RUNTOWN's NIECE (SENA) SET TO DROP ANOTHER GOSPEL SINGLES

All these while we Never knew that Runtown had a music minister for a niece. Obviously, music runs in the family.

Douglas Jack Agu  better known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. His niece Sena is set to drop  another beautiful gospel worship singles "EXTRAVAGANT GRACE"

Sena Gold Abwa A.k.a Sena, born December 16th, 2004. is the founder and President of 'Praise Marathon International'(a ministry of teenagers which seeks to raise an army of teens for Christ for the end-time agenda). She started Praise Marathon International(P.M.I) an online teenage girls ministry on the 16th of December 2017 after graduating from the school of ministry in 'Faithway Bible college' in 2016. She is a member of ' Faithway Gospel Ministries', and is currently the worship leader of her church. She started leading worship in her church at a tender age of 10. 

She has written and composed over 100 songs, 17 of which have been produced. She launched her debut single 'Carry All Dey Go' two years ago. Her first gospel CD 'Too good to be true', which also has a track dedicated as a prayer for Leah Sharibu, was launched on the 27th of July 2019.  

She has completed the work on her second gospel CD 'Extravagant Grace', soon to be released, this track 'Blessing In The Storm' already released early this year, is one of the many tracks on her soon to be released gospel CD. Sena sings with a passion, to bring down the glory of God. Sena is a rare gem. Aside from ministering to teens through her videos on Instagram and Facebook, she writes and composes her own songs. She is a  high school senior, due to college/University in 2020. She aspires to read Pharmacy. 

She enjoys singing, dancing, acting, playing musical instruments, swimming, and playing volleyball. Her motto in life is; 'With God all things are possible'.

Although RUNTOWN is a circular musician, one thing is for sure, music runs in the family.

Award-winning Nigerian musical icon, Douglas Agu is known as Runtown is a circular musician but his niece Sena is a gospel artist. 

Source; Wings Express Blog

BREAKING: Davido Goes Into Self-Isolation As Fiancée, Chioma Tests Positive For COVID-19

Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido says he has gone into self-isolation.

He explained that he took the decision after his fiancée, Chioma, tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The music star announced this on Friday via his verified Twitter handle.

The music star announced this on Friday via his verified Twitter handle.

In the series of tweets, he noted that he recently returned to Nigeria from America after cancelling his tour, while Chioma also came back from London recently with their baby.

Davido stated that although they had no symptoms and were perfectly fine, they decided to take the COVID-19 test on Wednesday along with the close associates they had recent contact with as a result of their travel history.

“Unfortunately, my fiancée’s result came back positive while all 31 others tested have come back negative, including our baby.

“We are, however, doing perfectly fine and she is even still yet to show any symptoms whatsoever,” he revealed.

According to the 27-year-old, Chioma has been quarantined while he has gone into self-isolation for the minimum 14 days.

He thanked his fans and well-wishers for their love and prayers in advance and urged them to stay at home, in order to curtail the spread of the disease.

Fury Batters Wilder To Win WBC Heavyweight Title

Tyson Fury reigns again as a heavyweight world champion after battering Deontay Wilder on the way to a stunning seventh-round stoppage in their World Boxing Council title rematch.

Fourteen months after their dramatic split-decision draw, Britain’s Fury dominated the American champion — who had blood streaming from his left ear and leaking from his mouth when referee Kenny Bayless called a halt at the behest of Wilder’s corner.

“The king has returned to the top of the throne,” said Fury, who had dropped Wilder in the third and fifth rounds as he remained unbeaten — and handed Wilder the first defeat of his career.

The self-styled “Gypsy King” from northern England — who was borne to the ring on a golden throne — had put on a boxing masterclass in their first fight, but he was clearly ready to brawl from the opening bell on Saturday.

A massive right from Fury knocked down Wilder in the third and Wilder struggled to regain his legs — although when he went down again moments later it was ruled a slip.

A left to the body had Wilder down again in the fifth, and Fury was raining blows on Wilder when Bayless called a halt at 1:39 of the seventh round after Wilder’s corner threw in the towel.

The “Bronze Bomber” was unable to surpass Muhammad Ali’s record of 10 successful heavyweight title defenses.

