When it comes to ending the war and preventing the displacement of Palestinians, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani told Al Jazeera, the US president’s plan for the Gaza ceasefire offers “challenges and opportunities.”
Published On 1 Oct 2025
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governor of Kwara State, has reiterated the importance of protecting people’s lives and property across the state.
He stated that kidnappers and other criminal elements will not be able to enter Kwara without making a declaration.
Read more about the  , Seven Kidnap victims are saved in Kwara after a gunfight with bandits.
According to a statement released by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor made remarks after a security council meeting on Tuesday night.
AbdulRazaq briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the recent attack at Oke Ode, in which he reiterated his request for additional federal troops to raid the hideouts.
As part of its renewed efforts to improve security operations in the state, he claimed, “The Army Headquarters has since moved the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division to Ilorin.”
“On Monday night, armed bandits were neutralized by combined forces of the Army, DSS, and Police in the vicinity of Baba Sango along the Kwara–Kogi border.
On Tuesday, the same operation continued. I also presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin yesterday night to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South.
Governor AbdulRazaq assured Kwara residents that his administration would continue to support security organizations to protect everyone.
He claimed that his administration would use every tool at its disposal to combat insecurity.
The security forces have promised to smoke out and get rid of criminals from their hideouts, I assure me. Every resource we have available will help us combat insecurity.
“Kwara will not be a criminals’ hideout.” You may flee from any criminal who wants to destabilize Kwara’s atmosphere, but you can’t escape justice.
As its forces attacked, Israel warned Palestinians to leave Gaza City for their own safety, but Gazan officials claim that nearly half of all fatalities occurred in areas where people were fleeing.
Published On 1 Oct 2025
Steven McIntoshEntertainment reporter
PA MediaAs part of a new five-year rights agreement, the BBC will no longer air the annual Boat Race on television.
Beginning in 2026, Channel 4 declared it would be “thrilled” to announce that it would cover both the Men’s and Women’s Boat Races for the next five years.
The BBC stated that it has been “proud to broadcast the Boat Race for many years” and that its decision to stop would “represent the difficult choices we need to make to ensure we get the best value for our money.”
The Boat Race will continue to be broadcast live on air, according to the BBC’s statement, and we wish everyone involved a long-long success.
Most of the last 87 years, the BBC has broadcast the race, but between 2005 and 2009, ITV lost control of the rights.
The broadcaster is “thrilled to have secured the rights to one of the most iconic amateur sports events in the British calendar,” said Pete Andrews, head of sport at Channel 4.
He continued, describing the Boat Race as the “crown jewel of the rowing calendar,” noting that the event is “rich in tradition and history and that British interest in the event has never been greater.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2026, will host the next edition.
The coverage will continue to be produced by the specialized sports production company FilmNova.
The Boat Race Company’s chair, Siobhan Cassidy, expressed his delight at working with Channel 4 to show our unique, recognizable, and intensely British event between our two world-class universities.
We have made great strides since our first radio commentary in 1927 and television shows in 1938. We are grateful for the support of our previous broadcast partners.
After receiving a 20-minute red card in Cardiff’s win against the Lions for the United Rugby Championship (URC), centre Ben Thomas has received a three-game ban.
The 26-year-old will miss Connacht’s home game the weekend after Saturday’s game against Munster (19:45 BST) and Munster’s game at home.
His ban will be reduced to two games and he will be able to play for the derby against the Dragons in round four of the URC if he successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.
After 33 minutes, Taine Basham’s disallowed try for flanker Thomas was penalized for a dangerous clearout on scrum-half Nico Steyn.
Thomas “accepted” that he had committed a crime that warranted a red card, according to a URC disciplinary update.
Six weeks was the offence’s entry point, but the center had three games off because of his strong record.
The Red Bulls of Newcastle have parted ways with Steve Diamond, the rugby director.
The Red Bulls lost 39-17 at home to Saracens in the opening game of the new Prem season, according to the news.
Neil McIlroy will take over the newly created position of sporting general manager with responsibility for all rugby management on November 1 as Diamond departs.
Head coach for Scotland Gregor Townsend will work for the north-eastern club as a part-timer on strategy and philosophy, while Alan Dickins will report to McIlroy.
In January of this year, Diamond arrived at Kingston Park and helped Newcastle get through a difficult time, finishing the league with just two victories out of 25.
Semore Kurdi, the club’s previous owner, sold it in November, and Red Bull, a global energy drink, completed its acquisition of the company in August.
As Newcastle struggled financially with the rest of the league, Diamond, who has previously played prem rugby with the Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors, held the fort.
A number of local players were picked by other Prem clubs and were successful in spite of the salary cap.
Even though Diamond, who had been at Sixways when Worcester went into administration, had always insisted that would not be the case at Newcastle, there were concerns that Newcastle would behave similarly to Worcester, Wasps, and London Irish.
The 56-year-old was praised by the club for his “passion, contribution, and guidance,” but his departure is part of a wider reorganization at Newcastle.
McIlroy will have previous experience with the French rugby league teams Catalans Dragons and Clermont Auvergne, both of which have Top 14 titles.
Rumors were spread about Newcastle’s involvement in the new season before the start of the new year’s season.
He will continue to serve as an advisor to Red Bulls until the 2027 Rugby World Cup. He previously signed a new contract with Scottish Rugby.
Diamond stated on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast that there was always rumors about his position when it was all rife with rumors.
I’ve been able to participate in a process that has given me a task for the next twelve months and probably the best investor in rugby since it’s become a professional.