62ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2019), BURNA BOY LOST.

Nigerian afropop artiste burna boy was nominated in a category (best world music album) with angelique kidjo, altin gun, Bokanté &Metropole Orkest, Nathalie & Joachim which finally came to a conclusion today and ANGELIQUE KIDJO was awarded the winner. As a beloved fan of burna boy i strongly believe he'll still bring home the grammy. 

 

Trump says no US troops hurt in Iran strikes, Tehran 'appears to be standing down'.

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Trump: US imposing new 'powerful' sanctions on Iran after strikes

Trump says no US troops hurt in Iran strikes, Tehran 'appears to be standing down'.

4 hours ago

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US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iranian missile strikes on bases in Iraq did not harm any US troops stationed there and damage was minimal, an outcome he said showed Tehran wanted to de-escalate a standoff.

Iran "appears to be standing down", Trump said at the White House amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq last week. 

Trump announced the US would immediately impose new "powerful" sanctions until "Iran changes its behaviour". 

The comments were Trump's first televised remarks since Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops. Trump also said there were no Iraqi casualties. 

"The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent," Trump said in a speech that struck a noticeably different tone than his tweets following the attack on Soleimani in which he threatened to "fully strike back" if Iran attacked any US citizen or site. 

Iran said Wednesday's attacks against an Iraqi base in Erbil and the Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq were revenge for the killing of Soleimani. It warned the US against retaliating for the strikes. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei said Iran's attacks were a "slap on the face" of the US and said US troops should leave the region. 

Tehran's foreign minister said Iran took "proportionate measures" in self-defence and did not seek an escalation.

Under pressure 

The fallout for Trump's order to kill Soleimani had been swift.

Iran vowed harsh revenge. Iraq's Parliament voted to expel US troops from Iraq, which would undermine efforts to fight ISIL (ISIS) in the region and would strengthen Iran's influence in the Middle East. And regional and world leaders called for de-escalation

The counterattack by Iran came as Trump and his top advisers were under pressure to disclose more details about the intelligence that led the US president to order the US strike that killed Soleimani. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi), an Iran-backed umbrella organisation comprising several militias, was also killed in last week's strike.

Top Senate Democrats, citing “deep concern” about the lack of information coming from the Trump administration about the Iran operation, called on Defense Department officials to provide “regular briefings and documents” to Congress. The full Senate and House are expected to receive separate classified briefings later on Wednesday. 

Trump and top national security officials have justified the air strike with general statements about the threat posed by Soleimani, who US officials said was planning an "imminent attack".

But details have been scarce.

Trump on Wednesday said the US will continue to look at options to respond to the attacks, but did not elaborate. He said he will ask NATO "to become much more involved" in the Middle East.

SOURCE :  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/trump-continues-options-imposing-sanctions-200108145539264.html

US President to give address on Iran missile attacks

President Donald Trump is due to issue a statement on Iran at 11am ET/1600 GMT, a White House official said. Stay updated. 

Iran launches 'REVENGE' ballistic missile attacks on US troops at two Iraq bases

Iran has launched "tens" of missiles at two Iraq bases housing US and coalition troops following the killing of the country's top general.

Iranian 

Iranian state TV described the attacks as Tehran's revenge operation over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani whose funeral in his hometown on Tuesday prompted angry calls to avenge his death.

It said the missiles were fired by Tehran's Revolutionary Guard aerospace division and the operation was named "Marytr Soleimani".

A US government statement said: "It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al Assad and Erbil.

"We are working on initial battle damage assessments.

"These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region.

As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region."

Sky's Middle East correspondent Mark Stone said: "There's no doubt the Iranian response has come. We now await the US response."

He added: "It has not been confirmed the size of the attacks or if there have been any casualties."

The strikes come just hours after US defence secretary Mark Esper told a news conference: "We're seeking a diplomatic solution - but first this will require Iran to de-escalate.

"It will require the regime to come to the table with the goal of preventing further bloodshed and it will require them to cease their malign activities throughout the region.

"The ball is in their court, what they do next will determine what happens in the subsequent moves."

Al Asad air base, in Iraq's western Anbar province, was first used by American forces after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

US defense Secretary said troop aren’t withdrawing from Iraq

Reported Monday that the U.S. planned to withdraw forces from Iraq were turned on their heads hours later when U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters there were no plans to pull up stakes.

