Author: News Desk

At least 80 people were reportedly killed by Iranian missiles targeting US military bases in Iraq. The Pentagon confirmed these attacks on two airbases but has not confirmed the casualty list. Iran on Wednesday fired missiles at Iraqi bases used by the US military, officials in Washington and Tehran said, in the first act of the Islamic republic’s promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general. The Pentagon said it was still “working on initial battle damage assessments” after “Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq.” “It is…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, the body of Iran’s top commander has returned to his hometown for burial. Tuesday’s ceremonies marked the end of three days of mourning. In the US, the Defence Secretary has contradicted President Trump by saying the US will not target Iranian cultural sites. He said they will follow the laws of armed conflict. France commemorates the Charlie Hedbo attack, five years on. 12 cartoonists at the magazine were killed when two brothers attacked. They claim they were avenging the publication of cartoons of Prophet Mohammed that were deemed offensive by many…

Ricky Gervais returned to host the 77th Golden Globe Awards for the fifth (and final) time on Sunday night, and as predicted it was brutally honest. “If you win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech.” “You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything,” he told the audience during his opening monologue. “You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.”  Ricky reclaims his throne When Gervais first hosted the award show in 2010, his cutting comments and clever sarcastic style became…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, US President Trump has threatened sanctions on Baghdad after lawmakers called for American troops to leave the country.  Hezbollah has vowed retaliation against the US following the killing of Iran’s top general Soleimani. The Hezbollah leader said US military bases, troops and warships will be the targets. Film Director Terry Gilliam has called the #MeToo movement a ‘witch hunt’, and moans ‘white men are to blame for everything.’  In the UK, top bosses will earn an average salary in just three days in 2020. According to a study, FTSE 100 bosses…

French president Marcorns 2020 has started with the same verve as 2019 as thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday against President Macron´s proposed pension reforms which have sparked a month-long transport strike. Labour Unions have rejected the scheme and has hit out at the government in particular over a “pivot age” of 64 for a full pension, which will effectively force millions to work beyond the current official retirement age of 62. The marchers set off after midday from the Gare de Lyon railway station in eastern Paris behind a giant banner reading “Macron, withdraw your plan; save and improve…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the Sunday papers front pages focus on the killing of Iran’s top general. Including the Prime Minister returning to Britain and advice for Brits in Iraq and Iran. In our special feature, we take a look at the killing of Soleimani – “As tensions with Iran escalate, Trump opted for the most extreme measure.”…………………………………………………….Boris jets in to face Iran crisis The Mail on Sunday reports Boris Johnson arrived back in Britain from his 12-day Caribbean holiday to confront the growing Iran crisis. On its front page, the paper says there is rising anger among ministers over…

It’s hard to know where to begin with film producer Tasmina Shaikh’s debut movie without spoiling the storyline for cinema-goers but there’s a lavish dose of Bollywood drama with an equally dramatic Scottish backdrop and it was a magnificent experience of soaking up the Scottish flavour at the Edinburgh Premiere. Naturally, there’s lots of music, some scintillating dance scenes and a love triangle with challenging family values at the heart of the story, so bring lots of tissues along with the popcorn. If Shaikh’s name sounds familiar she has acted in a number of popular Urdu drama serials including ‘Des Pardes’ (1999)…

BRIEF – ME! – ENTERTAINMENT NEWS BRIEFING Entertainment Briefing, Catch up with this week’s top stories from the world of art, music, film and TV. In music, Justin Bieber drops his new single -Yummy – from his upcoming fifth studio album.  Mariah Carey’s Twitter got hacked with around 50 racists and crude messages being sent out.   Film and TV, Sherlock Holmes 3 has cast Peaky Blinders star, Paul Anderson. A Pakistani movie filmed by a Scot is coming to the big screen soon. Celebrity, Hollywood stars prepare themselves for the return of Ricky Gervais hosting the Golden Globes this Sunday!…

Justin Bieber has big plans for 2020.  The new decade looks busy for the 25-year-old singer, who dropped his new single “Yummy” today.  “Yummy” is likely the lead single of his upcoming fifth studio album. And this year will see him return with a 10-part YouTube docuseries and tour.  Yummy  The single demonstrates the pop stars diversion from pop into an R&B sound but doesn’t do much else.  It’s a classic R&B number that’s unlikely to struggle to get to the top of the charts. But lyrically, Biebs won’t be winning any awards. “Yummy” achieves exactly what it’s supposed to…

General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force, has been killed by US forces in Iraq.  The US confirmed he was killed “at the direction of the president.” Gen Soleimani was being driven by car at Baghdad airport when he was hit by a US airstrike.   Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “severe revenge awaits the criminals” behind the attack. And announced 3 days of mourning.  Gen Soleimani was a major figure in the Iranian regime and was hailed as a heroic national figure.  But the US called the General and his Quds Force…