Tuesday, 4 March - Hooked on a feeling

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, 4 March. In your Squiz Today…

• Preparations are underway in Queensland’s southeast for Tropical Cyclone Alfred

• The gender pay gap narrows

• And Anora wins big at the Oscars…

🎧 Listen to the podcast

🤓 This email will take you 5 minutes to read

Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

Said Ana Ferreira Manhoso, producer of Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence, a new musical playing at the Adelaide Fringe. Its writers rely on the core teenage experience of netball (hot pink uniforms included…) to make Shakespeare more accessible. It's here if you needeth...

Keeping an eye on a storm

The Squiz

Preparations are underway for the possibility that Tropical Cyclone Alfred - which has been lurking off the coast of Queensland for a couple of weeks - could hit southeastern parts of the state on Thursday, with northern NSW - near Byron Bay - also in the firing line. Weather experts are predicting that the east coast will cop heavy rain, high winds and big waves as Alfred comes closer. If it does make landfall, it’ll be the first tropical cyclone to hit south-east Queensland in 50 years. 

This sounds like it’s getting serious…

Sure is, and one of the reasons for concern is tropical cyclones in that area are rare, so people who live there aren’t as prepared as their northern neighbours. Premier David Crisafulli has warned that the cyclone is “packing a punch” and that anyone in its path needs to start making plans and stay connected for updates. He says when it makes landfall, it’s likely to be a Category 2 cyclone, which means its winds are classified as destructive - they can cause minor damage to houses and significant damage to signs and trees. If you’re in that area and looking for resources, here’s a link to the Queensland government’s cyclone preparation guide and here’s a regularly updated guide to school closures. 

What else is happening?

Well, first of all, rower Aurimas Mockus, who was caught in the middle of Alfred is OK - he’s been rescued by the Australian navy in the Coral Sea. The 44yo Lithuanian was trying to row all the way from San Diego to Brisbane but got into strife when Alfred crossed his path late last week. He's been picked up and is recovering. The cyclone is also causing some drama for the AFL - its season opener was all set to be played in Brisbane on Thursday night, but that's now under a (very big) cloud. And Alfred’s making waves all the way to Canberra - with those in the know saying it could delay the PM’s election announcement…

Explore Antarctica in unmatched luxury

Silversea's Antarctica expeditions offer the ultimate blend of luxury and adventure, setting sail to the world's most remote continent. On board Silversea's all-suite ships, comfort meets exploration with expert-led adventures. Think naturalists, marine biologists, and historians guiding you through the icy wonders. Plus, skip the Drake Passage with the fly-cruise program, flying straight to King George Island for more exploring. Head here to explore and book your Silversea Antarctica expedition.

Squiz the Rest

A minerals deal on ice

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is looking to move on from his clash with US leaders, saying he’s ready to sign onto a minerals deal with President Donald Trump. Zelensky has spent the last couple of days in the UK, where he met with European leaders and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to shore up support for Ukrainian defences against Russia. The emergency summit - called after the White House snafu - was led by UK PM Keir Starmer. He and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for a temporary, month-long truce between Ukraine and Russia while a permanent plan is negotiated. Russian leaders don’t seem interested - the head of Russia's Foreign Affairs Committee says the only thing Ukraine can count on is “progress … in Russian-American relations”.

A case of public interest

Former military lawyer David McBride is appealing the lengthy jail term he was sentenced to last year after admitting to sharing classified information with journalists. To remind you, this all came about after McBride revealed himself as the source of an ABC investigation alleging Australian soldiers had illegally killed people in the Afghanistan war. His lawyers yesterday told the ACT Court of Appeal that the sentence failed to take into account McBride’s motivations - that he was “bravely and selflessly” trying to right a wrong, rather than acting on financial or other ulterior motives. The ACT Supreme Court previously rejected the argument that McBride was acting in the public interest, so we’ll see if it flies this time… The decision has been reserved.

