Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has joined Serie A club Genoa on a free transfer. The 34-year-old had been without a club since departing Turkish Super Lig side Adana Demirspor this summer. Balotelli, who has 36 Italy caps, returns to playing in his home country more than three years after leaving Monza. Part of Manchester City’s title winning squad in 2012, the Italian joins a struggling Genoa side who sit in the relegation positions. Genoa, managed by Alberto Gilardino, are 18th after taking six points from their opening nine games. Balotelli made headlines for his behaviour on and off…

Apple on Monday rolled out its first set of artificial intelligence features, dubbed “Apple Intelligence,” across its premium iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, marking the tech giant’s major push into generative AI. The release, first previewed by the company in June, marks it’s foray into an AI race that has seen the US tech giants rush into ChatGPT-style technology. Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple are convinced that generative AI’s powers are the next chapter of computing and have ramped up spending so as not to be left behind. “Apple Intelligence is generative AI in a way that only Apple can…

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been fined £40,000 and £125,000 respectively for failing to control their players in their Premier League game earlier this month. Both clubs admitted a Football Association charge following the incident that took place in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on 6 October. It was sparked by Forest defender Neco Williams, who pushed Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella into Blues manager Enzo Maresca, resulting in an on-pitch melee. An independent regulatory commission acknowledged both clubs admitted guilt but said the punishment needs to reflect that it was still a “serious incident involving…

Petrol marketers have lamented low patronage at their retail outlets nationwide, with the price of a litre of petrol now above N1,000 at most filling stations across Nigeria. The marketers said they are now cutting their workforce and work shifts because of high pricing and low returns on investment. The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on Channels TV. The PETROAN boss was on the programme with a spokesman for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Ukadike Chinedu. Gillis-Harry said, “Marketers, retail outlet owners, all of us…

The northern region of Nigeria is marking its eighth consecutive day without electricity. The outage was triggered last Monday after the tripping off of the 330kV circuit transmission line between Benue and Enugu. The transmission line between Shiroro and Kaduna was also affected, affecting Kano, Gombe, Kebbi, Jos, Kaduna, Benue, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Kwara, Nasarawa and Yobe. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has acknowledged the ongoing outage, assuring residents that they are taking “every possible measure” to restore power to the Northern region. According to the company, the 330kV DC Ugwaji-Apir double circuit tripped due to a fault.…

Erik ten Hag has been sacked as Manchester United manager, David Ornstein revealed. The Dutchman was informed on Monday morning and leaves Old Trafford after two and a half years in charge with his final game proving to be the Premier League defeat to West Ham United on Sunday. That result left the club 14th in the table, seven points off the Champions League qualification places, after just three league wins from nine games and only four in 14 in all competitions. The club are now working on next steps with former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, recruited in the offseason…

A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, has assaulted an e-hailing driver who went to deliver a package to him. The distressed driver whose name is yet unknown in a viral video filmed what transpired between them in Ikwechegh’s residence in Maitama, Abuja. The video depicted the visibly angered Reps member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency (APGA) repeatedly slapping and insulting the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him. In the footage, Alex Ikwechegh insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status…

The Presidency has revealed that President Bola Tinubu acquired a refurbished, not a new jet, for his official duties. Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, issued the explanation when he was featured on Channels TV’s Inside Sources, anchored by Laolu Akande. Onanuga said some jets in the presidential fleet, like a 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, are all in inadequate condition, and their maintenance costs were outrageous. Hence, instead of spending a bogus amount of money on aircraft maintenance, the President sought the approval of the National Assembly for a refurbished jet still in excellent condition. He revealed that…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its denial of being responsible for advising the Nigerian government to remove subsidies on petrol. President Bola Tinubu’s removal of subsidies in May 2023 has resulted in the rise of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from N175 per litre to N1300. The removal of petrol subsidies has since resulted in escalating costs of living which has met with criticisms from various quarters. In a statement on Sunday, NLC National President, Joe Ajaaero said the IMF’s supposed recommendations have led to increased socioeconomic hardship and stagnation in Nigeria. This…

Mohamed Salah’s late equaliser gave Liverpool a point against Premier League title rivals Arsenal in an eventful encounter at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal led twice but were undermined by injuries to key defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber in the second half, having already been without the suspended William Saliba. The setbacks allowed Liverpool to apply pressure and take a point, leaving Manchester City at the top of the table. Arsenal were rewarded for a fast start when Bukayo Saka bamboozled Andy Robertson to score his 50th Premier League goal at the near post after nine minutes. Their lead only lasted until…