Abducted nurse Alice Loksha escapes Boko Haram captivity after 6 years (Channels)
A Nigerian nurse who was kidnapped by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists has escaped after six years in which she was forced into two marriages, it was announced Friday.
The military presented Alice Loksha, who had been a health worker for the UN children’s agency UNICEF in the northeast, to reporters at a military base in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Loksha was taken on March 1, 2018 when fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group staged a deadly raid on a humanitarian camp housing 60,000 displaced people. Read more
Truck crushes revenue collector to death in Lagos (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Police Command has commenced a manhunt for a fleeing truck driver who allegedly ran over a yet-to-be-identified revenue collector on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The truck driver and his conductor reportedly fled from the scene following the severity of the accident on Sunday.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who confirmed the incident said it involved a lone containerized truck (FST 887 XD) along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, near New Garage inbound Lagos. Read more
NDLEA foils major drug export attempts to UK, Italy, others (Punch)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have thwarted attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids through Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.
On November 5, 2024, NDLEA officers intercepted 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg destined for the UK via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight at the export shed of the Lagos airport.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a businessman linked to the consignment, Ekeocha Nelson, was tracked and arrested on November 8. Read more
Nigeria, India vow spike in economic, defence, other ties (Vanguard)
Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to a robust strategic partnership.
Both countries also pledged to strengthen ties in key areas including economic development, defence, healthcare and food security, among others.
This is contained in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Abuja at the conclusion of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria at the invitation of President Bola Tinubu.
Iyake: Makinde assures upgrade of facilities to attract investors (Independent)
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has promised to upgrade facilities around the Ado Awaye Suspended Lake to attract more investors and enhance development around the tourism corridor of the state.
The governor stated this on Saturday at the grand finale of 2024 Iyake International Festival, which was the 4th edition, held at Festival Arena, Tourism Development Center, Foot of Ado Mountain, Ado Awaye, Oyo State.
Governor Makinde, who was represented by Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the state had identified the revenue generation tendency of the Iyake Suspended Lake, being the only natural one in the entire world, adding that funding of the tourist centre and others in the state would engender socio-economic development of the state. Read more
Ondo governorship election, a sham, says PDP (Nation)
Stunned by its defeat in the Ondo State gubernatorial election after confidently predicting victory, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the poll as a sham.
In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday night, the PDP’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, expressed deep disappointment over the election.
He claimed that some supporters of the party, as well as those of other parties, allegedly engaged in voter inducement by distributing money on election day. Read more
President Tinubu confers GCON title on Indian PM Modi (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
President Tinubu announced the award during the Nigeria/India Bilateral meeting at the State House, Abuja on Sunday.
He said that the award was bestowed on the Indian leader to signify the country’s appreciation and commitment to the Nigerian-Indian partnership. Read more
Former NIA boss, Talban Katsina dies at 81 (Vanguard)
Nigeria’s seasoned diplomat and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, has passed away at the age of 81.
Ambassador Ibrahim reportedly died in the early hours of Sunday.
His exact cause of death has not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
Ambassador Ibrahim, a native of Katsina State, held the prestigious traditional title of Talban Katsina, within the Katsina Emirate. Read more
Selena Gomez says ‘‘the little girl in me is so happy” as she shares BTS photos from Wizards Beyond Waverly Place (People)
Selena Gomez is buzzing after appearing on Wizards Beyond Waverly Place!
On Friday, Nov. 15, the singer and actress, 32, shared her excitement about reprising her role of Alex Russo on the new spinoff series as she posted photos on Instagram of her filming on set in front of an audience made up of children.
“NOTHING will ever beat making little kids laugh,” Gomez wrote in her caption. “Thank you @disneywizardsseries for making the little girl in me so happy!! Hope you guys watch!!.” Read more
HGTV star Christina Hall blasts “insecure” ex for making it difficult to film new reality show (Fox)
Christina Hall admitted that filming her new reality series, “The Flip Off”, with her ex, Josh Hall, was anything but fun.
The home renovation expert and her estranged husband were set to star alongside her first husband, Tarek El Moussa, and his new wife, former Selling Sunset star Heather El Moussa.
Filming had already been underway on the new HGTV show when Christina and Josh filed dueling divorce documents in July, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Read more
Twilight’s Taylor Lautner jokes Bella should have ended up with Jacob: “Screw Edward’’ (EW)
Taylor Lautner proves once again that he’s not going to miss out on a good TikTok trend. The Twilight alum is reviving old Team Edward and Team Jacob rivalries by adding to the backward-camera TikTok trend.
The new bit involves putting a controversial statement in text and then “accidentally” flipping the phone camera to reveal who the poster is. For his take, Lautner posted footage of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward’s (Robbert Pattinson) wedding scene with text saying, “Honestly, screw Edward. Bella should have ended up with Jacob.” The perspective then switches to Lautner fumbling with the camera, revealing he’s the one reviving Team Jacob. Read more
Biden gives Ukraine permission to use U.S.-supplied missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia (PBS)
President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia, easing limitations on the weapons as Russia deploys thousands of North Korean troops to reinforce its war, according to a U.S. official and three other people familiar with the matter.
