Squiz Today / 05 November 2018

Squiz Today – Monday, 5 November

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“I’m going to strip down to my g-string, keep my tie and my shoes, and I will get up and receive the trophy.”

Said British billionaire horse owner Marwan Koukash on what will happen if his steed Magic Circle wins tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup. The Irish gelding is second favourite so security has been warned…


CHEATS GUIDE TO THE US MIDTERMS

THE SQUIZ
US President Donald Trump isn’t a candidate in the midterm election in America tomorrow. But make no mistake, it's a lot about him.

WHOA BACK NELLY…
Let’s start with the basics.

• These midterms (they happen halfway between the four-year presidential elections) are for the election of all 435 members of the House of Representatives, and 35 Senate seats out of 100.

• The Republicans (Trump’s party) currently have control over both houses.

• To win the House of Reps a party needs 218 seats. There are currently 193 Democrats, 235 Republicans and seven vacant seats. The Democrats need to win at least 23 additional seats to gain control.

• On the Senate side, 51 seats are needed for control. The Republicans currently have 51 members, the Democrats have 47, and there are two independents. Of the 35 seats being contested, just nine are Republican-held.

• There are a record number of women running – 256 in total (197 for the Democrats, 59 for the Republicans).

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
• With control of the White House and both houses of Congress, life’s a lot easier for a president and a party to get their agenda up. That’s what Donald Trump and the Republicans have at the moment. If they lose control of one or both houses, things get trickier. That’s the process point.

• As for the content – this election is widely seen as a referendum on Trump, his agenda and his leadership style. After Hilary Clinton's defeat, the Democrats are throwing everything at it. Meanwhile, Trump is campaigning hard to reconnect with the people who supported him in 2016 by focusing on divisive issues like immigration.

• With many polls predicting a ‘blue wave' of support for the Democrats, it'll be fascinating to watch it all unfold. Although the polls have been wrong before…


SQUIZ THE REST

ANGRY ANDERSON’S SON KILLED
Liam Anderson, the 26yo son of singer and former political candidate Angry Anderson, was killed in a violent attack on Sydney’s Northern Beaches yesterday morning. Police say Anderson knew the 20yo man accused of assaulting him, and reports this morning say they were close mates. Police say the assault was a sustained and bloody one – adding that it took several officers to subdue the alleged attacker. Anderson’s family have not yet made a statement.

And while we have you… Aussie raconteur Nick Cave released an open letter about the ongoing grief he feels after the death of his son Arthur in 2015. “It seems to me, that if we love, we grieve. That’s the deal. That’s the pact,” he writes.

FOXING FOR A RETURN
Arriving in Melbourne yesterday after being deported from the Philippines, Aussie missionary Sister Patricia Fox said she hopes to go back when President Rodrigo Duterte is out of office. Duterte himself targeted Fox after she publically criticised him. After 27 years there, she'd been hopeful of having her missionary visa extended, but she was told she'd be given the boot last week. Sister Pat (as the 72yo is known) said she would continue her work with the rural poor.

FINDING FRIENDS IN TOUGH PLACES
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham is the first Aussie minister to make an official visit to Beijing for a year. There have been reports that Aussie pollies have been denied visas to visit China, the most recent to have troubles being Resources Minister Matt Canavan a few weeks ago. Birmingham’s visit to China is said to be a sign of a thaw in frosty relations since concerns about its influence in our region and society have been kicked about. No doubt The Australian’s story on Saturday that Chinese telco Huawei was used by Chinese government spies to get into a foreign communications network won’t make Birmingham’s visit any easier.

NEW CALEDONIA VOTES TO STAY WITH FRANCE
Voters faced a simple question yesterday: Do you want New Caledonia to accede to full sovereignty and become independent? The French administered territory said no with 56.4% voting against independence and 43.6% voting for it. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe arrives today for talks.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
USAIN BOLT – The sprint king has parted ways with the Central Coast Mariners A-League team after a deal was unable to be struck. Bolt, who hightailed it to Derby Day in Melbourne on Saturday, said earning a spot on the team was harder than he’d thought.

KOBE THE FRENCHIE – The cutie-pup was sent home to the US after being discovered in the hand luggage of American basketballer Lamar Patterson. The French Bulldog made the 14-hour flight to Brisbane from Los Angeles at his owner's feet, but couldn’t pull a Pistol and Boo to make it out of the airport.

RAYMOND CHOW – The 91yo godfather of Hong Kong film, backer of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, and the man who brought the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Hollywood has died.

REYNOLDS V JACKMAN
Hugh Jackman can’t help that he’s so talented. But note to self: don’t get on Ryan Reynolds’ bad side

SQUIZ THE DAY

Electoral Commission expected to declare Kerryn Phelps as the winner of the Wentworth by-election

ABS Data Release - Disability, Ageing and Carers: 2015

Guy Fawkes Day

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