Squiz Today / 30 June 2017

Squiz Today – Friday, 30 June

SQUIZ SAYINGS

"elephants in kenya. so hard to photograph but incredible to see”

Victoria and David Beckham’s 18yo son Brooklyn has just had a book of photos published. A keen photographer since he was 14yo, Brooklyn’s efforts have attracted plenty of attention for the book’s interpretive approach to photography and whimsical commentary. Social media lit up to provide some wonderfully helpful tips for Brooklyn on his elephant snap fail. Everyone’s a critic…


CARDINAL PELL CHARGED WITH SEX OFFENCES

THE SQUIZ
Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic Cardinal George Pell has been charged by Victorian Police with multiple historical child sex abuse offences alleged by multiple complainants.  It’s understood many of the charges relate to his time as a priest in Ballarat in the 1970s. Victoria Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton did not confirm details of the charges but said the decision to proceed was made by police after an extensive investigation. Cardinal Pell said; “I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”

REMIND ME HOW WE GOT HERE…
Seventy-six-year-old Pell is a Vatican bigwig. He is the third most senior person in the Vatican where he’s in charge of the finances - a role he’s had since 2014. His vocation started as a parish priest in the Diocese of Ballarat, which has been subject to hundreds of claims of child abuse from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Pell is a divisive figure and has been criticised on many fronts for his handling of abuse claims. He was responsible for implementing the ‘Melbourne Response’ – a compensation program for victims that was capped at $50,000. Pell fronted the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse from Rome after his doctors deemed him unfit to travel. This drew loud criticism from victims and their families. Pell said yesterday that the charges relate to claims police have been investigating for the last two years.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Experts say we’re in uncharted territory. Pell is the most senior Catholic in the world to have ever been charged with sexual assault offences. So there’s that. But in terms of process, Pell has been given leave from his Vatican job by the Pope and says he is talking to his doctors about returning to Australia to answer the charges. Media yesterday were quick to point out that Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican, meaning he could avoid prosecution should he choose not to return to Victoria. But Pell says he is looking forward to his day in court. Pell is required to be present in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 18 July.


SQUIZ THE REST

OZ URGED TO JOIN REGIONAL FIGHT AGAINST IS
The ABC last night reported that the head of the US Pacific Command Lieutenant General David Berger has urged Australia to join the fight against Islamic State in south-east Asia. He warned again complacency about the spread of extremist Islam in our region, already evidenced by the battle between the Philippines government and IS in Marawi. We have already committed to helping the Philippines with surveillance of IS via RAAF spy planes. Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral David Johnston gave a textbook response - he said a request for help hadn’t been made and it was a "question for government".

TRUMP ATTACKS TALK SHOW HOST
US President Donald Trump has had a big day on the twitters again - this time he's called talk show host Mika Brzezinski "low I.Q. crazy" and said she wanted to hang out with him over the new year when she was "bleeding badly from a face-lift." Trump's spokeswoman says the attack was justified as MSNBC's Morning Joe, the program Brzezinski co-hosts, hasn't had much good to say about the Prez of late. We think this episode is designed to make us feel better about our week in politics...

MT GAMBIER PLANE CRASH AN ANGEL FLIGHT
Authorities yesterday confirmed that the plane crash at Suttontown near Mt Gambier on Wednesday was an Angel Flight. Killed in the crash were Emily Redding (16yo), her mother Tracy Redding (43yo) and pilot Grant Gilbert (78yo). The flight was transporting Emily from Mt Gambier to Adelaide for treatment for an eating disorder. Conditions on the day were wet and foggy, but authorities said they have not yet determined the cause of the crash. The pilot was very experienced and lauded as a great community man.

NEWS ORGANISATIONS ENTER MORTGAGE BROKING
Fairfax and News Corp have both announced a move into mortgage broking through their property advertising businesses. Fairfax’s real estate division Domain has formed a joint venture with broking business Lendi. And REA, the News Corp-backed business anchored by realestate.com.au, announced it had taken an 80% stake in mortgage broker Smartline. It’s tough going for mainstream media to make a buck so they're trying to innovate and stay afloat by moving into profitable ‘adjacencies’.

PAYNE SUSPENDED FOR ONE MONTH
Star jockey Michelle Payne has been suspended from riding for a month after pleading guilty to taking a banned appetite suppressant. The charge stems from a positive drug test almost three weeks ago. Her bad fall last year left her with a split pancreas (ouch!), a condition her medical report said leaves her hungry – not ideal when you’re a jockey. Payne said she took full responsibility and was embarrassed. She’ll be clear to ride again from 21 July. We still love you, Mish!

FRIDAY LITES – THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
Shoe magician Christian Louboutin has a nude range of shoes that you can match to your skin colour. Amazing. Because as they say; “Nude is not a colour; it’s a concept.” We feel you, Christian. Click through the US site if prompted...

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. What did we ever do on trains/at bus stops/in elevators/waiting anywhere before then? This article goes back into its invention and how cranky genius Steve Jobs started its development (we won’t ruin the story, but it’s a cracker).

You might have gathered that we’re carbs-over-kilometres type people – but we’ve made a new financial year’s resolution (starts tomorrow – eek!) to up the daily steps. This article about the benefits of exercise beyond the physiological is a good motivator.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Friday

End of the Financial Year - party like you're an accountant

ABS Data Release - Private Hospitals 2015-16

Red Nose Day

International Asteroid Day

20th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the UK to China

Saturday

Start of the Tour de France (on until 23 July)

Sunday

2.00pm (AEST) Boxing - Australia's Jeff Horn v Philippines' Manny Pacquiao, Brisbane

7.30pm (AEST) Women's Cricket World Cup - Australia v New Zealand, Bristol

One year since the last federal election

World UFO Day

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