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Robertboss692
Biden To Meet Iraq PM, Announce New Phase Of US Deployment
~3.5 mins read
President Joe Biden, who will host Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi Monday, is expected to launch a “new phase” of the US military presence in Iraq, formally ending combat operations but stopping short of announcing a full withdrawal.

The US troops’ presence in Iraq will be at the heart of Biden’s talks with Kadhemi, a weakened leader under intense pressure from pro-Tehran armed factions demanding the withdrawal of 2,500 US troops still deployed in the country.

The leaders will also discuss Washington’s support for fighting Covid-19, backing for the Iraqi private sector, and cooperation on climate change, according to the White House.

But the main thrust is to provide Kadhemi — in power for little over a year — support to hold onto his job and keep up the fight against the Islamic State group — while also keeping a damper on Iran’s influence in Iraq.

A senior US official who would not be identified praised Kadhemi for being pragmatic and “a problem solver rather than someone who tries to use problems for his own political interests.”

Ahead of the visit Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told Iraqi media the talks would set “a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces.”

But Washington wants to maintain a presence to at least support Iraqi forces fighting to prevent a revival of IS.

Last week the group, also known as ISIS, claimed a suicide bombing at a Baghdad market that killed 30 people.

“We’re talking about shifting to a new phase in the campaign in which we very much complete the combat mission against ISIS and shift to an advisory and training mission by the end of the year,” the senior US official said.

The official predicted “additional adjustments” could be made by the end of 2021.

“Iraq has requested, and we very much agree, that they need continued training, support with logistics, intelligence, advisory capacity building — all of which will continue,” the official said.

That suggested that many, if not all, of the 2,500 US troops in the country would remain, but in a support and not “combat” role.

The official said the change was “far more than semantics,” though US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday US troops can perform both combat and advisory missions.

“All of our troops are capable of doing multiple things,” Austin told reporters.

Biden and Kadhemi are due to meet at 2:00 pm Washington time (1800 GMT) and have not scheduled a joint press conference, although a statement is to be issued.

– Balancing act â€“
With three months to go before legislative elections, Kadhemi — whose country has been ravaged by violence, poverty, and corruption — is hoping to regain ground with powerful pro-Iran political factions, which are overtly hostile to the US presence.

He was expected to persuade Washington to ease some sanctions relating to Iran, to help Iraq honor crucial transactions with its neighbor, and tackle ongoing electric power shortages.

But with Iraq, an important strategic partner for the United States in the region, Washington is unlikely to agree to a full pullout that would cede influence to Tehran.

Ramzy Mardini, an Iraq specialist at the University of Chicago’s Pearson Institute, believes the Biden-Kadhemi meeting may cosmetically be “shaped” to help the Iraqi premier alleviate domestic pressures, “but the reality on the ground will reflect the status quo and an enduring US presence.”

The remaining, however, also has its risks.

“If there is no significant announcement on the withdrawal of troops, I fear that the pro-Iran groups may… increase attacks on the US forces,” Iraqi researcher Sajad Jiyad told AFP.

A drone attack was carried out Friday on a military base in Iraqi Kurdistan that hosts American troops but did not cause any casualties.

The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee, a group of militia factions, threatened to continue the attacks unless the United States withdraws all its forces and ends the “occupation.”

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Instablog9ja
Well Expose And Flush Out Fake Certificate Holders In Both Public And Private Institutions FG
~1.1 mins read
The Federal Government has vowed to flush out persons in both public and private institutions working with fake certificate.
The minister of education, Tahir Mamman, made this known on Friday, May 3, in Abuja while receiving the report of an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling.
Recall that the Federal Government had on January 9, set up the committee to probe the activities of degree racketeering in both foreign and local private universities.
The committee was mandated to review the role of any MDAs or its officials in facilitation of the recognition or the procurement of fake certificates.
Mamman, who expressed sadness over what was uncovered during the investigations, said that the ministry would work with relevant agencies to sanitise the education sector and rid it of any fake tendencies
Specifically, he said any government official found wanting would face the full wrath of the law.
“We can’t afford to have the integrity of our education soar by some few persons. It is possible that some are carrying fake certificates in public and private organisations that need to be flushed out. This report is a product of a thorough investigation.
It is sad that someone who should come out from a Nigerian institution with a 2:1 or 2:2 is now parading an international certificate of first class. The ministry is determined to take steps to sanitise the system,” he said.
He, therefore, pledged to take a decisive role to ensure standards were enshrined in the system.

