Following a road accident at the Osara community in Kogi State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the deaths of two people and the injuries of 19 others.
Tenimu Etuku, the FRSC’s Kogi State Sector Commander, made this known to journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Four of the 19 survivors, according to Etuku, were rushed to two nearby hospitals for medical attention after sustaining a range of injuries, ranging from bruises to fractures.
The sector commander claimed that the incident involved an 18-seat Toyota Hiace bus traveling along the Lokoja–Okene highway and that it was fatal.
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The ill-fated bus left Kano on Monday evening on its way to Auchi and Benin, he explained, based on the vehicle’s manifest, just before the accident, which occurred on Tuesday around 9:40 a.m., on the way to Auchi and Benin.
Etuku attributed the lone crash to excessive speed, too.
He continued, “FRSC personnel immediately carried out rescue operations and deposited the two corpses at the Kogi Specialist Hospital in Lokoja.”
The sector commander also urged drivers to use caution and strictly follow traffic laws, particularly during the Yuletide season, on the roads.
To prevent such accidents and the waste of precious lives, drivers and other road users must be cautious and follow strict traffic rules and regulations.
Before the end of 2025, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) predicts there won’t be a resolution on how to cut a professional men’s side.
The Welsh rugby union’s governing body announced in October that it wants to reduce the number of teams from four to three.
By Christmas, the WRU intended to explain how this would happen.
The union stated that this will no longer occur and that discussions will continue in a WRU end-of-year message signed by president Terry Cobner, chair Richard Collier-Keywood, and chief executive Abi Tierney.
The WRU stated that “our top priority is to reach a consensus with the professional clubs as soon as possible.”
“While we had hoped to give certainty before Christmas, it has become clear that we need to work together for a while.”
November 30
November 30
December 2nd
Three licences, one for a team in Cardiff, one for a team in the west, and one for a team in the east, were announced by the WRU in October.
Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff, and Dragons have continued to negotiate, but nothing will be settled before the year’s end.
A six-month tender process could be in place to choose the successful trio if an agreement is not reached in January.
Before a second proposal for the west licence came out, it appeared as though Scarlets and Ospreys would fight it out for the spot.
In April, the WRU took control of Cardiff following its administration.
Since Ospreys owners Y11 Sports and Media linked to purchasing Cardiff, which would allow the WRU to reach its magic number three, the governing body has since been looking for new investors.
Fans of the Ospreys have expressed concern about the team’s survival on social media, but the WRU and Y11 have both declined to comment.
The WRU stated that “work has continued to ensure the Cardiff club’s supporters’ long-term sustainability.”
“This is a significant decision that will be evaluated thoroughly and thoroughly.”
The WRU also asks backers to contribute money to the projects while also requesting control over the remaining three sides’ playing situations.
Three teams have no turning back.
The WRU strategy, which the governing body acknowledges has been the most debated part, included culling a men’s professional team.
The WRU stated that it was not reversing this.
It stated that neither it is about abandoning any region of Wales nor about turning our backs on the communities that have long supported professional sports teams.
“It’s about developing a professional game that is long-lasting, competitive, and capable of supporting the wider rugby ecosystem.
Fewer teams lead to stronger squads, stabler finances, and more open doors for players to advance beyond the professional and international arenas through Super Rygbi Cymru.
Welsh video games are being removed by star names.
Picture agency for Huw Evans
Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan, the captains of Wales and Ospreys, announced in December that they will leave Welsh rugby’s uncertainty for Gloucester next year.
Players who are dealing with a gurkish Christmas are expected to follow.
The WRU stated, “We understand the disappointment experienced when talented Welsh players choose to play their club rugby elsewhere,” and we have made an effort to lessen the uncertainty surrounding the current situation.
“We have confirmed that all existing player contracts are guaranteed to the WRPA (Welsh rugby players association) and our professional clubs.”
Earlier, 4 days ago
five days ago
December 15
“Hard truths following past mistakes”
The senior men’s and women’s senior teams have experienced record-setting defeats and humiliating defeats, according to the WRU.
The WRU remarked, “This has been a year of hard truths and hard work.”
We have had to confront realities that were beyond our control, and we are aware of how painful it can sometimes be to do so.
“We have all been let down by the results of our international matches. We have had to make some difficult decisions to ensure the future of Welsh rugby has been secured because the professional game has been under pressure both financially and financially.
The WRU’s governing body claims to be making difficult decisions in fixing its previous mistakes.
According to the WRU, “proper leadership means acting before the circumstances force us to.”
“Wales rugby has spent insufficient money on its foundations over the past few decades, particularly in the links between our community clubs, schools, and educational establishments, both domestically and internationally.
To ensure the system’s future, we must act professionally and make difficult decisions right away.
WRU asserts that there are positive factors.
