Squiz Today / 18 May 2018
Squiz Today – Friday, 18 May
SQUIZ SAYINGS
“An angry landscaper"
Apparently gave PM Malcolm Turnbull the finger at a pub in Brissie last night. One report says while the gentleman had a few drinks under his belt, the insult was sparked by Turnbull getting preferential treatment at the bar. Peak 'Straya?
GET US TO THE CHURCH ON TIME…
THE SQUIZ
To the reluctant, we’re sorry. But you’d have to be living on Mars if you didn’t see that the only story that will absorb the news agenda over the next few days is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. So here we go…
YEAH, YOU’RE RIGHT…
And look, we take the Emma Thompson approach to this. Which is the only time we’ll ever dare to compare ourselves to her… But to ensure you’re prepared, here are some talking points for tomorrow night:
• Russian state media won’t air the wedding because of strained relations between Moscow and London over the Sergei Skripal poisoning.
• But Americans are, like, super-keen on the whole thing.
• Here’s a cheat-sheet on Harry’s exes. Because it’s anticipated that Chelsy Davy will be at the wedding. Not because we’re awful people.
• The Markle family - a guide to who’s who. Because every family has at least one dreadful rellie...
• But in the end, it’s the dress we’re all waiting for. Markle’s personal style has its followers. But in anticipation of her big moment, here’s a look back on royal wedding dresses past.
SO HOW CAN I WATCH/AVOID IT ON SATURDAY?
Coverage is kicking off from 7pm on Saturday night (AEST). But the ceremony is a 9pm start - a good rundown of the timings is here. On free-to-air TV, you can take your pick from hosts:
ABC – Annabel Crabb and Jeremy Fernandez
Nine – Georgie Gardner and Karl Stefanovic
SBS – Myf Warhurst, Joel Creasey and Ray Martin
Seven – Mel Doyle and Michael Usher
Ten – It's dialled 000 and is going with UK emergency services docu-series Ambulance
Good luck, commoners. And be on the lookout for some horrible/posh hats.
SQUIZ THE REST
DOWNER’S FBI INTERVIEW
Our very own former Foreign Affairs Minister and Ambassador to London Alexander Downer has found himself back at the centre of things. Specifically, there’s renewed interest in the boozy night out with former Trump adviser George Papadopoulos where it's understood he heard something about the campaign's links to Russia. The New York Times reports that Downer's subsequent interview with the FBI – an operation subtly codenamed 'Crossfire Hurricane' – was top secret and highly unusual. And it was the probable starting point for what has become a full-blown special counsel investigation into matters that continue to rock US politics. Don't we just love getting involved in big international events...
CONDITIONS TIGHTENED FOR LIVE SHEEP EXPORTS
A review released yesterday by Agriculture Minister David Littleproud will see penalties increased for incidents of animal cruelty. Errant live export company directors will receive fines of up to $2.1 million or 10 years jail if found to be benefiting from any misconduct. The number of sheep allowed onboard will also be reduced. And independent observers will be onboard all sheep and cattle shipments and will report to an independent regulator. Which means that for now, the live sheep export trade continues. The Farmers' Federation welcomed the findings, animal welfare bodies were disappointed and Labor said it still intends to pursue the transition to a ban.
MORE JOBS ADDED
In fact, the Turnbull Government reached a major goal yesterday. A million jobs have been created since the Coalition won office in 2013. And 420,000 of those jobs were created in last 12 months. Official numbers out yesterday put unemployment up a tick to 5.6% due to the increased participation rate, but 22,000 net new jobs were created in April. PM Malcolm Turnbull will hope it helps him to keep his job when he faces a big performance review – an election – in the next year or so.
FORMER PM’S PROPERTIES SEARCHES
Five properties linked to ousted Malaysian PM Najib Razak were searched yesterday by authorities looking for evidence of money laundering. Once the protégé of Mahathir Mohamad, Najib denies any wrongdoing. But Mahathir, the 92yo former PM who won last week’s election, has said there is enough evidence to link Najib to the huge amounts of money that went missing from state fund 1MDB. In as good a place as any to start searching, police seized a number of handbags from Najib’s residence.
EXPLOSIVE END TO THE WEEK
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is not done yet. It’s had another major explosion, this time sending ash more than 9km into the sky. It was anticipated and anyone close had been told to get out of the way ahead of time. Since the eruption started two weeks ago on the Big Island, dozens of homes have been lost to lava but thankfully there have been no deaths or major injuries.
FRIDAY LITES – THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
We’re fond of Tabasco sauce because it reminds us of the roast chook mum made when we were kids. Coat the skin with a good dose about 15 minutes from finishing and it’s better than finger lickin’ good. So our hearts raced when we saw a new ‘diamond reserve’ edition coming out to celebrate McIlhenny Co’s 150th anniversary. Fancy.
What you should be wearing this coming spring based on your star sign. Oh, we laughed. But if you can look past the US$390 Calvin Klein rubber gloves, there are some pretty nice things.
And drumroll.... We've been putting the finishing touches on a Squiz Today Podcast. If the tech gods are smiling on us, we'll be all systems go from Monday morning. We're not even slightly nervous (read: we're totally nervous…). Listen to our teaser here.
SQUIZ THE DAY
Friday
Saturday
9.00pm (AEST) - Prince Harry's marriage to American actress Meghan Markle
Anniversary of the beheading of Anne Boleyn (1536)
Sunday
Venezuelan presidential election
Restoration of Independence Day - East Timor
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