Author: Opalim Lifted

Israel has approved a sweeping new military plan to seize full control of the Gaza Strip, in a move that is set to deepen the territory’s already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The newly sanctioned offensive, greenlit by the Israeli cabinet early Monday, involves the “capture and holding” of Gaza territory, officials said. Tens of thousands of reserve soldiers are being called up, as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) prepare for an intensified campaign against Hamas. Civilians in northern Gaza will be forced southwards, with aid deliveries redirected to Israeli-controlled hubs to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas—a move the UN has strongly…

Chelsea strengthened their bid for a place in next season’s Champions League with victory against newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot made six changes from the side that beat Tottenham Hotspur to clinch the title at Anfield, resulting in a display lacking some of their traditional intensity until it was too late. After giving Liverpool the traditional champions’ guard of honour before kick-off, Chelsea went on to secure a crucial win that moves Enzo Maresca’s side level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United – who they now only trail in the table…

Brentford kept their hopes of European qualification alive by coming from behind to beat Man United in a 4-3 thriller at the Gtech Community Stadium. Mason Mount gave the visitors the lead with just his second goal for the club, finishing off a fine cross from winger Alejandro Garnacho. Brentford equalised when captain Mikkel Damsgaard saw his cross deflect in off defender Luke Shaw, who was captaining a much-changed United side. The Bees took the lead six minutes later in controversial fashion, when Kevin Schade towered over United defender Tyler Fredricson to power in his 10th goal of the season…

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season as they shared the points with Tottenham in a meeting between two massively underperforming sides. Both had very little riding on this fixture and it showed as the 17th-placed Hammers could not overtake their London rivals in the table after a tame derby. Ange Postecoglou made eight changes to the Tottenham side that defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg. With Thursday’s return the priority, the Australian’s focus was firmly on ending a dismal season on a high by winning that competition and…

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has pledged support for Operation Safe Corridor (OSC), a federal government initiative focused on deradicalising, rehabilitating, and reintegrating repentant insurgents. The agency made the commitment on May 2 when Yusuf Ali, coordinator of OSC, and his team, paid a courtesy visit to the NOA’s headquarters in Abuja. Receiving the delegation, Lanre Issa-Onilu, NOA director-general, acknowledged “widespread misinformation” about OSC. According to a statement on the agency’s X page, Issa-Onilu said he hitherto had reservations about the programme due to limited understanding, but now appreciates the initiative’s objectives and logic. He described the programme as essential…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have accused the Tinubu administration of weaponising the amended Cybercrimes Act 2024 to stifle dissent, muzzle journalists, and silence peaceful critics online. At a press conference marking World Press Freedom Day in Ikeja, Lagos, both groups issued a searing joint statement condemning what they called “draconian” tactics deployed under the controversial legislation—particularly Section 24, which criminalises so-called “cyberstalking” in language critics say is dangerously vague. “The Tinubu government must end its use of the Cybercrimes Act to target journalists, activists, and ordinary Nigerians expressing views online,”…

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the controversial arrest of online personality Martin Otse, known widely as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing it as alarmingly similar to an abduction. In a statement on Sunday, Obi expressed concern over the disturbing trend, saying such tactics sow fear among citizens and blur the line between legal arrest and criminal abduction. “If Nigerians cannot tell the difference between a lawful arrest and a kidnapping, then we are losing a key pillar of national security and public trust,” Obi warned. He likened the incident to past cases involving even senior judges, suggesting a worrying erosion…

Social media behemoth Meta recently unveiled its first standalone AI assistant app, directly challenging ChatGPT by offering users access to its generative artificial intelligence models. “A billion people are using Meta AI across our apps now, so we made a new standalone Meta AI app for you to check out,” the company’s CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg said in a video posted on Instagram. Zuckerberg said the app “is designed to be your personal AI” and could be primarily accessed through voice conversations with the interactions personalized to the individual user. “We’re starting off really basic, with just a little…

Chiamaka Nnadozie saved two kicks to lead Paris FC Feminines to a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Feminines — following a 0-0 scoreline in regular time — to claim the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine trophy on Saturday. In the match played at the Stade de l’Épopée in Calais, the Super Falcons of Nigeria’s goalkeeper was the hero with her penalty saves, confirming Paris FC as the cup winners. It is the club’s first trophy in 19 years, and only their second in the competition’s history. Nnadozie had a relatively quiet 90 minutes in goal with much…

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is facing intense backlash following the controversial arrest of Nigerian social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Legal representatives from Deji Adeyanju & Partners claim VDM and his associate, Steven Avuara, were ambushed by armed men shortly after leaving a GTBank branch in Garki, Abuja. According to the lawyers, the men were beaten, blindfolded, and forcibly taken to EFCC headquarters without being informed of the specific charges against them. The incident allegedly occurred after VDM and his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, visited…