Squiz Today – Monday, 6 May

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“If Lady Gaga is in her home and her phone is cranking ‘Grigio Girls,’ and she’s tweeting about it, she’s not going to use the red wine emoji!”

Said white/rosé wine campaigner Charles Antin who’s working to get fair emoji representation for the superior wine types. Finally, a cause we can get behind...

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PUTIN AND TRUMP - TIME TO TALK

THE SQUIZ
With the release of the report on the Mueller investigation into concerns that Team Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 presidential campaign, it was deemed time for two of the world’s most powerful leaders to reconnect. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for an hour on Friday, and they covered some of the most pressing issues of the moment.

WHAT WAS DISCUSSED?
The main topic was the crisis in Venezuela. The US supports opposition leader/self-declared President Juan Guaidó (along with Australia and many other western countries), while Russia supports incumbent Nicholas Maduro. After the call, Trump said Putin "is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela." But the Kremlin said Putin warned against "outside interference" in Venezuela... Meanwhile, Guaidó said on the weekend that he overestimated the military’s support for the toppling of Maduro, leading to violent scenes last week.

ANYTHING ELSE?
• North Korea - Well, given leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a new round of short-range ballistic missile testing on the weekend - the most serious test since November 2017 - the North Korean problem is a pressing issue again. Russia says the softening of sanctions has to be on the table, while Trump says evidence of efforts to de-nuclearise has to be seen.

• A potential nuclear deal between the US, China and Russia - reports say this is something Trump sees as a “potential signature foreign policy achievement.”

• Not on the list - a warning from Trump to Putin not to meddle in the 2020 election. Trump said the Mueller investigation was mentioned but; “He said something to the effect that it started off as a mountain and it ended up being a mouse,” Trump said. But Trump did not seek Putin’s word that Russia would keep out of future elections, and that’s drawn the ire of many pundits.

So, you know, just a couple of things…

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SQUIZ THE REST

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LABOR MAKES ITS CASE

You know polling day is not too far away when the big campaign launches happen. And yesterday it was Labor’s turn as former luminaries put their differences behind them (ahem former PMs Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd…) to help leader Bill Shorten in Brisbane yesterday.

• The key message: Labor is united behind a big agenda of change. And there were some new commitments, including tax relief for small businesses.

• But it was Chloe Shorten (who said her husband was “a wonderful dad, a terrible dancer, and a very proud bulldog owner”) who stole the show. Add to that some vintage Paul Keating, and it was hard for Team Morrison to get a look in yesterday.

• Which is why Jenny Morrison’s (aka PM Scott Morrison’s wife) appearances - talking about the depression she suffered as a new mum and her on-stage appearance at a campaign rally - was a focal point for the Coalition.

And while we have you… There's a new Newspoll out, and there’s not much change to report. The two-party preferred split remains on 51:49 in Labor’s favour. And Ipsos in Nine’s newspapers has it at 52:48 to Labor. Which means both have Labor on track for a win on 18 May.

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CYCLONE FANI UPDATE

The Indian state of Odisha suffered “massive, massive damage”, but the evacuation of 1.2 million people limited the death toll to 16 people, Indian authorities said. The damage to Puri, the largest city in the cyclone's path, was hard hit, including the 858yo Jagannath temple. Fani moved north to Bangladesh where a further one million people were evacuated. Reports say strong winds and submerged villages has resulted in at least four deaths. Fani was the strongest cyclone to hit India in the last 20 years. With the storm behind them, the turtles are going back to the sea...

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INTENSE FIGHTING IN GAZA

A new round of violence in Gaza kicked off on the weekend and has escalated into some of the most intense fighting in recent years. Despite a truce being negotiated last month, fighting kicked off in earnest on Friday when two Israeli soldiers patrolling the border were shot and wounded by a Palestinian gunman. Israel retaliated with an airstrike. Since then 600 rockets have been fired at Israel, and Israeli has launched airstrikes on 260 targets. There have been civilian deaths and injuries recorded on both sides. Palestinian protests in Gaza are against the Israeli border blockade. Israel says it’s taking action to stop weapons reaching militants.

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ABC PUTS A RING ON ACTING CEO

David Anderson, the man who has been acting managing director of our national broadcaster, has been made permanent. Chair Ita Buttrose made the announcement on Friday bringing a close to a dramatic chapter in the ABC's history. But it's not without some comment - mainly that it's a decision made in the middle of an election campaign while the government is in caretaker mode. But his appointment has generally been well received. ABC news director Gaven Morris tweeted; “Ita Buttrose and David Anderson are an assured and formidable partnership to lead the national broadcaster for the next 5 years for all Australians.” Anderson has been with the ABC for almost 30 years.

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QUICK SPORTS NEWS WRAP

ISRAEL FOLAU - After weekend-long hearings, Rugby Australia last night said the conduct hearing for the Wallabies' key player would drag on into this week. Folau is accused of breaking the code of conduct over social media posts claiming “sinners”, including gay people, are going to hell. Falou, a devout Christian, is fighting RA’s move to terminate his multi-million dollar contract over what he says are his religious beliefs.

CASTER SEMENYA - She’s a two-times Olympic gold 800m runner from South Africa with a naturally elevated level of testosterone. On the weekend, she lost a big case against athletics' governing body allowing it to restrict testosterone levels in female runners, a ruling she said is targeted at her. Hers is a case that’s divided athletes and fans.

MAXIMUM SECURITY - He’s the horse that won the wet and “sloppy” Kentucky Derby on the weekend but was disqualified for interference. That left second-placed 65-1 chance Country House to take out one of the world's most prestigious horse races. It's just the second time in the race's history that the winner has been disqualified. Which is all just an excuse to give you this hat gallery…

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LUKE PERRY KEPT IN THE DARK

There’s still something a bit taboo about death and the process that follows. But actor Luke Perry’s daughter has taken to Instagram to disclose some details about his burial. And it’s not conventional…

SQUIZ THE DAY

Labour Day Public Holiday - Queensland

May Day Public Holiday - Northern Territory

12.30pm (AEST) - Treasurers’ Debate at the National Press Club - Canberra

The Channel Tunnel between the UK and France turns 25yo

Westpac’s half-year earnings result

Gina Riley and George Clooney’s birthdays (1961)

US sit-com Friends comes to an end… thank goodness (2004)