Author: Opalim Lifted

Mosquitoes have been found in Iceland for the first time after the country experienced record-breaking heat this spring. Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason encountered the mosquitoes over several nights last week while using wine-soaked ropes to observe moths, local media reported. Mr Hjaltason found two female mosquitoes and one male which were later confirmed to be Culiseta annulata, one of few species that can successfully survive winter. Iceland was one of only two mosquito-free havens in the world prior to the discovery, partly due to its cold climate. The only other recorded mosquito-free zone is Antarctica. The mosquitoes were found in…

The Federal Government has cautioned fruit vendors across Nigeria against the sale of force-ripened fruits, warning that offenders will face stiff penalties. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr Olatunji Bello, issued the warning during a one-day sensitisation programme in Gombe State. Bello, represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr Nkechi Mba, said the use of harmful chemicals to accelerate fruit ripening poses serious health risks to consumers. He noted that the FCCPC would intensify enforcement of food safety standards in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug…

The Federal Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the presidential pardon list following concerns that several unqualified names were secretly inserted. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the police are now scrutinising the list before it reaches President Bola Tinubu for final approval. Sources revealed that more than half of the 175 names granted clemency could be dropped after integrity checks. The list, released on 11 October 2025, included illegal miners, drug offenders, and high-profile figures such…

Three years after its highly publicised debut, the fifth-generation (5G) network remains an exclusive luxury in Nigeria, available mostly to wealthy users in major cities. Despite its promise to revolutionise digital connectivity, 5G adoption continues to crawl. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that as of August 2025, 5G penetration stands at just 3.2 per cent. Out of 172 million active mobile lines, only about 5.6 million Nigerians, roughly 2.6 per cent of the population use 5G services. While 5G has doubled national data consumption to over 1.1 million terabytes since 2023, affordability remains the biggest obstacle. The…

The quality of a nation’s healthcare system mirrors the commitment of its leaders to citizens’ wellbeing. In countries like Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland, robust funding and sound policies ensure efficient, world-class healthcare. Their leaders trust the systems they built and rarely travel abroad for treatment. In stark contrast, Nigeria’s healthcare sector remains a picture of dysfunction crippled by underfunding, corruption, fake drugs, obsolete equipment and weak regulation. It reflects a deep failure of leadership and policy vision. In the 2025 federal budget, only N2.56 trillion just 5.15% of total spending was allocated to health, far below the 15%…

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has declared his firm belief that the South-East’s progress depends on its continued unity with Nigeria, not secession. Speaking on Channels Television, Soludo said he respects peaceful protest but does not support the separatist agenda led by Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He noted that the Monday sit-at-home directive has lost momentum in Anambra, adding that residents now move freely. “Anyone sitting at home does so by choice, not out of fear,” Soludo stated. “Even Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB have said they don’t support it. Criminals hijacked the idea, but our…

The Nigerian Senate has approved a life imprisonment sentence for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, marking a major shift from the current five-year jail term under the nation’s criminal code. The decision followed the passage of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at imposing tougher penalties for sexual offences and protecting vulnerable individuals. Senators described child defilement as a “heinous act capable of destroying a child’s life forever” and unanimously agreed that punishment should reflect the gravity of the crime. “The Senate has decided that any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth attracts life imprisonment without an…

PSV Eindhoven fought back to stun 10-man Napoli with an incredible 6-2 win for their first Champions League victory of the season. Scott McTominay opened the scoring and later grabbed a consolation goal for Napoli in an eventful game at Philips Stadion. But seven minutes after the Scotland international’s opener, PSV had turned things around with Ismael Saibari’s stunning strike putting the Dutch team in front after Alessandro Buongiorno’s own goal. Dennis Man added two more for the hosts either side of Lorenzo Lucca’s red card, with the Italian striker sent off in the 76th minute for arguing with the…

Arsenal produced a blistering 14-minute spell to destroy Atletico Madrid and maintain their flawless start to the Champions League league phase. The Gunners began brightly, with Eberechi Eze’s deflected effort rattling the bar, while Atletico’s Julian Alvarez almost capitalised on a moment of hesitation from goalkeeper David Raya. Both sides struggled to find rhythm in a tight first half, leaving fans wondering where the breakthrough would come from. That question was answered midway through the second half when Gabriel Magalhaes powered home Declan Rice’s pinpoint free-kick in the 57th minute. The goal sparked a ruthless Arsenal surge. Gabriel Martinelli doubled…

Holders Paris Saint-Germain delivered a devastating attacking performance to crush Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 and make it three wins from three in the Champions League group stage. Two goals from Desire Doue and strikes from Willian Pacho and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG 4-1 up at half-time, before Nuno Mendes, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha completed the rout. Pacho opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a firm header from Mendes’ curling cross. Leverkusen had a chance to level when Illia Zabarnyi fouled Claudio Echeverri in the box, but Alejandro Grimaldo struck the post from the spot. Moments later, VAR upgraded Robert…