The WRU claims to be investing an additional £28 million over the next five years to address five issues:
The WRU insists there are reasons to be optimistic in 2026, stating: “We have strengthened our financial position, welcomed some top-notch Welsh coaches back home, and continued to invest in the women’s and girls’ game.
In the years to come, Welsh rugby will look different. Change can be uncomfortable and painful for some people.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) says there will be no resolution before the end of 2025 on how to cut a professional men’s side.
Welsh rugby’s governing body announced in October it wants to reduce the amount of teams from four to three.
The WRU had hoped to explain how this would happen by Christmas.
In a WRU end-of-year message signed by chief executive Abi Tierney, chair Richard Collier-Keywood and president Terry Cobner, the union said that will now not happen and discussions will continue.
“Our priority remains to reach a consensus with the professional clubs if possible,” the WRU said.
“While we had hoped to provide certainty before Christmas, it has become clear that a few more weeks are needed to try and reach an agreed way forward.”
30 November
30 November
2 December
The WRU announced in October three licences would be granted – one to a team in Cardiff, one in the west and one in the east.
Negotiations have continued with Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff and Dragons but nothing will be resolved on this issue before the end of the year.
If an agreement cannot be reached in January, a six-month tender process could open to determine the successful trio.
It seemed there would be a straight shootout for survival between Scarlets and Ospreys for the west licence before another proposal emerged.
The WRU took over Cardiff in April after the organisation slipped into administration.
The governing body has since been looking for new investors, with Ospreys owners, Y11 Sports and Media, linked to buying Cardiff, enabling the WRU to get to its magic number of three.
The WRU and Y11 have both declined to comment, fuelling the fears of Ospreys supporters about the survival of their team, while Cardiff fans have been vocal on social media against any such takeover.
“Work has continued to secure a sustainable long-term future for the Cardiff club and its supporters,” said the WRU.
“This is a significant decision and will be taken with the thorough scrutiny and due diligence it deserves.”
The WRU also wants control over playing affairs at the surviving three sides while still asking backers to put money into the ventures.
No turning back from three teams
Culling a men’s professional team was part of the WRU strategy launched in October which the governing body accepts has been the most debated part.
The WRU confirmed it was not stepping back from this.
“This is not about abandoning any part of Wales, nor is it about turning our backs on the communities that have supported professional teams for generations,” it said.
“It is about creating a professional game that is sustainable, competitive and capable of supporting the wider rugby ecosystem in the long term.
“Fewer teams means stronger squads, more stable finances and clearer pathways for players progressing from clubs, through Super Rygbi Cymru and into the professional and international game.
Star names are walking away from Welsh game
Huw Evans Picture Agency
December has also seen the news Ospreys duo and Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan are walking away from Welsh rugby’s uncertainty by signing for Gloucester next season.
More are expected to follow with players facing an uncertain Christmas.
“We understand the disappointment felt when talented Welsh players choose to play their club rugby elsewhere and we have tried to reduce the uncertainty of the current situation,” said the WRU.
“We have confirmed to the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) and our professional clubs that all existing player contracts are guaranteed.
4 days ago
5 days ago
15 December
‘Hard truths after past failings’
The WRU reflected on a tumultuous year where the men’s and women’s senior sides have suffered record and humiliating defeats.
“This has been a year of hard truths and hard work,” the WRU said.
“We have had to confront realities that could no longer be ignored, and we know that doing so has been painful at times.
“Results in our international game have disappointed us all. The professional game has been under pressure – financially and competitively – and we have had to make some tough decisions to ensure that the future of Welsh rugby is secure.”
The governing body says it was making tough decisions to write the previous wrongs of the WRU.
“Proper leadership means acting before circumstances force our hand,” the WRU said.
“Over recent decades, Welsh rugby did not invest consistently or effectively enough in its foundations – particularly in the pathways that connect our community clubs, schools and educational establishments to the professional and international game.
“We must act professionally and make difficult decisions now in order to secure the future of the whole system.
WRU claims there are reasons for optimism
The WRU says it will be spending an extra £28m over the next five years that will focus on five factors:
The WRU insists there are reasons for optimism in 2026, saying: “We have strengthened our financial position, welcomed some outstanding Welsh coaches back home, and continued to invest in the women’s and girls’ game.
“Welsh rugby will look different in the years ahead. Change can be uncomfortable, and for some, it will be painful.
After winning a dispute over unpaid wages and bonuses against his former club Paris St.Germain, Kylian Mbappe is set to become 60 million euros (£52.5 million) richer.
PSG were ordered to pay PSG 1.5 million euros (£1.3 million) in “ethics bonus” payments to the France forward after Mbappe’s legal victory raised some eyebrows.
An ethics bonus may seem odd to fans in the UK, but it is typical on a professional athlete’s contract in France.
