It’s been 2 weeks since we last Squized, so this is as much for us as it is for you…

Tragedy on the Goldie – Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes and Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros died in a horror mid-air collision. Tadros’s 10yo son Nicholas, Victorian Winnie de Silva and her 9yo son Leon were critically injured, and they remain in hospital. The helicopters plunged into a sandbank in the Gold Coast’s Southport Broadwater, and officials are settling in for a lengthy investigation.

Testing times – Australia joined the US, Japan, India and Italy in requiring travellers from China to produce a negative COVID-19 test before flying following the surge of cases in the country. The Albanese Government made the call despite Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly’s view that restrictions on Chinese travellers are unnecessary – and you’d better believe the Coalition and Chinese Government weren’t impressed…

Aiming far – The Albanese Government won’t say how much it will cost, but the Aussie Army has agreed to purchase the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMARS) system for delivery in 2026. They are nimble and have super long-range strike capability, and they’re being used to great effect by Ukrainian forces in their war against Russia.

On the up after COVID – Treasurer Jim Chalmers released the federal government’s latest population update, and long story short, we’ll hit 30 million in 2031 – 2 years later than predicted. That’s because COVID meant a dive in immigration and a fall in birth rates. And fanning the flames of the Sydney v Melbourne feud, the southern capital is set to be Australia’s most populous city within the decade.

Fifteenth time’s the charm – Federal senators and members went to Washington DC to take their places following last year’s midterm elections – and it wasn’t smooth sailing for picking the leader of the House of Representatives… Republicans struggled to select Kevin McCarthy as the speaker, with right-aligned members creating chaos during a historic 15 rounds of voting. It’s notable because the position is essential in America’s national government.

A change in outlook – You might want to spend some time early this year strengthening your core and neck muscles to protect yourself against whiplash… Meteorologists say La Niña – the climate driver that’s brought oodles of rain and cool temperatures to eastern Australia over the last 3 years – could switch to an El Niño event bringing drier/hotter conditions later this year.

Renner run-over – Hollywood star Jeremy Renner was crushed by a snowplow on New Year’s Day near his Nevada home – reports say he was lucky to survive after he suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries when the machine rolled over him while he wasn’t in the driver’s seat. What a way to spend your 52nd birthday…

Vale to…

• Pope Francis, 120 cardinals, 400 bishops and nearly 4,000 priests joined the 50,000-strong group of mourners for Pope Emeritus Benedict’s funeral. The 95yo German formerly known as Joseph Ratzinger died on New Year’s Eve – he was the first pope to retire in 600 years.

• Beloved Brazilian soccer superstar Pelé died at 82yo. He was remembered as a “transformative figure in 20th-century sports who achieved a level of global celebrity few athletes have known.’

• Legendary US TV journalist Barbara Walters died at 93yo. During her decades-long career, she was the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program, and she was remembered by everyone from Hugh Jackman to Oprah as a trailblazer.

• Fashion innovator Vivienne Westwood died at 81yo. Remembered as a woman “who shaped how we wear and what we wore”, her friends and industry insiders say her legacy will be her commitment to environmental sustainability.