58 Rescued As Death Toll In Niger Boat Accident Hits 30 — NEMA

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the death toll from the Niger boat accident has reached 30, with 58 people so far being saved. &nbsp,

NEMA stated in a statement on Thursday that rescue efforts are still ongoing in the Gausawa community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. &nbsp,

About the accident, which left several families grieving, the organization stated that “environ 90 people were onboard the ill-fated vessel,” according to witnesses at the scene. &nbsp,

“A total of 58 passengers have been saved so far, and over 30 have lost their lives as one more body was found this afternoon.” Search and rescue efforts are still being conducted for a number of other passengers who are still unaccounted for.

The most recent boat incident, according to investigations, was “caused by the vessel’s overload, compounded by a collision with a tree stump along the water channel.”

Zubaida Umar, NEMA’s director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has since directed the Minna Operations Office to increase the organization’s efforts to rescue people. &nbsp,

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), local divers, and community volunteers are already leading the rescue operation, according to Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).

Read more about the Zamfara boat accident that 15 residents who fled from bandits were feared dead.

Meanwhile, NIWA has criticised the lack of safety measures on waterways.

Olawale Adetola, the country’s general manager for business development, lamented the recent boat accident fatalities that have occurred in the nation.

“Well, let me first convey the authorities’ condolences to the Niger population regarding this recent boat accident. He stated in the opening line of the Thursday edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief that “we are tired of hearing all these fatalities coming from boat accidents.” &nbsp,

As an authority, “we are doing everything we can to prevent things like this from occurring.” We educate and sensibilize all boat owners about the importance of safety when using them on the water.

In the event of a collision of this nature, we have distributed life jackets. However, the majority of people don’t adhere to the safety standards that we have in place.

The recent spate of boat accidents in Nigeria has increased with the incident on Tuesday.

After a boat accident in Sokoto in August, rescue workers announced they were looking for more than 40 people.

In Sokoto state, at least 16 farmers perished in a similar accident about a year prior when a wooden canoe that was being transported across a river to their rice fields capsized.

Clinton joins Man City as Park moves to Man Utd

Images courtesy of Getty
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Grace Clinton, a midfielder for Manchester United, has left for Manchester City, while Jess Park, an England team-mate, will turn the other way on Women’s Super League transfer deadline day.

With only a year left on her contract and no renewal date set, Clinton, 22, had attracted interest from a number of clubs this summer.

Rivals City was eager to sign her, which softened the situation by allowing fellow England international Park to transfer to United in return.

Both players, who won the England squad that won the Euro 2025, have four-year contracts.

Although neither club would reveal the players’ transfer fees, it is believed that City paid more for Clinton, leaving United with a net sum as a result.

Clinton described her departure from United as “a very difficult decision for me because of the love I have for my team-mates and for you, the fans,” in a social media post earlier on Thursday night. However, I don’t agree on the club’s future.

The next step is “growth,” in my opinion. I want to keep learning and developing.

She continued, “I want to get better, grow, and learn things in my career, and I think there are amazing people here to learn from.” It will be really enjoyable to play this type of football.

On Wednesday night, Park, 23, completed a medical procedure at Carrington, which accelerated City’s discussions with Clinton.

Although the deals are separate, Park is regarded as a strong replacement for Clinton given that United values her as a high-quality addition.

I wanted to push myself to take on a new challenge and push myself beyond the bounds. I think this is the ideal place for me to continue improving and pushing boundaries, said Park.

I believe I can fit in very well because I’m a player who wants the ball and likes to look up and try to make things happen for my team-mates when I get it. I want to assist the team in moving forward with their high goals, which I am aware of.

Clinton’s supporters wanted to keep her, but they also wanted to avoid having her for free next year.

Why do United want to do business with City?

Grace Clinton and Jess ParkImages courtesy of Getty

Clinton has a reputation as one of England’s most promising players, having made a lasting impression on the international stage.

She made Sarina Wiegman’s Euro 2025 squad, where she started as a substitute in five of England’s six matches, and scored in her debut against Austria in a 7-2 defeat in February 2024.

The 2022-batch graduate from Everton Academy signed for United in 2022, but he also spent two successful seasons on loan at Tottenham and Bristol City before consistently joining Skinner’s squad.

Clinton’s future with United was unavoidable, but the club added a year-long extension to her contract this summer.

