Why FG is borrowing, by Edun, Bagudu, FIRS boss (Nation)
The Federal Government yesterday defended its decision to seek more foreign loans, saying they are a component of the 2024 Appropriation Act.
It explained that apart from using the loans to partly fund N9.7 trillion deficit in the budget, they would be used to further enhance infrastructure and help the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun; his Budget and Economic Planning counterpart, Atiku Bagudu and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, gave the reasons at an interactive session on 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for revenue generating agencies at the National Assembly in Abuja. Read more
Fire guts abandoned 2-storey building in Lagos (Vanguard)
A late evening fire on Sunday gutted an abandoned two-storey building at Block 131, D Block, Alaka Estate, Iponri, Lagos State.
The incident, which occurred around 9 p.m., fortunately resulted in no loss of life. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, along with the Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), quickly contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to neighboring apartments.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, confirmed that no lives were lost in the fire. Read more
Police nab 523 suspected kidnappers, cattle rustlers, others, in Kaduna (ThisDay)
Operatives of the Kaduna state police command said they have arrested 523 suspected criminals and rescued 102 victims of kidnappers.
In a statement yesterday in Kaduna, the Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said those arrested include 26 suspected kidnappers, 12 cattle rustlers, 97 phone snatchers and 17 car snatchers, among others.
Enumerating his achievements since he assumed office as the state’s police commissioner over a month ago, Abdullahi said the arrests were made within one month of his assumption of office. Read more
Terrorists invade Benue, kill over 30 in 2 LGs (Sun)
Over 30 persons have been reportedly killed by invading terrorists in separate attacks on communities in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that terrorist under the guise of herdsmen invaded communities in Logo LGA, on Saturday and Sunday, killed 20 people and injured over 30 others,while 10 persons have been killed in Katsina-Ala LGA.
As at the time of filing this report ,locals said the killing were still ongoing. Read more
Husband jailed 12 years for killing wife in Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Monday convicted and sentenced a man, Akinwale Akinlabi, to 12 years imprisonment for killing his wife.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the convict was initially arraigned on July 26, 2021, on a count of manslaughter before the presiding judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala, to which he pleaded not guilty.
His charge sheet read, “Akinwale Akinlabi on or about February 2, 2020, at No 23 Adeogun Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro area of Lagos State, in the Ikeja Judicial Division unlawfully killed one Cecilia Tope Akinlabi.” Read more
Some female ministers neglect husbands to go on ministry trips — Mike Bamiloye (Tribune)
The Founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, Pastor Mike Bamiloye, has criticized some female ministers for prioritizing frequent ministry travels over their marital responsibilities, leaving their husbands to struggle alone.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Bamiloye lamented that these women often abandon their husbands to manage local churches alone while they travel extensively for ministrations.
He highlighted how these ministers enjoy luxurious accommodations and lavish meals provided by their hosts, while their husbands endure loneliness and isolation at home.
Outbreak of measles hits 6 LGAs in Benue – Wende (Independent)
The Executive Secretary (ES), Benue State Primary Health Care Board (BSPHCB), Mrs Grace Ashi Wende, has stated that currently six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, have been hit with an outbreak of measles.
She made the disclosure even as the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, has charged health workers in the state to ensure that they achieved at least 95 percent coverage immunisation during the Routine Immunisation (RI) exercise.
The revelation of the outbreak of the diseases came to a fore during the welcome address of the ES, at the flag-off of the Integrated Measles Vaccination campaign held at RCM Primary school, Mbadede, Vandeikya LGA of the state on Monday. Read more
Teedra Moses Brings ‘Complex Simplicity’ to NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ (RatedR&B)
Teedra Moses stopped by NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., to perform a special Tiny Desk concert.
The R&B vocalist, dressed in a red form-fitting outfit with gold accessories, took the audience on a trip down memory lane to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her beloved debut album, Complex Simplicity.
Moses was joined by musical director LeShawn Thomas on bass, Sharod Virtuoso on guitar, Branden Akinyele on drums and Brandon Butler on Keys. Read more
BRIT Awards 2025 announce Rising Star shortlist (NME)
The shortlist for the BRIT Awards 2025‘s Rising Star category has been revealed.
Today (November 26), the BRIT Awards have revealed the three acts who have made the cut for the Rising Star award. The three nominees for Rising Star 2025 are Elmiene, Good Neighbours and Myles Smith.
The winner will be announced on December 5 via BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders at 6pm GMT. Read more
Alec Baldwin honoured with Lifetime film award (FilmNews)
Alec Baldwin flew into the Northern Italian town of Turin on Monday, where he was awarded the festival’s prestigious Stella della Mole, a career achievement honour.
The actor posed for photographers as he stepped out on the red carpet at the 42nd Torino Film Festival, before collecting the lifetime award for his acting career.
