Squiz Today – Friday, 3 November

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“You think I'm proud? The bloody cats now strutting around the house like she's Simba.”

Tweeted NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford on news of her ascension to the 13th spot on Forbes’ powerful women in global politics list. Ardern and Gayford are a bit of a glamour couple – he hosts his own fushing show on the telly. Ardern will meet with PM Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney on Sunday morning in her first OS visit since taking the top job.

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NEW YORK TERRORIST FACES COURT

THE SQUIZ
Sayfullo Saipov, the 29yo Uzbekistan native accused of killing eight people with his rented ute in Manhattan on Tuesday, appeared in court yesterday. He has been charged with providing material support to terrorists and use of a vehicle causing death - a charge which could attract the death penalty. His final two victims were identified as two young American men.

WHAT IS NOW KNOWN ABOUT SAIPOV AND THE ATTACK?
Documents submitted to the court said:
• Saipov had been planning the attack for a year and chose Halloween because he figured more people would be on the streets.

• His phone had 90 videos and thousands of pictures relating to Islamic State terrorists and activities. He carried out the rampage after watching a video of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

• Saipov requested an Islamic State flag to display in his hospital room.

• Another man, Muhammad Kadirov, is being questioned. It is not known if he is suspected of having a role in the attack.

• Those who knew Saipov in 2010 said he was not a radical when he arrived in the US, but he became depressed and resentful after failing to find work.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Legal/political argy-bargy for starters. Breaking with the convention of not commenting on open criminal cases, US President Donald Trump yesterday tweeted; "NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!' Trump also said he was open to trying Saipov in military court at the American prison at Guantánamo Bay, but he’s since backed off that idea. Saipov’s attorney David Patton said; “In a case like this involving so much tragedy, it’s more important than ever to let the judicial process play out. How we as a society treat Mr Saipov will say more about us than it will about him.”

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SQUIZ THE REST

FRYDENBERG - THE NEXT CITIZENSHIP CASE
We don’t know why we’re apologising, but we're sorry to say there's another pollie under a citizenship cloud. This time it’s Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg. He says the suggestion is absurd because his mother, born in Hungary in 1943, was considered stateless when she arrived in Australia post-WWII. However, reports say Hungarian law considers anyone born there between 1940 and 1945 to be a citizen. And that means Frydenberg could hold Hungarian citizenship by descent. The revelation comes as the idea of an audit gathers momentum. Reports say Labor, which has not been affected by the cluster-disaster so far, might back one on the basis that it’s confident in its processes and has nothing to lose. PM Turnbull has not been supportive of the idea.

CROWE ENTERS THE POLITICAL ARENA
Actor Russell Crowe made his feelings known about the current situation on Manus Island. “Manus. A Nations shame. Lives held in limbo. Lives lived in fear & despair. It's f**king disgraceful" he tweeted. He followed up saying he would happily house six detainees. The stand-off between 600 men refusing to leave the decommissioned centre and the PNG government continues. Jacinda Ardern said she’ll discuss the issue with Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday. NZ has offered to take 150 refugees from Australia’s detention centres annually.

BIG AUSSIE DATA BREACH
The personal details of 50,000 employees of AMP, Rabobank, the federal Finance Department, Australian Electoral Commission and National Disability Insurance Agency have been accidentally posted online by a contractor. It's one of Australia’s largest data breaches. The information posted includes full names, email addresses, expenses and payment details. The businesses and agencies involved were quick to say that no customer/client information was disclosed. The incident is another in a string of recent breaches of government info raising concerns about the outsourcing of IT work dealing with sensitive data.

BIN LADEN’S BOOKSHELF REVEALED
Ever wondered what the al Qaeda founder thought, watched and plotted while holed up in his compound in Pakistan? Wonder no more! The CIA has released 470,000 files from the Osama bin Laden raid in 2011. Dubbed ‘Bin Laden’s Bookshelf’, the files include his journals, home videos and propaganda materials used by the terrorist organisation. Files withheld include those intelligence agencies said would compromise national security, p*rnography and copyrighted materials including his DVD copy of Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? Not even joking.

BEYONCE, THE LION QUEEN
Beyonce is moving to Pride Rock. She’s confirmed she’ll join the cast of Disney’s live-action version of The Lion King. Queen Bey will voice lioness Nala, the childhood bestie/wife of Simba, who will be voiced by Donald Glover. James Earl Jones will voice Mufasa, of course. The film will be in cinemas in July 2019. We can feel the love tonight…

FRIDAY LITES – THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
We are pretty comfortable with our own company. But there's something about going to dinner in a restaurant on our own that freaks us out. This article has some tips to master the art of solo dining.

You've been cooped up on a plane for 20 hours getting to London, so you need a massage to get your shoulders down from your ears. Here's a very helpful list. Trust us…

Back by popular demand – US Elle’s advice columnist E Jean with this week’s column: How Do I Make My Long-Distance Dream Man Fall Devastatingly in Love With Me? All the lols.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Friday

8.00pm (AEDT) - World Cup Rugby League - Australia v France - Canberra

ABS Data Release - Retail Trade, September

US President Donald Trump kicks off a 10-day Asian tour of Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines

Saturday

4.40pm (AEDT) - Rugby Union - Australia v Japan - Yokohama

Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off with Derby Day - Flemington

Sunday

Guy Fawkes Night - UK