As a result, United was able to take financial offers into account even if they came from rivals Manchester City because they were concerned about a prominent player leaving the club on a free transfer, as had previously happened with Russo and Earps.

United will have a ready-made replacement as a result of Park’s arrival under a different agreement.

United can take confidence in their ability to attract Park, who has made an equally positive impression in recent years, despite Clinton’s departure, which is undoubtedly a blow.

Between them, Fridolina Rolfo and Julia Zigiotti Olme, who are also summer signings, have won 169 international caps.

Park made her England debut against Japan in November 2022 with a score that Park scored on a loan at Everton two seasons ago.

Park regularly volunteered, despite the competition for spots at City, and believes that along with England team-mate Ella Toone, she has the potential to play a key role in the future.

She joins City after eight years of helping them win the FA Cup and two League Cups.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines
The Women’s Football Weekly podcast returns for another season featuring Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie. On the Women’s Football Weekly feed, you can find interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond as well as new episodes that are available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds.

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Germany Lose Opening World Cup Qualifier As Spain Cruise

Germany’s opening World Cup qualifier on Thursday saw them suffer a shock 2-0 defeat, while Spain opened the year’s title defense with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Just before half-time against Germany in Bratislava, Atletico Madrid’s David Hancko untracked into the penalty box to give Slovakia the lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, David Strelec, who has just signed for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, brilliantly fired into the top corner.

Slovakia’s first World Cup appearance since 2010 is assured by the outcome, which gives them a first-class start in Group A.

On September 4, 2025, Germany’s midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz (L), Slovakia’s midfielder #08 Ondrej Duda, and Slovakia’s #22 Stanislav Lobotka play for the ball in a first-round football match between Slovakia and Germany in the World Cup qualifiers Europe zone group A in Bratislava. (Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP)

Germany, in contrast, are immediately under pressure, despite the fact that this group match appears to be their hardest-fought match so far.

After losing both of their matches in the UEFA Nations League Final Four against Portugal and France in June, Julian Nagelsmann’s team kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign.

When they take on Northern Ireland on Tuesday, they must now act quickly while Luxembourg is their other four-team teammate.

Only the group winners advance to the North American finals with 48 teams.

Jamie Reid, Shea Charles, and Justin Devenny scored the goals for Northern Ireland in Luxembourg, 3-1.

Aiman Dardari’s equalizer put the hosts in front before the break, but Seid Korac’s second-half red card put an end to their chances of winning the game.

Spain, the reigning champion of Europe, had few issues with their Group E match against Bulgaria in Sofia. They lost in June to Portugal in the Nations League final.

On September 4, 2025, during the Bulgarian-Slovak international football matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E European qualification, Serbia’s No. 10 midfielder Radoslav Kirilov and No. 19 forward Lamine Yamal battling for the ball at the Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria’s No. 10 and No. 19 Lamine Yamal fight for the ball. (Photo by Nikolay DOYCHINOV/AFP)

Within five minutes, Mikel Oyarzabal scored a skillful finish from a Martin Zubimendi pass, and Marc Cucurella put together a superb second goal.

After Lamine Yamal’s third goal, Mikel Merino scored it after 38 minutes.

Belgium wins, Netherlands wins,

Turkey, who fought back from a Georgian comeback to defeat Spain 3-2 in Tbilisi, will play their next game away.

Turkey appeared to be cruising after Mert Muldur’s opening goal was met by Kerem Akturkoglu’s two goals either side of half-time.

However, Zuriko Davitashvili pulled one back, sending Baris Alper Yilmaz to the visitors’ penalty.

In stoppage time, Turkey held on for the victory, going up to 3:32 with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Despite having a lead through Denzel Dumfries in the first half, the Netherlands were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Group G Rotterdam.

The Dutch still lead the group with seven points, having already won both Poland and Finland on goal difference, and have a game in hand thanks to Matty Cash’s ferocious late strike.

In the same group, Lithuania and Malta both scored penalties to draw 1-1.

Maxim De Cuyper opened the scoring for Belgium against Liechtenstein with a 6-0 win over the minnows.

Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne, and Malick Fofana also scored, with Youri Tielemans scoring twice, including a penalty.

US sanctions Palestinian rights groups for supporting ICC Israel probe

Al-Haq, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, three well-known Palestinian rights organizations, have been added to the sanctions list by the US.

