Senate approves Tinubu’s fresh $2.2b loan request (DailyTrust)
The Senate, on Thursday, approved the $2.2 billion fresh loan request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The decision was sequel to the consideration and adoption of a report of the committee on local and foreign debts, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North).
With the approval, Nigeria’s total debt has now hit an all-time high to the tune of N136 trillion. Read more
Troops kill ISWAP commander, 114 terrorists in one week (Nation)
Troops on operations across the e country have killed 115 terrorists, including an Islamic State for West Africa (ISWAP) commander in the North East, Munzur Ya Audu.
Troops also arrested 238 criminals and rescued 138 kidnap victims in the past week.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, announced this on Thursday, November 20, at a press briefing, in Abuja. Read more
Lagos takes decisive action against veterinary quackery (Vanguard)
In a bold move to protect animals and, by extension, human health and welfare, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), has launched a crackdown on veterinary quackery in the state.
Yesterday, November 20th, 2024, a team of veterinary professionals and law enforcement officers raided the premises of Mr Ifeanyi, popularly known as IFECODOG, a notorious veterinary quack operating in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
The quack, who has been parading himself as a veterinarian, was found administering substandard and unapproved veterinary medications to unsuspecting animal owners. The team also discovered a stash of drugs and medications, as well as fake veterinary certificates and licenses with which he plies his trade. Read more
Keyamo unveils Airport Marshals to enhance service delivery, maintain cleanliness (Channels)
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has promised to appoint a team of special marshals tasked which will monitor staff conduct and assess the general hygiene and conditions of the airports.
The Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday and made available Channels Television.
Moshood stated that the development aims to enhance airport hygiene and professionalism while ensuring passenger expectations are consistently met. Read more
Okpebholo suspends market unions, associations in Edo (Independent)
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has suspended all Market Unions and Associations in the State with immediate effect.
The Governor has also ordered the Police and other security agencies in the State to arrest defaulting leaders of the various suspended Unions and Associations without any delay.
The decision of the Governor was contained in a communication notice issued by the Secretary to State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, and dated 19th November 2024. Read more
Diezani to amend suit demanding sale of assets (NewTelegraph)
Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Petroleum Minister is seeking to amend her suit challenging a final forfeiture order against her assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Diezani’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor made this known during the court session, noting that he had received a counter affidavit filed by the EFCC in opposition to the suit.
Iyinbor also informed the court that they had filed a motion to amend their processes and that the commission had been duly served. Read more
Financial Probe: Ortom wins at Appeal Court (Sun)
The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, on Thursday, set aside the ruling of the Benue State High Court, which had struck out the suit filed by the immediate past governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, against the probe panel set up by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
It will be recalled that in February 2024, Governor Alia of Benue State established two separate panels to investigate the management of the state’s finances and assets during the administration of Chief Ortom.
In response to the probe panels, Chief Ortom filed a suit, challenging the legality of the panels. He argued that the Auditor-General of the state had already audited the accounts of the state for the period of 2015-2023 and had submitted the report to the Benue State House of Assembly, which acted on the report as required by the 1999 Constitution. Read more
Lagos driver jailed 5 years for inflicting harm on policeman (Punch)
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday, convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old driver, Sunday Okodo, to five years imprisonment for inflicting grievous bodily harm on a police officer, David Zapania, attached to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala, who delivered the judgment, convicted Okodo on three of the five counts filed against him by the Lagos State Government.
The court found him guilty on counts two, four, and five and acquitted him on the remaining charges. Read more
Chrissy Teigen launches new wellness podcast, “Self-Conscious” (People)
Chrissy Teigen is adding another title to her resume, in addition to TV host and cookbook author: podcast host.
With the wellness-themed “Self-Conscious” with Chrissy Teigen, the former model, 38, is making her first-ever foray into podcast hosting, and shares that she hopes her show can help people break the cycle of negative thoughts.
“All we do is do negative self-talk all day, and I think it’s just this beautiful hour release where we can do something to better ourselves and learn something,” said Teigen, who shares four children with husband John Legend. Read more
Spain to offer residency and work permits to undocumented migrants (AfricaNews)
Spain will grant residency and work permits to about 300,000 migrants living in the country illegally each year for the next three years, the country’s migration minister said Wednesday.
The policy will take effect next May and aims to expand the country’s ageing workforce. Spain has remained largely open to receiving migrants even as other European nations seek to tighten their borders to illegal crossings and asylum seekers.
Spain needs around 250,000 registered foreign workers a year to maintain its welfare state, Migration Minister Elma Saiz said in an interview on Wednesday. She contended that the legalization policy is not aimed solely at “cultural wealth and respect for human rights, it’s also prosperity.” Read more
Ellen DeGeneres flees the US to move to the UK after Donald Trump’s election win (Mirror)
Ellen DeGeneres has decided to flee the US to move to the UK following Donald Trump’s election win. The 66-year-old made the move with her wife, Portia de Rossi, after several celebrities expressed a desire to leave due to their disagreements with Trump’s policies.
Ellen and Portia are said to have chosen rural England as their new home and settle in the picturesque Cotswolds and ‘won’t be looking back.’
