Squiz Today / 04 October 2019
Squiz Today – Friday, 4 October
SQUIZ SAYINGS
“The coastguard arrived and these three people were floating on a material that by its characteristics resembled drugs.”
Said Captain Jorge Maldonado of Colombia's Task Force Against Drug Trafficking of the men who were plucked out of Pacific off the Colombian coast. Their boat had capsized in rough conditions, so they grabbed onto what was floating - the bales of cocaine they were smuggling. Oops…
TESTING TIMES AS NATIONS FLEX THEIR MISSILES
THE SQUIZ
There’s been a significant escalation in North Korea’s weapons testing program with the rogue nation confirming yesterday a new type of a ballistic missile was launched on Wednesday. The rocket was launched from a platform at sea, but officials say it's capable of being launched from a submarine. That's notable because it means North Korea could fire missiles far outside its territory. Oh, and it’s capable of carrying a nuclear weapon. State media said it marked “a new phase in containing the outside forces’ threat” to the nation.
HANG ON, DIDN’T NORTH KOREA STOP TESTING MISSILES?
It had. And the test on Wednesday is particularly cheeky of the North Koreans because it came hours after they said nuclear talks with America would resume. Talks between officials would be the first since North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump walked away in February. And with the Hermit Kingdom’s testing of short-range tests resuming in May, experts say Wednesday's display is meant to indicate to Trump and the Americans that it intends to drive a hard bargain.
THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW NEW WEAPONS ON DISPLAY THIS WEEK…
You’ve got a sharp eye… During China’s 70th anniversary of communist rule, experts say it unveiled the “nuclear triad” of land, sea and air-based nuclear capability. A bunch of new weapons systems were on show during the massive military parade on Tuesday, including an intercontinental ballistic missile which can be armed with 10 nuclear warheads, new long-range bombers and hypersonic missiles. “If you are not hostile to China, you should be encouraged by its achievements," said one Chinese academic. Ok then...
SQUIZ THE REST
PARIS POLICE ATTACKED BY A COLLEAGUE
Three officers and an admin assistant from police headquarters in the centre of Paris have been killed in a stabbing attack by a colleague. The attacker, who was a 45-yo IT specialist working in intelligence, was shot dead by police. There was a fifth person stabbed and critically injured in the attack. While officials described the attacker as a “model employee,” union officials say he was involved in a workplace dispute. Reports this morning say the attacker’s alleged links to radical Islam are also being investigated. President Emmanuel Macron has visited the site to show support.
DEATHS ON NZ UNI CAMPUSES RAISE QUESTIONS
It was revealed yesterday that the body of an unnamed Australian student at Victoria University in Wellington, NZ lay in his dormitory room for three days before he was found back in January 2018. The case came to light in the wake of the discovery almost two weeks ago of the body of 19yo Mason Pendrous, a student at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. He was found eight weeks after he died in his on-campus accommodation. Not surprisingly, the deaths have raised concerns about the quality of pastoral care at New Zealand’s universities. Coronial investigations and a government-led review of student accommodation have been launched.
TRUMP RIDES THE ANGRY WAVE
It was a press conference yesterday that started with a joke. “Look at all the press that you attract. Do you believe this? Very impressive,” President Trump said to Finnish President Sauli Niinisto who was standing beside him. And it was a rollercoaster from there. Trump described the media as “corrupt people”, called the impeachment investigation a “whole hoax”, and again described himself as “a very stable genius”. For his opponents’ part, Democratic leaders said the White House would be issued with a subpoena today if it did not hand over documents related to Trump’s phone call with the Ukraine President and details on the alleged steps taken to conceal the conversation.
FEEL THE POWER
It’s the annual Financial Review Power List (paywall), and it’s eagerly anticipated by Australia’s movers and shakers. Making his first appearance at the top of the list last year, PM Scott Morrison consolidated his power with an election win in May, keeping him in the top spot for 2019. Keeping with the Coalition theme, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is in second, and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian third. Number four is Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe, and Labor leader Anthony Albanese is in fifth spot. Rounding out the top ten are Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, Tassie Senator Jacqui Lambie, ACCC chair Rod Sims and ABC chair Ita Buttrose. Other notables: BHP CEO Andrew Mackenzie was named the most powerful person in business for tackling issues like climate change, diversity and Indigenous rights, and world #1 tennis player Ash Barty is the year’s top cultural powerbroker.
For a look at the impact Ash Barty has made this year, check out our Squiz Shortcut on her extraordinary rise.
ROOSTERS EXPECTED TO PECK THE RAIDERS
When the Canberra Raiders run onto the paddock for the NRL Grand Final in Sydney on Sunday, it will be the underdogs' first appearance for a quarter of a century. And if you think that's long, you should see the odds being offered on the boys from the 'berra taking home the trophy against the all-conquering Sydney Roosters. A capacity crowd of 84,000 is expected at ANZ Stadium where the Roosters are hoping to become the first back-to-back rugby league champions since the Brisbane Broncos in 1993. And to the entertainment: pre-game there's American band OneRepublic (note: it's unclear whether they've ever heard of rugby league...). And the half-time follies will be performed by Daryl Braithwaite and his Horses. You'd think he'd be resting up for horse racing's spring carnival...
FRIDAY LITES - THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
How to be a good job interviewer. Which you can flip to get some tips on how to be a good interviewee…
Actress Emily Blunt seems like someone we could be friends with. Her 73 Questions with US Vogue, including strong references to her Devil Wears Prada insights, makes us like her even more. Oh, and if you need something to watch this weekend and you’re a fan of her husband, John Krasinski, we’re enjoying Jack Ryan on Amazon's Prime Video.
And this is a weekend for some garlic prawns, don’t you think?
SQUIZ THE DAY
Friday
ABS Data Release - Livestock and Meat, August; Retail Trade, August
Saturday
World Teachers’ Day
Sunday
Daylight saving begins - bring clocks forward an hour in NSW, the ACT, South Oz, Tassie, and Victoria. And check out our Squiz Shortcut on why some of our states do it.
8.00am (AEDT) - Walk for Awareness (Australia's largest mental health walk) - Brisbane
4.05pm (AEDT) - NRL Women’s Grand Final - Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons
7.30pm - NRL Men’s Grand Final - Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders - televised on Nine
Start of Mental Health Week
Monday
Labour Day in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia
Queen’s Birthday in Queensland
Which means The Squiz having a long weekend. And breathe… See you next Tuesday.
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