“I just want to say a big shout out Deontay Wilder,” said Fury, who improved his own unbeaten record to 30-0 with one drawn and 21 knockouts. “He manned up. he really did show heart of a champion.

“I hit him with a clean right hand and dropped him, and he got back up and battled on into round seven.

“He is a warrior, he will be back, he will be champion again.”

As a pro-Fury crowd at the MGM Grand cheered, Wilder briefly protested the stoppage.
‘A warrior’

“I just wish that my corner would have let me went out on my shield,” he said. “I’m a warrior.”

Wilder had knocked Fury down twice in their first fight in Los Angeles — the Briton miraculously climbing off the canvas in the 12th round to hang on for a share of the spoils.

With new trainer Javan “Sugarhill” Steward in his corner, and with more than 16 additional pounds on his 273-pound frame, Fury was on the attack early, backing Wilder up with his jab and landing several hard shots in the opening round.

He didn’t produce the second-round knockout he’d predicted, but he was clearly in control.

The fight, the biggest heavyweight collision since Lennox Lewis bludgeoned Mike Tyson into submission on the banks of the Mississippi River in 2002, drew a star-studded crowd.

Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes was ringside, so were Mark Davis, owner of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and Raiders coach John Gruden.

Retired NBA greats Magic Johnson and Jerry West were on hand, as was current Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.

With the rematch in the books, fight fans will be hoping to see Fury take on compatriot Anthony Joshua — holder of the IBF, WBA and WBO belts — in a heavyweight unification bout.

Tyson Fury Licks Deontay Wilder, Beats Him Too

The boxing star not only beat up Deontay Wilder in their heavyweight clash Saturday night -- he LICKED THE BLOOD off Wilder's neck during the fight!!

31-year-old Fury had dominated from the start -- teeing off on the Bronze Bomber (and likely busting his eardrum in the process) in their highly anticipated rematch.

Wilder was dripping blood all over the place -- and during the 6th round, Fury flicked out his tongue and began licking the blood off of Wilder's bloody neck!!!!

Is Tyson Fury trying to lick the blood off the neck of Deontay Wilder It was super gross -- and Fury loved it.

Wilder's corner ultimately threw in the towel in Round 7 -- it was clear Deontay just didn't have it Saturday night.

After the fight, Fury's crazy antics continued ... he grabbed the mic and sang Don McLean's "American Pie" while encouraging the Vegas crowd to sing along! The place went nuts!

Fury praised Wilder as a great fighter and said he thinks Deontay will be champion again -- but for now, Tyson reminded everyone why he's the "Gypsy King."

Still, the tongue thing was super gross ... your highness.

Suspected Boko Haram Insurgents Attack Chibok Village, Burn Houses

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Kwarangilim village in Borno State.

The assailants were said to have invaded the village in Chibok Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

According to local sources, the invaders struck in the evening, announcing their arrival with gunshots.

They also set houses ablaze while villagers were forced to escape to nearby bushes as the attack lasted for hours.

Although it has yet to be ascertained why the attack was carried out, Channels Television gathered that part of the insurgents’ mission was to loot food items from the village.

It is also hard to determine if there are casualties from the attack.

Meanwhile, troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade and the 117 Battalion of the Nigerian Army deployed in Chibok have since arrived in Kwarangilim to restore calm.

The village is located about five kilometers to the Chibok Local Government headquarters.

Imagine What This Suspected Ritualist Did To A 70-Year-Old Woman In Ondo

The ancient town of Ogbagi-Akoko in Ondo State has been thrown into sadness and confusion after a 70-year-old woman, Sidikak Jimoh, was found dead.

She was said to have been killed by suspected ritualists who mutilated and removed some parts of her body in Akoko North/West Local Government Area of the state.

A source in the community told Channels Television that the suspected ritualists wanted to set the dead body ablaze but hurriedly fled the scene, leaving some of the body parts behind.

The Police Area Commander in Ikare-Akoko, Razak Rauf, and the Divisional Police Officer in Ogbagi-Akoko, Kunle Fabuluje, have confirmed the incident.

They noted that full-scale investigation into the incident has commenced while the remains of the victim have been deposited at the morgue in the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare-Akoko.

