Middle East peace talks are back on the table, and a supersized mammal

This episode of Squiz Today covers a range of global and domestic developments, beginning with renewed hope for Middle East peace talks following a US-led blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and a recent ceasefire announcement between the US, Israel, and Iran. Diplomatic efforts are now focused on direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon—marking the first such talks in over three decades—while Australia joins a France- and Britain-led summit to restore shipping access to the Strait of Hormuz. Domestically, Qantas is responding to soaring fuel costs by cutting domestic flights, including services to Mount Gambier, and Uber is increasing fares by five cents per kilometre, with the revenue intended for drivers. Coalition leader Angus Taylor unveils a hardline immigration plan involving social media vetting for visa applicants, drawing criticism from human rights groups. In sports, World Aquatics lifts the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their own flags, sparking backlash from Ukraine. Meanwhile, Australian scientists confirm the existence of giant echidnas in Victoria, based on a newly identified fossil, suggesting these prehistoric mammals once roamed much farther than previously known. Finally, the episode previews a major court decision involving Gina Rinehart and the family of her late father’s business partner, along with the 2026 Gallipoli Art Prize winner.