Author: Opalim Lifted

Rockets targeted the complex of Baghdad International Airport on Friday evening, an area that hosts a military base and a United States diplomatic facility, Iraqi authorities have confirmed. According to Iraq’s security media cell, several rockets were fired at about 8:20 pm local time from the Abu Ghraib district, west of the capital. The statement said a number of rockets were launched towards the airport area but added that several of them landed in empty locations away from the main airport complex. Security sources earlier told AFP that drones may have carried out the attack. However, a security official later…

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, has said he is ready to lead the country after the reported killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Pahlavi, the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, said he has accepted what he described as a “mandate” from Iranians calling on him to guide the country through a transition away from the current regime. In a video message shared on his X account on Friday, the opposition figure said the Iranian people had asked him to take responsibility for leading the transition once the existing government collapses. “For nearly five decades, this…

Liverpool cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a dominant second-half display against Wolves to keep alive their hopes of salvaging the season. The Reds had suffered a last-gasp defeat in the Premier League at Molineux on Tuesday but gained revenge to reach the last eight. After a forgettable first half, where they struggled for creativity and energy, the visitors then raced to a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes of the restart. Andy Robertson collected Curtis Jones’ pass and rifled into the bottom corner from 25 yards for his first goal since September, before Mohamed Salah struck 95 seconds later.…

The Oba of Benin Ewuare II has expressed concern over the presence of United States security forces in Nigeria and the escalating global tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The monarch spoke on Thursday when the newly deployed 4 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army in Benin City, Ahmed Balogun, paid him a courtesy visit at the palace. According to the traditional ruler, American troops are currently in Nigeria assisting the military in the fight against insurgency. While acknowledging the support, he prayed for the safety of both Nigerian soldiers and the foreign forces working alongside them. “The…

Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah and a co-defendant have begun negotiations for a plea bargain in the alleged N2.5 billion fraud case filed against them at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja. The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the defendants had approached the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to negotiate a settlement under the law. Oyedepo explained that the process had already begun and that part of the allegedly misappropriated funds was being returned to the Federal Government. “They have made moves to refund a certain amount of…

Tyler Perry, the entertainment mogul, is pushing back against a $77 million sexual assault lawsuit filed against him, with his legal team describing the claims as “frivolous” and a blatant attempt to extort money from him. On December 25, Mario Rodriguez, who appeared with Perry in the 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween, sued the billionaire filmmaker for alleged sexual battery and assault. Rodriguez claimed Perry subjected him to unwanted sexual advances on multiple occasions between 2014 and 2019. However, Perry’s attorneys including high-profile lawyer Alex Spiro  filed a formal response on February 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court,…

Teddy A, the reality TV star, has once again sent social media into a frenzy of speculation about his marriage to BamBam, this time over a post that notably omitted her. The 37-year-old singer and actor recently took to Instagram to celebrate the women in his life with a carousel of seven slides. The post featured heartwarming moments with his children and a photo of his mother — but his wife was conspicuously absent from the tribute. “The month of March is for the women in my life! 😍😍😍,” he captioned the post, a message that fans were quick to…

The leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has raised alarm over the delay in the payment of February salaries to university workers across Nigeria, warning that the situation is causing severe hardship for staff and their families. In a statement released on Thursday, SSANU national president Mohammed Ibrahim said the prolonged delay has negatively affected morale among university workers and threatens productivity across campuses. According to him, workers who sustain the country’s university system deserve prompt remuneration for their services. “Staff who dedicate their time and expertise to sustaining the university system deserve timely remuneration,” Ibrahim…

Tottenham’s fears of a first relegation from the top flight since 1977 have increased after Crystal Palace scored three goals in 12 first-half minutes to stun them in north London. Tottenham, who played more than half the match with 10 men, have now gone 11 league games without a win. The home side had taken the lead in the 34th minute when England international Dominic Solanke finished from close range. But after Micky van de Ven was sent off four minutes later, Ismaila Sarr netted twice – once either side of Jorgen Strand Larsen’s strike – to earn Palace consecutive…

Israel has defended the assassination of Ali Khamenei, saying the strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader complied with international law because he was directing the country’s military operations during the ongoing war. The Israeli government said the cleric, who served as commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces, was a lawful military target under the rules governing armed conflict. The Middle East conflict escalated dramatically after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets on Saturday. One of the attacks killed Khamenei, a development that has further inflamed tensions across the region. Israel argues the strikes were necessary to…