The decision allowing Kyiv to use the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMs, for attacks farther inside Russia comes as President Vladimir Putin positions North Korean troops along Ukraine’s northern border to try to reclaim hundreds of miles of territory seized by Ukrainian forces. Read more
Robbie Williams addresses drug claims made by ex-Take That manager in boy band documentary (Independent)
Robbie Williams has hit back at an “assertion” made about his drug addiction in a new documentary about boy bands.
On Saturday (16 November), episode one of the three-part series, titled Boybands Forever, placed the spotlight on the struggles members of Take That and East 17 faced while riding high in the charts.
Williams, whose most controversial moment will be depicted in a forthcoming biopic about his life, appeared as a talking head on the documentary, which also featured Nigel Martin-Smith, who managed Take That in the 1990s when Williams was a member of the group. Read more
Liam Payne death investigation sees one of 3 people arrested make surprise admission (DailyStar)
One of three individuals under investigation in connection with Liam Payne’s death has reportedly expressed a desire to assist police with their enquiries.
The passing of One Direction member Liam Payne last month sent shockwaves around the globe leaving countless fans devastated. Following the unexpected death of the 31-year-old, three individuals were arrested as Argentinian police and prosecutors sifted through a wealth of evidence to determine the cause of his death.
Reports at the time suggested that Liam, who fell from the third-floor balcony of his Buenos Aires hotel, was under the influence of an illegal substance and the investigation remains ongoing.
Hezbollah media chief killed in Israeli strike in Beirut (BBC)
Hezbollah’s media chief Mohammed Afif has been killed in an Israeli strike in central Beirut, the Lebanese militant group has confirmed.
A strike hit the headquarters of the Baath political party in the densely populated Ras al-Naba neighbourhood on Sunday, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
The country’s health ministry said four people were killed, but did not name the victims.Read more
CAF WCL: Edo Queens edge Sundowns, face TP Mazembe in semis (Punch)
Nigerian champions Edo Queens secured a dramatic semi-final spot at the CAF Women’s Champions League after coming from behind to defeat defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, on Saturday, Sunday PUNCH reports.
Despite needing just a draw to advance, the West African champions found themselves trailing in the 24th minute when Melinda Kgadiete put the South Africans ahead, threatening to end their campaign. They, however, showed remarkable resilience, with Peace Essien equalising in the 95th minute before Mary Mamudu completed the stunning comeback six minutes later by tapping in from close range following a defensive error. Read more
NFF: Why we have not paid Super Eagles (Nation)
NFF president Ibrahim Gusau has blamed budgetary constraints for the failure to pay up outstanding allowances and bonuses to the Super Eagles.
At a meeting with the Super Eagles in Abidjan during which the players opened up on their disappointment over, the NFF boss said sponsors have not been forthcoming and the abridged 2025 AFCON qualifying tournament put a great deal of pressure on the football federation’s finances.
The Super Eagles were unhappy they are still being owed monies dating as far back as 2020 and so this general meeting with the NFF top shot. Read more
Carsley drops hint over England future after interim spell (DailyMail)
Lee Carsley seemingly revealed he is open to taking the permanent England job in the future after bowing out with a thumping victory against the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley steered the Three Lions to promotion back into the top tier of the Nations League after winning five of his six matches in charge.
A second-half scoring blitz secured a comfortable 5-0 win at Wembley on Sunday night, allowing the interim head coach to hand over to Thomas Tuchel on a high. Read more
Everton beat Liverpool in WSL as penalty given for foul outside the box (Independent)
Everton defeated Liverpool in the Women’s Super League with the Merseyside derby settled by a penalty that was given for a foul outside the area.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard said his side had been “let down by the officials” as Everton won 1-0 at Goodison Park thanks to Katja Snoeijs’ penalty.
Replays showed Liverpool’s Fuka Nagano tripped Honoka Hayashi outside the box but referee Abigail Byrne awarded the spot-kick. Read more
Sinner beats Fritz to win ATP Finals and add another big title with his doping case still pending (JapanToday)
Top-ranked Jannik Sinner added another big title to his tremendous year, beating U.S. Open runner-up Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday for the ATP Finals trophy before his home fans — and before a final verdict is reached in his doping case.
Sinner won his first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2024 and had already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking.
“It’s the first title in Italy and it means so much to me,” said Sinner, who also won the Next Gen ATP Finals — an event for the top under-20 players — in Milan in 2019. “It’s something very, very, very special.” Read more
Mike Tyson opens up about health issues that delayed fight against Jake Paul (NBC)
Mike Tyson is sharing new details about the health complications that led to the delay of his highly anticipated fight against Jake Paul.
Paul emerged victorious from the Nov. 15 matchup, a face-off between the two boxers that streamed on Netflix from Arlington, Texas.
Tyson spoke about his loss on X Nov. 16.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night,” he wrote. “No regrets to get in the ring one last time.” Read more