Author: Opalim Lifted

Gabonese voters go to the polls on Saturday for presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, which the opposition believes will derail President Ali Bongo’s attempt for a third term and bring an end to his family’s 56-year reign. Voting begins at 0700 GMT across the Central African country, with 19 candidates on the ballot; however, six of the largest opposition parties have nominated a united candidature in an attempt to limit the fight to topple Bongo. The vote is a much-anticipated litmus test for Bongo’s support. Detractors believe he has done too little to channel Gabon’s oil wealth to the third…

British museum director Hartwig Fischer has announced his resignation following the theft of artefacts. He stated in a statement that it was clear the museum “did not respond as comprehensively as it should have” when informed of the thefts in 2021. Mr. Fischer also retracted comments he made earlier this week regarding the art dealer who initially informed museum officials. He expressed “sincere regret” for the “misjudged” remarks. The archives fired a staff member last week after items were reported “missing, stolen, or damaged.” Mr. Fischer supported the archives inquiry in 2021 when it assured antiquities trader Ittai Gradel that…

Real Madrid’s new signing Jude Bellingham scored in the second half to earn his side a third straight win as they beat Celta Vigo 1-0 in LaLiga on Friday to maintain a perfect start. The 20-year-old once again led the Spanish giants’ attack, scoring for the fourth time in his first three league games. Celta might have had an early lead, but the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled out Jorgen Strand Larsen’s strike. Their keeper, Ivan Villar, then saved Rodrygo’s second-half penalty, having brought the forward down in the area. Madrid were far from their best in a frantic match…

Bray Wyatt, the three-time WWE world champion, has died at the age of 36. The wrestler had been suffering from an undisclosed health condition that had kept him out of the ring since February, but his family described his death as unexpected. WWE content officer Triple H broke the news on social media, writing that Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda, had “unexpectedly passed.” The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, was among many who paid respect to the late actor. Johnson said on X and previously on Twitter that he was “heartbroken” and that he had “always had tremendous respect and love” for…

Ten corpses and flight recorders have been discovered at the site of a plane crash that is believed to have murdered Wagner CEO Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russia said. “Molecular-genetic tests are now being carried out,” said the researchers. The jet crashed near Moscow on Wednesday, fueling fears that it was brought down by a bomb or a missile. Claims that the Kremlin gave the order to assassinate Prigozhin were a “complete lie,” the spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin told the BBC earlier. In June, Prigozhin, a former Putin supporter, staged an abortive violent insurrection by his mercenary warriors. Mr. Putin…

A stampede of sports fans trying to enter Madagascar’s national stadium for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games has killed 12 and injured around 80, the prime minister said on Friday. It was not immediately apparent what prompted the rush, but a similar event at the Mahamasina stadium in 2019 killed at least 15 people. Prime Minister Christian Ntsay said 11 of the injured were in critical condition. 12 die in stadium stampede in El Salvador The International Olympic Committee (IOC) established the Indian Ocean Island Games in 1977, and athletes from Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte,…

The northern Italian city of Milan set a new record high average daily temperature of 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday as a heatwave that began in mid-August reached its height, according to the regional environmental protection agency (ARPA) on Friday. It was the warmest day since the Milano Brera weather station began keeping records in 1763. The previous record of 32.8 C was achieved on August 11, 2003, in Milan. As most of southern Europe burned this summer, fueling wildfires, leading governments to issue health warnings, and ruining holidays for many visitors, the Italian capital Rome set…

Dozens of Spanish women’s national team players announced on Friday that they would not play for the country unless football federation boss Luis Rubiales was fired in the wake of a controversy involving him kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s World Cup triumph. Rubiales refused to resign earlier on Friday, infuriating players and government officials who condemned his conduct as reprehensible sexist behaviour. A total of 56 players, including Hermoso and the whole cup-winning 23-man squad, signed a joint statement submitted through their FUTPRO union, asking that the federation leadership be removed. Chronicle NG 

Jenni Hermoso has confirmed she did not consent to be kissed by Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, as 56 Spain players confirm they will not play for the national team until he is removed from his post. “I want to clarify that at no time did I consent to the kiss. I don’t tolerate that my word is questioned, much less that words are invented that I haven’t said, Hermoso said” The FA president, Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing forward Hermoso following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England. The Spanish government started legal proceedings seeking…

Manchester United have been dealt injury blows in the last week, with Mount and Luke Shaw both being sidelined ahead of Erik Ten Hag’s side’s Premier League game against Nottingham Forest. United, who have three points from two games, put in unconvincing displays in their 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Pundit and former United skipper Gary Neville said Ten Hag’s decision to play Mount and Fernandes in advanced roles had left too much defensive work for Casemiro, who has also received criticism for a perceived lack of fitness. Asked if their midfield setup was…