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Ndoma
Felipe Luis Says Hazard Among Best Players In The World.
~2.6 mins read
Despite being a flop since he joined Spanish giants Real Madrid, Eden Hazard has been named among the top three footballers in the world at the moment by former Atletico Madrid star Felipe Luis.
The Brazilian played alongside Hazard at Premier League club Chelsea under Jose Mourinho when he signed from Atletico in a £15.8m deal in 2014.
Luis won the Premier League as well as the League Cup during the 2014-2015 season before he was told to leave the Stamford bridge club.
Video of Chelsea star turning into Messi for 10 seconds during Champions League win over Atletico Madrid
The defender was left in awe at Hazard's form during Chelsea's title-winning season, but admitted that fitness issues could have affected his form lately.
He however stated that the Belgian winger remains one of the best players alongside Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Luis told The Daily Mail via SPORTbible:
"Eden along with Neymar are the best players I have ever played alongside -- up there with Messi."He didn't train well, five minutes before the game he would be playing Mario Kart in the dressing room."
Cristiano Ronaldo out, Eden Hazard in as Juventus star names top 3 footballers on earth

Felipe Luis says Hazard among best players in the world. Photo: Pedro Vilela

The Belgium international suffered ninth injury since his big summer move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2019.
And the 30-year-old has missed over 44 matches since his arrival and reportedly turned over-weight to pre-season in his first two campaigns.
Lukaku snubs Pele, Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho as he names the best Brazilian player in huge surprise
Hazard is expected to be on the sidelines following a nagging thing injury and would miss Real Madrid's round of 16 Champions League clash with Atalanta.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been named as the best Brazilian player by Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku who gave his response to a fan during question and answer session on Twitter.
On a serious note, Neymar is one of the best forwards in the world considering his performances so far since he started his football career in his country, Brazil.
Over the years, Brazil as a nation has produced lots of players who have made names in the game of football with their brilliant performances.
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Chidexstar
Zamfara Governor Secures Unconditional Release Of 11 Kidnap Victims
~1.4 mins read

A statement issued by Jamilu Iliyasu Magaji, the Press Secretary to the governor, on Saturday, November 21, said the victims were rescued without ransom payment but through the carrot and stick initiative of the state government.

While receiving the rescued victims on Saturday night at the Government House, Gusau, Governor Matawalle assured that his administration will not rest on its oars until total peace is achieved in all parts of the state.
The Governor explained that the peace accord and reconciliation process with repentant bandits will be sustained in the state, while those unrepentant ones will face the full wrath of the law.
The governor directed that the victims should be taken to the Hospital to ascertain their health status before their final release to their respective families.
Earlier, while presenting the kidnapped victims to the Governor, the State Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed Dauran told the Governor that the victims were released as a result of the peace initiative and following a stakeholders meeting summoned by Matawalle with all the critical stakeholders from Bukkuyum local Government Area which held on Thursday.
The rescued victims, 10 males and a female from Bukkuyum local Government Area of the State, expressed delight and boundless gratitude to the governor for securing their release.
The rescue of the victims is coming just few days after Governor Matawalle held a meeting on security with all the critical stakeholders from the local Government Area in order to further discuss avenues of achieving peace and harmony.
The victims were received in the presence of some members of the National Assembly from the state that included Senator representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District, Senator Hassan Muhammed Nasiha, and his counterpart of Zamfara West Senatorial District, Alh. Lawal Hassan Dan Iya Anka, as well as some senior Government officials.
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