Author: Opalim Lifted

Cape Verde’s gripping debut World Cup campaign continued as they held two-time champions Uruguay to a thrilling draw in Miami. Having delighted fans with their shock 0-0 draw with Spain in their opener, Cape Verde took a dream lead against Uruguay through Kevin Pina’s long-range free-kick which went through the middle of the wall in the 21st minute. Going ahead changed the game’s structure as Cape Verde became more attacking and left themselves exposed at the back. Uruguay made the most of the extra space, with Maxi Araujo diving low to nod in an equaliser after defender Sidny Lopes Cabral…

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand produced a series of outstanding saves as Iran held 10-man Belgium to a 0-0 draw in their Group G clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on Sunday. Belgium’s hopes of securing victory suffered a setback in the 66th minute when defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mehdi Taremi after the Iranian forward intercepted his attempted pass and raced through on goal. Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, Iran struggled to capitalise, creating few clear opportunities as Belgium continued to push forward and increase the pressure in the…

Lamine Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first World Cup start as Spain beat Saudi Arabia to register their first win of the tournament. The Barcelona teenager had been a second-half substitute in Spain’s opening Group H game against Cape Verde, but he was unable to inspire his side to victory as the 2010 winners laboured to a deeply frustrating goalless draw. As expected, the 18-year-old was restored to manager Luis de la Fuente’s starting line-up against Saudi Arabia – and he wasted little time in making his mark. Mikel Oyarzabal’s low cross from the left evaded Saudi Arabia defender…

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate linked to the abduction of a 20-year-old farmer and cattle rearer, Michael Benua, in Oorelope Local Government Area. According to a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the breakthrough followed ongoing investigations into the attack reported at the Okaka Police Division. The victim was seized in the early hours of 19 June when about eight armed men invaded Igboti Village via the Okutalogun axis. The attackers, armed with firearms and cutlasses, reportedly whisked him away after storming the community and also stole…

The Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students of Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, to an alternative location following a recent chemical inhalation incident within the school premises. On April 1, at least 30 students of the school were hospitalised following a suspected gas leak at the school. In June, several students were also hospitalised after another gas leak was detected within the school premises. It was the third such incident recorded in the community between April and June. Speaking during an assessment visit to the school, Governor Dapo Abiodun said preliminary findings confirmed the presence of…

Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo State, has asked Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of the state, to constitute a special court for the speedy hearing and determination of kidnapping and cultism-related cases. Okpebholo on Thursday threatened to publicly execute convicted kidnappers and cultists as part of efforts to rid the state of violent crime. The governor said his administration would set up a special court for the trial of suspected criminals and ensure public execution of convicted offenders to serve as a deterrent. In a memo numbered SGA.710/T/40, dated June 19 and addressed to the Chief Judge, Umar Ikhilor, Secretary…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas a seven-day ultimatum to ensure lawmakers refund N110 billion spent on vehicle procurement and support allowances, following a court ruling declaring the expenditure unlawful. In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the leadership of the National Assembly to recover all funds, allowances and benefits linked to the schemes and return them to the public treasury. The demand follows a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the…

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to outline a timetable for his departure from office after facing mounting pressure from within the Labour Party. According to The Observer, internal pressure intensified on Friday after Andy Burnham secured a by-election victory that positions him to launch a formal leadership challenge. Labour officials told the newspaper that Starmer has come to accept that his position may no longer be sustainable following discussions with cabinet ministers, Downing Street advisers, trade union leaders and party donors. A “clear statement” regarding his future could come as early as Monday, the report said,…

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has celebrated his re-election following the conclusion of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election held on Saturday, June 20. In a statement, Oyebanji described his re-election as the voice of the people, saying it reverberated from every part of the state. Expressing humility at the scale of the victory, Oyebanji said securing a clean sweep across all 16 local government areas and 85 per cent of the popular vote is a humbling vote of confidence from the people of Ekiti State. “From our urban centres to our most remote communities, you have spoken with one thunderous voice…

Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has issued a two-hour ultimatum to Fulani elders in his hometown of Igboho in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state, demanding the release of residents abducted by suspected bandits on Friday. Adeyemo spoke on Saturday while addressing Fulani elders at the palace of the town’s monarch. Speaking in Yoruba, he accused suspected Fulani kidnappers of carrying out a series of abductions in the area, including a recent incident in which a pregnant woman was reportedly killed. “You cannot be kidnapping people in our fatherland while we fold our arms and…