Author: Opalim Lifted

The world’s population, now more than eight billion, will see out the old and usher in the New Year, with many hoping to shake the weight of the high cost of living and global turmoil. Several nations across the globe had stepped into the New Year. China, New Zealand, Australia, and Kiribati were some of the first nations to ring in 2024, as ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza cast a pall over celebrations and heightened tensions across parts of the world. Residents of Auckland welcomed the new year with a fireworks display over Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest structure.…

Police on New Year’s Eve detained three suspects in an alleged Islamist plot to attack Germany’s famed Cologne Cathedral, authorities said. The alleged attackers had planned to use a car to attack the 800-year-old Gothic edifice by the Rhine River, Cologne police director Frank Wissbaum told a news conference. The method of the planned attack was unclear, but an underground car park below the cathedral had been searched with explosive sniffer dogs overnight, he told reporters. “The three people are now securely in custody, which we are very glad about since they can no longer communicate with each other,” he…

President Emmanuel Macron vowed on Sunday that 2024 will be the year of French pride and hope, marked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games and the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019. “Only once in a century does one host the Olympic and Paralympic Games; only once in a millennium does one rebuild a cathedral,” Macron said. “2024 is a year of determination, choices, recovery, and pride. In fact, a year of hope.” He spoke in a televised address ahead of New Year celebrations, during which around 90,000 police and 5,000 soldiers will…

Fulham denied Arsenal the opportunity to end the year at the top of the Premier League after they fought back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win on Sunday. Before Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s second-half goal ended the hosts’ three-match losing streak, Raul Jimenez had previously cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s early goal. Fulham rose to 13th in the table with 24 points after 20 matches. Arsenal, who were at the top of the table on Christmas Day, have ended the year fourth after going winless in their last three matches. The visitors started the match on the front foot…

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, called on Nigerians to embrace love and tolerance as pillars for fostering peace across the nation in 2024. Egbetokun, In a statement made available to Chronicle NG by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO Abuja, he extended warm wishes to all Nigerians on behalf of the officers on Sunday ahead of the 2024 celebration. “In these times, the IGP emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in building a harmonious society, urging communities to strengthen the bonds that unite us and foster understanding among diverse groups by embracing love and tolerance.” “In the spirit of…

The United Nations has lamented that 2023 was the year of suffering and violence across the countries. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, disclosed this in a solemn video message released on the eve of 2024. Recall that there was an insurrection that broke out on April 15, 2023, in Khartoum and the Darfur region of Sudan, where the Sudanese Armed Forces, under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, were locked in a fierce tussle for power control. Moreso, there was a coup in the Niger Republic where democratically elected…

The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to eradicate the age-long tradition and barbaric practices of breast ironing against the girl-child. Uju Kennedy, minister of women affairs, said breast ironing and other forms of harmful traditional practices against females must come to an end. Kennedy spoke on Saturday when she led staff of the ministry on an advocacy and sensitization visit to Garki chiefdom in Abuja. She said girls in Kpaduma and Pygba communities in Abuja are subjected to breast ironing to make them unattractive to men. The minister said such harmful practices contradict the renewed hope agenda of President Bola…

There are strong indications that the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country will hike their tariffs with effect from January 1, 2024. An official source from one of the electricity distribution companies who confirmed the development under the condition of anonymity said a virtual emergency meeting was held in that regard. “All has been perfected for the new tariff to take effect on January 1, 2024. “It is now left for various electricity distribution companies to enlighten their customers on new developments,” the source said. He said the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had already invited distribution companies to…

Morgan Gibbs-White scored an 82nd-minute winner as Nottingham Forest recorded their first Premier League victory over Manchester United in 29 years to bring 2023 to a miserable end for Erik ten Hag’s side. It looked as if Marcus Rashford had rescued a point for the visitors when he capitalised on a blunder from Forest keeper Matt Turner 12 minutes from time and ended his wait of more than six hours for a Premier League goal. But after Turner had redeemed himself with a fine save to deny Christian Eriksen, Forest counter-attacked, and Gibbs-White struck the decisive blow from a neat…

Aston Villa moved level with Premier League leaders Liverpool as a late Douglas Luiz penalty secured victory against 10-man Burnley. The Brazil midfielder converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute after Jhon Duran was fouled by former Aston Villa player Aaron Ramsey. Burnley had twice come from behind in the game, with Lyle Foster scoring their second equaliser despite the visitors being reduced to 10 men following Sander Berge’s second yellow card. Aston Villa beat Arsenal to spark unlikely EPL title bid After Zeki Amdouni almost immediately equalized Leon Bailey’s opening goal for Villa, Moussa Diaby gave Villa…