Author: Opalim Lifted

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies have reaffirmed the decision to pause oil output increases during the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. According to a statement on January 4, key OPEC+ members — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman — held a virtual meeting to review global oil market conditions. In April 2023 and November 2023, the eight countries announced additional voluntary production cuts. On November 2, the countries decided to pause production increments in January, February, and March 2026 due to a projected demand slowdown. “The eight participating countries reiterated that…

On January 3, US President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, alongside his wife Cilia Flores, from the Miraflores Palace, Caracas. Trump later posted a picture of Maduro, blindfolded and handcuffed, aboard the amphibious USS Iwo Jima warship as proof of capture. Maduro was later flown to the naval station Guantanamo, Cuba, and then to Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York. The move was an escalation of a nearly three-decade frosty relationship between the Latin American nation and the US. In 1999, Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s predecessor, was elected after campaigning on an anti-US platform, capitalising…

Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), says the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with France on tax cooperation is a routine operational agreement and poses no risk to Nigeria’s data security. Speaking recently at an interview on Arise TV, Adedeji said the agreement focuses on technical cooperation in areas such as digital taxation, transfer pricing, modernisation, and international tax administration. He disclosed that Nigeria has similar arrangements with other countries, including the United Kingdom and South Africa, noting that such partnerships are common among revenue authorities globally. “The memorandum of understanding is just about operational activities that…

West Bromwich Albion head coach Ryan Mason has been sacked by the Championship club following Monday’s defeat at Leicester City. The 2-1 loss was their 10th in a row away from home and left the Baggies 18th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone and 10 adrift of the play-off places. Despite receiving the public backing of the club’s sporting director Andrew Nestor a fortnight ago, Mason said that did not bring him “immunity” from the sack and, four days later after just seven months in charge, he has been proved right. Mason’s assistant Nigel Gibbs and…

Liam Rosenior was confirmed as Chelsea’s new head coach on Tuesday following the sacking of Enzo Maresca. The 41-year-old has signed a deal until 2032 to manage the London club, becoming the fourth full-time head coach appointed since American Todd Boehly’s 2022 takeover. “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club,” Rosenior, who leaves his post at French club Racing Strasbourg, said in a club statement. “This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.” Rosenior took charge of Strasbourg in July 2024 after coaching spells at…

The United Nations World Food Programme’s warning that up to 35 million Nigerians could face severe hunger during the 2026 lean season is not a distant threat. It is already taking shape across the country, driven by insecurity, climate shocks and economic distress that have pushed Nigeria’s food system to breaking point. In recent weeks, the lived reality of farmers and rural communities has confirmed what humanitarian agencies have long feared. Farmlands are increasingly unsafe. Farmers are killed, abducted, forced off their land or compelled to pay “protection levies” to armed groups simply to plant crops. In many rural areas,…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resumed the nationwide continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise, marking the start of the second phase of the process. The resumption which took effect today, follows the conclusion of the first phase of the CVR that formally ended on December 10, 2025. INEC had launched the online pre-registration for the exercise on August 18, 2025, before commencing in-person registration at designated centres nationwide on August 25, 2025. In a statement in December, the commission disclosed that 9,891,801 Nigerians initiated online pre-registration during the first phase of the exercise. Of this figure, INEC said 2,572,054…

Egypt are into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after two goals in extra time, including one from Mohamed Salah, saw the Pharaohs edge a tight last-16 tie against Benin. Clearcut chances were at a premium in Marrakesh, with Salah, who remains in the hunt for a first AFCON title with his country, largely a peripheral figure until his strike in the 124th minute. After a goalless first half, Egypt midfielder Marwan Attia broke the deadlock with a fine hit from the edge of the penalty area which found the top corner with just over 20…

Manchester United have appointed former midfielder Darren Fletcher as interim manager following the sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim, bringing a sudden end to the Portuguese’s troubled 14-month reign at Old Trafford. The decision came less than 24 hours after Amorim publicly questioned his working relationship with senior club officials, hinting he would not be fully supported in the transfer market. After Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, the 40-year-old further fuelled speculation by insisting he wanted to operate as a full “manager, not the coach”, and admitting he was prepared to walk away when his contract expired in 18 months.…

Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), says individuals spreading rumours about Nigeria’s new tax laws are largely tax avoiders. Adedeji spoke during an interview on Arise TV monitored by Chronicle NG on Sunday. He addressed issues bordering on the significance of bank transfer narrations in the tax regime, describing the alleged taxation of personal transfers as misinformation. “Nobody will look for narration,” the chairman said. “Those people you see promoting all these rumours, and misinformation, are those people that are avoiding taxes.” The NRS chairman said transfers between individuals, including transfers to family members, are not subject…