Police Inspector Killed, Two Officers Injured In Shootout With Bandits

The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, Muhammad Abubakar, confirmed this in a statement on Monday.

He revealed that two other officers of the Niger State Police Command were injured during the incident which occurred on Sunday in Mariga Local Government Area of the state.

Abubakar said the slain and injured officers were part of joint police and military team who received a distress call that some armed men suspected to be cattle rustlers had stormed Muchiya Kaji village.

He noted that the team responded quickly and engaged them in a fierce gun battle, adding that three bandits were fatally wounded while the others abandoned the cattle and fled into the bush.

The command’s spokesman disclosed that one AK-47 rifle and a motorcycle were recovered as exhibits.

“Unfortunately, one Police Inspector, Ibrahim Mitra Chibok, attached to Niger State Police Command died during the encounter, two officers sustained gun wounds and are receiving treatment.

“The Police are on the trail of the armed bandits,” the statement said.

According to Abubakar, the slain police officer was part of the team that engaged bandits and cattle rustlers who invaded Dankolo Village in the same Mariga LGA on Friday last week.

He said the team recovered 13 cattle and fatally wounded three bandits who were later confirmed dead.

“The Niger State Police Command and the Force as a whole deeply regret the demise of the gallant inspector for paying the supreme price in fighting armed banditry in the state. 

“The police command joins his friends and loved ones in commiserating with the deceased’s family over his demise. We pray that God Almighty should give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement added.

Court Stops INEC From Deregistering 35 Political Parties

Justice Anwuli Chikere gave the interlocutory order on Monday at the hearing of a suit by some of the parties recently deregistered by the electoral body.

The Judge said the electoral commission failed to oppose the application by the applicants whose rights of association must be.

The court while ruling on the interlocutory motion between Advanced Congress of Democratic (ACD) and two others against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and INEC, therefore, restrained the electoral umpire from deregistering any political party.

INEC had earlier on February 6 deregistered 74 political parties from participating in fresh elections.

According to INEC, the deregistered parties breached their requirements for registration because they failed to win at least 2596 of votes cast in one state of the federation during the presidential election.

Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu had disclosed that the action was carried out after a review of the performance of political parties after the 2019 general elections to see which parties qualify to exists.

In a reaction to this announcement, three political parties who were later joined by thirty-two others had approached the Federal High Court seeking an order restraining the electoral body from carrying out the proscription of the political parties.

The Madness Of Marlains And The Trend Of Nonsense In Nigeria By Ameh Comrade Godwin

If you are a Marlian, stop reading because this is not what you may like to stomach.

I refrained from commenting on the madness called ‘Marlians’ currently trending in Nigeria, particularly on social media, but one incident has practically forced me out of my shell.

A family friend dashed into my inbox this evening to raise the alarm of how her barely-four-year-old boy refused to greet his daddy, who returned from a trip after two weeks. Reason? “Marlains don’t greet.”

“Comrade, See my pikin oo. im papa comes house oo. Him no greet. His father asked, why didn’t u greet me? He said, “Marlians don’t greet.” Na some children wey he play wit for Ikorodu e learn dat one o. Say that’s how Marlians do,” she lamented amid frets.

I am not a fan of Nigeria’s current brand of music sub-genre called hip pop. Why? Because I don’t listen to claptrap. Give me reggae, give me country music, give me acappella and I am good to go.

I long lost interest in the nation’s secular music industry (especially hip pop) because they have since deviated from the real ideas of what music stands for.


I recall in one of my articles written in 2019 thus: “Once upon a time, before ‘banana and cassava’ began to fall on music lovers in Nigeria, the nation paraded singers whose lyrical contents contained didactic messages that addressed bad governance and moral decadence in the society.

“Before the advent of ‘a’ ‘Hennessey’, ‘Champagne’ and show-off of wealth in the nation’s music industry, music lovers were exposed to songs that taught moral lessons, tackled bad governance and exposed corrupt leaders. 

“Today, the story is different. Most musicians in Nigeria worship sex, money, women and wealth with their lyrics.” Absolute lyrical nonsense. Sad!