The star went solo for his appearance at the festival, where he also gave a press conference. Read more
Theatres issue warning to fans heading to see Wicked (Independent)
The debate over movie theater etiquette reignited as the highly-anticipated Wicked movie officially hit theaters on Friday (November 22).
With eager fans buying up tickets to see John Chu’s new film adaption of the beloved Broadway musical, starring Ariana Grande as “Glinda” and Cynthia Erivo as “Elphaba,” theaters are reminding everyone of an important ground rule.
According to AMC, movie-goers aren’t allowed to sing along to the Wicked songs at any point during the film. In fact, much like talking, singing of any kind is prohibited inside the theater at all times. Read more
Angela Merkel defends ties with Russia and blocking Ukraine from Nato (BBC)
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told the BBC the gas deals she made with Russia were intended to help German firms and kept the peace with Moscow.
She also insisted the war with Ukraine would have started earlier if she hadn’t blocked Kyiv’s entry into Nato in 2008.
Angela Merkel led Germany for 16 years. She was in office during the financial crisis, the 2015 migrant crisis and, significantly, Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine. Read more
DHL cargo plane crashes near Vilnius airport in Lithuania (DW)
A cargo plane flying on behalf of German logistics company DHL crashed near Vilnius International Airport in Lithuania early on Monday, killing at least one person, according to Lithuanian officials.
The deceased person was confirmed by Lithuanian police to be a Spanish national and member of the flight crew, although not one of the pilots.
The other occupants of the plane — a German, a Lithuanian and another Spaniard — were reportedly injured, but their condition remained unclear. Read more
Elton John says limited vision has left him ‘‘stuck’’ as he issues album update (BelfastTelegraph)
Sir Elton John has said limited vision caused by an infection has impacted his ability to record music and left him feeling “stuck”.
In September, the veteran singer, 77, revealed in an Instagram post that he was “healing” after the infection, adding: “It’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.”
Asked about when his new album with Bernie Taupin, which he announced last year, will come out, Sir Elton told ABC News’ Good Morning America: “I don’t know. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything, and well, I just have to get off my backside. Read more
Fans query Oshoala, Abiodun omission from France friendly (Punch)
Football enthusiasts have expressed dissatisfaction over the omission of key players Asisat Oshoala and Deborah Abiodun from the Super Falcons’ squad announced for the international friendly against France on November 30.
The 20-woman list, unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday, includes five home-based players and 15 foreign-based professionals.
While Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre returns after a six-month injury layoff, the absence of some notable names has sparked debate among supporters. Read more
Julen Lopetegui says West Ham were worthy winners at Newcastle (Independent)
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui believes his side “deserved to win” as they sealed a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Lopetegui came into the game under pressure following some poor displays from the Hammers in recent weeks but they earned a hard-fought victory to end the Magpies’ three-game winning spell.
Despite a promising opening from the hosts, Tomas Soucek headed West Ham in front before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for the club after the break wrapped up victory. Read more
De Bruyne unsure over Man City future (BBC)
Kevin de Bruyne says he is unsure whether this will be his last season at Manchester City after putting talks over a contract extension on hold.
The Belgium midfielder, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season, but paused negotiations while recovering from a thigh problem sustained in September.
He has been limited to nine appearances this term, but has come on as a substitute in each of City’s past three matches as he regains full fitness. Read more
Tiger to skip Hero World Challenge after back surgery (France24)
Tiger Woods announced on Monday he will not compete in next week’s Hero World Challenge tournament in the Bahamas, the 15-time major winner having undergone back surgery in September.
Woods said fellow Americans Justin Thomas and Nick Dunlap and Australian Jason Day were the final competitors in the 20-player event, set for December 5-8 at Albany Golf Course.
“I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year at the Hero World Challenge, but always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week with @HeroMotoCorp,” Woods posted on X. Read more
UFC Star Conor McGregor regretful after sexual assault verdict (SI)
Conor McGregor has put out a blanket statement following a loss in civil court, the jury finding the Irish UFC star liable for sexual assault on a woman named Nikita Hand in December 2018.
The multi-millionaire UFC fighter has been ordered to pay a sum of $250K as a result of the court ruling. McGregor denies the rape allegations, testifying he and Hand had consensual sex at a Dublin hotel years ago in a night that included cocaine.
Hand spoke to the media following her win in civil court, whereas McGregor walked through a storm of cameras, declining to comment on the ruling. Read more
Novak Djokovic will have a ‘‘unique advantage’’ after appointing ‘‘fiery character’’ Andy Murray as coach (Tennis365)
Andy Murray will bring fireworks to Novak Djokovic’s coaching box with tennis analyst Gill Gross saying the three-time Grand Slam winner’s appointment is a “bit of a leg up” for Djokovic.
Djokovic caused quite a stir in the tennis world this weekend as he announced that his former rival Murray would coach him during the off-season and at the start of the 2025 campaign.
The move came after Djokovic spent the bulk of the 2024 campaign without a permanent head coach as he parted company with Goran Ivanisevic in March following six successful years. Read more