Squiz Today – Thursday, 3 October

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“I was like 'wait, I can't celebrate too early because I have still got three girls to go'."

Said our newly crowned world champion javelin thrower Kelsey-Lee Barber. She left it to her final go in the competition to deliver a whopping 66.56-metre throw to take the win. And how about cricket star Alyssa Healy breaking a world record by scoring 148 off 61 balls yesterday…

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JOHNSON KEEPING THE BREXIT DREAM ALIVE

THE SQUIZ
With the nominated Brexit date of 31 October fast approaching, UK PM Boris Johnson has set out the final negotiating position he will take to European leaders. Johnson revealed the details to the party faithful at the Conservatives’ conference in Manchester overnight before submitting it to the European Union in Brussels. Insisting that it's his way or a no-deal Brexit at the end of the month, Johnson’s plan aims to deal with the Irish border - aka the hairy chestnut that’s so far prevented the UK’s exit from the EU.

WHAT’S THE PLAN, STAN?
Put simply, it’s a plan to have Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) leave the EU customs union (which is the EU's uniform system for handling imports, exports and transit of goods) in 2021 alongside the rest of the UK. But it would stay in the European single market for goods (which facilitates the free movement of goods and services between EU nations). The Northern Ireland Assembly would get to approve the arrangement and then vote on it every four years. The proposal seeks to deal with Brexiteers' concerns that the UK could be trapped by EU trading rules indefinitely under the 'Northern Ireland backstop' arrangement that was negotiated by former PM Theresa May.

SO REMIND ME WHAT THE DEADLINES ARE…
Oh, it’s tight…

• Johnson says he hopes to get agreement from the EU on his plan in "the next few days". EU leaders have been more than a bit reluctant to reopen the issue, but if it’s going to happen, it needs to be done in time for the EU leaders summit on 17 October.

• He then has two days to get it through the UK Parliament - which experience says will be super tricky.

• That two-day window is in place because a few weeks ago the UK Parliament voted for a 19 October safeguard. That’s when Johnson will have to request another extension from the EU unless MPs have backed the terms for a 31 October Brexit.

And with another plan to suspend the Parliament, what could possibly go wrong?

Need a Brexit refresher? There's a Squiz Shortcut for that... 

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SQUIZ THE REST

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MORRISON FRONT UPS TO ANSWER TRUMP CALL QUESTIONS

Chillax, people. Nothing unusual is going on. That was PM Scott Morrison’s overriding message an interview with Sky News’ David Speers yesterday about the phone call he took from US President Donald Trump in early September. Morrison said he’d agreed months before the call to assist a US investigation into the origins of accusations that Team Trump colluded with Russia in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election. Asked about what assistance might be offered, Morrison said releasing Australian diplomatic cables would be “very unusual”. But he didn’t outright reject the idea of former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer (who’d heard the Trump campaign knew about Russia’s attempts to damage Hillary Clinton) being interviewed by investigators. Australia has "nothing to hide" in the process, Morrison said.

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ANOTHER BLOW TO LEIFER VICTIMS

Malka Leifer, the former Melbourne Jewish school principal accused of abusing several students, has been granted bail in Israel as she fights extradition to Australia. Leifer is wanted in Victoria on 74 counts of sexual assault. She has been fighting the order to return on the grounds that she is too unwell to leave her home after she fled to her native Israel in 2008 when allegations first surfaced. Psychiatrists are due to submit a final report on her mental fitness in December. PS there’s an Australian Story from ABC TV featuring Leifer’s alleged victims that’s worth a look.

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PAYNE DISAPPOINTED BY AUSSIE’S ONGOING DETENTION

Jock Palfreeman is an Australian man who’s served 11 years of a 20-year Bulgarian prison sentence for the murder of law student Andrei Monov, and attempted murder of Antoan Zahariev during a 2007 brawl. Palfreeman claimed self-defence. He remains in detention despite being granted parole almost two weeks ago. His surprise, early release from prison was met with local opposition, and he was detained by immigration officials for not having a passport. Yesterday, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she was “deeply disappointed that he remains detained in Bulgaria." Payne also spoke to her Bulgarian counterpart last week to express concern that "non-legal considerations" could affect his case. That is, local anger could put him back in prison.

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PETROL PRICES HIT 11-YEAR HIGH

School holidays - check. A long weekend coming up in NSW, South Oz, Queensland, the ACT - check. A destabilised Gulf region - check. So, of course, we're being pinged at the bowser… Looking across the price boards yesterday, the average price for regular unleaded fuel per litre was $1.64 in Sydney, $1.51 in Melbourne, $1.69 in Brisbane, $1.55 in Perth, $1.49 in Canberra, $1.49 in Darwin and $1.55 in Hobart. And good luck if you’re looking to fill ‘er up outside of the major metros… The NRMA says we should avoid the pumps where possible while prices remain at record highs - and wait until next week if you can. Good luck if a drive was part of your weekend plans…

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LEAGUE’S NIGHT OF NIGHTS

A good omen for the Sydney Roosters ahead of their grand final appearance on Sunday - their star fullback James Tedesco won last night’s Dally M Medal for the league’s best and fairest. Jess Sergis from the St George-Illawarra Dragons, who also have a GF to play this weekend, took top honours for the women’s award. Want a red carpet gallery? Here you go. Cut-out dresses were big this year...

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THE BEST THING EVER

How have we not heard about this before? Adding to their 'good' and 'naughty' penguin of the month awards, New Zealand’s National Aquarium is holding a 'Penguin of the Year' competition. Timmy won the inaugural award last year, but his habit of flicking sand at the keepers and pushing his penguin mates out of the way might count against him this time around. Meanwhile, Draco has enjoyed a pre-poll boost from being September's Good Penguin after adopting an abandoned egg. You can check out the contestants and vote here. You’re welcome.

SQUIZ THE DAY

ABS Data Release - International Trade in Goods and Services, August

Day of German Unity

South Korea’s National Foundation Day

Anniversary of Emily Post’s birthday (1872). She was an authority on etiquette

Need something new to read? Make sure you read The Squiz every day this week and you'll go into the draw for a terrific book pack from Allen & Unwin, Nice.