13 July 2024 - Saturday Squiz

You know you’re in a funny place when World Emoji Day comes around and your thought is ‘oh yeah, we’ve been meaning to launch our campaign to get a white wine emoji’… Maybe this year it will happen? This Saturday, if you’ve got an extravagant wedding story, have a product that covers all bases, or anything else you want to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 7 minutes

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🤷‍♀️ IDK: How we’re going to fit in all this high-quality sport to watch…  

This week's top stories

Joe Biden watching has been an occupation this week…

Streem (radio, print and TV mentions) - 5 July to noon 12 July

1. A big issue at a big summit with a big elephant in the room… - Sorry to sound cryptic… The big issue is Russia’s war on Ukraine, which was top of the NATO Summit agenda this week. Some more support is coming their way. And the big elephant was US President Joe Biden and his candidacy in November’s election. He’s digging in like a man with a bobcat…

2. Alice Springs was back in the news - After what Northern Territory Police Minister Brent Potter described as a "horror 72 hours" of violence in the town that started on Friday last week and went through to Sunday, a 3-day curfew was imposed. Authorities and politicians said better management of the 5,000 people who came to town from nearby Aboriginal communities for some big events was required.

3. Getting into Wimbledon finals mode - The women’s and men’s singles finals are on late night our time on Saturday and Sunday. And look, soz about our shout that all the Aussies were out last week… We hope we didn’t jinx Alex de Minaur who pulled out on Wednesday with a hip injury ahead of his quarter-final berth. Fingers crossed he’s ok in time for the Olympics…

4. Alec Baldwin goes on trial - It’s almost 3 years since the incident… The state of New Mexico says Baldwin had acted in a reckless manner that led to the death of the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. He has pleaded not guilty.

5. France says non to the far right - No one won a majority despite Marine Le Pen’s National Rally being tipped for victory - negotiations to form a coalition government are underway. If you’re interested in how RN blew it, this is a good read.

S’Quiz me real good…

Reckon you know the price tag of Indian couple Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding celebrations? Have a crack at the Squiz Quiz.

Picture of the week

A devastated Alex de Minaur posted this pic after he pulled out of his game against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon… The Serbian champ said “it is what it is, and I am moving on to the semis.” Brutal…

Question of the week

What’s your approach to a group dinner bill?

We asked and Squizers delivered. These poll results were much closer than some others we've done - maybe that underpins the friction mentioned in this article…

A poetic even split - “... unless someone goes hell for leather on the cocktails or expensive wine. They will hopefully offer their due without further ado otherwise I will bid them a final adieu.”

Paying her way with shade - “Is it just a coincidence that the 'even split' people seem to be the ones who order 3 courses and the expensive bottles of wine?”

Alert and occasionally alarmed - “I’m all for the even split, but you need to keep an eye open for those who abuse the trust to play fair - you know who they are as they are usually regular offenders.”

Squiz Recommends

Reading - This New Yorker interview with Ira Glass, the co-creator of This American Life radio and podcast show, which just hit 3 decades in production. It’s a long read but if you enjoy the storytelling aspect of the show, you’ll find it a good read.

Buying - ELEVEN: Miracle Hair Treatment. This is an all-in-one hair treatment you whack on after a hair wash. It’s perfect for lazy people who also want great hair because it covers all bases. It’s affordable, you can buy it from a few different online shops, and they also have a great shampoo and conditioner range.

Watching - This 6-part series I Was Actually There from ABC TV. It tells the stories of people who were present for some big moments. It’s done in the same format as another favourite, You Can't Ask That.

In the Kitchen

Nothing tops a 15-minute meal with a few ingredients, especially after a big day. And that’s what this caramelised onion pasta delivers - ease, taste, and comfort. We used tubular spaghetti… It’s not essential, but it's perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce. 

What we Squized this week

Your Shortcut to the UK’s new government. Keir Starmer is the new PM after Labour beat the Conservatives following 14 years in power. So in this Shortcut, we get you across who he is, the challenges he’s facing, and what the change of government could mean for Australia and the rest of the world. Have a read or a listen here. 

Welcome to our first series of interviews that we’re calling Newsmakers. To kick things into gear, Kate Watson interviewed Nick Shelton, the publisher and CEO of Broadsheet. It’s that website where you find places to eat, the latest exhibition, or what’s on in any of our cities. He talked to us about why he built it and how social media, AI and big tech are shaking things up. It’s also our first YouTube video - so if that interests you, check it out. Otherwise, you can read the newsletter or listen here. 

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Wallabies are playing the All Blacks in Melbourne at 7.45pm and live on Channel 9. And the Wimbledon women’s singles final between Jasmine Paolini and Barbora Krejcikova is on from 11pm live on Channel 9

Sunday - The sporting tour continues with the Matildas v Canada in a friendly at 5am live on Paramount+, and at 11pm the Wimbledon men's singles final featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic begins at 11pm live on Channel 9

Monday - England takes on Spain in the Euro final at 5am live on Optus Sport. That’ll be huge… And at 8pm, Rupert Murdoch's interview on 60 Years of News, marking The Australian’s milestone, airs on Sky News. And Victorian, Northern Territory and Western Aussie kids are back to school for Term 3

Tuesday - It’s World Snake Day and International Drag Day. And the Australian Clean Energy Summit 2024 kicks off in Sydney 

Wednesday - Go crazy on World Emoji Day 🤠 - it’s also Queen Camila’s 77th birthday 🎂, and the State of Origin decider kicks off at 8.05pm 🏉 - watch it live on Channel 9 

Thursday - It’s World Population Day - we recently did a Shortcut on Australia’s population so be sure to check that out

Friday - And after a busy week - stay cozy all day for National Pyjama Day

*All times in AEST

Double-Tapping

This glimpse into Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding celebrations feels a bit creepy, but we’re here for it…