Squiz Today / 31 October 2017

Squiz Today – Tuesday, 31 October

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“The last 200 yards or so was good going and those horses put on pace and next werejumping the trenches with the Turks underneath. When over the trenches we went straight for the town.”

That’s Private Walter Keddie’s account of the charge of the Light Horse Brigade at Beersheba during WWI on this day 100 years ago. It was remarkable for a number of things, but here's a couple: It was the last great cavalry charge in history. And it was one of Australia’s most decisive military victories. PM Malcolm Turnbull and Labor leader Bill Shorten are in Israel for today's commemorations. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC’s News channel at 6pm.


GAYLE WINS DEFAMATION CASE

THE SQUIZ
West Indian Cricketer Chris Gayle yesterday won his defamation case against Fairfax Media over reports accusing him of exposing himself to a female masseuse. The articles came at a time when interest in Gayle's conduct was at a high ebb following his infamous "don't blush baby" interview with TV sports reporter Mel McLaughlin. A jury of three women and one man took less than two hours to find the claims weren’t proven and that Fairfax had been motivated by malice. "I came all the way from Jamaica to actually defend myself and my character as well. At the end of the day I'm very, very happy," Gayle said.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Fairfax’s solicitor Peter Bartlett said he was shocked by the outcome. "It will cost the company a lot of money unless we can reverse it on appeal," he said. And in the tradition of the sport, Fairfax complained about the umpire’s calls. Fairfax said it was; "concerned with the conduct of the trial to the extent that on Friday it sought an order that the jury be discharged and a new trial ordered… Fairfax believes that it did not get a fair trial. It is seriously considering its appeal rights."

THERE ARE A FEW HARASSMENT CASES IN THE NEWS RIGHT NOW...
There sure are. Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey yesterday apologised after being accused by fellow actor Anthony Rapp of "making an advance on him" more than 30 years ago. Rapp was 14yo at the time. Spacey said in a statement that he didn’t remember the encounter and put it down to “deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour”. And he confirmed that he is gay - a response that has infuriated many for conflating the two issues. And if you haven’t read the latest Ronan Farrow piece in the New Yorker (yes, we can just now hear how pretentious that sounds…), you should. It outlines more claims of assault and harassment by producer Harvey Weinstein, this time from actresses Darryl Hannah and Annabelle Sciorra. It’s harrowing but worthwhile reading.


INVESTING IN YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

PRESENTED BY THE COMMONWEALTH BANK

Ever felt out of your depth in conversation with the financially savvy? We get it - we didn't know our defensive from our growth investments until recently. The shame... Luckily the Commonwealth Bank has a stack of information on their website to help you get prepared for when you're stuck talking to that lovely guy from Finance at your office Christmas party. And, of course, to help you get your head around planning for your financial future.

Our suggestion - start with this simple guide to the different types of investments.


SQUIZ THE REST

FIRST ARRESTS IN RUSSIA PROBE
Three officials from US President Donald Trump’s election campaign team have been charged under special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation into the campaign's links with Russia. Twelve charges have been made against campaign manager Paul Manafort and his business partner Rick Gates from their work in Ukraine in the years before joining the Trump campaign. The charges include conspiracy to launder money and making false statements. And it was revealed that volunteer foreign affairs adviser George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty earlier this month to making a false statement to the FBI about his dealings with people with Russian connections to get the dirt on Hillary Clinton. Team Trump said the charges have little to do with them.

MANUS ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE’S DIFFICULT CLOSURE
With the Manus Island Centre due for closure today, the Papua New Guinean government is concerned about the future arrangements for those remaining in PNG and want reassurances the Australian government will continue to provide support. Those who have been found to be refugees can move to a nearby centre (and some already have). Most of this group are waiting to hear if they will be accepted for resettlement in the US. Those that haven't been found to be refugees can move to separate accommodation. There are currently about 600 men who are refusing to leave the detention centre. “It's going to make it hard for us to achieve the 31 October deadline when people are refusing to accept the offer to move,” Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said last week.

CONSUMER COMMISSION LOOKS INTO THE NBN
What we’re short of – good news about the NBN.

What we’re not short of – reports saying there are problems with the NBN.

Yesterday it was the consumer and competition regulator’s turn. It’s the cop on the beat making sure that advertising and claims by NBN Co and the retailers are correct. In short, its primary concerns are “connection and activation issues as consumers transition to the NBN, NBN pricing and speed claim issues.” So pretty much all of it then… The ACCC is now taking feedback and will release its final report and recommendations early next year.

PRINCE GEORGE NAMED AS A POTENTIAL TERROR TARGET
Reports say Prince George has been threatened by Islamic State extremists in a message posted to an encrypted messaging app. The message also posted a photo of the 4yo and his school’s address. The app Telegram is said to be popular amongst extremist groups. British authorities said they monitor it around the clock.

ARGY-BARGY OVER FLU VACCINE
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy rejected claims that the government chose a cheap and less effective flu vaccine to cover us this winter. Figures to date show a record flu season with 215,000 cases, thousands of hospitalisations and hundreds of deaths. Reports yesterday said there was a more expensive vaccination that would have provided better protection. But Murphy said the company that makes it has not applied for it to be available for use here. We’re guessing there were a few health bureaucrats making some calls yesterday…

HALLOWEEN – IT’S HAPPENING
Sorry to sound like a bore but we don’t get Americanisms like Halloween. But then again, if it gets the kids off their screens and out talking to their neighbours, that’s a pretty good outcome, isn’t it? So we’ve made some effort to get on board. This pet costume gallery gave us a giggle (Marilyn Pugroe is gorgeous - make sure you click through to the third page for her). And in case you need it – drink pairing suggestions for your lollies (we draw the line at calling it candy...).

SQUIZ THE DAY

10.00am (AEDT) - Supreme Court hearing on the acquisition of the Ten Network by CBS - Sydney

ABS Data Releases - Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production, 2015-16; Foreign Currency Exposure, March Quarter 2017

500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation

And a reminder - open the email every day this week you'll go into the draw for a $100 gift card from Woolies. Some bloke named Israelmore Ayivor (who sounds credible because he has 480 Twitter followers) famously said that consistency is the belt that fastens excellence in position. Well said, sir.

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