On Thursday, the organizations were added to the Department of the Treasury’s “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.”

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The rights groups were targeted for “directly engaging in efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel’s consent,” according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a subsequent statement.

In response to the ICC’s investigation and subsequent arrest warrants issued for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza, the Trump administration had previously sanctioned the organization.

The three organizations had all provided evidence of Israeli misconduct in the case.

Rubio stated that the United States will continue to respond with “significant and tangible consequences” to defend our troops, our sovereignty, and our allies from the ICC’s disregard for international law and punish those who are allegedly at fault for overreaching.

In addition to leading litigation in several nations, the Ramallah-based Al-Haq has been a leader both within the occupied Palestinian territory and internationally in the fight for accountability for Israeli violations.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza and the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights are two of the most prominent independent organizations to have documented Israel’s ongoing conflict there.

They condemned “draconian sanctions” imposed by the Trump administration in “the most severe terms,” in a statement shared by all three organizations.

The statement reads, “These measures in times of live genocide against our People are a cowardly], immoral, illegal, and undemocratic act.”

Only states that completely disregard international law and our shared humanity are able to implement such vile measures against human rights organizations that are attempting to end a genocide, according to the statement.

Mohsen Farshneshani, a sanctions attorney and advisor at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), described the organizations as “three of the most prominent Palestinian human rights organizations” in a post on the social media platform X.

Farshneshani titled his work as “shameful but not surprising.” This administration always puts Israel first, according to the president.

In June, the US granted permission to launch the human rights organization Addameer in Ramallah.

The sanctions “would make day-to-day operations harder and harder, including for their employees, assisted communities, and service suppliers,” according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which both closely collaborate with the organization at the time. Their involvement with their partner organizations, both locally and internationally, including US-based organizations, will also suffer as a result.

The US is “using its sanctions regime to serve the Israeli government,” the statement continued. The Israeli government has long systematically sought to silence human rights advocacy and reporting.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs the occupied West Bank, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which represents Palestinians on a global scale, both received sanction from the Trump administration in July.

Spain thrash Bulgaria but Georgia test Turkiye in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Spain’s 3-0 victory over Bulgaria marked the start of their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign.

With first-half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Merino, the Euro 2024 champions rolled to a semblance of victory on Thursday at the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia.

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Rodri Hernandez and Dani Carvajal, both recovering from severe knee injuries, made their first international appearances under the guidance of Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

Spain, which won the World Cup for the first time in 2010, is expected to top Group E, which also includes Turkiye and Georgia, to advance to the US, Canada, and Mexico directly.

Bulgaria and Spain last faced off in a competitive match at the 1998 World Cup for the first time in more than 20 years.

Oyarzabal once more sets the barrage for Spain.

As Spain took the lead after five minutes, Martin Zubimendi’s former Real Sociedad teammate Oyarzabal was set up for the opener with a fine pass.

After the ball fell into his path, Radoslav Kirilov hit the post for the hosts before Chelsea defender Cucurella thumped in to add to Spain’s lead.

Before the break, Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal curled into a corner and Merino nodded home, expressing Spain’s dominance.

As Spain continued to dominate, Merino, a midfielder from Arsenal, hit the crossbar in the second half. Without scoring, Teenager Yamal was strong and dangerous.

Rodri and Carvajal, both from Man City, made their long-awaited first starts for Real Madrid as De la Fuente shuffled his lineup. They had each missed seven and nine months, respectively.

In the end, Jesus Rodriguez made his international debut under the guidance of the coach, who replaced Yamal.

De la Fuente remarked, “We are incredibly demanding, and most of all, the players were disappointed with the second half.”

“We’re happy, but we need to keep moving forward.”

Spain will play another away game on Sunday, while Bulgaria will face Georgia on the same day in Turkiye.

The Spanish coach continued, “Turkiye will be a higher-level game and more difficult.” Every day, we must strive to improve.

Georgia last scares Turkiye,

In the other Group E game, Turkiye defeated Georgia 3-3 to defeat them in a late scare.

When Baris Alper Yilmaz was shown a straight red card in the 71st minute, the away side had already been reduced to 10 men.

By that point, they had already taken the lead thanks to Mert Muldur’s third-minute header and Kerem Akturkoglu’s strikes either side of the break.