Squiz Today / 27 September 2019

Squiz Today – Friday, 27 September

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“I'm so excited..."

And she just can't hide it... Princess Beatrice is engaged. And her multi-millionaire fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi is off to a great Instagram start...

VAPING BOSS STEPS DOWN

THE SQUIZ
Juul Labs, America’s biggest e-cigarette company, lost its boss Kevin Burns on Wednesday (US time) with the regulators’ caravans circling and concerns over a growing number of vaping-related deaths. A multi-billion-dollar company, Juul has often been criticised for targeting the youth market with its flavoured pods that are heavy on nicotine.

BACK IT UP A BIT
Juul has been at the forefront of the massive uptake of vaping in America. Pitched as a safer form of smoking that could help smokers quit traditional cigarettes, Juul’s brand of e-cigarettes command about 70% of the market. But it’s the uptake by kids that has regulators and health officials worried. Reports say 20% of high school seniors in America have taken up the habit compared to 3% of adults. The incoming CEO, big tobacco executive KC Crosthwaite, said “unacceptable levels of youth usage” was “eroding public confidence in our industry”. The US Food and Drug Administration is looking at banning all flavoured e-cigarettes. Products containing liquid nicotine, like Juul, are effectively banned in Australia.

AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE VAPING DEATHS?
In recent months there have been nine US deaths linked to vaping and e-cigarettes, and officials say that as of mid-September, there have been 530 cases of lung injury associated with those products. No one company or vaping product has been held responsible for the deaths and injuries, and officials are struggling to figure out the exact cause of the illness. Most of those affected are aged under 35yo.

SQUIZ THE REST

PARTISAN LINES DRAWN OVER TRUMP IMPEACHMENT

Arguments from the prosecution (the Democrats) and the defence (the Republicans) are starting to settle. Reports say a rough transcript of US President Donald Trump's July phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, the whistleblower complaint, and claims of a White House coverup have Democrats convinced there’s merit in the impeachment proceedings. They believe the evidence shows Trump solicited political payback against former Vice President Joe Biden from a foreign leader. Chair of the important House Intelligence Committee, Democrat Adam Schiff, said the call transcript “reads like a classic mob shakedown.” Republicans backed Trump who said there was “no push, no pressure, no nothing.” But after another bruising day, it’s hard to think anyone had a worse time than the White House staffer who accidentally sent Team Trump’s talking points to the opposition…

And we erred yesterday when we said former President Bill Clinton received an electoral boost after impeachment proceedings against him. We should have said his party, the Democrats, received the bounce.

ALBANESE PULLS MORRISON UP ON CLIMATE CLAIMS

Labor leader Anthony Albanese didn’t much like PM Scott Morrison’s spirited defence of his government’s climate change policies at the UN General Assembly yesterday. "Australia's internal and global critics on climate change willingly overlook or ignore our achievements," Morrison said. The Federal Opposition leader yesterday said "The fact is Australia's emissions are rising and the government has no plan to deal with it." He also said the PM shouldn’t dismiss the concerns of young Australians - a pointed remark after Morrison said he didn’t want kids to suffer "needless anxiety" over climate change.

ABORTION DECRIMINALISED IN NSW

It's been the subject of eight weeks worth of heated debate, gave rise to an ill-fated leadership spill and even prompted former Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce to take to a soapbox to invoke the rights of the unborn. But yesterday, abortion was decriminalised in NSW with legislation passing through the parliament. Premier Gladys Berejiklian - a supporter of the bill - copped criticism for being absent when the final vote took place (she said she was busy "running the state"). And while the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher described it as a 'dark day', NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro said he was proud of "taking (abortion) out of the criminal act and putting it in the health act where it should be, and not treating women like criminals”.

VALE JACQUES CHIRAC

France is in mourning as news broke overnight that former president Jacques Chirac has died aged 86yo. Head of state from 1995 to 2007, Chirac enjoyed one of the longest continuous stints at the top of any European leader. Internationally, he will be remembered for his opposition to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 - while at home, his political legacy (like all French presidents) will be more mixed. Nevertheless, Chirac won widespread respect for acknowledging the role France played in the deportation of some 73,000 Jews to Nazi death camps. Moreover, his 'everyman' charm - honed over many years on the hustings - means he will be farewelled by many in France with the same fondness Aussies mustered for Bob Hawke.

TALE OF TWO CITIES AS AFL GRAND FINAL LOOMS

Down Richmond way, the Tiger Army has whipped itself into a black and gold frenzy. Bakeries are producing Tiger pies, Bertie’s Butcher has a special on black and yellow chicken sausages, and the London Tavern, Richmond’s self-styled “Richmondiest pub”, is preparing to pour more than 7,500 litres of beer during tomorrow’s AFL Grand Final. Meanwhile, up in Sydney, from where contenders Greater Western Sydney hail, it’s all a bit muted with critics decrying the relative lack of community spirit that has greeted the Giants maiden appearance in the biggest footy match on the Australian sporting calendar. But it's what happens on the paddock that matters most, even if the bookies are overwhelmingly backing a Richmond victory. Name to know: Marlion Pickett. He is set to make his AFL debut for the Tigers tomorrow…

FRIDAY LITES - THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK

If you’re as annoying as we are, you’ll have found yourself saying “Christmas will be here before we know it” several times this week. Time goes by faster every year… This video offers an explanation as to why that’s the case.

Another brain-related phenomenon - you know when you see something once and then suddenly you see it everywhere? Behold the Matisse print that’s become the modern-day 'stylish adult's dorm room poster'.

Couscous - tick. Meatballs - tick. And 30 minutes from prep to serving - tick. This looks like a one-pan winner.