Squiz Today – Tuesday, 9 June

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“the order of australia is 1 flake 1 dim sim minimum chips”

Tweeted journo Michael Lucy. Some others were recognised by the Governor-General yesterday.

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PROTESTORS HOPE CHANGE IS ON THE WAY

THE SQUIZ
Protests against racism and police violence towards black people continue in the US and around the world more than two weeks after 46yo George Floyd was killed at the hands of police. The mostly peaceful demonstrations in America have taken on ‘a near-festive tone' with hopes rising that change is coming.

IS CHANGE COMING?
Well, some are sceptical. But others say there is something different about what’s happened in the last fortnight. One development that points in the direction of change is Minneapolis city council members’ support for plans to disband the city’s troubled police department. “It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe,” said council president Lisa Bender. Protestors in other cities have called for the same in a movement observers say would have been unthinkable just weeks ago. And there are signs the political sands could be shifting. Sweeping legislation to address police violence has been introduced into Congress by Democrats overnight. And former Secretary of State/Republican Colin Powell broke with the party line to criticise US President Donald Trump. The only African American to have served as America’s top military officer, Powell yesterday said Trump has “drifted away" from the constitution. And for that reason, he says he’ll vote for Democratic candidate for president Joe Biden come November. Trump responded, calling Powell "highly overrated".

AND WHAT ABOUT DEMONSTRATIONS HERE?
Protests happened across the country on Saturday despite pleas from political leaders and health officials for people to stay away from the mass gatherings for fear of creating a second peak of COVID-19. And the advice yesterday from Tony Bartone, the president of the Australian Medical Association, was that participants should consider self-isolating themselves for two weeks to limit any possible spread of the disease. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth didn’t go that far saying anyone showing symptoms should get a test ASAP. Those taking part were urged to maintain social distancing and to wear masks. Still, there has been plenty of commentary about the protests being held after thousands of Australian complied with orders to close businesses, hold small funerals, and other restrictions in response to the coronavirus.

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SQUIZ THE REST

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MEANWHILE, IN CORONAVIRUS NEWS…

• The child care sector was one that got early financial support after attendance plummeted when we were in the thick of the lockdown. But the Morrison Government is moving on with Education Minister Dan Tehan yesterday confirming parents will need to start paying from 12 July. The JobKeeper payment for workers in the sector will also end, but a three-month, $708 million support package will ease the transition.

• New Zealand has eliminated the virus from its shores and will lift all coronavirus restrictions - except for its border bans. As for a travel bubble with us, not yet. Not doing so well is Brazil, which has stopped publishing a running total of coronavirus deaths and infections. Critics of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the crisis say it's an attempt to hide the real toll of the disease on the nation.

• To the numbers: Globally, there are now more than 7 million cases and 400,000 deaths. In Australia, there have been 7,265 cases recorded, and the death toll remains at 102 people. We currently have 446 active cases.

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CHINA - STILL NOT STOKED WITH OZ

On Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism advised its citizens to think twice before travelling to Australia citing a “significant increase” in racist attacks on “Chinese and Asian people”. Then, an editorial in state mouthpiece The Global Times said the move was “just the tip of the iceberg” and Australia “must make a real change to its current stance on China, or it will completely lose the benefits of Chinese consumers.” While Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the claim of a spike in racist attacks had “no basis in fact”, researchers said there had been an increase with the majority of cases going unreported to police. But experts said China's statement was not motivated by a "genuine concern over the safety of Chinese citizens," particularly given no one can travel ATM. More likely, it's "intended to damage the image of Australia," they say. On China’s list of grievances is our call for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus crisis.

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PRINCE ANDREW COULD BE QUESTIONED

A report in UK publication The Sun says US authorities have officially asked their UK counterparts to hand over Prince Andrew for questioning over his links to disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has previously said that he would cooperate with investigations into Epstein's child abuse ring, but reports say he's so far refused to talk to New York prosecutors. Not true, said the Prince's lawyers overnight, saying he's offered to speak to investigators three times. The rarely used legal move could see Andrew asked to attend a court hearing to provide oral or written evidence on oath. And if he refused, he could be forced to attend in person by summons, the report says. Andrew, who has been accused of abusing one of the girls trafficked by Epstein, strongly denies any wrongdoing, and his lawyers say American authorities have advised him that he is not a "target" of their investigation.

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MCCANN SUSPECT LINKED TO OTHER VICTIMS

The 43-year-old German man last week named as the lead suspect in the 2007 disappearance of 3yo British girl Madeleine McCann from a Portuguese resort has been investigated over other missing kids. That includes a 5yo girl in Germany, and a 6yo boy, also in Portugal. Identified by German media as Christian Brückner, he's serving a seven-year sentence for rape. German prosecutors said last week that they believed Madeleine is dead, but the McCann's spokesman said they remained hopeful after almost 400 "pieces of information" have been offered up by the public since the new call for help went out.

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SHARK ATTACK VICTIM REMEMBERED

Gold Coast man Rob Pedretti was yesterday remembered as a “humble, fun-loving, down to earth and all-round legend”. The 60yo died on Sunday mid-morning after he was attacked by the 3m great white shark while surfing with a mate over the border at Kingscliff, NSW. And with the shark circling below, he was brought to shore by his friend and another boardrider in an act described as heroic. They administered first aid but were unable to save him. It is the first fatal attack in the state in five years.

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APROPOS OF NOTHING

James Bond is a dad, with reports saying his parental side will be featured in upcoming flick No Time To Die. As a new parent, we're set to find out if the experience has left him shaken and stirred...

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge has been turned into “a giant orange wheezing kazoo” after recent changes to bicycle path railings. Toot toot.

Want to own a part of Prince Charles and Camilla’s romantic history? Bolehyde Manor is up for sale. With that backstory, is it any surprise it’s said to be haunted?

SQUIZ THE DAY

Our federal politicians start heading back to Canberra with Parliament resuming tomorrow

The Claremont serial killings trial set to resume for closing statements - Perth

Derek Chauvin, the former Minnesota police officer accused of murdering George Floyd, to appear in court for the first time

Birthdays for Michael J. Fox (1961), Johnny Depp (1963), Natalie Portman (1981)

Anniversary of:
• China leasing Hong Kong's new territories, including Hong Kong, to the UK for 99 years (1898), as well as the anniversary of the lease expiring, handing the city back to China (1997)
• the first appearance of Donald Duck in The Wise Little Hen (1934)
• the Ghost Train fire at Luna Park in Sydney that killed seven (1979)