Squiz Today / 07 June 2019
Squiz Today – Friday, 7 June
SQUIZ SAYINGS
"I'd make a good dictator - maybe not even then. I don't know if I'd like to live underneath me."
Said rocker Jimmy Barnes ruling out a run at politics - a shame given how popular his policy platform already is for supporting primary producers and liberal values.
AUSSIE GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS UP AGAIN
THE SQUIZ
Official figures out yesterday from the Federal Environment and Energy Department showed another increase in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. After reductions were achieved between 2006 and 2015, Australia’s emissions have increased in each of the last four years. And that raises questions about whether we will meet our Paris Climate Agreement target of cutting emissions by at least 26% below 2005 levels by 2030.
UNPACK THAT A BIT...
A week into the job (and with some work to do to live up to his job title), Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said there are things to note about the numbers:
• A big increase in liquid natural gas exports has bumped up our emissions in the last few years, and that’s not going to be the same in future years. And Taylor says using LNG for energy generation is a good thing, whether that’s here or overseas.
• He also points to emissions falls in sectors like electricity generation (down 3.5%) and agriculture (down 3.3%). Taylor also says our ‘per-capita' emissions are falling, but with Australia's population growth, our overall emissions are still rising.
• But critics say we are headed in the wrong direction with not enough being done to limit future emissions.
IS HITTING THE PARIS TARGET IMPORTANT?
The goal 195 countries agreed to is to keep global warming below 2C and to strive to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C. There have been significant studies that look at what life will be like with a 1.5C to 2C temperature increase. And despite our ability to adapt, the more temperatures rise, the more heat-related deaths there could be. And that’s just for starters.
SQUIZ THE REST
CATFISH SENTENCED TO JAIL
Two searches continue in the Sunshine State. Two-year-old Ruben Scott has been missing from Koolatah Station in Cape York since Tuesday afternoon. Searchers have covered the area on the ground, by air, and divers yesterday searched a lagoon and river that backs onto the homestead. Authorities said they hold grave fears for his safety. Meanwhile, at the southern end of the state searchers found the body of joy flight pilot Marcel van Hattem in the wreckage of his plane after it went down off the Gold Coast on Wednesday morning. His passenger, 31yo Trista Applebee who was taking the flight as a birthday present, is still missing and the search resumes this morning.
QUEENSLAND SEARCHES CONTINUE
A Melbourne woman was yesterday handed a jail sentence for pretending online to be Aussie soap star Lincoln Lewis and harassing up to six female victims. Reports say 29yo Lydia Abdelmalek sat in court clutching a photo of the soap star as they heard how one victim took her own life as a result of Abdelmalek’s harassment. Another of her victims was a high school friend for whom Abdelmalek had been a bridesmaid. No reason was given for the actions of the so-called ‘catfish’. Handing down a two-year-eight-month sentence, the judge described Abdelmalek’s stalking as “calculated and cruel”. She was granted bail after indicating she intended to appeal the sentence.
MORE IN LEGAL NEWS
DARWIN RAMPAGE UPDATE - The names of the three remaining victims have been released. They are Michael Sisois (57yo), Nigel Hellings (76yo) and Kiwi Rob Courtney (52yo). Victim Hassan Baydoun (33yo) was identified on Wednesday. Police believe alleged killer Ben Hoffman knew Courtney and Sisois. They also revealed that Hoffman had been stopped for speeding earlier on the day of the rampage, that he may have been affected by ice when the attack occurred, and that he suffered stab wounds. Hoffman was charged with murder yesterday.
DEATH ON A LARGE SCALE - German nurse Niels Hoegel has admitted to killing 100 people in his care. Niels is accused of administering medication to induce a heart attack and then attempting to revive his victims as a way of impressing his unknowing colleagues. The admission makes him one of the world’s most prolific serial killers.
PELL APPEAL FINISHES - The judges in Cardinal George Pell’s appeal have retired to consider their decision. Pell was found guilty in December of abusing two choir boys at St Patrick’s Cathedral in the 90s. Yesterday’s hearing was not without drama when a victim was named - something that should have been kept off the record. It’s thought a decision to acquit, retry or uphold the verdict will take some weeks.
AFP BOSS FRONTS UP ON RAIDS - Federal Police boss Neil Gaughan yesterday faced the media to answer questions about this week’s raids that have been criticised for impinging on media freedoms. The raids relate to separate investigations involving leaked sensitive government documents. Gaughan said the AFP had a duty to do its job “impartially and thoroughly” and he wouldn’t rule out charges against the journalists involved. More concern and condemnation was expressed by critics at home and abroad.
FOLAU TO FIGHT - Sacked Wallaby Israel Folau has launched legal proceedings against Rugby Australia arguing it was unlawful to end his employment based on his religion. Reports say he is seeking compensation and damages of $10 million.
XI AND PUTIN ARE BFFs
We’re not using cute shorthand - China’s President Xi Jinping said Russian President Vladimir Putin is his “best friend” and that after meeting almost 30 times in the last six years, he is “pleased to say that Russian-Chinese relations have reached an unprecedented level.” Things are so serious between the men, pandas were gifted… What they have in common is a “shared sense of rejection from the West” pundits said. And with China’s growth and Russia’s influence, their block is a powerful one. Just ask Chinese telco giant Huawei…
BRING ON THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Allez les Australiens… France is hosting the month-long FIFA Women’s World Cup where 24 national teams will fight it out for the title of best in the world. The USA are the bookies’ favourites to take out the tournament with France just behind. Australia’s Matildas are well regarded but an outside chance in the betting at 20-1. And our captain Sam Kerr is considered one of the top players to watch. The Matildas first match kicks off at 9pm on Sunday when they play Italy - perfect for anyone with a long weekend. Fingers crossed our Matildas waltz it in…
And while we have you… Ash Barty has won her way through to the French Open semi-final in straight sets against Madison Keys. It's already her most successful grand slam tournament, and she plays American Amanda Anismova at 7pm (AEST) tonight for a place in Saturday's final.
FRIDAY LITES - THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
Sorry to get all ‘self-improvement Friday' on you, but these two articles are interesting. The first is about grudges and letting go. The second is how to be better at arguing. You can’t say we don’t take a balanced approach seriously…
Is there anything better to procrastinate over than a recap of an OTT American wedding? No, there isn’t.
Thinking of some baking this weekend? We're having a bit of a thing with Jill Dupleix at the moment. We had a go at her sour cherry and almond cake last weekend and had it warm for dessert with some cream - delish. And it’s an easy one too.
SQUIZ THE DAY
Friday
7.00pm (AEST) - French Open Semi Final - Ash Barty v Amanda Anismova
8.45pm (AEST) - French Open Semi Final - Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer
UK PM Theresa May’s last day in the job
Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor due to be sentenced over the killing of Australian Justine Damond Ruszczyk
ABS Data Release - Lending to households and businesses, April
Saturday
11.00pm (AEST) – French Open Tennis – Women’s Final
George Orwell’s 1984 turns 70yo
Sunday
9.00am - ABC TV’s Insiders - the last with Barrie Cassidy as host
7.30pm (AEST) - World Cup Cricket - Australia v India
9.00pm (AEST) - Women’s World Cup Soccer - Australia v Italy
11.00pm (AEST) – French Open Tennis – Men’s Final
40th anniversary of the Ghost Train fire at Luna Park Sydney that killed seven (1979)
Monday
Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend - NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, ACT and the Northern Territory
11.00am - Season 2 of Big Little Lies kicks off on Foxtel
US tariffs to be applied to Mexican goods imported by America
UK Conservative Party kicks off their process to appoint a new leader
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