Squiz Today – 15 July 2024

The Squiz 

The man suspected of an assassination attempt on former/hopeful US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania yesterday morning our time has been named as 20yo Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania. Not a lot of detail about him has been released, but he is the man accused of taking to a rooftop next to the rally venue in camouflage gear with a semi-automatic rifle. The FBI says the investigation will take a while but they are “working feverishly” to establish Crooks’ motive. Before the shooter was shot dead by Secret Service agents, he also allegedly killed a rallygoer in the bleachers near the stage Trump was on, and 2 other people remain in critical condition. It’s the first assassination attempt like this in the US since Ronald Reagan was targeted in 1981. 

What happened?

Trump was speaking at the open-air event when shots rang out just after 6pm local time. He says he heard a “whizzing sound” before feeling a “bullet ripping through skin” of his right ear. The 78yo immediately ducked down as his Secret Service agents moved to protect him. After hearing “shooter’s down”, they told him “we’ve got to move” – but Trump told them to “wait” as he asked for his shoes and shouted “fight, fight” with a fist in the air. The pictures are quite something… Two men who know something about working with the Secret Service are former Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama – they praised their fast action, as did Trump. Despite narrowly avoiding being killed, he says he’s “fine” and was seen walking off his plane unaided in New Jersey. 

What happens next?

There’s still a bit of reacting to do… For his part, President Joe Biden said the nation needs to “unite as one” as his campaign paused all outbound communications and ads – which leads nicely into a huge talking point about the high political temperature in the US at the moment… Commentators were quick to point fingers at both candidates for the combative tone of the presidential campaign that has seen Biden talking about Trump as a “threat to democracy” while Trump has warned of a “bloodbath” if he fails to win in November. It’s a lot… As for this week, Trump’s campaign team says he will attend the National Republican Convention in Milwaukee that runs from today until Thursday where he will be confirmed as the party’s election candidate.

A dark day in Gaza

Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry says at least 90 people have been killed and 289 injured in the latest Israeli strike near the southern city of Khan Younis. It hit the al-Mawasi area of the city – designated as a safe humanitarian zone by the Israeli military – and left Palestinians digging through rubble for survivors. A doctor at the nearby Kuwait field hospital described it as “one of the black days”, saying many of the victims were women and children. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strike after receiving intel that Hamas chief Mohammed Deif – accused of plotting the 7 October attacks – was in the area with another Hamas leader. Israeli reports say one Hamas commander is dead, but it’s unclear if Deif was killed. Netanyahu said “either way, we will get to the whole of the leadership of Hamas”.

Setka says see-ya

The CFMEU (the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union) is in hot water again after allegations of serious misconduct came to light on Friday, prompting controversial leader John Setka’s resignation. The union is said to have a “deep infiltration of underworld figures” that sees highly-paid jobs given to bikies and other organised criminals – something Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said could result in its deregistration. It’s one of Australia’s largest unions representing 120,000 members, and Setka was a dominant figure as Secretary for 12 years. His resignation is a “direct response” to “ongoing and relentless stories,” he says. In a statement, CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith said the union has “zero tolerance for criminality.”

Vale to 2 icons of the 80s/90s

The world has lost a couple of icons from the 80s/90s over the weekend, with the deaths of actor Shannen Doherty and fitness guru Richard Simmons. Doherty, the star of Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed, died from breast cancer aged 53, while American fitness guru Richard Simmons died at his home on Saturday. Fans of retro aerobic exercise shows would have clocked Simmons and his curly ‘fro bouncing across screens as he shared his passion for fitness on the Emmy-winning Richard Simmons Show from 1980-84, and later on his Sweatin’ to the Oldies videos. He was beloved by his fans for including guests with a wide array of body types in his videos to encourage all people to exercise. Away from the studio, he had a fascinating backstory that was partly documented on an investigative podcast. It’s worth jumping into…

Is it coming home?

The final of the UEFA European Football Championship – aka the Euros – is underway between England and Spain this morning – and as the second-biggest soccer event after the World Cup, it’s a big deal. Spain is the favourite after beating host nation Germany, and if they succeed, it will make them the most successful team ever with 4 Euro trophies. England is in a very different position having never won – they are desperate to make up for their loss on penalties last time around. Captain Harry Kane says he would “swap everything” for a win and if he does, it won’t just be footy fans celebrating… The new UK Government will be sworn in this week, so the country in a state of jubilation would certainly help get PM Keir Starmer to usher in a new era. He told the players, “Whatever happens … we are all behind you.” And giving them a royal cheer were Prince William and 10yo Prince George…

A change in the air at Wimbledon

In another sign there’s a changing of the guard happening in men’s tennis, one of the greats was dispatched overnight in the Wimbledon final in straight sets. Carlos Alcaraz took down Novak Djokovic in 2 ½ hours, earning the 21yo Spaniard his fourth grand slam title. That came after Czech player Barbora Krejčíková nabbed her first Wimbledon title on Saturday in the women’s singles final, beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-2 2-6 6-4. But not all the action was on the court… Princess Kate, with daughter Charlotte, was cheered by the crowd at the men’s singles final – in her second public appearance since she shared her cancer diagnosis. She wasn’t the only celeb in attendance – here’s a gallery of the who’s who (and their finery…) to scroll through while you chug a coffee…

We flagged this on Friday, but India’s mega-wedding between billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s youngest son Anant Ambani and heiress Radhika Merchant finally wrapped up yesterday. Here’s a photo gallery of the $1 billion+ months-long festivities…

Christmas fan Leanne Tippett has a nifty way of getting good value out of her $190,000 worth of decorations… The Hervey Bay local starts putting up her 30+ Christmas trees on 1 August and pulls everything down in February. At that point why wouldn’t you push through to August again? 

And if you are putting on a festive Christmas in July feast, then the humble Brussels sprout should feature heavily as it’s been recognised as our best-value veggie. Although we concede they haven’t always been universally loved…

5.00am (AEST) – Soccer: Euro 24 final, Spain v England – Berlin, and watch on Optus Sport

9.00am (AEST) – Baseball: Major League baseball draft with 21yo Aussie Travis Bazzana expected to make history by being picked in the first round – Fort Worth, Texas

10.00am (AEST) – CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness will hold a briefing about bird flu in Australia – online

8.00pm (AEST) – The Australian: 60 Years of News with Rupert Murdoch documentary premieres on Sky News 

Vic, NT and WA schools back for Term 3

The Republican National Convention to confirm the Republican presidential nominee gets underway (until 18 July) – Milwaukee, WI

Statehood Day in Ukraine

World Youth Skills Day 

Anniversary of:

• the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, which was the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs (1799)
• the birthdays of Rembrandt (1606) and Emmeline Pankhurst (1858)
• the founding of the Boeing Company (1916)
• Honky Chateau becoming Elton John’s first No. 1 album in the US (1972)
• the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana (1996)
• the murder of Gianni Versace in front of his home in Miami (1997)

Tuesday
2.00am (AEST) – Men’s basketball: Boomers v USA in a pre-Olympics friendly – UAE, and watch on Kayo