Squiz Today – Thursday, 18 October

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“It’s virtually a prison regime.”

Said Julian Assange’s lawyer about the new house rules put in place by his hosts at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. In return for having his internet access restored, the WikiLeaker has to take care of his cat, clean his bathroom, and pay for his own food and laundry. With Ecuador trying to move him on, imagine what his chores list will look like in a year…

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PRINCE HARRY TO FARMERS: R U OK?

THE SQUIZ
In one fell swoop, Prince Harry achieved more for mental health in rural communities than any politician or mental health campaigner could ever hope to. Harry and Meghan were in the NSW town of Dubbo yesterday and told those hurting from the worst drought in decades to ask for help. "You are all the toughest people out there, the most persistent, the ones who can weather the storm or the drought. But you need to know that part of being strong and tough is having the courage to ask for help when you need it. You must not silently suffer.”

WHAT’S THE SITUATION?
The worst of the drought extends across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, and billions of dollars in government assistance is helping farming communities with financial support and additional mental health programs. But even with increased funding, tackling mental health remains hard. You might remember it was just a couple of months ago that community worker Edwina Robertson broke down while talking to then PM Malcolm Turnbull, and she said, “I worry every day when I go to visit farming families that it's going to be hours too late, it's literally that bad." Harry yesterday appealed to those going through tough times to talk to their neighbours and friends. “Chances are they may well be suffering too and will relish the opportunity to either listen or talk themselves,” he said.

HANG ON, WASN’T IT RAINING IN DUBBO YESTERDAY?
It was, but one swallow doesn’t make a cup of tea. It’ll take a lot more rain to get that area, and many others, out of drought. And there’s not a lot of good news on that front with the weather bureau forecasting more dry and hot conditions. Lucky 5yo Luke Vincent is on hand for some hugs…

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SQUIZ THE REST

NAURU DOCTOR DEPORTED
Dr Nicole Montana, the most senior medico contracted to work with refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru, was deported yesterday. It's alleged she photographed a child receiving treatment, something the government of Nauru has banned. Earlier this month, Medecins Sans Frontieres’ workers, who were providing mental health services to refugees, were also booted off the island.

HOW TO WIN FRIENDS…
Environment Minister Melissa Price has been accused of offending former president of Kiribati Anote Tong. Running into him at a Canberra pizza joint on Tuesday night, Price was accused by Labor of suggesting the well-regarded representative of the climate-change-challenged nation was in town for a handout. "For the Pacific, it's always about the cash. I have my chequebook here. How much do you want?” she allegedly said. Price says that’s not how it went down and that she commended Pacific nations for being good neighbours.

...AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE
Speculation is rife that Barnaby Joyce will be drafted back into the leadership of the Nationals. Joyce yesterday embarked on a non-campaign telling anyone who'd listen that he wasn't campaigning and wasn't trying to influence his colleagues to take action, but if the job came up, he'd take it. Nats leader/Deputy PM Michael McCormack made a pitch for stability.

THE RISE AND RISE OF NETFLIX
The video streaming company yesterday announced its latest results and it smashed expectations. Seven million subscribers joined between July and September taking its total memberships to 137 million, and it expects to add almost 10 million subs in the last part of this year. The market liked the sound of more people scrolling endless listings looking for something to watch, with the share price jumping 12% on the news.

VALE IAN KIERNAN
The yachtsman, environmentalist and protector of Prince Charles died yesterday at 78yo after he was diagnosed with cancer in July. Kiernan made and lost a fortune in property in his 20s, and when it went bust, he took to the high seas visiting dozens of islands and countries. That’s when he saw how much rubbish was in the ocean and committed to doing something about it. He started with a clean up around the beaches of Sydney's Mosman, moved on to all of Sydney, then founded Clean Up Australia and took it to the world. Kiernan was recognised for his work by being named 1994’s Australian of the Year. A friend said he "lived life hard and lived it well".

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER
Anna Burns yesterday became the first Northern Irish author to win the Man Booker Prize. She took out the prestigious award for fiction with her book Milkman*, a coming-of-age story set during the Troubles. The judges said it's "simply marvellous" while Burns said she was stunned.

And Robert Irwin, son of Terri and the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, won a highly commended award in a teenage category of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His picture of a spider eating a frog is cool/not one for the queasy. The overall winner’s pic is beautiful/like something from an animated movie.

*Buy this book using this link and The Squiz gets a little commission.

SQUIZ THE DAY

ABS Data Release - Labour Force, September

Harry and Meghan take Melbourne

World Menopause Day

Alaska Day (marking the anniversary of the US taking possession of the territory after purchasing it from Russia)