Squiz Today / 03 December 2018

Squiz Today – Monday 3 December

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“There is nothing more I can give.”

Said boxer Anthony “The Man” Mundine about his (brief) starring role in the biggest sporting anticlimax of the year with Queensland school teacher Jeff Horn. Still, the pair were speculated to receive $2.5 million each for their 96-second appearance against Queensland school teacher, Jeff Horn. Not bad work if you can get it…


TRADE APOCALYPSE AVERTED AT G20

THE SQUIZ
It may have been all smiles for the cameras at the close of the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires, but any agreement made over the weekend was done through gritted teeth. The leaders of the world’s most powerful economies reaffirmed their commitment to free and open trade but bowed to US demands to reform the body that oversees it - the World Trade Organisation.

WHAT WENT DOWN?
• The stars were US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping who, with the spectre of an all-out trade war looming, met and played nice. The duo agreed to halt any new tariffs and reopen trade talks. After all, it takes two to tango. Because that's what you do in Buenos Aires…

• The US went rogue on the subject of climate change. While all other nations committed to combat it, the US maintained its scepticism on the topic.

• There were mixed messages on the migration front too. While European nations pushed for a strong statement on the need for wealthy countries to assume responsibility for the world’s huddled masses, US opposition saw the final communique watered down.

AND WHAT WERE THE JUICY BITS?
• Trump’s cancelled catch-up with Russian President Vladimir Putin was said to be about the situation in Ukraine. But observers wondered aloud if it was really about Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen. He’s now going to cooperate with the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US Presidential election.

• Putin high-fived Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Like, actually high-fived him. The Arabian ruler was otherwise sidelined at the summit following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

• And speaking of sidelined… The traditional end-of-summit ‘family photo’ featured two women this year, was the lowest number in the history of the gathering.


SQUIZ THE REST

MORRISON GLAD(ISH) TO BE HOME…
PM Scott Morrison was in the G20 crowd (even though some had problems identifying him…). So it’s unlikely he’s starting fresh with a big week of domestic drama looming:

• There’s the showdown expected with Bill Shorten’s Labor team expected to oppose the government’s proposed new encryption laws it says will help counter terrorism.

• There’s argy-bargy over law changes to prevent discrimination against gay students. Morrison has accused Labor of a breach of faith in the negotiations with their push to extend any changes to teachers.

• And there’s a world of pain with former PM Malcolm Turnbull said to be voicing his opposition to Morrison’s attempt to settle down internal Liberal Party spats. This has to do with a push to unseat some candidates, like Craig Kelly, who weren’t particularly Turnbull friendly.

Assume the brace position…

POLICE SAY NETANYAHU SHOULD BE CHARGED
Israeli Police have recommended charges against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara over fraud and bribery allegations. It has to do with allegations telco/news company Bezeq received an easy run with the government in exchange for favourable coverage of the couple. The Attorney-General now has to decide whether to charge the country’s first couple. There have been other recent similar claims against them – all allegations have been dismissed by Netanyahu as baseless.

PROTESTS FOR ALL AGES 
While French President Emmanuel Macron was having words with his counterparts on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Paris was alight with thousands of protestors burning cars and buildings in some of Paris' most iconic locations. The 'yellow-vest' protests - named after the roadside safety vests worn by the demonstrators - started three weeks ago over the rise in fuel taxes and had since escalated into general anger at rising cost of living under Marcon’s government.

On protests... if things were bad enough for our PM now the kids have turned on him. Thousands of Aussie students defied his calls for them to stay in school on Friday, instead opting to protest at 30 locations around Australia. Their beef? They want the government to do more on climate change.

SOUTH OZ IN THE DARK WHILE QUEENSLAND BURNS
Thousands of homes in South Australia were still without power last night after wild storms on Saturday. The severe weather also sparked several fires, including a serious blaze on the Yorke Peninsula. Meanwhile, more than 100 fires are still burning in Queensland. "This exceptional heat and fire event just keeps continuing - the records are just too numerous to mention," said one meteorologist. And as things weren’t difficult enough, a tropical low off Cairns is threatening to develop into a full-blown cyclone. Weather types say it’s no threat at the moment but they’ll be watching it over this week.

And while we have you… The Brisbane Broncos have some mopping up to do from an isolated storm yesterday. The NRL team's coach Wayne Bennett got the sack via voicemail

GEORGE HW BUSH DIES
George HW Bush, President of the United States of America between 1989 and 1993, has passed away at 94yo. A war veteran, oil executive and former director of the CIA, Bush did his apprenticeship as President Ronald Reagan’s VP. And he was, of course, father of former President George W Bush. He is considered by some to be one of the most under-rated Presidents in history having overseen the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in his one term as President. His gracious hand-written note to successor Bill Clinton was said to be typical of a man who regularly wrote thank you notes. Tributes poured in from around the world. Former President Barack Obama said his life was; “a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling.” But it was this Insta post from granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager have left us with a little something in our eye. A state funeral will be held on Thursday.

BROKEN RECORDS
Ariana Grande’s latest clip for her hit song thank u, next(grammar and punctuation her own) has broken YouTube's all-time record for most views in the first 24 hours of release - +70 million and counting. It's a homage to 90s celluloid hits including Mean Girls, Legally Blondeand Bring It On.

And Knickers, Australia’s favourite mega-steer is facing a challenge from Canada in the gargantuan shape of Dozer, another Holstein Friesian steer. Dozer’s owner did concede that when they measured him “he wasn't on the flattest ground”. We’re calling BS…


SQUIZ EXTRAS

Just a bit of housekeeping from us. Hands up if it's been a busy year? Yup. We've jotted an update about what we've been up to and where to next for The Squiz. You can read it here.

Also, have you thought about advertising with us? During the quiet time of December and January we're offering great rates. Give [email protected] a shout if you're interested.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Start of the final parliamentary sitting week of 2018

Anniversary of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and US President George HW Bush declaring the Cold War over (1989)

International Day of Persons With a Disbability

Ozzy Osborne 70th birthday (1948)

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