Monday, 15 January - I been sippin'

Good morning, it’s Monday, 15 January. In your Squiz Today…

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Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

Said Adelaide Hills resident Gail Auricht of finding a red-bellied black snake stuck in her fridge's ice dispenser. It's been pretty hot in many areas of Oz, so you can understand where the reptile was going with it…

Retaliation in the Red Sea

The Squiz

Leaders of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group say they’ll carry out a “strong and effective response” as the US and UK continue airstrikes on the militia’s facilities in Yemen. The US-led strikes - which Australia is supporting - began on Friday as the Houthis continue to attack cargo and military ships passing through the Red Sea. As of yesterday afternoon, at least 70 strikes had been carried out on what US authorities said were “command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defence radar systems”. 

Why is this notable? 

Because it has stoked fears of a broader Middle East conflict breaking out. The attacks by the Houthi rebels started in November - they say in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The US and UK aren’t standing for that - they say the Iran-backed Houthis have to be stopped because 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea trade corridor. Yesterday, the Pentagon said the strikes had “good effects” in knocking out Houthi assets, but others aren't so positive… The United Nations has urged restraint from "all involved" as tensions grow. And World Bank economists have warned the situation could spark more global economic woes if it isn't sorted out soon.

And what’s happening in Israel’s war on Hamas?

As the conflict passes 100 days, reports say at least 23,700 Palestinians in Gaza and 1,300 Israelis have been killed, 64,000 Palestinians and 12,400 Israelis have been injured, and more than 575,000 Palestinians are facing “catastrophic hunger and starvation” in Gaza. As for the war, Israeli strikes hit the city of Rafah in southern Gaza over the weekend, where more than a million people are said to be sheltering. Israeli officials say it's necessary because that's where they believe the terror group's leaders are hiding. Yesterday, Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Gaza's border with Egypt (known as the Philadelphi Corridor aka Gaza's only non-Israeli-controlled border) “must” be closed to stop Hamas from moving weapons and military equipment through. There are growing tensions over this issue, so it’s one to be aware of. 

Squiz the Rest

The Danish royal turnover is complete

They came, Queen Margrethe II signed the abdication paperwork, Frederik was proclaimed King, and Mary the Queen Consort. And that was that - simples… Tens of thousands of Danes turned out to see the pair take to the balcony of Copenhagen’s Christiansborg Castle, where Frederik got a bit teary as he praised his mother and said he wanted to be "a unifying king" for the future. And then the 55yo kissed his Queen (who was decked out in white) and everyone cheered. Across the weekend, Aussies got behind the occasion with fans heading to Sydney’s Slip Inn, where the couple met. And our government has gone all out - PM Anthony Albanese announced $10,000 for Wildcare Tasmania’s work to protect the Tasmanian Devil.

Taiwan makes a historic choice

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te (also known as William Lai) won Saturday’s election, snaffling an unprecedented third term for the party. Lai, who's all for an independent Taiwan, won with 40% of the vote. But it wasn't all good news for the DPP - they lost their majority in parliament, reflecting public frustration over domestic issues like housing costs and stagnant wages. He’s promised to address those and to continue to stand up to China. Note: China wants to reunify with the island it considers its own territory... Lai says the result shows that’s not what locals want as they write “a new page for Taiwan's history of democracy.” Lai has his work cut out for him… He'll have to deal with a China that’s really unhappy with his election while he also promotes dialogue with Beijing. 

Jostling at the top

A rare thing happened on one of America’s most important stock exchanges last week with Microsoft overtaking Apple as the world's most valuable company. The company founded by Bill Gates hit a market valuation of $2.88 trillion, largely because of its early investment in generative artificial intelligence through OpenAI. As one analyst put it, "Microsoft is growing faster and has more to benefit from the generative AI revolution." In after-hours trading over the weekend, Apple has retaken the top spot with its share price valuing the company at $2.89 trillion… It’s had a rough start to 2024 with analysts voicing concerns over demand for Apple products given ongoing cost of living pressures. While the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, sometimes it does roll downhill… 

More than a game

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley has a grand slam of a plan to turn the Australian Open into a huge event - he says “not just in the southern hemisphere, or in January, but the biggest sporting event in the world." It would involve increasing the prize money, extending its duration and enhancing the spectator experience through technology. And like Saudi money is changing golf, Tiley says tennis has to be open to it to make the circuit what it could be. Talk of a ‘premium tour’ has been around for ages, and Tiley is at the forefront of the push for change. But for the next fortnight, his focus will be on a smooth Australian Open. Today, the big game to look out for is Alex de Minaur’s match against Milos Raonic. C’mon Aussie… Naomi Osaka is also making her big return against Caroline Garcia later tonight. 

Stanley cups runneth over

You know how Crocs became a thing? Well, the guy who did that is now behind the new must-have ugly accessory of the moment - the Stanley water bottle (or 'cup', as the cool kids call it…). The Stanley Quencher, a 40oz (1.2ltr) stainless steel/vacuum-insulated jug with a straw, has become a hot ticket item that's helped the 110-year-old brand's sales skyrocket to over US$750 million in 2023 - that's compared to an average of US$70 million a year before 2020. Experts say the trend reflects a broader shift towards health-consciousness and maturity among Generation Z - but the more than 7 billion mentions via savvy influencer marketing on TikTok might have also helped… Before you rush out to buy one, get your elbows out because crowds got pushy at a recent new colour launch in the US. And remember to switch the hand you use to carry it to avoid shoulder strain… 

Apropos of Nothing

It turns out a ’ludicrously capacious’ Burberry tote can fetch a bit at auction with the famous Succession prop selling for $28,000 over the weekend. But someone was willing to fork over even more - $39,390, to be exact - for Roman’s eulogy notes for his father’s funeral. Iconic… 

NASA’s new supersonic jet is ready for take-off after decades of development. The super-fast X-59 is designed to break the sound barrier without making the loud booms of previous aircraft - the new jet only makes a quiet “thump”. The goal? “Sustainable commercial supersonic flight over land,” NASA says.

It’s been a big weekend for Tassie - aside from marking Mary’s big promotion, Kenny the Kennebec potato has been restored to his former glory. Premier Jeremy Rockliff shared the good news after the tourist attraction toppled over in October.

Squiz the Day

From 10.00am (AEDT) - Critics Choice Awards - Los Angeles, and broadcast live on Stan

The World Economic Forum (on until 19 January) - Davos, Switzerland

Foreign Minister Penny Wong travels to the Middle East to visit Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and the UAE

Wikipedia Day

Anniversary of:

• Henry VIII declaring himself head of the Church in England (1535), and Elizabeth I becoming Queen of England (1559)

• the eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which was the largest this century (2022)

• the assassination of Afghani politician Mursal Nabizada. She was the first politician from the previous administration to be killed in Kabul since the Taliban takeover (2023)

Tuesday
12.00am (AEDT) - Election season kicks off in the US with the first primary election for Republicans to pick their candidate for president - Iowa

Sharing is caring (and winning)

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