Gone are the days of Fela-Anikulapo Kuti, the father of anti-corruption music crusader in Nigeria when music was soul food.

Gone are the days of African China, Ras Kimono, Eedris Abudukarim, Blackface Naija, Majek Fashek, Oritse Femi, Raymond King Gbaji who ignored ‘banana, cassava’ for societal change.

Today, what you hear is either a ‘Banana’ falling on you from nowhere, or you are forced to measure an imaginary ‘Cassava.’

“I get big cassava.” Who cares?

A young twerp is currently corrupting the nation’s airwaves with his lewd-baked kind of music.

He doesn’t make any sense. He sings rubbish, promotes masturbation, pornography and internet scam.

His name is Afeez Fashola, annoyingly known as Naira Marley. He’s the headliner of the Marlian fame.

Gosh! Have you listened to any of his songs? Yucky and wacky!

Mr. Fashola bulldozed his way into the music industry with his hit single entitled, ‘Isaa goal.” I must confess that song was a hit.

He also gained prominence following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged internet scam in 2019.

He was a visitor in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for a month.

I don’t want to dwell much on that because the matter is already in the court of law.

Naira Marley released ‘Issa Goal’ featuring Olamide and Lil Kesh towards the tail of 2017 as homage to the Super Eagles ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and it was meant to serve as motivation for the players to go onto the field and score goals aplenty. ‘Lass lass’ The Super Eagles didn’t make it from the group stage at the mundial.

Before then, the vulgar singer had released some singles, which failed to pull through: they included, Gotta Dance (2015) Marry Juana (a distorted word of Marijuana –Indian hemp in 2014).

The young man has over 50 songs accompanied with different dance steps to his credit; but I bet you, none makes any sense.

Naira Marley, who has no connection or association with the famous Bob Marley family, upon his return from the high walls of Kirikiri prison released a single entitled ‘Soapy.’

‘Soapy’ was a follow-up to ‘Opotoyi’ – the single which was released while he was in EFCC custody.

Both singles were garnished with explicit and sensitive lyrics that triggered controversy and mixed reactions among music buffs.

In ‘Opotoyi’, Mr. Fashola addressed and adored an imaginary bum with lewd lyrics of sexual reverence.

While ‘Soapy’ is an anthem for masturbators. It came about with how boys use lotion or soap as lubrication to masturbate for sexual pleasure. Some believe the song was inspired by his prison experience; after all, there are no females in the prison yard he visited as the only solace for anyone who needed to ‘cum’ was masturbation – ‘Soapy.’

Today, the term Marlian has become a movement. A bad one for that matter. Children on the streets now parade themselves as Marlians. They chant it enthusiastically: “I am a Marlian, Marlians don’t fear any bagga.”

Marlian – a movement that adores tomfoolery.

The anthem on the streets these days is either “Marlians don’t go to school,” “Marlians don’t eat,” “Marlians don’t have their bath,” “Marlians don’t greet” (like the case of my friend’s son who refused to greet dad because he was told Marlians don’t greet.

Sadly, some elders have also been inducted into this Marlian Hall of Shame.

How did we get here?

Music is supposed to be a vocal or instrumental sound (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion but Naira Marley has turned it to a tool for depression and oppression.

Many children now believe Marlians don’t go to school,” “Marlians don’t greet,” “Marlians don’t have their bath,” and above all, “Marlians don’t die.”

This guy needs to be tamed before he crosses the ogbanjire stream.

Olympic Athletes Banned From Kneeling At 2020 Games

Olympic athletes looking to follow Colin Kaepernick's lead will have to do it somewhere other than Tokyo ... 'cause the IOC has banned kneeling and raising fists in protests at the 2020 games.

The International Olympic Committee released its guidelines for the upcoming Summer Games ... and it's clear the committee is trying very hard to keep politics out of it.

"The unique nature of the Olympic Games enables athletes from all over the world to come together in peace and harmony," the guidelines say. 

"We believe that the example we set by competing with the world's best while living in harmony in the Olympic Village is a uniquely positive message to send to an increasingly divided world." 

"This is why it is important, on both a personal and a global level, that we keep the venues, the Olympic Village and the podium neutral and free from any form of political, religious or ethnic demonstrations."

