Wednesday, 17 July - This is just a tribute

Author

Larissa Huntington
July 17, 2024

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, 17 July. In your Squiz Today…

  • Commemorations for flight MH17 - 10 years on

  • Trump feels the love

  • And soothing ourselves with mid-year retail therapy… 🛍️

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Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“We want to show that we’re more than smiles and flower caps and nose clips.”

Said Aussie artistic swimmer Milena Waldmann who’s highlighting the hidden dangers of her sport as she and her teammates prepare to travel to Paris for the Olympics… Who says you can’t be elegant and deadly?

A decade on from MH17

The Squiz

It’s been 10 years to the day since Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine by a Russian-made Buk missile, killing all 298 people onboard - including 38 Australians, 196 Dutch nationals, 43 Malaysians and people from 7 other countries. Commemorations are taking place around the world, including at Parliament House in Canberra. The main services will be at the MH17 National Monument in the Netherlands, where Australia will be represented by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. He says he will “pay tribute to the courage and resilience of those whose loved ones were killed aboard … those who responded to the disaster and the investigation team who identified those responsible for this horrific crime.”

Back it up a bit…

The flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur lost contact with air traffic control 3 hours in. The Dutch Safety Board found a missile exploded above the cockpit, causing the plane to break up mid-air with the debris landing in Ukraine’s Donetsk region - controlled by Russian-backed separatists. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) with experts from the victims’ nations was formed to identify/prosecute those responsible. It found "strong indications" that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved sending the military weapon to separatists, but Dutch Police say the answer to why MH17 was shot down “still remains in Russia". Russia has brushed off accusations it was responsible, calling the JIT "biased and politically motivated". In 2020, 3 separatists were sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia, but the JIT believes up to 100 are to blame. In February last year, the 8-year investigation was suspended.

Where are things at now?

Some of the victims’ families are still holding out for an apology from Russia, but experts say the chances of further arrests are unlikely as the JIT concluded there isn’t enough evidence to prosecute other suspects. Dutch PM Dick Schoof says being “unable to put anyone behind bars" is a problem even less likely to be resolved due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Evert van Zijtveld lost 4 family members - he says "in many ways those on the plane were some of the first victims of this ongoing war". The emotional wounds also continue for the investigators, including hundreds of Australian Federal Police officers. Aussie Marite Norris, who lost her 3 children and father in the tragedy, says she wants other people suffering tremendous loss to know that life can be “manageable” again (paywall) “because the love that you have is always there… It never dies.”

Squiz the Rest

Zelensky offers an invitation to Russia

And speaking of the conflict in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky aims to host a second peace summit in November after meeting with delegates from 92 countries in Switzerland last month… Nothing's been locked in, but if it goes ahead, Zelensky said he wants Russian representatives to attend. Zelensky’s just home from the NATO Summit in Washington, where he secured more military aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. This week, he said he wants to have a fully formed plan to achieve peace in his country ready in the next couple of months so it can be presented to Moscow. Whether or not Russian President Vladimir Putin would be open to that is another thing… Last week, a Russian diplomat said Moscow wouldn’t attend a second peace summit - but the Kremlin hasn't given a firm answer. That's not a no, then…

Trump takes centre stage

Former US President Donald Trump hasn’t let Saturday’s assassination attempt throw off his 2024 election campaign - and his supporters at the Republican National Convention couldn’t be happier… He was greeted with loud cheers when he made a surprise appearance yesterday with a bandage on his injured ear, but he didn't address the crowd. For now, the focus is on J.D. Vance, the Ohio Senator and former best-selling author selected as his running mate despite not being onboard the Trump train in the past… Here at home, the assassination attempt on Trump has prompted a review of our politicians’ security. And with sensitivities running high, actor Jack Black’s band Tenacious D has axed the rest of their Oz tour after a comment about Trump sparked an outcry. The gaff even led Elon Musk, who reports say is now publicly endorsing Trump, to weigh in calling it “evil” on social media platform X.

