News
Diplomatic face-off: US, UK, France, Germany Stop All Iran Flights As Allies Step Up Sanctions
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The US, UK, France and Germany have imposed fresh sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine.
The measures include restrictions on national carrier Iran Air’s ability to fly to the UK and Europe, and travel bans and asset freezes on a number of Iranians accused of facilitating military support for Russia.
Visiting London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russians had been trained by Iranian forces to use short-range ballistic missiles and that they could be deployed against Ukrainians within weeks.
Iran has repeatedly denied supplying such self-guided weapons to Russia.
At a joint news conference with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday, Blinken asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “increasingly relying on support” from Iran and North Korea to help “wage his war of aggression on Ukraine” in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
He said the US had recently shared intelligence with its partners showing that dozens of military personnel had been trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 ballistic missile system, which has a maximum range of 75 miles (120km).
Lammy said the move was “a significant and dangerous escalation”.
The missiles are likely to boost Russia’s arsenal, enabling it to hit Ukrainian cities close to Russia’s borders or areas it already controls at the same time as it deploys its longer-range missiles deeper into Ukrainian territory.
The UK Foreign Office said the US and UK sanctions targeted several key individuals heavily involved in the ballistic missile and drone supply chains.
They included Brig Gen Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, who it said was director general for international relations at Iran’s defence ministry and was linked to its exports of defence products to its partners.
Sanctions have also been imposed on five Russian cargo ships for transporting the military supplies from Iran, despite what the UK said were repeated warnings not to do so.
Additionally, several organisations, including some allegedly involved in the production of Iran’s kamikaze-style Shahed drones – which Russia has used consistently in attacks on Ukrainian cities – have been sanctioned.
In a statement, the UK, France and Germany – known as the E3 – said Iran’s supply of missiles represented a “a direct threat to European security”.
But Iran called the Western statements “false and misleading”.
Iran has long supplied Shahed drones to Russia, but European officials say the sale of missiles represented an “escalation”
The Western sanctions come as Russia has continued to make gains in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow’s forces rapidly approaching the key settlement of Pokrovsk – an essential transport hub.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made clear the UK government will continue to back Ukraine for as long as needed.
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised the pace of weapons deliveries, and asked for authorisation to strike targets deep inside Russia with Western-supplied missiles – a move the US has thus far resisted.
Blinken and Lammy also announced a joint trip to Ukraine this week, the first such trip in years as UK diplomats seek to frame the secretary of state’s visit as a reaffirmation of a close partnership between the two countries, often described as the “special relationship”.
Blinken said one of their goals ahead of the visit was to “hear directly from the Ukrainian leadership” about their “objectives and what we can do to support those needs”.
News
New video of Zinoleesky gets tongues wagging
……“E remain small make breeze blow am away”
By Ojomah Austin.
Nigerian singer, Zinoleesky stirs a buzz online due to a recent video of him circulating on social media.
In the video, Zinoleesky dons a white shirt alongside black trousers as he brags about being worthy to be used as a Valentine’s gift.
Reacting to the video, netizens commented on his skinny appearance.
Famous musician, Oniyide Azeez, better known as Zinoleesky trends online due to a new clip serving the rounds on social media.
In the video, the ‘Element’ hitmaker is spotted wearing a white shirt and a stylish black trouser. While being filmed, Zinoleesky bragged mightily about his looks.
He reiterated that he could be used as a Valentine’s gift to any girl.
The video generated a buzz online with a large number of netizens commenting on his thin body shape. Some swiftly leveraged it to make fun of the artiste.
One @janicekate_x wrote: “E remain small make breeze blow am away 😂.”
soromotoochukwu wrote: “I like how music can take you to another place. For example, this restaurant is playing Zinoleesky so now I’m going to a different restaurant.”
dave.dexter27 wrote: “Make breeze sha no blow as we wan deliver the valentine gift😂😂😂.”
oluwatamilore_xx wrote: “Bro,drank all the whole slimming tea and nothing is left to slim down.”
isco_west_whil wrote: “Chaii dem don set this Guy up for dragging again😂😂.”
scheargoon wrote: “Try put stone for your pocket guy”
bouncequotes wrote: “My boy 😂😂😂😂 slim daddy for dem girls.”
just_eniola_olayemisi wrote: “No be your fault zino, u no just get choice that to continue to dey craze 🥺 I feel for u my bro.”
zaza_mula112 wrote: “Zino Dey enjoy, while seyi vibe Dey cry under record label 😂😂.”
jamesmike7837 wrote: “See person be like broom stick😂.”
sheis_shuga wrote: “Who Dey decive you werey 😢😢see as u slim like who get HIV 😢😔🙄🥺Dooh.”
News
AU Agenda 2063: Nigeria Recommends Key Implementation Strategies, Capacity Building
News
Govt cites security threats, bans Telegram for officials
By Mario Deepromoter
Ukraine on Friday restricted the use of Telegram for its government, military and security officials, citing “threats” to national security on the app founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov.
“The National Security and Defence Council decided to restrict the use of Telegram in government agencies, military formations and critical infrastructure facilities,” the council said in a statement on Facebook, saying it was a “matter of national security.”
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