Specifically, the guidelines lay out what the committee considers a protest.

Displaying any political messaging, including signs or armbands
Gestures of a political nature, like a hand gesture or kneeling
Refusal to follow the Ceremonies protocol.

Of course, the Olympic Games have been the setting for some of the most well-known sporting event protests ever ... including when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists on the podium of the 1968 Olympics -- to raise awareness for civil rights.

FYI -- TMZ Sports spoke with Carlos back in 2017 about Kaepernick's kneeling demonstration ... and he compared the NFL quarterback's efforts to his Olympics "Black Power" salute.

While the guidelines don't specify punishment, the rules do say that any athlete who violates the policy will be subject to discipline.

Serena Donates Signed Dress To Australian Bushfire Appeal

Serena Williams wearing the dress donated to raise funds for Australia's bushfire crisis

A signed dress worn by Serena Williams at her first tournament of the year is being auctioned off to raise funds for firefighters tackling Australia's unprecedented bushfire emergency.

Williams, who is preparing for this month's Australian Open at the WTA Auckland Classic, joins a slate of sports stars from around the world who have stumped up memorabilia and cash to help pay for firefighting efforts.

"I have so many friends in Australia and it's just been really tragic all around," the 23-time Grand Slam champion said on Friday. 

"I just keep asking every day to people back home or in Australia, what can I do? Is there anything I can do? It's literally devastating for me and I'm sure a lot of other people feel the same way."

Her outfit, listed as "a bespoke Nike dress made specifically for Serena", was worn by the American when she beat Italy's Camila Giorgi in the first round at Auckland. Williams progressed to the tournament's semi-finals on Friday.

Also for sale is a tennis ball signed by Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, as well as a one-hour private training session from Serena's long-time mentor Patrick Mouratoglou.

The auction closes at midday Saturday (2300 GMT Friday).

Earlier on Friday, Australian cricket legend Shane Warne raised more than Aus$1 million (nearly $700,000) for bushfire victims by auctioning off the "baggy green" cap he wore through his Test career.

It came a day after reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton pledged $500,000 for relief efforts, saying that he had been deeply saddened by reports that over a billion animals had been killed in the fires.

NUC Scraps Mass Communicatio In Varsities

The National Universities Commission has phased out Mass Communication degree in Nigerian universities.

The commission said it had unbundled Mass Communication into seven separate degree programs to meet current demands.

The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said this would take effect from the 2020 university admission year.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the NUC boss disclosed that Mass Communication had been unbundled into Media Studies, Public Relations Studies, Cinematography and others.

He stated, “The seven new programs/departments to be domiciled in a Faculty/ School/College of Communication and Media Studies are Journalism and Media Studies, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Film and Multi-Media Studies, Development Communication Studies, Information and Media Studies.”

US House Votes To Limit Trump War Powers Against Iran

US lawmakers concerned about rushing to war with Iran adopted a measure on Thursday aimed at reining in President Donald Trump’s ability to take military action against the Islamic republic.

The resolution was introduced by Democrats after Trump’s order to kill an Iranian commander and retaliatory missile strikes by Tehran dramatically escalated tensions and raised fears of a devastating war between the two foes.

The most symbolic but politically charged vote, 224 to 194, was largely along party lines, with three members of Trump’s Republican Party joining Democrats in approving the measure demanding the president not engage in military action against Iran unless authorized by Congress.

Among them was Matt Gaetz, one of Trump’s staunchest supporters in Congress who noted in a floor speech that the measure did not criticize Trump, but said that “engaging in another forever war in the Middle East would be the wrong decision.”

“If the members of our armed services have the courage to go and fight and die in these wars, as Congress we ought to have the courage to vote for them or against them,” Gaetz said.

As lawmakers launched a scalding day-long debate over presidential authority, Trump insisted he needs no one’s blessing to launch attacks, essentially scorning existing legal requirements for consulting with Congress.

“I don’t have to,” Trump said when asked whether he would seek congressional approval for more military action against Iran. 

“And you shouldn’t have to,” he added, “because you have to make split-second decisions sometimes.”

Trump signaled Wednesday he was stepping back from the brink of war with Iran after a US drone strike that killed commander Qasem Soleimani was followed by Iranian missile volleys against bases housing American forces in Iraq.

