Squiz Today – Friday, 7 April

INTERNATIONAL REALITIES HITS TRUMP

THE SQUIZ
He said it would be America First but US President Donald Trump has had his ‘world view’ significantly broadened this week. How so?

1) The chemical attack in Syria – Trump expressed horror at the killing of civilians. “It crossed a lot of lines for me. Beyond a red line. Many, many lines,” he said. Just a week ago the Trump administration made noises that they could live with a settlement in Syria that left Assad in place, but said yesterday the attack had a "big impact" on him. 

2) Continuing missile tests by North Korea – many think jokester Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, was being cheeky before the US-China summit tomorrow. “We have somebody that is not doing the right thing, and that’s going to be my responsibility,” Trump said yesterday.

3) US-China Summit - Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet today at Trump's Florida getaway shack, Mar-a-Lago. They have a lot to talk about – North Korea (China are key supporters), Syria (China has previously voted with Russia against UN sanctions), security and trade. It’s gonna to be yuuuuge!

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
The experts are being cautious about whether the rhetoric will translate into action. Also, some say the churn of Trump advisers coming in and out of favour could be at play. Steve Bannon was removed from the National Security Council this week. Is this meaningful? Well, depends on who's telling the story and the leaking has already started.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The Trump/Xi Summit today will inform a lot on what happens next. If Trump ‘Merkels’ President Xi you'll know it wasn't a great meeting (you know - no handshake, no eye contact, no love). The leaders already had a list of thorny issues to tackle. But fingers crossed the two powers agree to make our world a bit safer in regard to Syria and North Korea. A bit Miss Universe ‘world peace’ maybe? We can dream.

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SQUIZ THE REST

ANZAC GALLIPOLI TERROR THREAT
The federal government yesterday warned of a terror threat to Australians making the Anzac Day pilgrimage to Gallipoli this year. The government advised travellers to reconsider all travel to and within Turkey. Turkey has not cancelled the services, and our governments will work together to ensure appropriate security is provided for those who attend.

A CURRENT AFFAIR REPORTER CHARGED
Senior ACA reporter Ben McCormack was yesterday arrested and charged with sending child pornography. McCormack is accused of engaging in sexually explicit conversations online with another man about children and child porn. Police raided his home and Sydney's Channel Nine’s ACA offices seizing a computer and hard drives. Ironically enough, McCormack spearheaded ACA’s pursuit of Hey Dad actor Robert Hughes over alleged child sex offences. He faces court in May and Nine have suspended him from work.

QUICK BUSINESS NEWS WRAP
Australia’s consumer commission, the ACCC, yesterday launched legal action against Apple for alleged consumer warranty breaches. It relates to an ‘error 53’ message some users got when updating their operating system. Apple told affected customers they wouldn't sort the problem out for free (under warranty) if they'd previously had ‘unauthorised’ repairs to their iPhones or iPad. The ACCC says that’s a breach of the consumer law.

Did you know JB Hi-Fi owns The Good Guys? Us neither. Big management changes were announced yesterday. Former JB Hi-Fi boss Terry Smart has been lured back to be CEO of The Good Guys. The Good Guys' long-term CEO Michael Ford resigned unexpectedly which didn't please market analysts. But Smart is well regarded, and he gets points for knowing JB back to front.

SATURDAY IS WINX DAY
The unstoppable Winx is expected to win the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday in Sydney. Winx is $1.07 to win (TAB fixed odds). Such is her domination of the track at the moment, the next best is Hartnell at $11, and the Lloyd Williams owned United States at $17. If you want to see Winx in action, it's on at 3.15pm on Saturday. 

FRIDAY LITES – THREE THINGS WE’VE LIKED THIS WEEK
There’s so much about social media that confuses us. Like how does Snapchat work? And what’s the password for our Instagram account? Anyway, it’s the lifeblood for the glitterati to feed their vampire-ish fans. The best at it is Beyonce – her Instagram posts are valued at $1 million a pop. Who run the world? Girls.

Pants that make you exercise harder. It’s a thing. Why? Because some people are nuts. If that has you rolling your eyes, click on other stuff on The Strategist. It’s the oracle of all things online shopping. 

If you like beautiful architecture, polo ponies and good looking Argentinians (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), this is the browse for you. Drool.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Tennis - David Cup quarterfinals - Australia v USA, Brisbane

NSW/ACT/WA/NT break for school holidays

ABS data release - Prisoners

Saturday

NSW by-elections - Gosford, North Shore, Manly

Horse Racing - Sydney Cup, Royal Randwick