Author: Opalim Lifted

Arsenal had a late goal disallowed as they missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points with a draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Bukayo Saka thought he had given the Gunners all three points when he headed in Gabriel Martinelli’s cross two minutes from time, but the goal was disallowed after the Brazilian was found to be offside during the build-up. Raul Jimenez, with his sixth goal of the season, put Fulham in front against the run of play when he latched on to Kenny Tete’s ball down the line to fire…

Ghana’s former president John Mahama won a historic comeback election victory on Sunday after voters appeared to punish the ruling New Patriotic Party over its management of an economic crisis. NPP candidate Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on Sunday conceded defeat in the weekend presidential election after failing to shake off widespread frustration over high costs of living. Defeat in Saturday’s election ended eight years in power for the NPP under President Nana Akufo-Addo, marked by the west African state’s worst economic turmoil in years, high inflation and a debt default. For Mahama, president from 2012-2017, it was his third attempt…

The Syrian government fell early Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a sudden rebel offensive sprinted across government-held territory and entered the capital in 10 days. Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all detainees in jails have been set free. The man who read the statement said the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, an opposition group, called on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of “the free Syrian state.” The statement emerged hours after…

Newly restored Notre Dame cathedral held its first mass on Sunday, with Christians celebrating the return of the French capital’s most famous place of worship after a historic re-opening ceremony. The beloved Paris monument nearly burned down in 2019, but has been fully renovated inside and fitted with a new roof and spire during a frenzied five-year refit. The inaugural mass was led by Paris archbishop Laurent Ulrich with 150 bishops and more than 100 priests from the capital in attendance, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron. The archbishop led prayers and consecrated a new altar which replaced the…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas “to urgently assess the human rights impacts of Nigeria’s reform bills currently being discussed by the National Assembly including on Nigerians living in poverty.” SERAP said, “any discussion and consideration of the tax reform bills must ensure full compliance with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations and commitments.” In the letter dated 7 December 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The assessments should…

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has left his role after just five months. The 53-year-old officially joined the club on 1 July after spending five months on gardening leave at Newcastle. News of his departure was first reported by the Athletic., external A United statement said the decision was made by mutual agreement. “We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future,” the statement added. Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation have said Ashworth was told of the decision after United’s home…

Nottingham Forest capitalised on Manchester United’s, Man United defensive blunders to record their first win at Old Trafford in almost 30 years. Rasmus Hojlund replied to Nikola Milenkovic’s early opener, but Ruben Amorim’s home side were unable to get back level for a second time after they conceded twice in seven minutes at the start of the second half. United keeper Andre Onana was at fault for Forest’s second goal, shaping to make a low save to his right when Morgan Gibbs-White shot from the edge of the area, only to be beaten to his left as the ball did…

Manchester City, Man City twice came from behind to draw with Crystal Palace as the champions’ underwhelming run of form continued. Man City’s win over Nottingham Forest in midweek failed to herald the start of them rediscovering their form – and Palace may consider themselves unlucky not to have won this. Oliver Glasner’s side led after just four minutes when Will Hughes picked out wing-back Daniel Munoz in tonnes of space to drive in the opening goal. They had chances to extend their lead before Erling Haaland leaped well to head in Matheus Nunes’ cross to level. But another defender…

Tens of thousands of people across the UK were left without power on Saturday morning after Storm Darragh hit the country with strong winds and caused pre-Christmas travel disruption. The UK’s Met Office had issued a rare red alert for high winds overnight to Saturday morning (0300 to 1100 GMT) covering parts of Wales and southwest England. The government warned three million people living in the area with a siren-like alert on their phones to stay at home on Friday night. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the storm posed a “challenging situation”. “About three million homes will have had the…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) began the computer-based Aptitude Test on Saturday where a total of 45,689 applicants are slugging it out to secure employment at the company. The NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement, said the recruitment would be for various positions across various departments within the energy company and interested applicants to visit the NNPC careers page for application instructions. The development is a follow-up to an announcement on July 25, 2024, where the company announced openings for new entrants. In an update on its official X handle, the national oil firm assured that only…