Squiz Today – Monday, 24 June

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“That wasn’t even Whitney actually.”

Said Kevin Costner of the iconic poster for The Bodyguard. Which means everything we thought we knew is under review…

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TRUMP PULLS AIRSTRIKES BUT UPS PRESSURE ON IRAN

THE SQUIZ
Tensions between America and Iran see-sawed again over the weekend with reports President Donald Trump backed and then backed down from launching military strikes on his Middle Eastern nemesis. The latest round of hostility followed a US drone being shot down on Thursday - the US says it was over international waters, Iran says it was over their territory. Trump says he called off retaliatory strikes because it could have killed 150 Iranian civilians. And then yesterday, Trump called on Iran to put the recent past behind them and for talks to start.

WHAT’S THAT ABOUT?
Trump’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton are said to be spoiling for a fight with Iran and were the ones encouraging Trump to take “one of the most consequential actions of the administration” by launching a strike on Iran late last week. But Trump pulled out at the last minute, which is consistent with his reluctance for America to be engaged in conflicts in the Middle East. But that doesn't deal with the sky-high tensions that kicked off last year when Trump pulled the US out of an international nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions - tensions that have escalated in recent weeks.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Sounding conciliatory, Trump yesterday said; “Iran wants to become a wealthy nation again. Let’s make Iran great again.” That spirit doesn’t match the actions the US did take late last week with details of a cyber attack against Iran revealed yesterday. And Trump said significant additional sanctions against Iran would be imposed today. The idea is that pressure will bring Iran to the negotiating table. But it is furious about the sanctions, has shown no interest in talking about a new nuclear agreement while the US suffocates its economy by stopping it from selling oil on the international market. Expect this to be ongoing this week.

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SQUIZ THE REST

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SHARROUF CHILDREN ON THE WAY HOME

After a years-long battle waged by Karen Nettleton, her grandchildren have been taken out of Syria by an aid organisation working with the Aussie Government. Zaynab (18yo), Hoda (17yo) and Humzeh Sharrouf (8yo) were orphaned when their parents, Islamic State fighter Khaled Sharrouf and wife Tara Nettleton, died in Syria. The trio and Zaynab’s two children (and she is heavily pregnant with her third) have been in a refugee camp since the fall of Islamic State several months ago. Also rescued were the three orphaned children aged 6-12yo of Australian fighter Yasin Rizvic and his wife Fauzia Khamal Bacha. PM Scott Morrison praised the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and said repatriating the children was a not a decision made lightly.

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SEARCH FOR THEO HAYEZ SUSPENDED

Police have suspended the physical search for missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, but are continuing to go through the information that has been provided to them. That didn’t stop volunteers from across NSW’s Byron Bay region from continuing to scour local area on the weekend for signs of the 18yo who has not been heard from since the early hours of 1 June. Hayez’s father Laurent posted a message to Byron locals saying: “Your warmness and kindness is like a balm on our bleedin’ heart.” Police said they would reassess their ongoing search effort today.

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JOHNSON’S DEFENDS THE HOMEFRONT

Police were called to the home that UK prime ministerial aspirant Boris Johnson shares with his partner Carrie Symonds after shouting and banging noises alarmed neighbours in the early hours of Friday morning. Johnson, whose private life has been described as colourful, split with his wife last year. He was yesterday asked about the incident but refused to elaborate saying he didn’t think people wanted to hear about “that kind of thing”. Instead, “they want to hear what my plans are for the country and our party," he told a gathering of Conservative Party members. Symonds, a former party media adviser, has been credited for Johnson’s recent sharper image.

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FOLAU TOLD TO GO FUND HIMSELF

There was an angry response from some quarters over the weekend as former leading Wallaby Israel Folau’s GoFundMe appeal for $3 million raised more than $700,000 to help fund his legal battle against rugby’s governing body. The 30yo was sacked by Rugby Australia last month over controversial social media posts he says were an expression of his religious beliefs. Rugby boss Raelene Castle said GoFundMe “is a place where sick children get support, so it's certainly not a strategy we think is appropriate." Others said he was greedy. And netball officials were asked to clarify their position on Folau’s wife Maria’s social media post in support of the fundraiser. Yesterday, the man in the hot seat said; "This shows I have a long and hard battle on my hands, which is why I am asking for your support.

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QUICK SPORTS NEWS WRAP

CARN ASH BARTY - This girl is on fire… The Aussie tennis star last night won the Birmingham Classic in straight sets against German Julia Goerges (who is also her doubles partner). The victory that has elevated her to #1 in the world rankings. She is the fifth Aussie to hold the top spot since rankings were introduced in 1973. Barty is a player in demand - she’s knocked back Andy Murray’s invitation to play mixed doubles with him at Wimbledon, which starts next week. When you’re hot, you’re hot...

CARN THE BLUES – The NSW Blues turned in a blinder last night to even the State of Origin ledger, smashing the Maroons a mighty 38 points to 6. A record crowd turned out in rainy Perth to watch NSW return from a round one defeat and sets up the decider in Sydney in a fortnight. And in the women's SOO, NSW has taken home the trophy by producing a 14-4 comeback win over Queensland. Plenty of people tuned in too...

AH MATILDAS - Look, it’s quite something to get to the round of 16 of the soccer World Cup. But the Matildas were beaten yesterday by Norway for a place in the quarterfinals. The teams were locked at 1-1 at full time, but we fell short in a penalty kickoff with the Scandis. Straight-talkin' captain Sam Kerr said; "it sucks to go out on a penalty shootout." It sure does, Sam.

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OMG WE’RE ENGAGED…

Or maybe this happy announcement wasn't the surprise it looked to the thousands of Instagram followers @fashionambitionist after all… The account is a showcase for one of Gwenyth Paltrow’s lifestyle venture (aka goop) staffers, Marissa Fuchs. And her engagement, complete with a ‘pitch deck’ to potential brand sponsors, is something to behold. And it’s confirmation we’re doomed as a civilisation. Happy Monday…

SQUIZ THE DAY

International Olympic Committee meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland to select the host city for the 2026 Winter Olympics. It will either be Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy or Stockholm-Åre in Sweden

Anniversary of Julia Gillard becoming Australia’s 27th Prime Minister (2010)

Australian champion sprinter Raelene Boyle’s birthday (1951)