The Informer: The imperfect Connery, quolls and community cases

It's hard to imagine back in the dark ages (oh, about six weeks ago) that we'd almost barely blink at news that Australia recorded no cases of community transmission for the first time in almost five months. That happened today.

Of course, it's not exactly that clear-cut because all states do not use the same definition of "community cases", but hey, surely it's worth a shout.

Instead there's elections on the home front to dissect; the forthcoming election of the alleged "leader of the free world" later this week; more on Australia's border lockdowns; and, of course, Sean Connery's death.

Given I have never seen a Sean Connery movie, it seems only reasonable to quote The Scotsman on his death: "He was the milkman's boy raised in the fumes of McEwan's brewery and the North British Rubberworks, who ascended the heights of Hollywood to become the most famous living Scot," Martyn Mclaughlin wrote.

Much has been published on Mr Connery's death and as they are wont, obituaries celebrate the goodness and remember the positive. Yet McLaughlin addresses issues many would prefer brushed under carpets. And this is beautifully encompassed in the final paragraph which reads: "Connery was, in many ways, an imperfect man. But he was, and will remain, the perfect star."

Back to those COVID-related issues, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said thank you via Twitter: "Thank you to all of our amazing health & public health workers & above all else, the Australian people," he wrote, and added a video, too.

In case you want to compare numbers, here's how some other parts of the world stacked up over the past 24-hour reporting period - Russia 18,140 cases; UK 21,915; Spain 25,595; Italy 31,758; France 35,641; India 48,268 USA: 99,321; Australia 0.

England is preparing to begin a month-long lockdown on Thursday. PM Boris Johnson is expected to deliver a statement in the Commons on Monday.

The BBC understand pubs, restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops and places of worship will close, but schools, colleges and universities can stay open.

In the US, there's a sense of foreboding for many as election day looms this week. If the US election is all still a bit of a blur for you (and why wouldn't it be), try this explainer about just how the US elects its president.

If that's too much, why not just enjoy these eight seconds: it's a slow-mo video of a quoll release from behavioural ecologist David Hamilton. You know, the quoll, it could be onto something barrelling off into the never never like that...

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