But on Thursday he fought back against criticism that he’d ordered the killing, risking all-out conflict, without real justification.

At a reelection campaign rally in Toledo, Ohio, Trump insisted, without providing any evidence, that Soleimani was “actively planning new attacks,” including against US embassies, “and we stopped him cold.”

He ridiculed his Democratic opponents in Congress, calling them insulting names and claimed that if he had consulted with them they would have leaked the secret operation to the “fake news.”

“You should get permission from Congress,” he said mockingly to mimic the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. 

– ‘Cannot afford war’ –

But Democrats, and some Republicans, have expressed deep scepticism about the administration’s rationale for Soleimani’s killing, and are demanding Congress reassert its power over a commander in chief’s use of American military might against another nation.

Citing the War Powers Resolution of 1973 which forbids a president from taking the country to war without congressional approval, the measure “directs the president to terminate the use of the United States armed forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military.”

But the text also provides for key exceptions, allowing the use of force to defend against or prevent an “imminent” attack against Americans.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, speaking to reporters about the resolution, said Trump “must de-escalate and must prevent further violence. America and the world cannot afford war.”

The House measure was introduced as a concurrent resolution, a form of legislation that does not carry the weight of the law. But as a political instrument, it could serve as a rebuke to Trump’s foreign policy.

Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy blasted Pelosi’s effort as a “show vote” because it cannot become law and will, therefore “never limit (Trump’s) constitutional authority to defend the American people.”

AFP

Embrace IPPIS, Buhari urges ASUU, promises better funding

The Federal Government defended its Integrated Personnel and Information System on Thursday, insisting that the policy had come to stay.

This came as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), met with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and urged the lecturers to embrace IPPIS with a promise to increase university funding.

This, he said, would complement efforts being made to resolve the union’s face-off with the government over the IPPIS.

The government said at the meeting that up to 70 percent of university lecturers had already enrolled in the system, arguing that it was an indication of its acceptance by the majority of the teachers.

A government team which had the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu; Minister of Finance/Budget/National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, participated at the meeting where figures were presented before Buhari.

Findings indicated that Ahmed informed the session that up to 96,090 out of the 137,016 university lecturers in the federal universities across the country had already joined the scheme.

She was said to have stated that only 30 percent of lecturers were still opposing the policy.

Ahmed, who had in October 2019, disclosed that the IPPIS already saved the government over N250bn hitherto paid to ghost workers, argued at the meeting that with the progress achieved so far, the policy had come to stay.

However, The PUNCH learned that the ASUU’s team, led to the meeting by its President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, disputed the submission of the minister and expressed surprise that she could give such figures.

Russian Army Announces Ceasefire In Syria’s Idlib

The Russian army announced Thursday that a ceasefire has begun in Syria’s Idlib, the last major opposition stronghold in the country, in accordance with a Russ-a-Turkey agreement.

From 1100 GMT “a ceasefire has been in place in the de-escalation zone of Idlib,” the Russian military’s Centre for Reconciliation in Syria said in a statement.

Despite a ceasefire announced in August 2019, the Syrian regime backed by Moscow has in recent weeks ramped up its attacks on the jihadist-held bastion of Idlib, in northwest Syria against rebels backed by Ankara, provoking a surge of displaced people heading towards Turkey.

In December alone some 284,000 people fled the bombardments and fighting, especially in southern Idlib, according to the United Nations.

Thursday”s announcement came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Istanbul with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The leaders used a joint statement to call for a truce “supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation on the ground” in Libya.

On Tuesday Turkey had called for Russia to stop the regime attacks on Idlib and respect the August ceasefire.

Syria’s war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011.

Russia launched a military intervention in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2015, helping his forces to reclaim large parts of the country from opposition fighters and jihadists.

US-Iran crisis setting groundwork for vast conflict – Pope

Pope Francis on Thursday urged the U.S. and Iran to avoid escalation and pursue “dialogue and self-restraint” to avert wider conflict in the Middle East.

The Pope’s appeal was his first direct comment on the current crisis in a yearly speech that has come to be known as his “State of the World” address to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican.

