Thursday, 5 February - In love with an uptown girl

February 05, 2026

Good morning, it’s Thursday, 5 February. In your Squiz Today…

  • The fallout from the Epstein files continues

  • Inquest findings into the Bondi Westfield attack are due to be handed down

  • And Penny the Doberman Pinscher is crowned top dog… 🏆

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Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“Let the minion skate!”

Said fans of Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté, the Spanish figure skater we mentioned yesterday who was barred from using Minions-themed music at the Winter Olympics over copyright issues. The fan outcry worked - Sabate has his music back, and the minion can skate after all…

The Epstein files fallout rolls on…

The Squiz

The latest tranche of documents from the investigation into disgraced financier and paedophile sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is gathering steam by the day, as more allegations of high-profile figures’ ties to him are unearthed. It’s made up of about 3 million files (including 180,000 images and 2,000 videos…), so it’s taking a while for journalists to dig through them - but one of the biggest names in there is US President Donald Trump, who's been mentioned hundreds of times. He’s repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and, this week, has urged the US Department of Justice (the DOJ, which has been releasing them…) to move on.

Is that going to happen?

Well, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday’s release is likely the last major declassification of files linked to Epstein… But prosecutors have identified 6 million files, so there are millions we haven’t seen - plus a lot of redactions - and that’s led to criticism of the DOJ/its transparency. And given the notable people being mentioned, analysts reckon interest is unlikely to wane… Those people come from all corners of the globe - and in the UK, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, is copping more heat. Photos of him kneeling over a female lying on the ground were included in the newly-released documents - and while he’s also denied wrongdoing, it’s only adding to the pressure on him to give evidence in the US about his ties with Epstein.

Is that all?

Not by a long shot… We mentioned a couple of Australian names (paywall) on Monday, and another link that has emerged involves a former UK Labour minister, Peter Mandelson. His ties with Epstein have been known for a while now, but the latest files have led to his resignation from the party and UK police opening a criminal investigation over claims he leaked government information to the sex offender. Here in Oz, though, it’s an email he sent to Epstein in 2010 supporting a mining industry campaign against then-PM Kevin Rudd’s proposed mining super profits tax, which has been getting attention… Mandelson isn’t the only person facing consequences, but with public outrage growing, survivors of Epstein’s sex trafficking ring say more of his alleged clients need to be brought to justice.

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Squiz the Rest

Seeking answers to a tragedy

You’ll be hearing about the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing attack today, with the findings of a coronial inquest due after being delayed last year following the Bondi Beach terror attack. A lot’s happened since Joel Cauchi, who was experiencing psychosis related to his unmedicated schizophrenia, went on a rampage inside the shopping centre in April 2024, killing 6 people… This is a chance for families of the victims to get some answers - and for authorities to hear NSW Coroner, Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan’s recommendations to prevent it happening again. We already have some idea of what she’s been considering - including mental health sector reforms and greater police powers to scan for weapons in public - but all will be revealed today…

Another Aussie dies in Japan

Melbourne man Michael Hurst became separated from his skiing group on Monday and was later found unconscious, before dying in hospital. Known as Micky, Hurst was working and holidaying on the northern island of Hokkaido - a friend of his family said yesterday that “knowing he died doing the sport he loved the most makes us happy.” It’s the same region that Indonesian-born 17yo Rylan Pribadi, who was schooled in Brisbane, also died after colliding with a course boundary on the slopes last month. And it comes in the same week that we learned of the death of 22yo Queenslander Brooke Day in a chairlift accident. Heavy snowfalls in the past 2 weeks have wreaked havoc on Japan's infrastructure, with the government reporting that at least 30 people have died in snow-related accidents in the past 15 days. 

For sale: several defence sites, slightly used

The Albanese Government is about to go on a selling spree, putting over 60 defence sites up for sale in a program that could net nearly $2 billion to spend on new military equipment and upgrades to existing bases. Over 2 years ago, the government received an audit of defence real estate - sites as varied as islands, barracks and even golf courses - that are not crucial to the operation of our defence forces. But many of the buildings have strong heritage value or are longstanding parts of local communities - so Defence Minister Richard Marles says it's been a "challenging issue" to work out what should be sold. But now it's mostly been worked out, the sales may also open up housing supply in Australia - a longstanding issue for the government…

Setting some controversial boundaries

This Saturday marks the start of the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, but it’ll be a tournament plagued by controversy… To catch you up, Pakistan has been threatening to boycott the event over issues with India (both political and cricket-related). On Sunday, they announced that while they will play, the government of Pakistan has ordered the team to boycott its game against India in Sri Lanka on 16 February. Tournament organisers aren't happy, because an India/Pakistan game attracts a lot of eyeballs, and a forfeit could cost them as much as $350 million. So officials are scrambling to find a solution as the clock counts down… As for the Aussies, we’ll play our first game against Ireland on 11 February. Here’s a full preview… 

A Penny Pinscher proves prize-winning

That's Penny, the 4yo Doberman pinscher, this year's winner of the 150th Westminster Dog Show, the famous US celebration of all things canine. The New York Times live-blog (one of many covering the results yesterday) described Penny as having a “Sinatra-esque quality - cool, unflappable, maybe a little ticked off”. That energy was enough for Penny to take the win, and her handler Andy Linton has form - he also handled the last Doberman Pinscher to win this event, all the way back in 1989. Penny beat out finalists and very good dogs Zaida, Cookie, JJ, Wager, Cota and uh, Graham to take the win, while second place went to Cota the Chesapeake Bay retriever, who promptly tried to eat his runner-up ribbon - that might be why you finished second, Cota…

Apropos of Nothing

Flamingos, crabs and sloths (oh my!) are all part of this year’s crop of nominees for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award, which is open for public vote. We’ve had a look, and picking the best pic is far from an easy call… 

Only in the Northern Territory would you hear about a mum pausing on the drive to school to help shift a 1.5m crocodile from a puddle. Humpty Doo local Melody Wehipeihana held the croc's head so it could be secured with a rope and moved. Not your average school run…

And our flag bearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics have been named - they’re mogul skiers Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham. The opening ceremony kicks off on Saturday for us in Oz at 6am AEDT - and you can get across the events and who to watch with our Squiz Shortcut…

Squiz the Day

10.00am (AEDT) - The findings of the coronial inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbing attack in April 2024 will be handed down - Sydney

7.00pm (ACST) - Netball: Game one of a 3-match international Test series between Australia Diamonds and Jamaica Sunshine Girls at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena - Adelaide, watch on Kayo

7.30pm (AEDT) - Australian Chamber Orchestra launches its 2026 season with Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody and a world premiere of John Luther Adam's Horizon - Newcastle

Tasmanian students return to school for term one

ABS data release - International trade in goods, December 

National Weatherperson’s Day ☔

Birthdays for actor Michael Sheen (1969), Mary, Crown Queen of Denmark (1972) and soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo (1985)

Anniversary of:

  • the discovery of the world's largest alluvial gold nugget, the Welcome Stranger, weighing between 66kg and 72kg - in Moliagul, Australia (1869)

  • the launch of Monopoly (cue many, many family arguments) (1935)

  • the US Senate acquitting US President Donald Trump of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress (2020)