Author: Opalim Lifted

Raheem Sterling has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off with Servette. It is the second game in succession the 29-year-old England forward has not featured in a matchday squad, after he was omitted from Chelsea’s Premier League opener with Manchester City. Defenders Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo were also not included on Chelsea’s A-list submitted to Uefa for Thursday’s match at Stamford Bridge. Sterling’s representatives said in a statement before Sunday’s defeat by City they wanted “clarity” over the player’s future at the club. Chelsea have spent about…

A Nigerian man, identified as Yomi Olayeye has been arrested and charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and identity theft for his alleged role in a $10 million pandemic unemployment assistance fraud scheme in the United States. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts under the Department of Justice revealed this in a statement posted on its website on Monday. The statement read, “A Nigerian man was arrested on Aug. 13, 2024 upon arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on charges that he and other conspired to fraudulently obtain at least $10 million…

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of a 58-year-old man (name withheld) who was said to have embarked on a 19-day fast. SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos command’s spokesperson, confirmed this to NAN on Tuesday in Lagos. Hundeyin said that the incident happened in the Alagbado axis of the state on Monday at about 6:00 am. He said the deceased younger brother, whose name was not also mentioned, reported the incident at the Alagbado Police Division at about 7:00 pm on Monday. According to him, the younger brother said his brother died while allegedly undergoing 19 days of dry…

A 21-year-old female student of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Mojisola Awesu, was found dead at a refuse dump in the Aleniboro area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital. Awesu was reportedly contracted by her friend to act as a girlfriend for a private varsity student at a party for the sum of N15,000. The Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. According to the PPRO, a resident of the community had reported that a dead body was found by some labourers at a refuse dump in the area on August…

The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of harassing its leaders and has put its members and affiliates on red alert, threatening a nationwide strike should the Nigerian Police Force detain its president, Joe Ajaero. The resolution was announced by the deputy president of the union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju after an emergency meeting of the group’s National Executive Council on Tuesday. A crowd of unionists were seen gathered at the headquarters of the NLC in Abuja as the meeting was being held, singing solidarity songs. The unionists said the strike would begin on Tuesday…

The price of gold bar is worth a million dollars for the first time, thanks to soaring prices for the precious metal. The price of spot gold reached more than $2,500 per troy ounce Friday, hitting a record high. The average gold bar weighs 400 troy ounces – which, when you do the right math, hits a million dollars. Spot gold prices have shot up more than 20% year to date. Higher gold prices can be a sign that investors expect the Federal Reserve to cut its benchmark interest rate soon. Central banks led by China are also buying up…

The evergreen Jamie Vardy marked his return to the Premier League with a goal as promoted Leicester held Tottenham to a draw at King Power Stadium. Vardy, 37, scored with the hosts first shot on target, nodding in Abdul Fatawu’s cross from close range just before the hour mark. The goal cancelled out Pedro Porro’s first-half opener for a Spurs side who had been utterly dominant in the opening 45 minutes and should have been comfortably clear before Vardy struck. Summer signing Dominic Solanke, who moved to Tottenham for a fee that could rise to £65m, missed a number of…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has informed the Federal Government of its plans to embark on a nationwide strike by placing the government on a 21-day notice. Sources within the National Executive Council of ASUU confirmed the development to the Punch media in Abuja on Monday. The notice was issued at the end of the NEC meeting, which was held at the University of Ibadan, and a copy is expected to be transmitted to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education. “It is not an ultimatum but a strike notice. We are giving them 21 days’ notice, after…

Ilkay Gundogan is being allowed to explore options to leave Barcelona this summer. The 33-year-old has only been at the Catalan club for one full season after opting to leave Manchester City on a free transfer. Despite being under contract for two more years, the Germany international has been told Barcelona will not stand in his way if he finds a suitable move. Clubs in England, Spain and Saudi Arabia are reportedly interested in Gundogan, who made 51 appearances across all competitions last season as Barcelona finished second in La Liga. Barcelona boss Hansi Flick addressed speculation after the midfielder…

Leicester have signed midfielder Oliver Skipp from Tottenham on a five-year deal for a fee in excess of £20m. The 23-year-old, who came through Spurs’ academy, made 77 Premier League appearances for the club, including 21 last season. He will not feature when Leicester and Tottenham open their 2024-25 Premier League campaigns against each other on Monday at 20:00 BST. “I’m really excited to sign. I’ve got the feeling that it’s a good group of people and a good group of players.” Skipp said. “I’m sure that we’ve got a squad capable of challenging in every game. You look around…