At least 100 people missing after a boat capsized in northern Nigeria (AfricaNews)
At least 100 people, most of them women, were missing after a boat transporting them to a food market capsized along the River Niger in northern Nigeria, authorities said Friday.
The boat was taking the passengers from Kogi State along the river to neighbouring Niger early Friday morning when it capsized, Niger State Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu told The Associated Press.
At least eight people were confirmed dead at the scene while local divers were trying to rescue others, the local Channels Television reported, citing eyewitness accounts. Read more
I spent traffic robbery proceeds on drugs, gambling – Suspect (Punch)
One of the four suspected traffic robbers, Ismail Akinlade, arrested by the operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit also known as the Lagos Task Force has disclosed that he spent the proceeds from their crime on drugs and gambling.
Akinlade, who was arrested alongside the trio of Rasak Abiodun, Adefabi Gbolahan, and Rilwan Olaloye, narrated this to the task force operatives during an interrogation session.
The spokesperson for the task force, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, disclosed this in a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Wednesday. Read more
Tinubu praises Macron, says Nigeria’s reforms to impact Africa (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has lauded the amicable relations with French President Emmanuel Macron, appreciating his interest in Africa.
Tinubu expressed confidence that Macron’s goodwill would foster stronger bilateral ties, benefiting the entire continent.
During a State Dinner organised by the French government for President Tinubu at Palais des Elysée in Paris on Thursday night, the Nigerian leader encouraged both Nigerian and French citizens to uphold the cordial relationship shared by their nations. Read more
We won’t be able to pay salaries if Tax Reform Bills scale through – Gov Zulum (DailyTrust)
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has criticised the tax reform bills, saying it will drag the northern part of the country backward.
The bills, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in September, have faced stiff opposition, especially from the north, with stakeholders calling for its withdrawal.
Daily Trust had reported how Northern governors, traditional rulers, and Northern Elders Forum rejected the proposed bills, saying they were not in the interest of the nation. Read more
Tinubu to inaugurate 7-storey NUPENG Tower December 4 (ThisDay)
All is now set for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to inaugurate the newly completed national headquarters of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), known as NUPENG Tower, on Thursday, December 4, 2024.
The president will be joined by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwi-Olu, who is the host governor.
Other dignitaries expected to grace the event are leaders and key players in the oil industry from across the world, including key members of NUPENG from its global headquarters in Geneva. Read more
Buni tasks corps members on contribution to national development (Independent)
The Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni has welcomed the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream I Corps Members deployed to the state, charging them to contribute their quota to the development and advancement of Nigeria.
In his address at the swearing-in ceremony of the Corps Members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Dazigau, the Governor who was represented by Barma Shettima, the Commissioner Yobe State Ministry of Youths, Sports, Social and Community Development congratulated the Corps Members on their successful completion of their academic studies and mobilization for national service.
He enjoined them to consider their deployment to Yobe State as the will of God and to see the exercise as a clarion call to contribute to the development of a greater Nigeria. Read more
RHAN commends Senate as Tax Reform Bills scales through 2nd reading (Nation)
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network (RHAN) has hailed the Senate for passing the Tax Reforms Bills for second reading.
The group said by this action, the Senate has demonstrated its commitment to creating a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria for all citizens.
According to the RHAN, the passage of the Tax Reform Bills attests to the Senate’s dedication to promoting economic growth, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s tax system. Read more
Why we detained Fisayo Soyombo – Army (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Army has confirmed that investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, is in its custody.
Daily Trust had earlier reported how the Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) broke the news of Soyombo’s ordeal.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days running. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ said on X.
Confirming this in a statement on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, narrated what led to Soyombo’s detention. Read more
Tarek and Heather El Moussa celebrate Thanksgiving with their kids (People)
Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa are giving fans an inside look at their Thanksgiving festivities.
On Thursday, Nov. 28, the former Selling Sunset star, 37, shared pictures of her family celebrating the holiday to her Instagram Stories.
The first photo shows the couple’s young son, Tristan, who was born in January 2023, in his high chair while sipping on what looks like a juice pack. Read more
Keke Palmer’s Ariana Grande impersonation goes viral: “She ate that” (NME)
A clip of Keke Palmer impersonating Ariana Grande has gone viral.
The actress and singer recalled attending the Wicked star’s 16th birthday party on her podcast Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.
At the time Palmer said she was amazed because Patti LaBelle performed and joined Grande onstage.
She said: “When I went to her 16th birthday party, huge birthday party, very dramatic, girl was on stage singing with Patti LaBelle.” Read more
For roles in slaying of 16-year-old boy, 2 men plead guilty (CBC)
Sixteen-year-old John Ndayishimiye of Ottawa was afraid he was going to die.
He came home to his mother and sister one day in the summer of 2021 and told them they all had to leave, that they shouldn’t sleep there anymore, because people were coming to kill them, his sister wrote in a victim impact statement read aloud by a Crown prosecutor in Superior Court on Thursday.
Ndayishimiye was an eyewitness in the July 2021 killing of Loris Tyson Ndongozi, and had identified the alleged shooter for Ottawa police, sources had earlier told CBC News. Ottawa police relocated everyone, but Ndayishimiye’s mother and sister couldn’t keep living with him — the danger was too great, his sister wrote. His family moved into a hotel at first and then a shelter for months before they finally got a house. Read more
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner reunite for commendable Thanksgiving cause (Independent)
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have reunited to spend Thanksgiving as a family.
The Gone Girl actor and 13 Going on 30 star, both 52, separated in 2015 after ten years of marriage and divorced three years later. They share three children: Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12.
For Affleck’s first Thanksgiving since his second wife Jennifer Lopez filed to divorce him in August, the Argo actor met with his first ex-wife to attend a charity event with their children. Read more
Rock singer de-transitioning to live as a man again (Canoe)
The lead singer of the rock band Life of Agony announced he is done living as a woman because his “gender dysphoria has been cured.”
Mina Caputo, 50, took to Instagram to reveal he is in the process of de-transitioning (reversing or stopping gender transition) and reclaiming his birth name Keith.
“Yes, I’m off of hormones, six, seven years now and this January 2025 … my surgery has been booked to remove my fake breasts and I will be lovingly living in my divine male self,” the rocker said quietly in the video posted earlier this month. Read more
Paris’s Gothic jewel Notre-Dame to reopen 5 years after fire (BBC)
The world gets a first look inside a resplendent new Notre-Dame on Friday, as France’s President Emmanuel Macron conducts a televised tour to mark the cathedral’s imminent re-opening.
Five-and-a-half years after the devastating fire of 2019, Paris’s Gothic jewel has been rescued, renovated and refurbished – offering visitors what promises to be a breathtaking visual treat.
The president – accompanied by his wife Brigitte and Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich – are kicking off a programme of ceremonies that culminates with an official “entry” into the cathedral on 7 December and the first Catholic Mass the next day. Read more
Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; 21 arrested (TimesOfIsrael)
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marched, soared and roared into its second century on Thursday despite a drenching rain and a brief disruption from pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrators.
New York City police said they arrested 21 people after protesters jumped barricades and sat down on the parade route with Palestinian flags and a “Don’t Celebrate Genocide” banner. They chanted “Free, free Palestine!” as a giant Ronald McDonald balloon bore down on them on Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue.
People protesting Israel’s war in Gaza also interrupted last year’s parade. Read more
Fireworks in Angers: Super Falcons urged to brace for Les Bleues’ big test (Nation)
Former Super Falcons player, Adanna Nwaneri, has urged the senior women’s national team to make the most of the opportunity they get when they face France’s Les Bleues tomorrow in Angers in an international friendly tie.
Nwaneri who won the Women’s African Cup of Nations (then African Women’s Championship) and also attended the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Games with the Super Falcons in hey heyday, said the French national team would be a stiffer opposition for Nigeria and the friendly will be a good test for Nigeria’s preparation for the WAFCON. Read more
FIFA unveils nominees for Best Men’s Player 2024 (Sun)
FIFA has unveiled an 11-man nominee shortlist for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or last month, is included.
Vinicius Junior, the runner-up, has been nominated alongside Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, and Kylian Mbappe. Read more
Frank Lampard confirmed as Coventry City manager (ESPN)
Frank Lampard has been appointed as manager of Championship side Coventry City, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Lampard, who has signed a 2 ½ year deal, replaces Mark Robins, who was sacked on Nov. 7 after their seventh loss in 14 league games.
Robins first managed Coventry between 2012-2013. He returned to the club in 2017, guiding them to two promotions as they rose from League Two to the Championship. Read more
West Ham star Mohammed Kudus nominated for FIFA Puskas award for stunning Freiburg goal (Standard)
Mohammed Kudus’s solo run and finish against Freiburg in the Europa League last season has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award.
The award, named after Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskas, has run since 2009 and recognises the best goal scored in world football each year.
It was the West Ham forward’s first of two goals on the night as the Hammers thrashed Freiburg 5-0 at the London Stadium on March 14. Read more
Lucas Herbert extends Australian Open lead in Melbourne as Gary Hurley misses cut (IrishIndependent)
Lucas Herbert extended his lead to four shots as Gary Hurley missed the cut in the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne.
The Australian followed an opening eagle three at Kingston Heath with two birdies before recovering from a bogey at the tenth with three birdies in a row from the 13th to add a 66 to his opening 63 at Victoria Golf Club.
At 14-under-par the 2021 Irish Open champion leads by four shots from American Q-School graduate Ryggs Johnston, who shot 68 at Victoria, at halfway. Read more
Pakistan hopes to get a fair deal from the ICC over the Champions Trophy dilemma with India (GulfToday)
Pakistan hopes it will get a fair deal on “equality” when the International Cricket Council holds a virtual meeting on Friday to finalise details for next year’s Champions Trophy.
There’s an impasse for the eight-team, 50-over format tournament after India declined to tour Pakistan for the event, scheduled to be held from Feb. 19 to March 9. A decades-long tense political situation between the two south Asian countries hasn’t seen India playing international cricket in Pakistan since 2008 when it competed in Asia Cup.
Both nations have competed in ICC tournaments with Pakistan touring India last year for the 50-overs World Cup. Read more