Wednesday, 25 February - If you start me up

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, 25 February. In your Squiz Today…

• The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion begins

• The PM has been evacuated from The Lodge following a security scare

• And an NRL voice in a league of her own…

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Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

Said conservationist Deirdre Vercoe about recent successful efforts to save the kakapo, the world’s only flightless parrot species, which involved aphrodisiac berries and a fake egg switcheroo. With that kind of commitment, she can be our wingwoman anytime…

A major federal inquiry begins

The Squiz

The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has officially begun in Sydney, with Commissioner Virginia Bell yesterday laying out the terms of reference - aka the purpose and scope of the inquiry. In her opening statement, she set a hard deadline for her final report and recommendations to be handed down: 14 December, the first anniversary of the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack that prompted the inquiry. That gives her less than a year, and although she says it’ll “impose limitations on how the commission approaches its terms of reference”, she believes her report will be “one small part of coming to terms with the events of that evening”.

What else did we learn?

Bell says she’ll apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. It’s the one antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal recommended in her plan to combat antisemitism in Oz - but it’s not one that everyone favours, with critics saying it could be misused to protect Israel from legitimate criticism… Bell acknowledged that, but said the definition itself is “uncontroversial” and welcomed “submissions on the issue”. She’s also invited Jewish Australians to share their “lived experiences of antisemitism”, saying they won’t be forced to give evidence publicly. Also of note: while Bell says the inquiry’s focus is on antisemitism “as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion”, she’s also mindful of the prejudice other religions and ethnicities experience in Oz.

So it’s full steam ahead…

Yep, but there is a bit of a tightrope to be walked… Bell’s pointed out that the Royal Commission “must do its work without risking any prejudice” to the criminal proceedings taking place against Naveed Akram, the alleged gunman who survived the Bondi terror attack. He’s been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder (but hasn’t made a plea yet…), and his case is due back in court in April. That same month, on 30 April, Bell is due to hand down an interim report on our federal security agencies - covering what they knew before the attack, what actions were taken, and whether they could have done things differently. The Royal Commission’s next hearings haven’t been scheduled yet - but you can keep up to date here.

Curious to know…

Squiz the Rest

A security scare at The Lodge

PM Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence in Canberra last night for around 3 hours after his safety was threatened. The federal police say they acted on an "alleged security incident" - which reports say was a bomb threat - from around 6pm. It triggered a police operation, and the PM was moved to another secure location while a search was carried out. He was returned at around 9pm, and an AFP spokesperson confirmed he wasn't injured, "nothing suspicious was located", and there was no ongoing safety threat. Reports say there’s been an uptick in threats and abuse against our elected leaders in recent months. It’s something intelligence agencies have flagged in security risk assessments - and we’re likely to hear more about it today…  

There's been a sad development...

…in the search for 85yo Chris Baghsarian, who was kidnapped from his North Ryde home in Sydney on 13 February. After nearly 2 weeks of searching and appeals for his release, investigators yesterday closed in on a golf club in Pitt Town, about 60km northwest of Sydney, where they found human remains - which they say could have been put there within 40 hours of his abduction. You’ll remember that early on, detectives said it was a case of mistaken identity, with the kidnappers likely targeting someone linked to the Alameddine crime family. They’re still searching for those responsible… Also searching for answers is the family of missing 84yo Nancy Guthrie over in the US. Her daughter Savannah has posted a new video offering a US$1 million reward for information, but acknowledged “she may already be gone”.

A new appeal to find Gus Lamont

The 4yo’s parents Jess and Josh released a statement yesterday asking for anyone who knows "even the smallest detail" about his disappearance to get in touch with SA Police. Gus went missing in the mid-north of the state on 27 September last year, and despite repeated police searches and an ongoing investigation, answers have been in short supply. Josh and Jess say their “lives have been shattered, and every moment without him is unbearable” - to help with the appeal, they’ve released new images and video of Gus to the public. In the meantime, they’ve thanked everyone who pitched in to search for the little boy - saying it “meant more to us than we can ever say”. 

It’s a major moment in US politics… 

…as President Donald Trump is set to deliver the first official State of the Union address of his second term. Experts say it’s an important speech for the President, who is copping some dire polling ahead of the midterm elections for the US Congress in November, where he'll be hoping his Republican colleagues stay in power… A couple of things to look out for: whether the President directly challenges the members of the Supreme Court who struck down his global tariffs, given they’ll be sitting a few feet away, and whether there’s any announcement over the recent news on Iran. There’s one thing we can be pretty sure of - it ain’t gonna be short. Trump says it’ll be a “long speech because we have a lot to talk about”... 

In a league of her own

NRL matches on Triple M will sound a bit different this season with Emma Lawrence becoming the first female play-by-play caller in the league’s history. She’ll be in the lead commentary seat for the radio network, meaning she’ll be the one calling all the hits, tackles and tries. Lawrence first joined the Triple M commentary team in 2017, and she says she’s been prepping for the big gig by calling TV replays with the sound off. Fellow sports commentator Kate Allman called it a win for all women in sports broadcasting, saying "someone has to be first to shatter that glass ceiling … it will hopefully open the door for more women in future". Go well, Emma…

Apropos of Nothing

Aussie photographer Jono Allen has taken out the top prize at the 2026 World Nature Photography awards with this picture of a rare white humpback calf with its mother. Just a casual dive in Tonga with some humpback whales, no big deal… 

‘Fashion is Art’ will be the official dress code of the 2026 Met Gala, which will no doubt spark some very creative costume ideas… It should be music to the ears of our Squiz Quiz guest Fashion Critical, who says the annual event is basically her version of Christmas…

And Sinners director Ryan Coogler has revealed his reboot for The X-Files has been picked up by US streamer Hulu, with actor Danielle Deadwyler cast in the lead role. The OG Scully Gillian Anderson has said she’s open to making an appearance, which we really want to believe…

Squiz the Day

11.30am (AEDT) - AI Professor Toby Walsh will address the National Press Club on the theme of ‘AI, boom or doom’ - Canberra

11.30am (AEDT) - PM Anthony Albanese, Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and a panel of industry experts will address the Future Victoria Summit - Melbourne

1.00pm (AEDT) - US President Donald Trump will deliver the State of the Union address - Washington DC

7.30pm (AEDT) - Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock will take part in a 'fireside chat' at a dinner held by the Melbourne University - Melbourne

Woolworths, Domino's Pizza and Fortescue are set to release half-year results

ABS data release: Preliminary estimates of value construction work done, December; Monthly employee earnings indicator, December; Consumer price index, January

UK passport changes come into effect, meaning dual citizens must now enter the country on a valid UK passport 

Birthdays for comedian Chelsea Handler (1975), actor Rashida Jones (1976) and actor/activist Jameela Jamil (1986)

Anniversary of:

• Hiram R Revels being sworn in as the first African American member of Congress as a US Senator for Mississippi (1870)

• the birthdays of painter Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841) and Beatle George Harrison (1943)

• the deaths of playwright Tennessee Williams (1983) and legendary Aussie cricketer Don Bradman (2001)

• Singer Frank Sinatra performing for the final time at the Palm Desert Marriott Ballroom (1995)