Author: Opalim Lifted

The small Pacific island nation of Kiribati has once again taken center stage as the first country to usher in the New Year 2025. Kiritimati Island, also known as Christmas Island, celebrated the arrival of January 1, 2025, with jubilant festivities as the clock struck midnight earlier today. Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Kiritimati operates 14 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 8.5 hours ahead of India. This significant moment marks the start of global New Year’s celebrations, with Kiribati leading the world into 2025. The island’s residents welcomed the fresh dawn with lively fireworks displays, upbeat…

A Nigerian United States-based expert in automotive cybersecurity, Engr. Sunday Aluko, has raised the alarm on a growing global threat: hackers stealing cars using just a phone camera. Aluko, leveraging his expertise in the automotive industry, emphasized the urgent need for car manufacturers and owners to adopt robust cybersecurity measures to combat this evolving crime. With modern vehicles relying heavily on electronic systems, car thieves now exploit vulnerabilities that require no physical tampering. By simply capturing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) displayed on a car’s windscreen, they can duplicate keys with an automated VIN-to-key tool, bypass security systems, and steal…

As 2024 draws to a close and 2025 beckons, it’s the ideal time to pause and reflect on the past year. Reflection is more than just looking back; it’s about sifting through your experiences, embracing personal growth, and preparing for the future. Here are ten practical and thoughtful ways to reflect on 2024, using your journey so far as a springboard for an even better year 2025. With a notebook in hand and maybe a candle for ambience, let’s dive in. 1. Pen down gratitude What made your heart swell with thankfulness this year? From big wins like landing your…

Nigeria has been forecasted to have a population of 237,527,782 by 2025, increasing from 235,072,214 recorded in December 2024. This is based on the latest United Nations data as estimated by Worldometer, which shows that between 2023 and 2024, the country’s population increased by 4,796,533. Nigeria’s population is equivalent to 2.85% of the total world population and the country ranks number six in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The data places the most populated cities to be Lagos with 15,388,000 people, Kano 4,910,000, Ibadan 3,649,000, Abuja 2,690,000 and Port Harcourt 2,120,000. 53.9 % of the population is…

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah says he is “far away” from signing a new deal at the Premier League club. Salah, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and can enter negotiations with non-English clubs on 1 January over a free transfer once his deal expires. The Egyptian scored his 20th goal of the season as Liverpool beat West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points. Asked about his future following the victory, Salah told Sky Sports: “No, we are far away from…

Newcastle beat Manchester United, Man United in a league game at Old Trafford for only the second time since 1972 to condemn their hosts to a third straight home loss in all competitions for the first time in more than 60 years. Not since Sir Matt Busby’s days in the 1962-63 season have Man United lost three home games in a row in all competitions. But early goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton gave Eddie Howe’s men a thoroughly deserved victory that left them fifth in an impressive end to 2024. Newcastle have won their last four Premier League games,…

Liam Delap’s exceptional performance helped Ipswich earn their first home win of the season and first Premier League home win in 22 years as Chelsea’s title hopes dwindled. After scoring a 12th-minute penalty, the 21-year-old striker set up former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson for Ipswich’s second eight minutes after the break. Chelsea dominated possession but were wasteful and the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled out a Joao Felix first-half equaliser after a long check for offside. Earlier, ex-Manchester City striker Delap powered in a penalty that he won himself after VAR judged that there was “sufficient contact” by goalkeeper Filip…

The Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has expressed mixed feelings regarding President Bola Tinubu’s recent financial disclosure during his maiden Presidential Media Chat in Lagos. Tinubu disclosed that his administration has met its financial obligations without resorting to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) for funding. The CNPP observed that while this statement appears positive, it raises several critical questions that demand “immediate and transparent answers.” During the media chat, Tinubu urged Nigerians to believe in his government, stating that the administration, which is “just 18 months” old, is on the right path and marks “a glorious…

The 125,000 barrels per day Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), Warri refinery has commenced operations. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) disclosed this during a tour at the Warri refinery facility on Monday. Addressing the team during the tour of the facility began on Monday, Kyari said, “This plant is running. Although it is not 100 percent complete, we are still in the process. “Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is…

Former Porto manager Sergio Conceicao has been appointed AC Milan head coach following the sacking of Paulo Fonseca. The former Lazio, Inter Milan and Parma midfielder has signed an 18-month deal at San Siro. Conceicao, 50, won 11 trophies in six years at Porto before stepping down at the end of last season. The Portuguese coach’s first game in charge will be on 3 January, when Milan take on Juventus in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Italian Super Cup. The match will see Conceicao manage against his son Francisco, who plays for Juventus. AC Milan dismissed Fonseca…