Squiz Today – Tuesday, 24 July

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“851”

That’s the number of chest-to-ground burpees Taswegian Charlie Gard did in one hour to take the Guinness World Record on the weekend. Burpees – the only thing worse than lunges.

---

TWITTER DIPLOMACY GETS SHOUTY

THE SQUIZ
Even for the shrill-fest that is Twitter, US President Donald Trump’s tweet-shouting at Iranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday was something unusual. With America poised to reintroduce sanctions after abandoning a deal with Western nations to curb Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Rouhani made a statement on the weekend that “war with Iran is the mother of all wars.” Trump responded via the social media platform.

WHAT DID HE TWEET?
To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!

THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY…
Not really. Iran has been on the wrong side of America for decades. To summarise recent events:

• It was former President Barack Obama who joined the nuclear deal in the belief that Rouhani was a relative pragmatist, and the deal would encourage a more stable Iran.

• Trump didn’t agree and said his administration wouldn’t support a regime that represses dissidents and religious minorities and supports militant groups in conflicts elsewhere. (Sounds like Russia? Ahem… But that’s another story.)

• Not only will the US reintroduce crippling sanctions, it will broadcast messages in Farsi into Iran “so that ordinary Iranians inside Iran and around the globe will know that America stands with them.”

It’s unlikely the shouting is over. Expect this one to keep coming up in the weeks and months ahead.

---

SQUIZ THE REST

TORONTO SHOOTING
A mass shooting in Toronto, Canada has killed a 10yo girl and an 18yo woman, and injured 12 more. Reports say the 29yo gunman either killed himself or was killed when he exchanged fire with police after he as was cornered. He was said to be armed with explosives. Police were in numbers in the area before the shooting in response to a recent spike in gun-related violence.

LOST IN HOT AND SWEATY TRANSLATION
Japan is in the middle of a deadly heatwave. Reports say at least 44 people have died in the last fortnight with temperatures hitting record highs. The mercury hit more than 40C in Tokyo in recent days – more than 12C hotter than average. With the summer Olympics kicking off in two years time today (exactly…), officials are worried the hot summer is a sign of conditions to come. That would be bad news for athletes and the nylon-intense mascots.

CHINA’S VACCINE SCANDAL
The top levels of government have called for an investigation into China's vaccine industry after a large manufacturer was found to have falsified data on the production of a rabies vaccine. There has been no harm to patients reported, but the government has promised harsh punishment for those responsible. It's sensitive because the vaccination program is accessed by children across the country. And there's already concern about the safety of 'Made in China' products for kids (think infant formula). Reports say many parents are panicked.

HOUSEKEEPING!
Keeping you updated on recent notable stories.

MY HEALTH REVOLT – Have you had a think about your electronic My Health Record? Seems it's become a bit of a nerds BBQ stopper. The government's push was dealt a blow yesterday with former Human Rights Commissioner/now Liberal MP Tim Wilson opting out.

“I’VE DONE NOTHING WRONG” - That's what Teancum Petersen-Crofts, the 19yo accused of killing his mother and two siblings last week, told a court hearing yesterday. The psychiatric hospital he is being assessed at has recommended he remain there for four weeks. He will reappear in court on Wednesday.

TYPO SOZ – Yesterday’s email said 115 Indigenous children had been removed from their families in Tennant Creek since the start of the year. That’s wrong – it’s 15. Our email format corrector was a bit hard to tame yesterday. It’s an important issue that deserves to be covered accurately.

LADIES, TAKE THIS TO HEART
Not so fun fact: Aussie women are twice as likely to die as men six months after a heart attack. That’s because they’re less likely to get the testing, treatment and rehab they need. Why? Professor Clara Chow said it’s because heart attacks are seen as a men’s problem. "Just as many women have heart disease as do men, and it's very important that we make sure they get the best treatment," she said. Do you know the signs? A great video by actress Elizabeth Banks, who had a heart attack, is here.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Ceremony at Government House to recognise the nine Australians involved in the rescue of the Thai Cave Boys - Canberra

ABS Data Release - Census 2016: Estimating Homelessness

Lifeline's Stress Down Day

Jennifer Lopez (1969), Rose Byrne (1979) and Elisabeth Moss (1982) celebrate their birthdays