Soothing ourselves with retail therapy

Just when we thought we were being sneaky by shopping the mid-year sales, it turns out Australia Post has been keeping track of all our parcels… The postal service’s latest quarterly report shows that - despite the rising cost of living - online shopping grew by 2% in the year to June. And the last quarter was up 4.4% on the same time last year, linked to a spike in end-of-financial-year retail spending. As for what we’re buying, fashion/apparel purchases have risen 19.1% in the past year, followed by health/beauty (6%). But it’s unfair to think it’s been one big spendathon - we’re buying less per order, and AusPost says we’re favouring less expensive items. What that means for the next interest rate decision, we’ll have to wait and see…

In a state of anticipation

We wouldn’t need to remind NRL fans of this, but the countdown is on for tonight's men’s State of Origin decider… Here’s a good piece to get you up to speed with where the series is at, but to summarise: the NSW Blues are looking to back up their win against the Queensland Maroons in Melbourne in game 2 and nab the trophy tonight, but reports say the odds are stacked against them… The first hurdle is that the game will be played in Brisbane at the Cauldron (aka Suncorp Stadium, aka Lang Park). Given the Blues have only won 2 deciders in Queensland in 40 years, a win tonight has been described as “mission impossible”. No wonder our Queensland-based team members are looking so smug… Kick-off is at 8.05pm AEST and the game will be broadcast on Channel 9 and 9Now. Game on…

Everything but not in South Korea… 

You can’t go onto social media without this product popping up... The uber-popular Everything But the Bagel seasoning has taken off in recent years, with influencers sprinkling it on top of eggs, soups, sandwiches, roasts - as the name suggests, everything, really… And while the garlic/poppy seed/sesame concoction that’s sold at supermarkets in the US might sound innocent enough, South Korean travellers wanting to sneak some into their country have found out the hard way that local authorities have stuck it on the country’s contraband list. The problem lies with the poppy seeds - an ingredient that can be used for its opioid effects, making it a narcotic under South Korean law. That’s had seasoning lovers having their bottles confiscated when they touch down at home. So they’ve got everything but the seasoning, it seems…

Apropos of Nothing

For some much-needed cuteness, check out this video of a baby giant panda recently born at Ouwehands Zoo in the Netherlands. It’s the second cub produced by mother Wu Wen in the past 4 years. Fu Ni and Wang Wang, take note…

Actor Daniel Craig’s post-Bond artistic choices continue to prove interesting… There was his dad dancing in a vodka commercial, but now the 56yo is channelling a “crude” persona for designer brand Loewe. It might be high fashion, but it’s reminiscent of Iggy Pop’s not-so-glam era…

Spice Girl Mel B has spiced up her resume with an honorary degree from the UK’s Leeds Beckett University which she says is “as massive” as performing at Wembley with her former bandmates. She was recognised for her "life-changing" work supporting domestic abuse victims. 

Squiz the Day

9.00am (AEST) - A commemoration service will be held to remember the victims of flight MH17, shot down over Ukraine 10 years ago - Canberra

12.00pm (AEST) - Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni to address the Queensland Media Club on Queensland’s plan for the energy transition - Brisbane

12.30pm (AEST) - Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen to address the National Press Club on Australia’s energy choice in this next critical decade - Canberra

8.05pm (AEST) - The 3rd and final 2024 State of Origin game - Brisbane 

8.30pm (AEST) - The State Opening of UK Parliament and the King's Speech to follow 

ABS Data Release - Building Activity, March 

Birthdays for Queen Camilla (1947) and Angela Merkel (1954)

Anniversary of:

  • the execution of Russian Czar Nicholas II, his wife and their five children by Bolsheviks (1918)

  • the opening of the first Disneyland in Anaheim, California (1955)

  • the death of singer Billie Holiday (1959)

Thursday
1.30am (AEST) - nominations for the 2025 Emmys announced