Squiz Today / 03 September 2018

Squiz Today – Monday, 3 September 2018

SQUIZ SAYINGS

"I think I can do a lot more. It's all mental with me, I think.”

Mercurial Aussie tennis frontrunner, Nick Kyrgios says what everyone is thinking after his loss to Roger Federer (which included this around-the-net stunner) in the US Open yesterday. After Ash Barty’s loss this morning, John Millman is the last Australian standing and will take on Federer on Tuesday.


AMERICA IN RETREAT

THE SQUIZ
Living up to his promise to pull the US out of international arrangements that saw it take the lead on security and trade, US President Donald Trump and his administration have had a busy few days. At risk: the “rules-based international order” (dare you to drop that phrase into conversation today…).

WHAT YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT, WILLIS?
On the agenda:

• Trade – Trump yesterday said the US would exit the North American Free Trade Agreement if Canada doesn’t play ball. While one critic said it takes some skill to make Canada an adversary, Trump tweeted; “If we don’t make a fair deal for the U.S. after decades of abuse, Canada will be out.”

• Security – The US State Department announced on Friday that it would no longer contribute to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinian refugees. And yesterday the US military said it was cancelling $300 million in aid to Pakistan because it has not tackled militant groups.

• Leadership – In our corner of the world stage, anyway. The White House says Trump will skip the ASEAN and APEC leaders meetings in November, which means he is also not coming to Oz as was suggested.

SO WHAT?
Trump says the US shouldn't have to "buy friends". But critics say the US is turning its back on a region (ours) that is home to some of the most pressing US foreign policy challenges (think China’s push for deeper diplomatic, economic and security ties). Meanwhile, Russia is pressing for more influence in some of the world's most troubled spots (think Syria and Afghanistan). Is the 'America First' approach paying off for Trump at home? Not really. A weekend poll has his disapproval rate at 60% - a new high.


SQUIZ THE REST

QUEENSLAND TO LOOK INTO ASSISTED DYING LAWS
Following criticism from euthanasia advocates that the state had fallen behind, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday said a new parliamentary inquiry would look into all aspects of end of life care in the Sunshine State. Victoria has passed assisted dying laws, and every other state and territory has had a recent debate on the issue.

QUICK LAW AND ORDER WRAP
RICKETSON JAILED – Aussie filmmaker James Ricketson was found guilty of espionage in Cambodia on Friday and was sentenced to six years in prison. He was arrested in June last year for flying a drone above a political rally. Reports suggest his open criticism of strongman Cambodian PM Hun Sen did not hold him in good stead. Ricketson has vowed to fight on.

POLICE SURPRISED BY SIZE OF GUN STASH - An armoury of 213 weapons and 2000 rounds of ammunition plus anti-Islamic literature was found on the outer-Sydney property of former prison guard Michael Kay. Reports speculate that Kay was stockpiling the weapons for a mass shooting. He is under arrest and faces serious charges.

MELBOURNE BRAWL – A music label launch party in Collingwood descended into chaos early Sunday morning with up to 200 people involved in a brawl and a car hitting and seriously injuring a pedestrian. Reports say police were aware there would likely be trouble at the event, but additional resources were knocked back by the bosses.

SPLIT-SCREEN FUNERALS
The weekend saw two high profile funerals in the US:

• Aretha Franklin’s funeral started with a procession of 100 pink Cadillacs inspired by her hit Freeway of Love. The day was not without controversy though with Bishop Charles H Ellis III (the man officiating the eight-hour-long service) accused of getting handsy with singer Ariana Grande.

“The biggest resistance meeting yet” was how the New Yorker described US Senator/war hero John McCain’s funeral. President Trump was not invited, but he was present in the words of those paying tribute to McCain. "The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again, because America was always great," said daughter Meghan McCain.

PROPERTY SLOWDOWN
Property markets in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth slowed up in August for two reasons: 1) buyers are waiting for the market to drop so they aren’t rushing in; and 2) many buyers are finding it hard to get finance from the banks. Reports say there are pockets where prices are holding up, particularly the higher end of the market. Analysts CoreLogic expect housing prices to fall a further 5-10%, and maybe even more if interest rates go up.

MELBOURNE CUP GOES TO TEN
In the next round of musical chairs of the broadcast of major sporting events, Network Ten is understood to have paid between $5-10 million annually for the rights to the Melbourne Cup. From next year, Seven will lose the race that stops the nation but has picked up the cricket (with Foxtel). Meanwhile, Nine has lost the cricket but has picked up the tennis from Seven. Got it? Good.

DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO…
First of all, we’re sorry. But this was mandatory in the interests of keeping you up to speed with things. We’re talking about Baby Shark, the kids' song that introduces a cute family of sharks and ends when the kids run away from them. Despite the mixed messages, it's been viewed online 1.6 billion times. Why are we telling you this? For reasons no one can quite explain it's made the UK top 40 and has sparked a social media dance challenge. Maybe it could be UK PM Theresa May's next tune to boogie too?

SQUIZ THE DAY

ABS Data Releases - Retail Trade, July; Business Indicators, June; Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, June; Apparent Consumption of Alcohol, 2016-17

National Flag Day

Start of National Stroke Week

Start of National Child Protection Week

Start of National Landcare Week

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