Bridging the gap

Things are looking up for Aussie women in the workplace, with this year’s gender pay gap figures showing nearly half of companies have narrowed the gap between what male and female workers are paid. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has shared stats for almost 10,000 businesses employing over 100 staff in its annual gender pay gap report, showing the average gap to be 21.8%. It means, on average, for every $1 paid to a man, a woman doing the same job gets 78 cents - adding up to more than $28,000 a year. This year, for the first time, the data includes the salaries of CEOs down to the lowest earners. WGEA's CEO Mary Wooldridge said it's "a big difference, but we are seeing positive signs". You can see how companies stack up here…

Vale James Harrison

The Aussie known as "The Man with the Golden Arm" who donated more blood than any other has died at 88yo. Harrison donated blood 1,100 times over 6 decades and, in doing so, he played a role in saving the lives of millions of Aussie babies. His generosity aside, what made him special is that his plasma contained an antibody called anti-D, used in medication for a condition called haemolytic disease of the newborn, which can be fatal - you can see a video of his last donation here. The CEO of Lifeblood - the blood donation arm of the Red Cross - says Harrison’s dream was that his record would one day be broken. We better get giving… 

Anora anointed at the Oscars

The movie about a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch took home Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Anora cost just $6 million to make and won 5 awards, including Best Director (Sean Baker) and Best Actress (Mikey Madison). Best Actor went to Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, who gave a very long acceptance speech - not as long as the film though, which is 3.5 hours long… The ceremony kicked off with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo duetting on Defying Gravity from Wicked, and host Conan O’Brien’s performance was well-received as he kept things silly and light. And as always, the red carpet was a feast for the eyeballs - though the CSIRO spotted something fishy about the looks on display...

Apropos of Nothing

Tired of regular superheroes saving the day? You might prefer the less-than-impressive talents of those gunning to be the world’s worst superhero. With challenges like the Evading Arrest Obstacle Course and Beer Belly Sumo Wrestling, there’s something for everyone…

US boxer Gervonta Davis has held onto his WBA lightweight title after a controversial win… He voluntarily dropped to a knee at one point, which his opponent says should have counted as a knockdown - but Davis reckons he was just wiping hair product out of his eyes… 

Police have been called to control the hordes gathered at a new store in Melbourne, dubbed 'Temu in real life'. It's called Panda Mart and, while no pandas are actually in the mart, you'd be forgiven for thinking they had a run on them by the size of the crowds…

Squiz the Day

9.00am (AEDT) - AFR Business Summit 2025 (until 5 March) - Sydney

9.00am (AEDT) - Former PM and our ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd will join ANU academics for a discussion on diplomacy and the Australia-US alliance - Online here

11.00am (AEDT) - Former Aussie surfer Josh Kerr will launch the world’s first surfboard made from repurposed wind turbines - Sydney

11.30am (AEDT) - The first case management hearing for pilot Daniel Duggan, who’s challenging an extradition order to the US where he’s accused of training Chinese pilots - Canberra 

6.00pm (AEDT) - Egypt is expected to present plans for the reconstruction of Gaza at the Arab League summit - (as an alternative to US President Donald Trump’s proposal of a US takeover/redevelopment) - Cairo

8.00pm (AEDT) - Cricket: ICC Champions Trophy, semi-finals, Australia v India - Dubai, and watch on Prime Video

WGEA will publish the 2023-24 employer gender pay gap report for private sector employers and corporate groups 

ABS data release - Retail Trade, January

Stella Prize 2025 longlist to be announced - Adelaide

🥞 Shrove Tuesday - aka Pancake Tuesday 

World Obesity Day 

Anniversary of:

• the second Battle of Vinegar Hill (aka Castle Hill rebellion) in NSW, when Irish convicts led the colony's only significant convict uprising (1804)

• the publication of the song Happy Birthday To You by Claydon Sunny (1924)

• former Zimbabwe PM Robert Mugabe rising to power (1980)

• the deaths of actor Luke Perry (2019) and cricket legends Rod Marsh and Shane Warne (2022)