'There's been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq, period' Esper said, adding that he and his staff were 'trying to figure out' the meaning of a letter signed by a brigadier general, which suggested the opposite.

'There are no plans to leave,' he emphasized, suggesting discussion of a massive troop movement may just be a signal that forces are being repositioned inside Iraq's borders.

The U.S. military appeared to inform its counterparts in Baghdad on Monday that it was preparing for 'movement out of Iraq,' a day after the Iraqi parliament urged the government in a non-binding resolution to banish foreign troops.

The head of the U.S. military's Task Force Iraq, Brigadier General William Seely, sent a letter to the head of Iraq's joint operations command, a copy of which made the rounds on Twitter almost immediately.

'Sir, in deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister, [the coalition] will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement,' Seely wrote. He added: 'We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure.' 

President Donald Trump said Sunday aboard Air Force One that troops would not leave Iraq unless the country compensated the U.S. for the costs associated with building and maintaining military facilities there.

'We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that's there. It cost billions of dollars to build. Long before my time,' he said. 'We're not leaving unless they pay us back for it.'

Some 5,200 U.S. soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State group

The Pentagon hasn't confirmed the authenticity of this letter, informing an Iraqi military leader the the U.S. and other coalition forces are pulling up stakes; but Iraqi military leaders have said it's genuine

Trump also said he would punish Baghdad economically if U.S. troops were evicted. 

'We will charge them sanctions like they've never seen before ever. It'll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame,' he warned. 

Yet Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi met with the U.S. Ambassador Matthew Tueller on Monday, telling him it was 'necessary to work together to withdraw foreign forces from Iraq. 

On Sunday, Iraq's parliament voted in favor of the Baghdad government rescinding its permission for all foreign troops to remain in the country.

That came in reaction to a U.S. precision drone strike on Baghdad that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, among others.

The resulting chaos has made some in Iraq fear a new civil war, and drew millions to crowd streets in Tehran to see Soleimani's coffin paraded through the city. 

Gen. Seely wrote on Monday in order to reposition thousands of troops elsewhere, 'Coalition Forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner.'

Key figure: The letter from the Marine general in charge of coalition forces fighting ISIS and training the Iraqi army comes after the drone strike which killed Iran's Qassem Soleimani, its most senior commander who the U.S. designated a terrorist

The letter was signed by a U.S. official on Pentagon letterhead, making it unclear whether it applied to forces from the 76 countries which make up the international coalition.

An Iraqi defense official confirmed the letter was real and had been delivered. 

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman said he could not immediately confirm its authenticity. Spokespersons with Operation Inherent Resolve, the formal name for the military operatiojn in Iraq, were not available for comment.

But officials said helicopters would be traveling in and around the Green Zone as part of the preparations.

Reporters could hear helicopters flying low over Baghdad throughout the night on Monday.

Some 5,200 U.S. soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing a resurgence of the ISIS terror group.

Soleimani's death has galvanized Iranians around revenge for the 'martyr'; Hundreds of thousands crowded into Tehran streets to see his coffin on Monday

They make up the bulk of the broader coalition, invited by the Iraqi government in 2014 to help combat the jihadists.

Ending America's 17-year military presence in Iraq is a risky undertaking for the country.

Iraq was barely starting to recover from a devastating four-year war against ISIS when the mass uprising against the country's ruling elite erupted on Oct. 1, forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi two months later. He hasn't been replaced.

A pullout of U.S. troops could cripple the fight against ISIS militants and allow the extremists to make a comeback. 

Militants affiliated with ISIS routinely carry out attacks in northern and western Iraq, hiding out in rugged desert and mountainous areas. Iraqi forces rely on the U.S. for logistics and weapons in pursuing them.

An American withdrawal could also enable Iran to deepen its influence in Iraq, which like Iran is a majority Shiite country.

WWW 3 Iran Allies

Throughout his career, General Soleimani enjoyed

devoted loyalty from tens of thousands of fighters across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and the Gaza Strip.

Iraq militias

Iran has trained, financed and equipped Shiite militias in Iraq for several years.

Since the 2003 invasion by the US, these forces have been mobilised and supportive of Iran.

