Syria conflict: Unravelling the puzzle

With Iraqi forces gradually gaining the upper hand against so-called Islamic State (IS) in Mosul, the focus is shifting to the assault upon the organisation's de facto capital in Syria - Raqqa.

Units are being moved into position. The US has deployed a small contingent of artillery to ensure that firepower is available on tap, irrespective of any bad weather that might hamper air operations.
There's a growing sense that IS is on the defensive; the boundaries of its "caliphate" are shrinking and one phase of its story may be coming to an end.

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Chelsea winger Willian wants five more years at Stamford Bridge

Manchester United and Barcelona were interested in Willian this summer Willian insists he never wanted to leave Chelsea in the summer and hopes he will remain at Stamford Bridge for the next five years. Manchester United were interested in signing Willian, while Barcelona had three bids turned down for the Brazil international. Willian previously claimed there was "no chance" he would have stayed at Chelsea had Antonio Conte remained as manager, but now the 30-year-old insists he never considered leaving the club. "A lot of people, they say a lot of things in the press, but I never said that I want to leave Chelsea, never," he told the club's website. Manchester United were interested in signing Willian, while Barcelona had three bids turned down for the Brazil international. Willian previously claimed there was "no chance" he would have stayed at Chelsea had Antonio Conte remained as manager, but now the 30-year-old insists he never con...

Prosecutors allege rapper Young Thug led gang as trial begins and many details unfolded

Prosecutors in Atlanta said Monday that rapper Young Thug was the “proclaimed leader” of a gang that “moved like a pack” to commit crimes, as opening statements in a long-delayed racketeering case got underway. Controversy and hiccups have dogged the sprawling trial alleging criminal conspiracy since jury selection began in January, notably over the state’s presentation of rap lyrics as evidence. The US state of Georgia holds that Young Thug’s record label, YSL, is a front for a crime ring, arguing that the defendants belong to a branch of the Bloods street gang identified as Young Slime Life, or YSL. “The evidence will show that YSL checks all of the boxes for being a criminal street gang,” said Fulton County prosecutor Adriane Love as she delivered the government’s statement, which she began by quoting Rudyard Kipling’s “Law of the Jungle.” Love addressed the issue of songwriting head on: “We didn’t chase the lyrics to solve the murder, we chased the murder and found the lyrics...

N81 Billion NDDC Probe: Senate calls for sack of IMC, reconstitution of new NDDC board

*** Indicts Self, FG, Akpabio, Asks Presidency To Take Over NDDC, Not Minister ***Calls on IMC to Refund Extra Budgetary Expenditure of N4.923 Billion *** As Senate Vows to Review the Act establishing the NDDC *** Probes alleged blackmail by NDDC against some members of the National Assembly *** As Senate Adjourns till September 15 The NDDC which was hitherto in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF is now being oversighted by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, following recent directives by the presidency. THE Senate Thursday indicted itself as an institution for not carrying out an effective oversight function on the activities of the Interim Management Committee, IMC of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC that led to the rot and high level of corruption in the interventionist agency. The Senate has also indicted the Federal Government, the IMC for the pro...

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