Squiz Today – 25 July 2024

The Squiz 

While most Aussies are still taking shelter under the doona, experts have confirmed the world has just experienced its hottest ever day. The average global temperature hit 17.09C on Sunday due to heatwaves in the US/Europe, just pipping the 17.08C record set in July last year. And while that might not seem like much, scientists say what matters more is the trend – that the world’s gotten hotter for the last 13 months. Europe’s climate service is Copernicus, and its boss Carlo Buontempo says “we are now in truly uncharted territory” and the world is “bound to see new records being broken in future months and years”. 

What does it mean? 

Well, some scientists calculate this adds up to a 92% chance that 2024 will top 2023 as the hottest year on record. And they reckon that will mean more bushfires, heat-related illnesses/death, and tourism becoming harder in the hottest months. Taking a holiday in warm weather might be one thing, but climate expert Bharat Venkat reckons it’s more about the “massive readjustments in the way in which we live our lives”, like not being able to take the dog for a walk because the pavement’s too scorching. And while Australia’s got plenty of experience with brutal summer weather, this week’s update from the BOM still has us on La Nina (aka the wet one) watch for this spring. 

So it’s too early to pack away the jumpers? 

Sure is – especially if you live in the southern half of the country… In fact, our national energy regulator AEMO says there’s been record demand for electricity this autumn/winter and the recent cold snap has led to a 20% decrease in wind power. That’s meant we’ve been forced to rely on gas-fired power generation to get us through, which has seen electricity prices spiking 23% higher than the same time last year. Someone doing better off the back of renewables is our own head of state – aka King Charles – with his investments in offshore wind farms proving super savvy. The latest report from the Crown estate – shows its property portfolio is now worth $2.1 billion – more than doubling in value in just a year. Nice work, KC…

Netanyahu’s controversial visit

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit has created a scene in Washington DC, where even before his historic fourth address to Congress early this morning, anti-war protestors rallied outside his hotel and staged sit-ins in politicians’ offices. In his speech, which was boycotted by many Democrats, Netanyahu said the US and Israel “must stand together” and he compared the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas to the September 11 terror attack on New York, saying the day will “forever live in infamy”. On questions of a pending ceasefire deal for the war in Gaza, presumptive presidential candidate/Vice President Kamala Harris will get to talk it through with Netanyahu in a 1:1 meeting today. Also for your news agenda today: President Joe Biden will deliver a televised address later this morning explaining his decision to withdraw from the presidential race. 

Ce Nine pas bon

Olympic broadcaster Nine had a tough start to its Paris jaunt when 2 staff members were attacked in an attempted robbery, but there are more choppy waters to navigate with its print journos voting to strike for 5 days from Friday – the eve of the Olympics Opening Ceremony. The industrial action is set to hit titles including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Financial Review after staff and managers failed to agree on pay increases, workplace diversity policies and the use of artificial intelligence. CEO Mike Sneesby, who’s in Paris for the Games (paywall), wouldn’t comment, but reports say bosses and union reps back home are in crisis talks to resolve the issue ASAP. Nine’s under the pump after spending $305 million on exclusive broadcasting rights for the Games until Brisbane 2032… At least the coverage is off to a good start, with wins by the Aussie men’s rugby sevens side over Samoa and Kenya.

Hasta la vista, baby

The cost of living crisis is affecting Aussies’ life decisions, with new data showing our birth rate has dropped off a cliff with the post-COVID baby boom well and truly over. Analysis by consultants KPMG looked at 2023, and the number of babies born fell across the country by over 8% compared to 2 years earlier. About 290,000 newborns came into the world in Oz last year – 26,000 fewer than in 2021, marking our lowest birth rate since 2006. Greater Sydney and Western Australia saw the biggest declines at -12%, while the ACT kept it relatively jiggy at -2%. Experts say rising housing costs/interest rates are behind the delays to start a family, and/or decisions against expanding our existing brood, leading to the sharpest drop since “economic stagflation in the 1970s”.

Check out this Squiz Shortcut to find out more about Australia’s declining birth rate.

Disney’s sweary smash

It’s just dropped in cinemas today, but financial expectations for the new superhero film Deadpool & Wolverine are running high, with reports it could break box office records for an R-rated movie. Experts predict the opening weekend will rake in $265 million in the US alone, and a staggering $530 million+ worldwide. And given the production cost around $380 million to make, that’ll come as a relief to studio executives – especially as the third instalment of the Deadpool series was a risky choice as Disney’s first 18+ release. It also marks a more adult-focused chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, which has been a family-focused affair to date, particularly with its mega-successful Avengers films. Whether the anticipated success is down to leading man Ryan Reynolds’ cheeky one-liners, or our Hugh Jackman’s presence, we’ll leave it up to you…

Because we beer-can can

A tinny by the river on a hot day = bliss, but how about 8,500 of them? That’s how many Western Australian cousins Kevin Goodall and Campbell Jones had to drink/find to achieve their dream of building a boat out of beer cans… After 4 months of hard yakka, the pair’s creation – dubbed the SS Wyalkatchem after their Wheatbelt hometown – is complete. Goodall says seeing the vessel take shape was ”rewarding”, but there’s “a sense of relief” now it’s done. But they can’t relax just yet as its maiden voyage involves another epic effort… The beer can boat has to travel over 3,700km to Darwin where they’ll compete in the 50th anniversary Beer Can Regatta in mid-August. The boat might technically be worth $850 if they chose to recycle afterwards, but the bragging rights are priceless…

It’s been 5 years since Samsung released its first foldable screen smartphone, but experts think Apple might be on track to do the same. Reports say an iPhone equivalent to the Galaxy Fold that could be available in 2026 is “in development with suppliers.”

Two American reality show contestants are eating humble pie after tucking into a protected native bird during filming in New Zealand. Spencer Jones has apologised for killing the flightless weka – his excuse is he’d been in “starvation mode” while filming Race to Survive. 

And she’s going for the job of US president but Kamala Harris has arguably got an endorsement from someone even more powerful. Beyoncé has granted Harris permission to use her song Freedom as a campaign anthem. After all, we know it’s Queen Bey who Run the World…

9.30am (AEST) – First case management hearing for Bruce Lehrmann’s appeal against his defamation suit loss against Network Ten/Lisa Wilkinson – Sydney

7.00pm (AEST) – Boxing: Justis Huni v Troy Pilcher – Brisbane

7.45pm (AEST) – NRLW season opener: Newcastle v Sydney Roosters – Newcastle, and watch on 9Now

10.30pm (AEST) – Olympics: Men’s Rugby Sevens, Aus v Argentina – Paris, and watch on 9Now

ABS Data Release – Consultation draft: Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)

World Drowning Prevention Day

Puerto Rico Constitution Day

Republic Day in Tunisia

And Merry Christmas in July 🎄

Anniversary of:

• scientists announcing the first human stem cells to be cultured in a laboratory (1997)
• Lance Armstrong winning the first of 7 consecutive Tour de France titles (but he was later disqualified for drug cheating) (1999)
• WikiLeaks publishing classified documents about the war in Afghanistan, one of the largest leaks in US military history (2010)

Friday
3.00am (AEST) – Olympics: Women’s Soccer, Aus v Germany – Paris, and watch on 9Now