Squiz Today – Tuesday, 21 September

THE SQUIZ
If you looked at an American news site in the last 24 hours, chances are you saw something about the possible death of a social media influencer – and that continues this morning. That’s because yesterday authorities said they believe they have found the body of 22yo Gabby Petito in a National Park in Wyoming. At the end of last month, she went missing while on a cross-country van trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie. He returned to Florida without her, refused to speak with police, and has gone to ground. The body’s identity is yet to be confirmed, and the FBI said a cause of death has yet to be determined.

BACK IT UP A BIT…
Petito and Laundrie were travelling the country together in a van, documenting their idyllic adventures in a YouTube series called ‘VAN LIFE’ for thousands of subscribers. But after a month of travelling, Laundrie returned home to Florida on 1 September with their van – but without Petito. After not being able to get in touch with her, Petito’s family reported her missing on 11 September, and Laundrie was labelled a person of interest in her disappearance. He refused to speak to authorities and disappeared last week. Also coming to light was footage from Utah police who pulled the couple’s van over in mid-August. Officers described them as having “engaged in some sort of altercation”.

SO, WHAT NOW?
Police are still searching for answers… and Laundrie. They say the public’s response has been “remarkable” with the case blowing up on social media and people coming forward with tips. On TikTok, the #gabbypetito hashtag has been viewed more than 212 million times, and users have been posting updates and sharing new theories around the clock. As for Petito’s family, a representative thanked authorities for their “tireless work and determination” to find her. Petito’s father yesterday said his daughter “touched the world”.

Pfizer to give little kids a shot

• Pharma giant Pfizer says its COVID vaccine is safe and highly effective for kids aged 5-11yo. It plans on making applications for regulatory approval for use in the US by the end of the month. So far, there’s no word on when an application will be made to Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, but it’ll be welcome news for many parents.

• Speaking of progress, the US is easing travel restrictions to re-open to passengers from the UK, EU and other nations – if they are fully vaccinated. The surprise announcement sent northern hemisphere airlines’ share prices soaring… Aussies with a travel exemption have been able to enter the US with a negative test.

• Construction in metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas has been shut down for a fortnight by the Andrews Government after “widespread non-compliance” with COVID safety rules. Recent violent protests, including yesterday at the construction union’s head office, prompted the shutdown, and more protests are expected today.

Putin’s popularity drops as Pacquiao enters the presidential ring

No, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao isn’t taking on Russian President Vladimir Putin, but hold that thought… Starting with Russia, official results give a win to Putin’s United Russia party in the country’s parliamentary election despite a drop in support. With 98% of ballots counted, officials say United Russia has nearly 50% of the vote – about 6% down on last time. There are allegations of large-scale vote-rigging to consider, and analysts say falling living standards, allegations of corruption, and the jailing of critic Alexei Navalny are factors behind falling support for Putin. Meanwhile in the Philippines, former boxing world champ/senator Manny Pacquiao has announced his candidacy for president in the country’s 2022 elections. He’s a popular figure who has pledged to campaign against poverty and corruption, but he will face an uphill battle to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte’s successor, whoever that might be…

A hero found guilty of terror charges

Paul Rusesabagina – the bloke who was portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film Hotel Rwanda – has been sentenced to 25 years for terrorism by a court in Rwanda. To recap: Rusesabagina was credited with saving the lives of more than 1,200 people from the country’s 1994 genocide. It was one of the world’s worst atrocities as 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered by Hutu extremists in 100 days. Last year, the Rwandan Government was accused of kidnapping Rusesabagina after he was lured from his home in the US and arrested on terror charges. And overnight, it was confirmed that he has been found guilty of backing a rebel group behind deadly anti-government attacks in 2018 and 2019. American officials say they are concerned, and his family have called the trial a sham. At 67yo, they say it “is just like a life sentence”.

Dementia cases set to double by 2058

That’s according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which yesterday released its first major report on the disease since 2012. With more than 400,000 Aussies estimated to be living with dementia, that number is expected to jump to 850,000 by 2058 as Australia’s population ages – that is, unless a major treatment or cure is found. It poses a significant economic and social challenge with dementia costing the economy about $3 billion every year. And for patients receiving care at home, the report found some 337,200 Aussies provide unpaid care, usually at their own expense. It’s also a huge problem for Indigenous communities in remote or regional areas where dementia rates are among the highest in the world. All that’s on top of the emotional toll the disease takes on patients and their families. Bring on those treatments/cures…

Taking the crown

Yesterday’s 73rd Emmy Awards had a little something for everyone: tearful speeches, Rita Wilson rapping, and all the red carpet glitz and glam. Sticking to the script, favourites Ted Lasso, The Queen’s Gambit, and Mare of Easttown took home top honours. But it was The Crown that was dealt a royal flush in the drama categories. Olivia Colman (QEII), Josh O’Connor (Charles), Gillian Anderson (Maggie T) and Tobias Menzies (Philip) took out the dramatic acting awards. The show was also named best drama for the first time – a milestone for Netflix which led the scoreboard with 44 awards. Also winning big was Vegas comedy Hacks with Jean Smart landing the comedy actress gong and Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis taking it out for the blokes. It was one of the several occasions the audience winced at the “Yeeeah” theme song intro…

It might not be the right time to swoon over the French, but a 27yo local has walked a highline from the Eiffel Tower across the River Seine. And he did it while looking impossibly chic in a Breton top and jeans. Show off…

Sticking with France, and when a right-wing political journalist began talking about people having “un-French” names, some scallywag created a satirical website to find out if your name is French enough. The Squiz = Thibault [insert shrugging lady emoji].  

Remember Rhonda and Ketut? They’re back on our screens after “almost a decade to raise their three kids away from the prying eyes of the media”. Like a sunrise…

11.05am (AEST) – Women’s ODI Cricket – Australia v India – Mackay

International Day of Peace

World Alzheimer’s Day

National days for Armenia, Belize and Malta

Birthdays for author Stephen King (1947), actor Bill Murray (1950), Japanese PM Shinzō Abe (1954), former PM Kevin Rudd (1957), actor Billy Porter (1969) and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher (1972)

Anniversary of:
• the passing of a proclamation announcing the formal abolition of the French monarchy during the French Revolution (1792)
• the publication of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit (1937)
• the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China by the Chinese Communist Party (1949)
• the publication of a genomic study finding Indigenous Australians are the oldest known civilisation on earth in Nature (2016)

Wednesday
4.00am (AEST) – Women’s Soccer – Matildas v Ireland – Dublin