Author: Opalim Lifted

Arsenal moved to within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool by thrashing Manchester City at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, who knew only a victory would suffice with Liverpool opening a commanding lead at the top of the table after winning at Bournemouth, responded by overpowering the fading champions in emphatic fashion. Arsenal have played a game more than Liverpool, but this impressive victory at least means they remain in touching distance of Arne Slot’s pace-setters. Man City, as they had done against Chelsea eight days previously, gifted their opponents an early lead, this time inside two minutes when defender…

Trump on Saturday ordered 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10% on goods from People’s Republic of China (PRC), saying Beijing needed to stanch the flow of fentanyl, a deadly opioid, into the United States. China’s toned-down response marked a contrast with the direct retaliation and heated language from Canada, a long-time US ally, and Mexico, the top destination for US exports. PRC commerce ministry said in a statement that Trump’s move “seriously violates” international trade rules, urging the US to “engage in frank dialogue and strengthen cooperation”. Filing a lawsuit with the WTO could allow Beijing a…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly probe allegations that over N26 billion of public funds are missing, diverted or stolen from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources in 2021.” These damning revelations are documented in the 2021 audited report published on Wednesday 13 November 2024 by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate,…

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has commenced the enforcement of the third-party vehicle insurance policy across different states. In a statement on Saturday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said the vehicle insurance initiative will ensure motorist and road users are safeguarded. Hundeyin said the enforcement, which began on Saturday in Lagos, follows the directive by Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, to ensure that motorists obtain a valid third-party vehicle insurance. “Vehicle owners in the state are required to have, at a minimum, valid third-party insurance. Those without any form of insurance are advised to obtain one immediately,”…

Nassroudine Imavov defeated Israel Adesanya via technical knockout in the second round of their UFC middleweight bout.  The 28-year-old French fighter shocked his Nigerian-New Zealander opponent in their non-title bout held on Saturday at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The defeat was Adesanya’s third consecutive loss in the UFC, following losses to Sean Strickland in 2023 and South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis in August 2024. It was also the 35-year-old’s fifth in the UFC. The Nigerian-New Zealander’s camp claimed the fighter was more prepared for the contest against Imavov than he had been for the previous two fights.…

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said Nigerians condemn corruption yet rally behind corrupt leaders when they are being prosecuted. Olukoyede spoke on Friday in Abuja when officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by Chris Olukolade, director of its board of trustees, visited him. The EFCC chair said underdevelopment would be a thing of the past if every citizen sees corruption as a common enemy. “One of the major problems in Nigeria which when tackled, will make under-development a thing of the past, is corruption and financial crimes,” Olukoyede said. “A society…

Everton scored twice in the opening six minutes, including the fourth fastest goal in Premier League history, to thrash woeful Leicester City at Goodison Park. The match was billed as a crucial bottom-of-the-table meeting but the Toffees’ brilliant first half helped send them 10 points clear of the relegation zone as the Foxes remain in real trouble, one point above the bottom three. Abdoulaye Doucoure latched on to Jordan Pickford’s punt upfield and slid home a low finish after just 10.18 seconds to give David Moyes’ side a dream start. The goal was the fastest ever scored by an Everton…

Liverpool moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah’s double saw off a battling Bournemouth at a noisy Vitality Stadium. Salah is now on 178 league goals, lifting him to sixth on the list in the Premier League era, ahead of Frank Lampard on 177. The Egyptian put the Reds ahead with a well-taken 30th-minute penalty, awarded after Lewis Cook was judged to have clipped the heels of Cody Gakpo. Bournemouth had already gained wins over Arsenal, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest this season and had almost taken the lead against the Reds when…

Chris Wood scored a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest delivered an emphatic response to last weekend’s 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth by hitting seven past Brighton at the City Ground. The loss at Vitality Stadium was Nottingham Forest’s first since early December but they roared back to winning ways in front of their own supporters, registering their biggest-ever Premier League victory against the sorry Seagulls. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side took a 12th-minute lead when Lewis Dunk inadvertently turned Morgan Gibbs-White’s low cross into his own net from close range. Gibbs-White doubled the hosts’ advantage with a glancing header from Anthony Elanga’s corner,…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said the National Assembly is ready to start a conversation on whether or not the death penalty should be abolished in the nation’s criminal justice system. The death penalty also known as capital punishment has been abolished in some African countries including Rwanda (2007), Burundi (2009), Togo (2009), Gabon (2010), Benin Republic (2012), Chad (2020) and Sierra Leone (2021), among others. Although, there has been a voluntary moratorium (temporary prohibition) on executions since 2014; the death penalty is still legal in Nigeria. Kalu’s submission came amid a growing global…