Squiz Today – Wednesday, 4 July

THREE MINUTE SQUIZ

“I actually convinced my friends to sign up for The Squiz by simply telling them; "You'll be less shamed at work if you read this every morning." Fear of public humiliation works every time.

Meet Astrid Jorgensen – she aced our June sign-up drive. And she’s the founder of Pub Choir - a Brisbane-based community initiative that sees hundreds of people meet in a pub every month to share the joy of singing. Please welcome this #legend to the Three Minute Squiz.

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MERKEL CHANGES TACK TO STAY IN POWER

THE SQUIZ
Chancellor Angela Merkel has made a big shift on immigration policy in order to stay in government. Under threat from a key coalition partner to abandon their agreement (which could see the government fold), Merkel has agreed to build border camps for asylum seekers and will tighten controls along Germany’s border with Austria. It's a significant change for the leader who has championed liberal values across Europe.

BACK IT UP A BIT…
The key points are:

• Germany welcomed more than one million migrants in 2015 when the country became the top European destination for people fleeing conflict and repression in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

• While the numbers of migrants have fallen to pre-2015 levels, Merkel’s Christian Democrats and its coalition partners Christian Social Union (CSU) Social Democrats (SPD) are under pressure from right-wing parties on the issue.

• Horst Seehofer, leader of the CSU, had threatened to resign if the government did not tighten controls at the Austrian border to stop people who have applied for asylum in other EU countries from entering Germany. That’s what Merkel has now agreed to do.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Merkel, now 13 years into the job, has never backed away from her government's decision to open Germany’s borders back in 2015. But since then, she’s struggled to be re-elected and took months to form a government. By-elections and polling say Merkel’s party (and her coalition partners) will find it difficult beat the right-wingers next time. Pundits say that's why she's done a deal that; “preserves the spirit of partnership in the European Union and at the same time is a decisive step towards organising and controlling secondary migration.” But her government is limping, not brisk walking…

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SQUIZ THE REST

WILSON SENTENCED TO DETENTION
Archbishop Philip Wilson, the most senior Catholic in the world to be convicted of concealing child abuse, has been sentenced to 12 months detention with eligibility for parole after six months. It's likely Wilson will serve the sentence as home detention. The magistrate yesterday said of Wilson; "there is no remorse or contrition showed by the offender". There are renewed calls for him to resign or be sacked from his position as Adelaide’s Archbishop.

HOW TO FREE THE CAVE BOYS?
Thailand yesterday celebrated the discovery of 12 boys and their soccer coach who were found alive inside a cave in Chiang Rai after being missing for nine days. However, getting them out will be tricky. They can wait for months for the water to subside. Or they can teach the boys to dive (just like the thousands who get their PADI licence for one trip and never use it again…). That's a problem because reports say they are 4km into the cave, and the conditions have been challenging for the expert divers. Other ways out are being explored. Reports this morning say the stranded group has received food and medical attention.

While we have you… The search has been called off for 200 missing people who are presumed drowned after a ferry capsized on a Sumatran lake two weeks ago. The lake is believed to be more than 450 metres deep, and Indonesian authorities say they are unable to get to the victims.

FORMER MALAYSIAN PM ARRESTED
Malaysia’s former PM Najib Razak has been arrested for his part in the missing billions from state investment fund 1MDB. Authorities confirmed last week that they had seized $370 million in cash, handbags, jewellery and other goods from residences owned by Razak and his wife. For background, it’s also alleged that Razak’s stepson used money stolen from the fund to finance films including The Wolf of Wall Street. And both Leonardo DiCaprio and Miranda Kerr have handed back gifts worth millions that were allegedly paid for with money stolen from the fund. Razak has previously denied the allegations.

PLASTIC NOT SO FANTASTIC
New research out today from the corporate regulator ASIC shows two million credit card holders (about 18.5%) are having problems managing their debt. That means they have missed a payment or have never cleared the account balance. With Australia's joint credit card debt exceeding $45 billion, ASIC is concerned that some credit providers aren't acting in the best interest of their customers.

GMAIL SNOOPS
Google faces a backlash after the Wall Street Journal reported some app developers could read some Gmail users' private mail. That's because Gmail account holders who have connected third-party apps to their accounts may have unwittingly given permission for their mail to be read. By humans, not machines. Google said only companies that have been vetted could access users' mail. If you have a Gmail account and want to check your security settings, click here.

FEDERER’S LOOK TAKES A LUCRATIVE NEW DIRECTION
It’s a bit exciting getting new clothes. At least that’s what we remember before the Squiz budget hit us with its ugly thrifty stick… But enough about us. Tennis great Roger Federer yesterday confirmed he has a new clothing sponsorship with Japanese company Uniqlo. He’s ended his 20+ years partnership with Nike, although it seems he’s still wearing their shoes. How much is he getting for wearing their duds and stuff? Reports say more than A$400 million for 10 years. Did anyone tell Uniqlo the Fed Express is 36yo and could retire at any moment? Nice work if you can get it...

SQUIZ THE DAY

12.30pm - Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Mick Dodson & Else Grete Brode address the National Press Club on 'Road to recognition: an international perspective' - Canberra

ABS Data Releases - International Trade in Goods and Services, May; Retail Trade, May

United States of America's Independence Day