The groups in the country in support of Iran include Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kataeb Hezbollah and the Badr Organization, all three led by men who had close ties to General Soleimani.

The leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was killed in the strike that felled General Soleimani.

The militias are part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, a collection of mostly Shiite militias that were incorporated into the country’s armed forces in 2016.

In total, the group includes more than 140,000 fighters, and are at the command of Iraq’s prime minister, who is aligned with Iran.

World War 3: How does a World War start? How is it announced?

Hezbollah

The Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon.

The group is among the most effective armed factions in the region, extending Iran’s influence to Israel’s doorstep.

Hezbollah was formed to combat Israel following its invasion of Lebanon in 1982 after which time it waged an 18-year guerrilla war against Israeli forces, eventually forcing them to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000.

The group has an arsenal of tens of thousands of rockets and missiles and extensive battle experience.

The group is allied with: Iran, Syria, Russia, Lebanon and Iraq, and also has alleged to be allied with Cuba, North Korea and Venezuela, although the latter two have denied the partnership.

Iran warns USA against WWW3

Iran conflict 10-15 times worse' than Iraq.

The move backed by US President Donald Trump has been condemned by important Iranian figures.

Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami said: “A crushing revenge will be taken for Soleimani’s unjust assassination... We will take revenge from all those involved and responsible for his assassination”.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a statement: “Soleimani’s martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America’s expansionism and to defend our Islamic values.

“With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: “The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani... is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation.

“The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also warned that “harsh retaliation” is waiting for the US.

While Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who is considered to be the only person in Iran more powerful than General Soleimani, tweeted: “His blood was shed by the most barbaric of men... The loss of our dear General is bitter. The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals.

HOMELESS BUT NOT LIFELESS Dedicated to the 4th Edition of Students' Counsellor Outreach Program (UNILORIN CHAPTER)

Homeless but not lifeless

Dedicated to the 4th Edition of Students' Counsellor Outreach Program

While others cover their heads with roof

Children hide under the garment of their mothers

Mothers tend to feel the warmness of their children

Here we are wandering and living on the streets 

Abandoned company sites is where we survive

Where we lay our heads in silence to pass the night

Man gives to us the remaining part of their problem 

Then in joy we approach them to solve our problems

But our problems of life look natural and permanent 

Some of us are born and raised here on the streets 

When the mother left the world after the drop

In cold, rain and sun we bring ourselves together

Then make a living out of family and situation bond

Our breakfast is always settled by those going to work

When we jump out early in the cold to search for food

What can we do when we are helpless 

Where can we live when we are homeless 

We only know to strive as we are not lifeless

I say, give unto the needy that much you have

Your problem is not the only to share with them

Make them smile and thee shall be happy

JIMOH Rasheed Bolaji

✍🏼BOLATONNY

DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELLOR EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN 

Company paying $3,000 to smoke weed for a month

Every now and then a viral ‘dream job’ pops up offering candidates the chance to travel the world for £££, testing out private jets or something similar. There was this one, where people had to house sit their way around the planet, this one, where someone was hiring a barefoot bookseller in the Maldives, or our personal favourite: an advert for someone to man a post office in Antarctica. If none of those tickled you, perhaps you would rather get paid to take smoke large amounts of weed. It differs from the usual format in that you won’t be sent anywhere far flung to enjoy your joints. That will be done from your own home, presumably – and the company hiring specifies that the person they choose will have to live somewhere the drug is legal. We should add that using cannabis can be risky to some people’s mental health and is obviously not legal in the UK.

If you’re still keen, however, the advert from AmericanMarijuana.org says: ‘We’re looking for someone to review a wide variety of cannabis products to give our readers an honest and reliable insights on various cannabis products. ‘The applicant will have to write about their honest reviews and opinions of the product in the form of a blog. Moreover, they must also be comfortable in front of the camera since the job includes unboxing videos and explainer videos of how each cannabis product performs and differs from other, more notable products in the category.’ The job ad says that the successful applicant ‘needs to be physically fit and healthy in general to carry out cannabis product reviews regularly’. Whoever gets the gig will be paid up to $3,000 monthly or $36,000 yearly ‘depending on their experience and their capabilities’. In addition, they will get free cannabis products ‘sent on a monthly basis to your address for testing’. The samples will include everything ranging from weed strains, vapes and edibles to CBD oils.