Author: Opalim Lifted

Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a diplomatic breakthrough for the country nestled in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, after a decade-long war of independence led by the Somali National Movement (SNM) against dictator Siad Barre’s regime. But the country lacks widespread international recognition as an independent state despite functioning with its own government, currency, military, and elections. It is viewed by most countries and the United Nations (UN) as part of Somalia. Somalia has also never accepted Somaliland’s independence. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister…

A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, better known on X as Auntie Esther, has died after battling breast cancer. News of her death surfaced on Saturday night after Auntymuse (@AUNTYMUSE_) reacted to a post announcing her passing. Quoting an earlier post by @swaagsp, which read, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther. Very sad!”, Auntymuse wrote, “May her soul rest in peace.” The post immediately drew reactions from Nigerians who had followed Auntie Esther’s health journey closely on social media. Shortly after, @Wizarab10, the fundraiser on X who coordinated donations for her treatment, also reacted. “It is well. Peaceful…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, before the Federal High Court over what it describes as the secretive spending of an estimated N14 trillion fuel subsidy savings. The lawsuit follows revelations that governors and the FCT administration have received trillions of naira in increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023. Despite the windfall, SERAP says ordinary Nigerians have seen little or no improvement in access to quality healthcare, education and other essential…

Ollie Watkins emerged from the bench to spearhead a superb Aston Villa revival as they came from behind to confirm their Premier League title credentials at Chelsea with an 11th successive win in all competitions. Chelsea deservedly led after 37 minutes when striker Joao Pedro got a vital touch in a goalmouth scramble as Villa tried to clear Reece James’ corner. Aston Villa, seeking to equal a club record set in both September 1897 and March 1914, had been second best until manager Unai Emery made a triple substitution just before the hour, sending on Watkins, Amadou Onana and Jadon…

Martin Odegaard scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal survived a nervy finale to beat Brighton and return to the top of the table. The Gunners, who had dropped to second place after Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early match, took the lead when Bart Verbruggen’s goal-kick was intercepted and Bukayo Saka teed up captain Odegaard to score from the edge of the area. Arsenal’s one-goal half-time lead did not match their first-half dominance as they produced 15 shots, five on target, and restricted Brighton to none. But they doubled their lead seven minutes…

Nigeria held off a late Tunisia fightback to reach the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The Super Eagles led the Group C encounter in Fes 3-0 with 17 minutes remaining through goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman before Montassar Talbi’s header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick pulled one back for the North Africans. Tunisia were then given a late penalty, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, for a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. The Carthage Eagles…

Senegal came from behind to draw with DR Congo in Group D at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as both sides edged a step closer to a place in the last 16. Cedric Bakambu put the Leopards in front from close range just after the hour mark in Tangier, capitalising on the rebound as Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy failed to hold onto Theo Bongonda’s low effort. But the West Africans equalised eight minutes later as substitute Ibrahim Mbaye burst through the defence and tested Congolese keeper Lionel Mpasi, with Sadio Mane showing composure to tuck the loose ball…

Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal as they held out to beat Wolves on an emotional afternoon at Anfield as Diogo Jota was remembered by both sets of fans. Arne Slot’s side scored twice in two minutes through Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz in the first half and though Wolves pulled one back through Santiago Bueno, Liverpool made it three Premier League wins in a row. Wolves remain winless in the top flight this season. Dinis and Duarte, Jota’s sons, were mascots for the game and came out on to the pitch alongside Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. Jota, who…

Benin earned their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) win as Yohan Roche’s deflected first-half strike sealed their first points of the 2025 tournament in Rabat. Defender Roche exchanged a one-two with returning targetman Steve Mounie, who missed Benin’s opening defeat to DR Congo, before sending a looped finish from inside the box over goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko. Roche’s goal made history for his country with their first victory inside normal time in their 16th Afcon match spread over five editions. Botswana suffered a second defeat of the group stage but were unfortunate not to equalise when Mothusi Johnson bent a…

Liverpool and Wolves paid tribute to Diogo Jota on an emotional day at Anfield as his two former sides met for the first time since his death. The Portugal forward, 28, was killed in a car crash in Spain in July, alongside his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva. Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 after three seasons with Wolves. Dinis and Duarte, two of his three children, joined the matchday mascots on the pitch before their Premier League game on Saturday. Jota’s sons, along with other young family members, led the Liverpool team out of the tunnel, walking out ahead of captain…