Squiz Today – Monday, 10 October

THE SQUIZ
Ukraine is thought to be behind Saturday’s blast on the Kerch Strait Bridge that links the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula to mainland Russia. According to reports, 3 people were killed when an explosion brought down sections of the roadway and damaged a section of the railway of the major artery used by Russian forces in Ukraine’s south. And while parts of the bridge reopened a few hours after the explosion, it’s seen as a major embarrassment – and an unwanted 70th birthday gift – for Russian President Vladimir Putin. This morning, he’s called the attack an “act of terrorism”.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
Three things to note:

• At 19km, it’s Europe’s longest bridge and was hailed by Russian media as “the construction of the century” when Putin opened it in 2018 at the cost of $4.7 billion. At the ceremony, he drove an orange dump truck across a portion of the bridge and called the project a “miracle”.

• There’s some recent history to understand… The Crimean Peninsula was illegally seized by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, and commentators say it’s hard to exaggerate the significance/symbolism of setting it on fire. Officials in Ukraine aren’t claiming responsibility, but the government issued the 2-word Twitter response: “Sick burn.”

• But it’s more than symbolic. If the bridge was seriously damaged, it would have a huge effect on Russia’s ability to fight the war in southern Ukraine, where its just annexed 2 more regions. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have been pushing Russian troops back in those areas using Western weapons.

SO PUTIN’S UNDER PRESSURE?
That’s what the experts say. Russian officials have previously said the bridge was well protected from threats, but Putin’s ‘crown jewel’ was vulnerable to attack leading his supporters to call for strong retaliation. Coming amid a string of recent Russian battlefield failures and a reshuffle of top commanders, Maria Snegovaya from Georgetown Uni says the explosion is “essentially just another confirmation” that the challenge in Ukraine “is unlike anything Putin’s regime has faced over pretty much all of its duration.” No doubt Putin will be hoping his new commander sorts things out… As for Russia’s response, missile strikes on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia have increased. Overnight, 13 people were killed and dozens more were wounded when several residential buildings were destroyed.

No relief in sight for flooded NSW

As expected, heavy rain fell across the weekend, leaving thousands of New South Welshpeople to deal with rising waters as more than 100 warnings and evacuation orders were issued from Sydney’s northwest to the Riverina and Central West. Downpours of 40-50mm were recorded across the state, with some receiving heavier falls. That’s upped the river levels around the regional centres of Dubbo and Wagga. Coastal areas were also drenched from the Hunter to the Illawarra. Emergency services received more than 650 calls for help, and the Defence Force was brought in to deal with complex evacuations. Despite a drier Sunday, residents have been not to become complacent with another front expected to sweep through the state from Wednesday. Yikes…

Mass funerals in Thailand

Hundreds of people have gathered at temples in northeastern Thailand to mourn for 24 children aged between 2-5yo killed by a former policeman on Thursday. Thirty-six people were killed, and reports say that one 3yo girl survived the attack on the childcare centre. The attacker, 34yo Panya Khamrap, took his own life – he was facing trial for alleged drug use that saw him kicked off the police force. His motive remains unknown, but police say it was due to “constant stress”. Officers have interviewed 180 people since the massacre after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told them to “fast-track” the investigation. Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has visited the wounded, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the ”evil incident”.

Iran’s protests continue

Widespread protests have entered the 4th week following the death of 22yo Mahsa Amini. She was arrested by morality police for breaching Iran’s strict dress code for women and died in custody. While the coronial report blamed pre-existing medical conditions, supporters say she was beaten to death. A violent crackdown by authorities has seen 185 people killed, but thousands continue to rally against the regime, including female university students in Tehran who chanted “get lost” when President Ebrahim Raisi visited their campus on Saturday and recited a poem equating “rioters” with flies. Iran’s state-run TV was also hacked live on air when a news bulletin was interrupted by an image of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei surrounded by flames and a target on his head. Iran’s government has accused the protests of doing the work of the nation’s enemies, including the United States.

Sporting hatches and dispatches

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal and his wife Mery Perello have welcomed their first child, according to reports. The famously private pair have not shared any details, including whether recently retired mate Roger Federer – who has 2 sets of twins – is on tap for advice…

A highly anticipated equine birth happened on Saturday as Winx delivered a “healthy” filly foal. After losing her first foal in 2020, her owners and stud managers say they are delighted. Winx was bought as a youngster for $230,000, and her offspring are set to be sold for more than $1 million.

And departing Formula 1 – for now – is Aussie driver Daniel Ricciardo. Since he was dumped by McLaren in August for Aussie newcomer Oscar Piastri, he’s been unable to secure a seat with his preferred teams. “I think it’s now just trying to set up for ’24,” he said yesterday. He finished 11th in yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix – just out of the points again – as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won his 2nd consecutive world drivers’ championship.

That’s not right, said Fred

While Beyoncé says her newish album Renaissance is “a beautiful journey of exploration” and “a place to scream, release, feel freedom”, 90s British pop band Right Said Fred says she’s trampled all over their artistic rights. It comes down to the track Alien Superstar, which features a riff similar to one in their hit I’m Too Sexy. Now, Beyoncé credited Fred and Richard Fairbrass as songwriters on her track – and her team say that not only did the brothers give their permission, but they were also paid for it. Not true, they say. “Normally the artist approaches us, but Beyoncé didn’t because she is such an arrogant person she just had probably thought ‘come and get me’,” the band said. That’s led to confusion because they acknowledged the songwriting credit back in July… Fun fact: Taylor Swift’s Look What You Made Me Do also credits the iconic song.

In the neverending pursuit of youth, Red Kangaroo Paw has become the latest must-have ingredient for vegan-friendly/face-firming creams after a molecular biologist found the plant could reduce wrinkles. Excuse us while we hop on down to the garden centre…

For many farmers, a dog is an essential worker with livestock. And now it’s hoped special training could see our four-legged friends sniff out canegrubs, which cost the sugar industry millions each year. It’s early days, but trainers have already seen pawsome results…

And Aussie biologists have joined forces with a space startup and hope to be able to grow plants for food, medicine and oxygen on the moon within 4 years. They say one small step for vegetation could be one giant leap for human lunar colonisation…

12.30pm (AEDT) – Former Justice of the UK Supreme Court, Lord Jonathan Sumption, addresses the National Press Club – Canberra

8.45pm (AEDT) – Nobel Prize for Economic Science announced

Taiwan’s National Day

Fiji Day, marking the anniversary of its independence from the UK (1970)

Party Foundation Day in North Korea, marking the anniversary of foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea

Columbus Day in the US, marking the anniversary of the explorers’ first arrival to the Americas in 1492

ABS Data Release – Monthly Business Turnover Indicator, August

World Mental Health Day

Start of Foot Health Week (until 16 October)

World Homeless Day

Start of Melbourne Fashion Week (until 16 October)

World Porridge Day

Birthdays for author Nora Roberts (1950) and rocker David Lee Roth (1954)

Anniversary of:
• the first dinner jacket (tuxedo) being worn to an autumn ball at Tuxedo Park, NY (1886)
• the formation of the Women’s Social and Political Union by Emmeline Pankhurst to fight for women’s rights in Britain (1903)
• the release of the Beach Boys’ Good Vibrations (1966)
• the deaths of Abel Tasman (1659), Orson Welles (1985), Yul Brynner (1985), Christopher Reeve (2004), Dame Joan Sutherland (2010)