24 August 2024 - Saturday Squiz

In what feels like another week of ‘that wasn’t on my 2024 bingo card’, we’re coasting into the weekend with our entertainment quota already met... This Saturday, if you’ve got a not-so-common job, a lovely tan pantsuit, or anything else you want to tell us about, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 7 minutes

🎧 Get the Weekly Wrap podcast with Kate Watson and Claire Kimball

🤷‍♀️ IDK: Have you heard of a dramaturg?

This week's top stories

Not a lot of light and shade this week - lots of big/heavy stuff.

1. Nomination accepted… - Vice President Kamala Harris has formally accepted her Democratic Party’s nomination to be their candidate in November’s presidential election with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. And geez didn’t a lot of celebs come out in support…

2. Talkin’ the talk - There was a fair bit of hope going into the week that a ceasefire agreement could be struck between Israel and Hamas, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken flying in to help things along. As we ended the week, the US says there is still hope, but officials from the 2 sides aren’t so sure.

3. An update on a big plan - Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin shared her first report on the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children on Wednesday. Long story short, there is a huge mountain to climb to realise the goal of stamping it out within one generation.

4. National security battlelines are drawn - We didn’t cover this one, but making headlines in the AFL states was a five-match suspension handed to Port Adelaide star Dan Houston. In a game against Adelaide last weekend, Houston shirt-fronted Izak Rankine, who had to be helped from the ground. It’s a thing because 1) concussion is bad, and 2) the finals start in a couple of weeks, and Houston won’t be allowed to take the field.

5. Time to rebuild… - The construction arm of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union was forced into administration yesterday after a series of criminal allegations. It came about via legislation that saw the Albanese Government and the Coalition in agreement.

6. And more agreement across our governments… - This is the deal struck between the Feds and the states/territories to get some big reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme moving. In summary, disability advocacy groups say the changes will limit people’s access to necessary support.

S’Quiz me real good…

Reckon you know which celebrity couple filed for divorce this week? Have a crack at the Squiz Quiz.

Picture of the week 

This week delivered a rare blue supermoon. A supermoon occurs when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, and a blue moon is even more rare and happens every 2-3 years. Noice.

Question of the week

Who’s your favourite daytime TV host?

Ok ok, we hear you - you’re a busy person… 65% of the hundreds of Squizers who responded to our survey yesterday said they were way too busy for the daytime talk shows - past and present. Of those who did indulge, Oprah was the favourite… 

Ditto… - “The Oprah and Ricki Lake double was my favourite daytime activity when I was at university!”

All the way with Ray - “Ray was mandatory viewing for me as a sleep-deprived, over-lactating new mummy. I thought it was a classy show, unlike the US rabble.”

A difficult relationship with the idiot box - “‘No TV until 5pm!’ That was and still is ‘the rule.’ … My brother and I were only allowed 60 minutes of viewing time per day. My mother would draw up a viewing schedule. Imagine doing that now?”

In the Kitchen

This viral cucumber salad has been all over our social media, so we caved and reckon you should too. All you need is a cucumber and some ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It’s deliciously fresh… And once you’re hooked, Logan’s Insta is full of more ways to eat them.

Bone Appétit…

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 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 Squiz Shortcut to the astronauts stranded in space. In June this year, 2 NASA astronauts were launched into space on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. It was meant to last 8 days, but they’ve been stuck there now for more than 2 months… So in this Shortcut, we get you across what’s going on. Dive in here. 

Newsmakers with Capital Brief editor-in-chief John McDuling. Business news in Australia has typically been dominated by one or two large mastheads, but Capital Brief is the new kid on the block… They believe there is space for more when it comes to news that services “decision-makers in the new economy”. Watch Kate’s interview with John on YouTube.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The Northern Territory gets their democracy sausage on with an election today

Sunday - It’s the 30th anniversary of Australian South Sea Islander National Recognition Day

Monday - PM Anthony Albanese is attending the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, and the new ’right to disconnect’ laws come into effect

Tuesday - Play a few games for World Rock Paper Scissors Day, and keep an eye out for BHP and Coles dropping their full-year results 

Wednesday - The results keep rolling in, with Woolworths and Fortescue up next… And the winner of the 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year will be announced 

Thursday - The early starts begin again with the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremony at Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées kicking off at 3am 

Friday - Grab something purple for Wear it Purple Day. And for the red lovers out there, grab a glass for International Cabernet Sauvignon Day (and send an 🍷 emoji because you can…)

*All times in AEST

Double-Tapping

Welcome to the Kitty Flanagan/Fisk fan club, Madam Vice President...