Squiz Today – Wednesday, 12 July

SQUIZ SAYINGS

"Even Republicans like myself can be, and in my case are, very strong Elizabethans as well."

What’s a former head of the Republican movement/now PM to do when he meets the Queen? Call himself an 'Elizabethan' – that’s the neat term PM Malcolm Turnbull gave himself overnight. #respectful #awkward 

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TRUMP’S BAD HEIR DAYS*

THE SQUIZ
A meeting Donald Trump Jr (we’re not going to insult you by spelling out who his father is…) had in June last year has opened up a can of nasty vipers for the President. The meeting was with a Russian lawyer said to have information damaging to Hillary Clinton’s campaign and was arranged by a Trump family contact with connections to power in Russia. Team Trump says it's no biggie – in the end the lawyer didn't know anything and was there to discuss Russian adoption issues. 

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
Three things to consider:

1. It demonstrates the highest levels of the Trump campaign were in the market for information to damage Clinton, even if it came from the Russians.

2. Emails show Trump Jr knew about claims before the meeting that the Russian government was behind attempts to damage the Clinton campaign.

3. Trump Jr had previously said he had nothing to disclose when it came to contact with Russians and his father’s presidential campaign.

So at best it shows they were a bit naive, and at worst Team Trump were happy to ‘go there’ with Russia in their desire to win the election.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Don’t ask deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders – she doesn’t know. But President Trump’s people say he wasn’t aware of the meeting, and the White House chief of staff said the whole episode is a “nothing burger” (which sounds like the worst kind of burger ever…). Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation continues. In the meantime, Trump has been spending time being defensive about his handling of the G20 meeting. The ABC’s Chris Uhlmann put the argument eloquently in this viral clip (we love that the world is getting a piece of Uhlmann magic…). If you haven’t seen it, give it a look. You might not agree with him but he certainly doesn’t miss.

* We can’t claim credit for this awesome headline – we picked it up off Twitter

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SQUIZ THE REST

US MARINE PLANE GOES DOWN, KILLS 16
A US Marine Corp plane crashed in Mississippi yesterday killing all 16 on board. Military officials confirmed the incident but didn’t offer any details. One witness said he heard a bang and saw the plane corkscrewing into a field planted with soybeans with one engine on fire. “Beans are about waist-high, and there wasn’t much sticking out above the beans,” he said.

FIRST HOME BUYERS IN WITH A CHANCE
There was more confirmation yesterday that measures to dampen investor activity in the housing market are working. The Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday released housing finance numbers that show loans to investors have fallen to a 12 month low of 46%, down from more than half of all home loans in January. Loans to first-home buyers and owner-occupiers increased in May. Now if only we can get the government working on affordable, chic, spacious homes in your perfect location...

BELLAMY’S MILKING A NEW PROBLEM…
Tassie’s former market darling Bellamy’s Australia has had a hell of a year. It wasn’t that long ago that the baby formula manufacturer could do no wrong: their management team was lauded, shareholders loved ‘em and there was yuuuge demand for their product. Then their China deals went bad and management were moo’ved on. Just as things were getting back on track under new CEO Andrew Cohen, Chinese authorities have thrown an udder in the works and are investigating quality issues. Bellamy’s suspended trading on the stock market while it tries to turn this sour milk sweet.

JAYDEN K SMITH NOT SO BAD AFTERALL
Has a Facebook friend sent you something via Messenger warning you about a friend request from someone called Jayden K Smith? We got it, and so has half the world it seems. Just ignore it – it’s a hoax. Even if it was real, experts say no one can hack into your Facebook account just by becoming a friend. Pity the real Jayden K Smiths out there – it’s surely social media death for them…

NINJA WARRIOR SLAYS ‘EM
Oh look. Don’t judge us. But we’ve been sucked in by the newest TV sensation to sweep the nation. Put it down to renovation exhaustion, or cooking show fatigue – but the spectacle of so many pectorals on Nine's Australian Ninja Warrior has had us glued to the telly. If you’re one of the few who hasn’t caught a glimpse of it, think It’s A Knockout but with really fit, really attractive people. The show rated over 1.6 million on its first two outings – unheard of these days. The only complaint: the squawking commentary. It's back on screens on Sunday night. 

CHEAT’S GUIDE TO THE STATE OF ORIGIN
Consider this our public service for the week. If you live in NSW or Queensland, there’s a better than average chance you are going to find yourself in a State of Origin conversation at some point today - the series decider between the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons plays out in Brisbane tonight. If cornered by a crazed fan at any point today, utter either of these two phrases and you’ll be fine:

“It won’t be the same without JT”; or

“It’s about time those Cockroaches took home the shield”.

We don’t really know what they mean either, but we’re assured you will look like the smartest person in the room. We're here for you and you're welcome.

SQUIZ THE DAY

12.30pm (AEST) - Prof. Graeme Samuel AC, Chair of Data Governance Australia, addresses the National Press Club

ABS Data Releases - Building and Construction Activity, March

Westpac Consumer Confidence Index

7.30pm (AEST) Australia v India - Women's World Cup Cricket, Bristol UK (a must win for the Aussies to progress to the semi-finals)

8.00pm (AEST) - State of Origin Rugby League - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane