Author: Opalim Lifted

Some 100,000 people have fled to Syria from Lebanon due to Israeli air strikes, a figure that has doubled in two days, the United Nations’ refugee head said on Monday. “The number of people who have crossed into Syria from Lebanon fleeing Israeli airstrikes — Lebanese and Syrian nationals — has reached 100,000,” Filippo Grandi said on X. “The outflow continues,” he warned. He said his UN refugee agency (UNHCR) was “present at four crossing points, alongside local authorities and (the Syrian Red Crescent) to support new arrivals”. The mass displacement into war-torn Syria began a week ago, on September…

France forward Antoine Griezmann has announced his retirement from international football. The Atletico Madrid player, 33, made 137 appearances for his country, scoring 44 goals, and helped them win the 2018 World Cup, converting a penalty in the final as France beat Croatia 4-2 in Moscow. He also won the 2021 Nations League with his country. “It is with a heart full of memories that I close this chapter of my life. Thank you for this magnificent tricolour adventure and see you soon,” he said in a video posted on social media. “After 10 incredible years marked by challenges, successes…

The body of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Beirut, has been recovered, AFP reported. Friday’s air strike also killed Ali Karake, the group’s top commander in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah said on Sunday. It has not named others who died alongside Nasrallah and Karake. A medical source and a security source said Nasrallah’s body was found intact at the site of an Israeli air attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Meanwhile, Israeli military yesterday disclosed it has also killed Nabil Kaouk amid exchange of strikes between the two sides. Kaouk had been a member of…

Britain will become the first G7 country to end coal-fired power production on Monday with the closure of its last plant, Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar in England’s Midlands. It will end over 140 years of coal power in Britain. In 2015 Britain announced plans to close coal plants within the next decade as part of wider measures to reach its climate targets. At that time almost 30% of the country’s electricity came from coal but this had fallen to just over 1% last year. “The UK has proven that it is possible to phase out coal power at unprecedented speed,” said Julia…

Tottenham produced a magnificent display to outclass 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford and pile renewed pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. Tottenham, even without injured Son Heung-min, tore Manchester United apart as they set the platform for victory with a first-half masterclass, the only mystery being how they only had Brennan Johnson’s third-minute goal to show for their overwhelming dominance. Johnson’s simple finish was created by Micky van de Ven’s barnstorming run from his own half, and Spurs went on to create chance after chance without adding to their advantage – Timo Werner being the biggest culprit when he…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership reached by the two countries during the President’s visit in early September. Bayo Onanuga, President’s media aide issued a statement on Sunday. As the Coordinator and Adviser in thatachieving the strategic partnership, Tegbe will lead day-to-day operations, engage continuously with the Chinese counterparts, and ensure  all deliverables are met and synchronised with national development goals. Tegbe is expected to outline the specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation, which will include priority projects, projected investments and expected socioeconomic…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to obey court judgement on electoral offences committed during 2023 general polls. SERAP made the call in a statement on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. He said Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered judgment on July 18 following a mandamus lawsuit brought by SERAP. The group wants the INEC boss “to immediately and effectively enforce the judgment ordering INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies, and other electoral…

A 35-year-old zoo worker at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Babaji Daule, has been mauled to death by a lion. It was gathered that the incident was caused by an act of negligence by the handler,a native of Bauchi State. Confirming the incident in a statement, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said the Chief Security Officer of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library informed the divisional police officer of the incident. “A deadly incident involving a wild animal attack has been reported by the Area Commander metro. On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 hrs the Chief…

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah led the Lebanese militant group for the past three decades, transforming it into one of the most powerful paramilitary groups in the Middle East. The militant group confirmed Saturday that he was killed in an Israeli air raid that levelled six apartment buildings in Beirut the previous day. Who was Hassan Nasrallah? An astute strategist, the 64-year-old Nasrallah reshaped Hezbollah into an archenemy of Israel, cementing alliances with Shiite religious leaders in Iran and Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas. Under his leadership, the militant group fought wars against Israel and took part in the conflict…

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina has called for more institutional support systems for the continent.  Adesina’s call came when he addressed the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He also pointed out the need to tackle the bias in the current global credit rating system, as well as the establishment of the African credit rating agency as advocated by the African Union. AfDB contributes to the promotion of economic and social development in least developed African countries by providing concessional funding for projects and programs, as well as technical assistance…