Squiz Today – Tuesday, 31 July

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“We're all doing really well and have absolutely no routine to speak of.”

Kiwi PM Jacinda Ardern is heading back to work this week following the birth of baby daughter Neve six weeks ago. A little bub with no routine? Ardern says parents get the joke. Her day job’s probably easier…

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MH370 REPORT LEAVES QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

THE SQUIZ
The Malaysian government has released a highly anticipated report into the disappearance of MH370. The investigation confirmed the flight deviated from its flight path after the plane was switched to manual control, and investigators say they can’t rule out the plane disappeared following “interference” from a “third party”. There were also failings identified in air traffic control’s monitoring of the flight which delayed the search. But there were no firm answers on what caused the tragedy.

BACK IT UP A BIT…
The Malaysian Airlines plane disappeared in March 2014 with 239 people on board, including six Australians, on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Only three confirmed fragments have been found despite searching a 120,000-square km zone of the Indian Ocean. The Aussie-led hunt, the largest in aviation history, ended last year. And a search by a US exploration firm this year was called off after failing to locate the plane. It remains modern aviation’s greatest mystery.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Sadly, the questions families and friends have about what happened to their loved ones will remain unanswered for the foreseeable future. Malaysia’s new government has pledged transparency. But as far as Kok Soo Chon, head of the investigation team, is concerned; "Our work is done, we have released the report." But a final report would be issued if/when the plane and victims are found. Let's hope it's when…

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SQUIZ THE REST

ARCHBISHOP WILSON RESIGNS
Philip Wilson has been under pressure to leave his job as Archbishop of Adelaide since allegations surfaced in 2010 that he concealed abuse that occurred while he was a priest in the 1980s. The pressure intensified since his conviction in May, including reports that PM Malcolm Turnbull appealed to the Vatican for him to go. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said Wilson had to resign because to stay would “continue to cause pain and distress to many”. Wilson said he was not asked to resign. "I had hoped to defer this decision until after the appeal process had been completed,” he said.

RAIDS DEVELOPMENT ADDS TO A ROUGH WEEK
And it's only Tuesday... There was more trouble for Team Turnbull yesterday with reports that the Federal Police have referred its investigation into Employment Minister Michaelia Cash's office to Commonwealth Prosecutors. The AFP was investigating a tip-off to journalists by Cash's media adviser about an AFP raid to seize documents on donations made to GetUp! and Labor candidates when Bill Shorten was head of the AWU. The question now is whether charges will be laid.

TURNBULL SHUFFLE
The PM has a new chief-of-staff with former editor of The Australian Clive Mathieson taking the reins as the government’s top staffer. Tough/big gig with an election less than a year away… Mathieson served in senior roles with NSW Premiers Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian before joining the PMO. Long-time senior bureaucrat and outgoing COS Peter Woolcott scored a soft landing with his appointment as the Australian Public Service Commissioner. Now, what to do about corporate tax cuts?

FOUR MILLION RISK LOSING INDIAN CITIZENSHIP
Four million people could be deported from India after a list was published by the government of those who have evidence that they arrived in its north-eastern state of Assam before 24 March 1971. That’s the day Bangladesh separated from Pakistan and became an independent state prompting a flood of refugees into neighbouring India. Those without evidence are under threat of deportation and could be made stateless. Critics say the Indian government is cracking down on ethnic minorities in the lead up to next year’s election. The government says it will not banish anyone imminently and that there will be an appeal process.

HIKERS TRAPPED AFTER LOMBOK EARTHQUAKE
Don’t worry, we’re not building to a Thai cave style saga (we hope…). More than 500 hikers from around the globe were stuck on Lombok’s Mount Rinjani after landslides from the weekend's earthquake made it impossible for them to make their way down. Food has been airdropped, and authorities say they are making progress on getting them down. Some hikers have minor injuries.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN
How’s this for a 100th birthday present? Buying the company you helped set up back in 1930. It’s a big ol’ happy birthday to John Johnston, the new owner of vacuum retailer Godfreys (paywall). At the tender age of 99yo, Johnston launched a takeover bid in April for the company he helped found. He will celebrate his birthday today by finalising the deal. Congrats to him and anyone who refuses to act their age.

GROSSEST THING EVER
There’s no sugarcoating this – it’s mayonnaise ice cream. “Not as eggy as you’d expect, in fact quite creamy and sweet" or wrong.com. You decide. (PS the answer is it's very wrong...)

SQUIZ THE DAY

ABS Data Release - Building Approvals, Australia, June

World Ranger Day

One for the high school history buffs - Anniversary of Germany's adoption of the Weimar Constitution (1919)