The pair are said to have listed their Montecito residence – where they count Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as neighbours- up for sale. They will relocate to a stunning Cotswolds village, located roughly two hours west of London. Read more
Dr. Pimple Popper responds to Joy Behar comparing her to Dr. Oz on The View (EW)
Dr. Sandra Lee — a board-certified dermatologist and star of the Dr. Pimple Popper television series — has responded to The View star Joy Behar’s joke about her during the talk show’s particularly heated Hot Topics discussion about Donald Trump nominating celebrity surgeon and TV star Dr. Mehmet Oz to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
As the ABC program’s panelists reacted Wednesday to Trump nominating Dr. Oz for the cabinet position, Behar jokingly compared the former Dr. Oz Show host to Dr. Lee — and, when Entertainment Weekly reached out to Dr. Lee for a response, and the office provided an exclusive email statement on her behalf.
“Thank you for the shout-out, Joy! We love The View! As a board-certified dermatologist in practice for over 2 decades, I think I could probably lend a valuable voice to any discussion about our healthcare system,” the statement reads. “In the meantime, I’ll ask our 30 million followers what they think.” Read more
Chris Stapleton dominates at Country Music Association awards (BelfastTelegraph)
Chris Stapleton took home four Country Music Association awards while an absent Morgan Wallen was shut out all evening until taking the night’s biggest prize, entertainer of the year.
Stapleton’s wins included song of the year and single of the year for White Horse, and he took to the stage at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, three times to perform including a show-opening duet with Post Malone.
“I’m really honoured for this, thank you very much,” the always subdued country traditionalist Stapleton said as he accepted the male vocalist of the year award for a record-extending eighth time. Read more
Arrest warrants issued for Israeli PM Netanyahu and former defence secretary Gallant over alleged war crimes (Sky)
Arrest warrants have been issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence secretary Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The warrants are for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Gaza that Israel launched following the 7 October attacks by Hamas.
The prime minister’s office said the warrants against him and Gallant were “anti-semitic” and said Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions”. Read more
Iraq begins first nationwide population census in decades (IrishExaminer)
Iraq has begun its first nationwide population census in decades, in a move to modernise data collection and planning in a country long affected by conflict and political divisions.
The act of counting the population has also proven contentious, as the census is expected to have profound implications for Iraq’s resource distribution, budget allocations and development planning.
Minority groups fear that a documented decline in their numbers will bring decreased political influence and fewer economic benefits in the country’s sectarian power-sharing system.
Sadiq laments lack of support from Nigerian fans (Punch)
Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar, has voiced his frustration over fans’ unfair treatment of Nigerian players whenever they play for the country, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Sadiq’s statement came in the wake of the country’s disappointing performance during the last phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Eagles failed to win either of their two matches and only managed to pick a point from a possible six. Read more
Amir Khan urges Joshua to await Fury mega-fight (VON)
Former unified light welterweight champion Amir Khan has urged Anthony Joshua to delay any upcoming fights and focus on securing a highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury before retiring from boxing.
Khan believes the all-British clash with Fury would be the perfect way for Joshua, who has earned over $200 million in his career, to end his time in the ring.
“He should wait for the big fight against Tyson Fury,” Khan told the New Zealand Daily. “They’re both massive names, and it would be the ideal finale for him. AJ has had an incredible career, made a fortune, won titles, fought globally, and cemented his name. Why not finish on a high by taking on Fury and then retiring?” Read more
Kosovo confirmed for Nations League playoff draw as UEFA side with Romania after Bucharest row (IrishIndependent)
Kosovo will definitely be in the draw to face the Republic of Ireland in a promotion/relegation playoff in the Nations League in the new year, after UEFA decided to punish both Romania and Kosovo for incidents in last Friday’s game between the two countries in Bucharest – but with the win awarded to Romania.
The game was level at 0-0 when the Kosovo players walked off the pitch in the final minute, in protest at what they said were racist chants from the home crowd in Bucharest, and after an hour’s delay the game was declared as abandoned by the match referee. Read more
Leicester star Abdul Fatawu ruled out for the rest of the season with ACL injury (Express)
Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while representing Ghana, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old, who has been a standout performer for the struggling Foxes, underwent surgery on Wednesday, dealing a significant blow to manager Steve Cooper’s plans.
Speaking to the press ahead of the Foxes’ upcoming clash with Chelsea at the King Power Stadium, Cooper lamented: “It’s not good, it’s a serious injury. He’s had an ACL injury which is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him. Read more
LeBron James says he’s taking a social media break over ‘‘negative takes’’ (Guardian)
LeBron James says he’s taking a break from social media.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer and Los Angeles Lakers star posted on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, and Instagram on Wednesday to announce that he’s stepping away from his pages. James has 159m followers on Instagram, 52.9m on X.
James started the farewell by reposting something that Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant’s longtime manager, posted to X on 24 October. Read more
F1 star nearly denied US entry for Vegas GP after interrogation (DailyMail)
Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda was interrogated for three hours by US border officials upon entry to the country for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Japanese star was almost denied entry ahead of the third and final race on the 2024 calendar taking place in the US after stops in Miami and Texas.
Tsunoda, who races for the Red Bull sister team Visa Cash App RB, revealed that he ‘nearly got sent back home’ after plenty of ‘discussions’ despite, in his view, having all the necessary paperwork to gain entry into the country. Read more