Squiz Today / 10 February 2020

Squiz Today – Monday, 10 February

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“That’s not what’s going to make or break someone’s attempt at weight management.”

Said nutrition professor Elizabeth Mayer-Davis of a study that found the ‘digestible calories’ in almonds makes them more like 130 calories per serving than the 170. The nut companies that funded the research and ardent calorie counters might disagree with her…


WUHAN FLIGHT ARRIVES, BUT SOME REMAIN AT SEA

THE SQUIZ
A second planeload of Australians and permanent residents arrived yesterday from Wuhan, China after a 24-hour delay. The latest evacuation effort brought 266 people to Darwin, including 77 children, 11 infants, and eight students from the Pacific Islands who were offered assistance on humanitarian grounds. Those on board will not be taken to Christmas Island to observe two-weeks of quarantine. Instead, they are off to Howard Springs (about 30km south-east of Darwin) where they will stay in an unused mining workers’ camp.

WHAT ABOUT THE AUSSIES ON THE CRUISE SHIPS?
So, there are three in the picture… One is in quarantine near Tokyo - it had 223 Australians onboard. Seven of those were diagnosed with coronavirus and taken to hospital. Another ship that was docked in Hong Kong with 16 Australians onboard has allowed passengers to disembark after tests for coronavirus came back negative. And a third cruise ship - the Westerdam - is at sea to the west of Japan after it was denied entry to harbours in the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan, despite no cases of coronavirus being reported. Adelaide man David Holst said it was frustrating to be "officially abandoned at sea with nowhere to go." Our government has ruled out the evacuation of those Aussies with officials saying it's just too hard.

WHERE ARE THE NUMBERS AT?
The death toll now in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, is more than 780. That means the number of deaths from this outbreak have overtaken those from the 2002-03 SARS outbreak (severe acute respiratory syndrome) when 774 people were killed across many countries. All but two of the overall total of 813 deaths have so far been in mainland China. More than 34,800 people have been infected worldwide - the vast majority of those are in mainland China. More than 330 people are confirmed to have the virus across 27 other countries, including 15 cases in Australia (and five of those have recovered).


SQUIZ THE REST


RAIN LIKE WE HAVEN’T SEEN IN YEARS

When it rains, it pours… That was the case on Oz's eastern seaboard over the weekend. Residents in NSW and Queensland were yesterday warned of life-threatening flash flooding with forecasts of more heavy rains and high winds. With some areas recording 300mm of rain in 48 hours - the most some areas have seen in years - emergency services were concerned too many people were putting themselves in harm’s way. And last night, some low-lying areas of Sydney were evacuated as floodwaters rose. Happily, the Rural Fire Service in NSW said the Currowan fire that had caused so much grief across the South Coast, had been extinguished with help from the rain. Looking west, Tropical Cyclone Damien crossed the coast, bringing heavy rain and winds to the Pilbara region, including Karratha. Which probably won't help with their NBN issues


ROCKING IT OUT WITH WIDODO

A decade on from former Indonesian President Yudhoyono’s address to our federal parliament - the first time an Indonesian leader had done so - and it’s President Joko Widodo’s turn today. It comes as Indonesian lawmakers approved the smoothly named Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) last week. The trade deal means 99% of our exports can enter Indonesia tariff-free, or under much better terms, and their imports to Oz will be tariff-free. With PM Scott Morrison calling Widodo "one of the most exciting leaders in the region", be on the lookout for more warm words during his address mid-today. No word on whether Widodo, a metal fan, will stick around in the ‘Berra for Ned Flanders-inspired band Okilly Dokilly’s gig in Belconnen on Wednesday night…


THAI SHOOTING “UNPRECEDENTED”, SAYS PM

At least 26 people have died and almost 60 people were injured in a mass shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand (250km northeast of Bangkok). The attack started at about 3:00pm (local time) on Saturday when 32yo Thai soldier Jakrapanth Thomma began shooting in a house before moving to an army camp and then a shopping mall. After live-streaming part of the shooting on Facebook as he holed up in the mall with several hostages, authorities brought his mother to the scene in an attempt to talk him down. That wasn't successful, and the standoff ended when security forces killed Jakrapanth at 9am yesterday. A motive for the killings has not been confirmed, but reports say Jakrapanth had money issues. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday said the tragedy was "unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens."


HARRY AND MEGHAN START EARNING THEIR WAY

With the freedom to earn their own crust, the Sussexes are getting amongst it with reports that the couple may have collected close to $1 million for their first corporate speaking gig on Thursday last week. Addressing a Florida investment summit sponsored by fancy bank JP Morgan, 425 bankers and celebrities got to listen to Harry talk about the death of his mother and his decision to give up his senior royal role. The event is not likely to ease Palace concerns that the couple may be seen to be “cashing in” with their use of the ‘Sussex Royal’ brand still unresolved.


HEAT RISES IN CALOMBARIS’ KITCHEN

Reports this morning say the restaurant group built around celebrity chef George Calombaris is on the brink of collapse. A meeting will be held today to discuss the appointment of an administrator to oversee Made Establishment with the business put into voluntary administration. The group had been hustling to rebrand after it was revealed that staff had been underpaid by almost $8 million, but the negative PR has had an impact. Reports say all former and current staff have been paid what they were owed, while any future closures would affect the group's current workforce of 500 people.


THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

Australia’s entry to this year’s Eurovision contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands has been decided… And it’s Montaigne (pronounced mon-tane) - with her song Don’t Break Me. If that sounds too straight, it’s clown-themed…

And it’s Oscars day - aka one of the best workdays of the year if you're close to a TV… Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern, Brad Pitt, 1917 and Parasite are set to feature. Fun fact: if Renee Zellweger wins for Judy, it will mean Judy Garland - who was famously passed over for Oscars glory - receives a nod of sorts from the Academy.

And while it’s a day to focus on excellence in film, the Razzie nominations are in for the year’s worst performances. Feline failure Cats is a notable repeat nominee. The prize? A trophy worth $4.97…

SQUIZ THE DAY

10.30am (AEDT) - 92nd Academy Awards - Los Angeles

12.00pm (AEDT) - Joko Widodo addresses Australian Parliament

7.30pm (AEDT) - Women's Olympic qualifying soccer - Australia v Thailand - Sydney

ABS Data Release - Building Approvals, December

International Epilepsy Day

The Squiz Archive

Want to check out Squiz Today from the archive?

Get the Squiz Today newsletter

It's a quick read and doesn't take itself too seriously. Get on it.