Squiz Today – Friday, 9 June

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“Special K is obviously an iconic cereal brand for Kellogg’s in Australia and a favourite breakfast cereal of Australia.”

So says the Kellogg’s spokeslady. It’s also the nickname of Aussie tennis rising star Thanasi Kokkinakis. He got a trademark on the name and Kellogg’s ain’t happy. It’s heading for mediation and then to court if it can’t be resolved. Let’s hope Kokkinakis becomes more notable for his action on the tennis court than the court of law.

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PM MEETS PREMIERS TO TALK SECURITY AND ENERGY

THE SQUIZ
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meets today in Hobart (could they pick anywhere colder? Oh yeah, Canberra…) for their bi-annual heads of governments meeting (think PM, premiers and chief ministers).

GIVE ME A FEW DETAILS (BUT DON’T BORE ME…)
Tough ask but we’re up to it! Here are the two main issues:

Parole laws – PM Malcolm Turnbull wants to ensure people like this week's Melbourne terrorist Yacqub Khayre, who was a violent offender known to counter-terror authorities, are not eligible for parole. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he would like ASIO and the Federal Police to be more involved with these issues, which was criticised as seeking to outsource responsibility. Today will be the start of discussions on reform.

Energy security – Reports yesterday say energy prices could rise as much as 30% in NSW, the ACT and South Australia due to the closure of Victoria’s Hazelwood coal-fired power generator earlier this year. There’s also been a lot said recently about power shortages coming down the wire - so political leaders are focused on keeping the lights on at a reasonable price. A report authored by Australia’s Chief Scientist Alan Finkel will be delivered at the meeting tomorrow. It’s understood the plan outlines keeping prices down via a greater use of gas, setting a clean energy target and focusing on energy storage. Expect to hear more about this.

WILL ANYTHING GET DONE?
Look, we'll see. These aren't the only things on the agenda; it's usually a packed day discussing things like funding for services and policy areas like domestic violence prevention and indigenous affairs. Let’s hope, on issues like energy and national security, they tone down the politics.

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SQUIZ THE REST

COMEY LAYS OUT CASE AGAINST TRUMP
There were no major new revelations in former FBI Director James Comey’s two hours of evidence to the US Senate Intelligence Committee, but he did outline a case against US President Donald Trump. Comey believes Trump is a liar who fired him for the investigation into the Trump campaign’s Russian links, not for his handling of the Clinton email scandal. Comey says Trump was keen for him to let people know Trump wasn’t personally under investigation; that Trump (inappropriately) asked for his loyalty; and he asked that the investigation into (since fired) national security adviser Michael Flynn be dropped. Comey thinks Trump has defamed him, and he confessed to leaking notes of his conversations with Trump to the media. But he didn’t go so far as to say Trump obstructed the FBI’s investigation. For his part, President Trump told supporters (in person, not via Twitter) “We are winners, and we are going to fight.”

UK ELECTION UPDATE
Citizens across the UK are voting, and given it’s expected to be a tight result we might not have a winner until late Friday/Saturday morning. In the meantime, enjoy the #dogsatpollingstations phenomenon.

AUSSIE FANS FURIOUS WITH SAUDI PLAYERS
Last night's Australia v Saudi Arabia World Cup Soccer qualifying match in Adelaide started with a minute silence to honour those killed in last weekend's London terror attack, particularly the two Australian women. Fans were furious when the Saudi team didn't observe the silence - most went to their playing positions and started warming up. How did this happen? It's understood it was approved by official channels before the game, but it's not clear if it was a cultural thing or if there was some misunderstanding. Australia won the game 3-2. 

ANU MAKES WORLD TOP 20
The Australian National University is one of the top 20 unis in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings. Six others made the top 100 list – University of Melbourne (41), University of New South Wales (45), University of Queensland (47), University of Sydney (50), Monash University (60) and University of Western Australia (93). A rankings list wasn’t much use to us when it was our time to consider where to go; our selection was mainly based on who would take us…

FRENCH OPEN HEADING TO THE FINALS
We’ve only just become interested in the French Open with Squiz favourite Dominic Thiem beating Novak Djokovic for a berth in the semi-finals. Thiem will be lucky to progress, he’s up against Rafael Nadal in the semi-final. Andy Murray will take on Stan Wawrinka to see who makes it through to the final game for the title on Sunday. The women's singles finalists have already been decided - Simona Halep from Romania will take on Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia tomorrow. 

FRIDAY LITES – THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
It’s the first week of winter and we’re already complaining. We momentarily distracted ourselves with the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List and dreamed of warmer climes. We liked the look of the Villa La Coste in Provence. Time was also spent looking at the new luggage and travel items we would buy to take on this fictitious trip.

This article gives you 19 things you can do to up your likeability. We know you don't need the help because you’re a Squiz’er (= awesome), but interesting reading nonetheless.

Are you guilty of never visiting one of the world’s natural wonders located in our backyard? Google, Parks Australia and Tourism NT have collaborated to bring Uluru to Google Street View so now you can have the next best thing. There are trails you can follow with commentary and it’s really cool. Give it a go.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Friday

ABS Data Releases - Housing Finance and Lending Finance, April

8.00pm (AEST) - Soccer Friendly Match - Brazil v Argentina - MCG, Melbourne

Adelaide Cabaret Festival (on until 24 June)

Saturday

3.00pm (AEST) - Wallabies v Fiji - AAMI Park, Melbourne

11.00pm (AEST) - Women's French Open Tennis Final - Paris

Sunday

11.00pm (AEST) - Men's French Open Tennis Final - Paris

French National Assembly Election

Puerto Rico votes on independence from US

Monday

Queen's Birthday Long Weekend (except for WA and QLD) - we're taking it too. See you next Tuesday...