Speaking for nearly 50 minutes in the Vatican’s frescoed Sala Regia, the 83-year-old Roman Catholic leader offered a mostly grim overview of 2019, speaking of wars, global warming, xenophobia toward migrants and the danger of nuclear weapons.

“Particularly troubling are the signals coming from the entire region following the heightening of tensions between Iran and the U.S.,” Francis told the diplomats from more than 180 states.

He said the tensions risked “compromising the gradual process of rebuilding in Iraq, as well as setting the groundwork for a vaster conflict that all of us would want to avert”.

“I, therefore, renew my appeal that all the interested parties avoid an escalation of the conflict and keep alive the flame of dialogue and self-restraint, in full respect of international law,” he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested Iran was “standing down” after it fired missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq on Wednesday, itself an act of retaliation for the Jan. 3 U.S. strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

“Our human family is scarred and wounded by a succession of increasingly destructive wars that especially affect the poor and those most vulnerable,” Francis said. 

“Sadly, the New Year does not seem to be marked by encouraging signs, as much as by heightened tensions and acts of violence,” he said.

Recent tensions could likely make it impossible for Francis to visit Iraq, which he has said he would like to do this year.


Wars and conflicts have led to an exodus of Christians from Iraq and some other countries in the Middle East.

Iraq’s small Christian population of several hundred thousand suffered particular hardships when Islamic State-controlled large parts of the country, but have recovered freedoms since the jihadists were pushed out.

Iraq is home to many different eastern rite churches, both Catholic and Orthodox.

Francis said he still hoped to make a visit this year to mostly Christian South Sudan, which is emerging from civil war.

The pope wove his speech around the foreign trips he made in 2019, which included a visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

There, he became the first pontiff to set foot on the Arabian peninsula.

Speaking of climate change, he said it was sad that the urgency to tackle it “seems not to have been grasped by international politics”.

He said last December’s UN conference in Spain raised “serious concern about the will of the international community to confront” the issue.

Iran In ‘Shock’ Over Missing Female Olympic Medalist

Concern mounted Thursday in Iran over the fate of the Islamic republic’s only woman to have won an Olympic medal, who is believed to want to settle in The Netherlands.

Kimia Alizadeh clinched a taekwondo bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016, drawing praise from her compatriots including the country’s President Hassan Rouhani and even conservatives in the Islamic republic.

In keeping with Iran’s strict Muslim custom, Alizadeh, then 18, competed wearing a headscarf over her taekwondo uniform and protective gear.


There were high hopes she would compete at the Tokyo Olympics later this year and bring home another medal, but it appears this is not to be.

The semi-official ISNA news agency on Thursday carried a report saying: “Shock for Iran’s Taekwondo. Kimia Alizadeh has emigrated to The Netherlands.”

According to ISNA, the coach of the women’s national team said that Alizadeh is suffering from an injury.

It said Alizadeh did not show up for trials ahead of the Tokyo Games.

Isna and several other media believe that Alizadeh, who is reportedly training in The Netherlands, is hoping to compete in Tokyo but not under the Iranian flag.

A poor quality picture posted on the internet, and showing a woman who is believed to be Alizadeh without a headscarf and mixing with a group of young men and women, has sparked tens of thousands of comments.

And the hashtag #Kimia_Alizadeh was one of the most-shared Thursday on Twitter in Farsi.

Tansin news agency, which is close to ultra-conservative groups, questioned why the taekwondo federation and Alizadeh’s family “have not yet reacted to confirm or deny the stunning development” of her defection.


Iranian MP Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh, meanwhile, demanded answers, accusing those he described as the “incompetent officials” of allowing Iran’s “human capital to flee” the country.

He drew a comparison between Alizadeh and Iranian chess prodigy Alireza Firouzja who won the grandmaster title at age 14, two years after winning the Iranian chess championship, and who now lives in France.

If Alizadeh fails to represent Iran at the Tokyo Olympics it would be a huge blow for the Islamic republic.

Along with judo, taekwondo is one of Iran’s sporting strengths.

Last year, the International Judo Federation suspended Iran from international competition over its refusal to allow its fighters to face judokas from Israel which the Islamic republic does not recognize.