Author: Opalim Lifted

The United States has launched a fresh wave of military strikes on Iran after Tehran allegedly targeted a container ship, deepening a rapidly escalating conflict that has spread across the Gulf. The US forces struck hundreds of Iranian military targets over the weekend, saying the operations were aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by announcing that it had again closed the strategic waterway, warning it would remain shut until what it described as the “end of US interference” in the region. However, the US Central Command said…

The Federal Government has approved a new examination fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) from 2027. The approval follows a request by WAEC for an upward review of the examination fee and represents an 82 per cent increase from the current N27,500 registration fee. According to a statement dated June 18 and signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, the decision was reached after a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies on March…

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored deep in extra time to secure a dramatic 3-1 quarter-final win over 10-man Switzerland on Saturday and set up a heavyweight last-four clash against England in Atlanta on Wednesday. Lionel Messi’s Argentina side kept alive their bid to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 with a victory that sparked pandemonium among the sea of sky-blue-and-white supporters and ended Switzerland’s fairytale run. The Swiss had reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954, but fell one match short of an unprecedented semi-final appearance, suffering…

Israel has shared intelligence with the United States alleging that Iran recently developed a fresh plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to a CNN report citing sources familiar with the matter, as tensions continue to rise despite a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. The report said one source revealed that the warning was delivered earlier this week, while another said US intelligence agencies had already been receiving repeated indications in recent weeks of possible threats against Trump. However, the Israeli intelligence reportedly pointed to a specific alleged assassination plot. According to CNN, US officials have not independently verified…

Tony Elumelu has urged FIFA to improve the standard of refereeing at the ongoing 2026 World Cup following controversial decisions that contributed to the elimination of African teams. The chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) made the appeal in a post on his X account while congratulating African nations for their performances at the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Africa was represented by nine teams, with eight progressing to the round of 32. Egypt and Morocco advanced to the round of 16, while Morocco eventually reached the quarter-finals before exiting the competition. However, officiating…

Linda Noskova claimed her maiden Grand Slam title on Saturday after defeating compatriot Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in a dramatic all-Czech women’s singles final at Wimbledon. The 21-year-old overcame the disappointment of squandering five match points in the second set before regaining her composure to secure victory on her sixth opportunity in the deciding set. With the triumph, Noskova became the third Czech woman to win Wimbledon in the past four years, following Marketa Vondrousova in 2023 and Barbora Krejcikova in 2024. She also extended the tournament’s run of first-time women’s champions to nine consecutive editions. Noskova dominated the…

A worker has died and seven others were injured after a section of the new Gombe State House of Assembly Complex under construction collapsed on Friday. The tragic incident occurred when part of a cantilevered entrance canopy suddenly gave way, trapping workers beneath the debris. The Gombe State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Danladi Adamu. According to the ministry, emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene to rescue trapped workers. Five of the injured workers are receiving treatment at the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, while two…

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has warned individuals he described as “political criminals” in the state to prepare for the consequences of their actions, saying such conduct will no longer be tolerated. Bello made the remarks while addressing supporters in a video. The former governor specifically referenced Kogi Central, alleging that some individuals were engaging in what he termed political criminality. Although he did not mention anyone by name, Bello said those who believed his comments were directed at them should reflect on their conduct. “The political criminals within us in Kogi State, get ready. The political criminals within…

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, warning that retaliation is inevitable despite renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent another escalation in the Middle East. In his first public message since assuming leadership following the death of Ali Khamenei in late February, Mojtaba Khamenei declared that revenge was the will of the Iranian people and would eventually be carried out. “Vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out,” he said in a written statement. He added that the planned response was not dependent on any individual…

The Kaduna State Government has issued an urgent public health advisory following a rise in diphtheria cases among children across the state, urging parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive routine vaccinations. The warning was issued by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health after health authorities recorded an increase in confirmed infections, particularly among children who have not completed their immunisation schedules. The ministry described diphtheria as a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the throat and nose. If left untreated, it can cause severe breathing difficulties, heart complications and even death. Health officials stressed that vaccination remains…