deeply historic moment” saying her rise would be significant to women who are serving, and inspire more to serve in the future... And at the top, PM Anthony Albanese announced that Navy chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond will take over as head of the Australian Defence Force. He’s a submariner who’s been front and centre in AUKUS negotiations with the US - he says it’s the most humbling moment of his career. He’ll take over from outgoing ADF chief Admiral David Johnston in July.

Rory McIlroy’s rare feat

The Northern Irish golfer created history yesterday morning by becoming only the fourth man to win back-to-back US Masters tournaments. Despite zipping out to a 6-shot lead after 2 days - the largest in Masters history at that point in the tournament - McIlroy had a rough third day to come back to the pack. In a topsy-turvy final day, he faced challengers including Scottie Scheffler and Justin Rose, but held on for a one-shot win. To give you an idea of the scale of his achievement, the 3 other players to achieve back-to-back Masters wins are Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods - some pretty famous names… Now, his attention will turn to the next major tournament, the 2026 PGA Championship, which begins in mid-May. He might be bringing 2 green jackets with him…

A royally private visit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are due to arrive in Oz today for a visit that looks very different to their first tour here as newlyweds in October 2018. A lot’s happened since, including the couple stepping away from royal duties, and this time they’re here as private citizens - although taxpayers may still cough up for security. Critics say that’s a bit rich, given the trip is said to be a money-maker for the couple. To that end, Harry’s due to speak about workplace mental health at a summit in Melbourne tomorrow. And if Megs is more your jam, she’s speaking at a women’s retreat in Sydney’s Coogee Beach on Friday, where attendees have shelled out $2,699 for a basic ticket. But don’t expect too many reports - the media’s barred.

Apropos of Nothing

The Olivier theatre awards were on yesterday, and it was Paddington the Musical that was the big winner with 7 awards. And if you haven’t seen how they’ve turned Paddington into a theatrical experience, do yourself a favour… 

The first full trailer for Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping was released this morning - this one’s the story of Haymitch Abernathy, who was played by Woody Harrelson in the original. Come for the Oscar nominees, stay for the glorious wigs… 

The Winter Olympics might be in the rear-view mirror now, but US skier Lindsey Vonn is still recovering from the severe injuries she sustained at the event. Luckily, she says her fave show - Law and Order: SVU - is getting her through it. Whatever works…

Squiz the Day

9.00am - the 2026 WNBA draft begins, where some of the brightest basketball talents in the world will find out their new teams - New York

12.00pm (AEST) - Farrer by-election declaration of candidates and draw for positions on the ballot paper

PM Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong to visit Brunei and Malaysia to continue their attempt to shore up Australia’s fuel security (until 17 April)

Coalition leader Angus Taylor will make a speech to the Menzies Research Centre tonight where he’s expected to outline the first part of the Coalition’s immigration policy - Sydney

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arriving in Oz as private citizens for speaking gigs in Melbourne and Sydney

Port Adelaide player Zak Butters will face the AFL tribunal tonight over an umpire’s claim that he questioned his integrity - time to be confirmed

Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year)

Choul Chnam Thmey - Cambodian/Khmer New Year (until 16 April)

🤣 International Moment of Laughter Day

Birthdays for TV presenter Julia Zemiro (1967), actor Adrien Brody (1973), and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar (1977)

Anniversary of:

  • US President Abraham Lincoln's assassination by John Wilkes Booth (1865)

  • the RMS Titanic hitting an iceberg (1912)

  • Justin Trudeau being elected leader of Canada's Liberal Party (2013)