17 August 2024 - Saturday Squiz

It might be the Olympics hangover, but this week felt like a long one. At one point, we even considered moving to Brissie to get the Ekka holiday… This Saturday, if you’ve got a Book Week costume catastrophe to share, a handy kitchen tool, or anything else you want to tell us about, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 7 minutes

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🤷‍♀️ IDK: If we ever got sick of chocolate crackles…

This week's top stories

This time last week we were like ‘what’s a Raygun?’…

Streem (radio, print and TV mentions) - 10 August to noon 16 August

1. The Games are done and dusted - For full transparency, this result combines all the coverage of the end of the Paris Olympics - Australia’s most successful ever. But the story that lingers on is that of Dr Rachael Gunn - aka Raygun. Our Breaking B-girl’s performance last Saturday morning went super-mega-viral, and late in the week, she asked the world to back off…

2. A crash in Cairns - Miraculously, guests of the DoubleTree hotel were uninjured when a helicopter crashed into the roof just before 2am on Monday morning, but its pilot was killed. Blake Wilson - a Kiwi who was licenced to fly in New Zealand but not in Oz - was named as the man who took the chopper for an unauthorised flight, leaving so many questions unanswered…

3. Ukraine surprises Russia - and everyone, really… - Its incursion into Russian territory has seen it move 35km inside the Kursk region, where they say they are in control of 1,150km2 of territory. The scale of that wasn’t what US and other Western analysts were expecting… The ultimate aim in taking the war over the border is to get Russia to agree to “restore a just peace”, Ukrainian officials say.

4. National security battlelines are drawn - The week started with ASIO boss Mike Burgess saying that Palestinians from Gaza who are eligible to come to Australia on a visitor visa give “rhetorical support” to Hamas but hold no deeper ideological ties, “that’s not a problem”. Coalition leader Peter Dutton has a very different view… This week, he’s doubled down on his position that it is "not prudent" for any Palestinians to be allowed into the country right now.

5. Hello, stranger… - US President Joe Biden made his first campaign appearance with his deputy Kamala Harris at a rally held just outside Washington DC on Thursday, casting her as “an incredible partner”. He also reflected on his own predicament… “I served in the Senate for 270 years. I know I only look 40yo… For the longest time, I was too damn young. Now I’m too damn old,” he said.

S’Quiz me real good…

Reckon you know what a 21yo travelled around Australia in for 3 years? Have a crack at the Squiz Quiz.

Picture of the week 

NZ PM Christopher Luxon popped over the ditch this week to attend the Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting in Canberra. He was given a warm welcome at Parliament House before they got stuck into some pricklier discussions, including changes to Australia's criminal deportations policy.

Question of the week

Mills & Boon has marked 50 years in Australia…

A firm ‘no’ was the most common response, but a count of the votes confirms heaps of Squizers are sweet on steam:

Right in the zone - “Romance genre tragic here. I love Penny Reid's smart romance and April White's fantasy series.”

A bit of a dabbler - “I'd rather read a good biography but love watching a mushy romance.”

It’s getting hot in here - “Yeah, yeah… I love a good bodice ripper - the steamier, the better!”

Squiz Recommends

Buying - We’re a little heavy-handed when it comes to pouring oil into a pan, so this refillable oil sprayer has quickly become a key item in the kitchen. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want more control in many aspects of their lives?

Reading - This Vanity Fair interview with Naomi Watts. She starred in one of our favourite TV series this year, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans on Binge. This piece gives you a good sense of who she is as a person and how she brings that to her acting. She’s someone who’s bursting with energy (read: it’s just a little bit chaotic…).

Watching - Keep the Olympic flame alive with this 60 Minutes episode from the start of this week. It unashamedly gets you in your feels…

In the Kitchen

These no-bake chocolate puffed treats are a winner. They feel one notch healthier (thanks to the puffed quinoa) than the chocolate crackles we used to eat as kids, but they are just as delicious - and they keep well in the freezer. So that's your snack prep done ✅ 

Bedding down some big savings

We know Squizers are pet people - when we asked you about it in June, 71.5% of the more than 1,200 respondents told us you’re a slave to your animal. So for the dog-owners, you’ll be onto Bell & Bone’s launch of their Healthy Treats range like… a dog on a bone. Packed with collagen and other vitamins and minerals to optimise their mobility, gut and skin health, they’re a treat with super benefits. Find out more here.

What we Squized this week

Your Shortcut to US Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz. You’re not alone if you hadn’t heard of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz before Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate for the upcoming US election. So in this Shortcut, we get you across who he is. Dive in here.

Newsmakers with Mia Freedman. She’s the co-founder of Australia’s largest women's media business, Mamamia. In this episode, Kate talks to her about her approach to news, social media, and what she thinks is the biggest issue for women right now. Get it in your ears on Apple or Spotify.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - Parents beware: it’s the start of Book Week. For those who want to flee that scene, it’s also the start of Hamilton Island Boat Week 

Sunday - At 7pm, the 64th Logie Awards kick off - broadcast live on Seven

Monday - It’s WGEA Equal Pay Day 2024 (marking 56 days after the end of the financial year - the time women in Australia need to work to make up the difference caused by the gender pay gap). Get it on camera on World Photography Day

Tuesday - The 4-day Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago (that’s where they’ll endorse their presidential candidate Kamala Harris). And at 6pm, the Rural Women's Awards Gala Dinner is on in Canberra  

Wednesday - At 12.30pm tune in to hear Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin address the National Press Club in Canberra

Thursday - Buy a bunch on the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day

Friday - The third annual Climate Governance Forum begins in Sydney, and the 2024 News Corp National Bush Summit kicks off in Townsville 

*All times in AEST

Double-Tapping

This guy’s Insta account is basically text messages from his kids set to music with inspiring backgrounds. Genius…