Squiz Today – 5 March 2024

The Squiz

Super Tuesday – the biggest date on the US presidential primaries calendar – is almost upon us… It’s the day when the party faithful in 15 US states and one territory pick who they want to see representing the Democrats and Republicans in the 5 November election. Democratic President Joe Biden and former president/Republican Donald Trump are the clear frontrunners for their respective parties – there are other contenders who are still in the running, but none are looking likely to knock them off course. 

What do I need to know?

We’ll start with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley – she’s the last serious Republican hopeful contesting Trump for the party’s presidential nomination. When she entered the Republican primaries, some thought she would be a strong contender against Trump, but her results – including in her home state – haven’t put her in the running. There’s growing speculation that she’ll follow other hopefuls in dropping out of the race after Super Tuesday. On Sunday, reporters went a step further – asking if she would consider endorsing Trump if he wins the Republican nomination… Her response was that she has “serious concerns about Donald Trump”, but that she has “even more concerns about Joe Biden”. She says that “as long as we are competitive … I’m going to continue to fight”.

What about Trump and Biden?

Well Trump’s only lost one primary contest so far, while Biden’s undefeated – and analysts expect these votes will cement their face-off later this year. There’s a bit to get through before then, though… Last night, the US Supreme Court unanimously overruled the states who wanted to strike Trump off the ballot for his part in the 6 January riots on the Capitol in 2021, meaning he’s still eligible to run for president. Biden’s also got problems, with a new survey showing his disapproval rating has reached a new high with 24% of voters believing the US is heading in the right direction under his leadership. And there’s a long way to go for the “double haters” – aka voters who disapprove of both Biden and Trump… Pollsters point out that the number of Americans who fall into that category is significant.

Harris calls out Hamas and Israel

Speaking of US politics… Vice President Kamala Harris has reiterated the Biden administration’s calls for an “immediate ceasefire” given the “immense scale of suffering in Gaza”. She’s called on Hamas to agree to the “deal on the table” that would see a 6-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. Reports say Hamas is holding out for a permanent ceasefire. Harris also says Israel’s government must “significantly increase the flow of aid” with “no excuses” to the war-torn region. The Veep says the people of Gaza need “immediate relief” from the “devastating” lack of food, which has left some with nothing to eat except “leaves or animal feed”. Reports suggest Harris’ unusually blunt comments reflect America’s growing frustration with the war, which has hurt Biden’s popularity in the run-up to the election.

Wong’s warning at ASEAN

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has issued a stark warning about the possibility of conflict in our region, saying it would be “devastating to our communities and economies”, likening it to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking at the ASEAN-Australia special summit in Melbourne yesterday, Wong said Southeast Asian nations are dealing with “destabilising, provocative and coercive actions” including “militarisation of disputed features”. Wong didn’t name names, but umm hello it’s been interpreted as a dig at China given it’s engaged in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Wong made the comments as she announced over $280 million in funding to boost maritime security and protection. And today, PM Anthony Albanese will pledge $2 billion for Aussie companies to promote green energy and building projects in the region.

A new search for answers

As families of those lost on Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 gather in Kuala Lumpur to commemorate 10 years since the aircraft went missing, Malaysia’s government looks set to resume the hunt, saying they’re “committed to justice and the search must go on”. The flight from KL to Beijing vanished from the air traffic radar on 8 March 2014 with 227 passengers (including 7 Aussies/residents) and 12 crew onboard. Despite the world’s largest-ever search for the aircraft, it has never been found… Oz and Malaysia co-funded the $180 million underwater investigation that ended in January 2017 following our nearly 3-year search scouring 120,000km2 in the southern Indian Ocean. Now, US company Ocean Infinity has submitted a proposal for a 15,000km2 search on a “no-find, no-fee” basis after a 2018 attempt failed. The families of those onboard say answers are needed.

Running out of royals

They’ve had a rough run lately with King Charles’ cancer diagnosis and Princess Kate’s mystery abdominal surgery forcing both them and Prince William to step back – and now it’s Queen Camilla’s turn to take a break… Since her husband’s illness was revealed last month, Camilla has attended numerous engagements on his behalf, forcing her to find ”reserves of energy that even she didn’t think she had”. The 76yo is putting her feet up until 11 March, meaning it’s up to Princess Anne and Prince Edward to pick up the slack. Despite the royals’ troubles, Charles and Camilla’s tour down under will still go ahead this year. PM Anthony Albanese says he’s making plans for the visit, which NSW Premier Chris Minns hopes will include the NRL grand final. Can you imagine… 

Feeling down-beet over a BBQ staple…

Sliced beetroot on your hamburger is fab, but you might have already noticed the shelves look a bit bare (and a PSA if you haven’t…). Australia’s facing a canned beetroot shortage linked to producer Golden Circle moving much of its beetroot operations to New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay last year – just in time for Cyclone Gabrielle to wreck the region. Aussie farmers say they could have covered the shortfall, but weren’t told in time to plant extra crops. A spokesperson for Heinz, which owns Golden Circle, says canned beetroot “will be back in store in the next few weeks, building to normal supply over the ensuing months”. But in more concerning news for Aussie burger devotees, there are also questions about plans for the company’s other Aussie facilities – particularly its Brisbane pineapple cannery… How much can a koala bear? 

A fluffy brown and white rodent is stealing hearts on the internet after RSPCA officers were called to rescue the guinea pig abandoned in an East London tube station. He’s been given a clean bill of health and a snazzy new name – DiscoPig…

Flower girls often steal the show at weddings, but a pair of nonnas, dubbed the ‘Flower Grannies’, have become social media starlets after a video of them walking down the aisle – and chattering the whole way – at their grandkids’ wedding went viral. Bless… 

Given that food and TV are two of our favourite things, we couldn’t go past this article about TikTok chefs recreating famous recipes from top shows and movies. Our pick has to be the blue soup from Bridget Jones’ disastrous dinner party…

Democrats Abroad voting opens for the 2024 presidential primary (until 12 March)

International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness 

A birthday for Aasif Mandvi (1966) and Eva Mendez (1974)

Anniversary of:

• birthdays for instant noodle inventor Momofuku Ando (1910) and singer/Bee Gee brother Andy Gibb (1958)

• the deaths of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (1953) and singer Patsy Cline (1963)

• British PM Winston Churchill’s famous ‘Iron Curtain’ speech (1946)

• the ratification of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) (1970)

• Bob Hawke becoming PM (1983)

Wednesday:  
2.00am (AEDT) – Super Tuesday for the 2024 presidential primary – 16 states will be voting