Squiz Today – Monday, 11 December

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“The only positive in having the magazines write about my love life is that I know the Hewitts are getting a week off.”

Said TV/radio star Kate Ritchie about the tabloid mags’ ongoing speculation on the state of her marriage. She’s a glass-half-full kinda woman.

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IRAQ DECLARES VICTORY OVER ISLAMIC STATE

THE SQUIZ
Iraq announced yesterday that its war against Islamic State is over. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that Iraqi troops are now in control of the Iraqi-Syrian border. The declaration comes a couple of days after Russia said it had achieved its mission “to defeat bandit units” from Syria – something the US and others contest. It was 2014 when IS claimed territory and established a ‘caliphate’ in Iraq and Syria and, at its peak, imposed extreme Islamic rule over 10 million people. "Our enemy wanted to kill our civilisation, but we have won through our unity and our determination," said PM Abadi.

SO ‘MISSION ACCOMPLISHED’?
Not so much. At least not in Syria. And the US isn’t done there yet. “ISIS is not defeated. There are still a couple thousand fighters left and that’s still a significant amount of fighters,” said a Defence Department spokesman. The work of the US-led coalition forces continues.

And in Iraq, experts say there will be ongoing terror incidents, albeit at a ‘lower level’ (think suicide and truck bombings). This was also the view of the US and UK – they both welcomed the development but stressed that IS activity in Iraq – and across the world – should be anticipated.

BRING IT HOME FOR ME…
Australia’s reviewing its military commitment in Iraq given the development. And Immigration Minister Peter Dutton (who’s soon to be Homeland Security Minister when he’s sworn into the new super-portfolio before Chrissy) yesterday said the government is looking at stopping the children of Australian terrorists from gaining Aussie citizenship. Reports yesterday said as many as 70 children could be involved. “We are talking about the possible threat emerging because of what somebody has learnt in the trade-craft of terrorism overseas. Bringing that back to Australia can result in the loss of many Australian lives,” Dutton said.

SQUIZ THE DAY

ABS Data release - International Merchandise Trade: Confidential Commodities List, November; Barriers and Incentives to Labour Force Participation, July 2016 to June 2017

World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (on until 13 December) - Argentina

... which coincides with Argentina's National Tango Day

International Mountain Day

And sweet dreams to Michelle Mutchnik, the winner of last week's $100 Peter Alexander gift card after a week of reading The Squiz. This week it's $100 to spend at JB Hi-Fi. Because who doesn't need a pair of noise-cancelling earphones this festive season? Open the email every day this week and you'll be eligible to win.