The “ethics bonus” has previously made headlines, most recently when El Mundo’s Spanish newspaper revealed Neymar’s PSG contract.
The Brazil forward’s deal stipulated a monthly ethics payment of 541, 680 euros (£475, 876). For Mbappe the bonus was worth 500, 000 euros (£438, 000) a month.
Neymar had to display “courtesy, friendliness, and availability to supporters,” according to reports. Additionally, he was expected to “greet fans before and after each game.”
An “ethics bonus” is what?
In English football, clubs can fine a player for a misdemeanor up to two weeks’ wages.
Any deductions from a worker’s salary are prohibited by French law. Therefore, sports teams receive a small ethics bonus. A player’s total salary is actually a player’s total salary, along with the base wage and the ethics bonus.
Some reports claimed Neymar received extra money for clapping the fans in 2021, but the details paint a different picture.
Neymar’s conduct was expected of him in front of the referees and sponsors. He was prevented from placing bets and had to arrive for training on time. It was essentially a moral example.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport that “clubs are very interested in protecting their reputation.”
They include provisions for “good behavior” in their agreement that prohibit anyone from criticizing the club.
We observed people who had moral obligations to sponsors like Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong. Therefore, behavior-related clauses are frequently used in sports.
After being found to be driving while under the influence, Marco Verratti’s ethics bonus was withheld in 2018.
Hatem Ben Arfa also lost the bonus because he didn’t make the Qatari mid-season training camp for PSG.
Lionel Messi was imprisoned by PSG for a trip to Saudi Arabia that was not authorized in 2023.
Star players can receive “an additional 40%” in bonus payments.
A player’s contract now includes a lot of bonuses. They cover image rights and goal bonuses as well as loyalty checks that are made annually on the anniversary of a player joining a club.
According to Maguire, “The contract that used to be written on the back of a napkin is now being invested by a number of stakeholders.”
You have the club, the agent, the management company, the player, and so on. and frequently the player’s intellectual property company as well.
“I’ve seen some of the big six contracts, where Champions League participation is up 25%,” says one analyst.
British police have said they will not take any further action in response to comments made by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan about the Israeli military at a June Glastonbury music festival.
According to Avon and Somerset Police, the remarks did not “require for any person to be prosecuted” under the criminal law, as the statement was stated on Tuesday.
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The group’s lead singer, Pascal Robinson-Foster, who goes by the name Bobby Vylan, sung chants of “death, death” directed at the Israeli military over its genocidal war in Gaza during the performance.
There is “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic chance of conviction,” according to the police. In addition, the force conducted an investigation that involved contacting about 200 people, including a man in his mid-30s.
The BBC’s live-streaming of the chant on June 28 as part of its coverage of Glastonbury caused a lot of controversy. The broadcaster later thanked the broadcaster for showing what it described as “such offensive and repulsive behavior,” and its complaints unit determined that the BBC had broken editorial guidelines.
Before concluding the investigation, Avon and Somerset Police claimed to have taken into account the context, relevant case law, and issues with freedom of expression.
We think it is appropriate that this matter was thoroughly investigated, that every potential criminal offense was taken into account, and that we sought every possible counsel to ensure that we made an informed choice, the statement read.
“The words made on Saturday, June 28, drew widespread outcry, demonstrating that words have real-world effects.”
Following the performance, Bob Vylan’s visas were voided in the United States, causing the tour’s cancellation.
Irish broadcaster RTE is accused of fabricating its own anti-Semitic chants during the Glastonbury performance by Bob Vylan, and it has filed a defamation lawsuit against the company.
Following chants of “Free Palestine” during a performance, the British police also dropped an investigation into the Irish-language rap group Kneecap.
Senegal defeated Botswana 3-0 on Tuesday in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on the back of a brace led by Bayern Munich’s Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson, who is currently out on loan at Chelsea’s Bundesliga giants, scored either side of half-time in Tangier, with Cherif Ndiaye completing the scoring late.
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Senegal moved ahead of Benin, who defeated Benin 1-0 in Rabat earlier, in Group D on goal difference.
Given that Senegal is 119 places above Botswana in the world rankings, the outcome of both teams’ first match of the tournament was predictable.
Former champions Senegal and DRC are expected to finish in the top two spots and advance to round 16 of 16.
Botswana and Benin will see their Saturday encounter as a must-win affair, giving eventual winners a chance to fill one of the four knockout spots reserved for third-placed teams.
The 75, 000-seat stadium, which is the biggest by number of the nine being used for the tournament in Morocco, was met with torrential rain as the teams poured onto the pitch.
In a one-on-one situation, Senegal had a great opportunity to open the scoring within three minutes, but Jackson mishandled a shot.
The Teranga Lions held on in full force while the Zebras held on in full force, but two-time African Player of the Year Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, and Jackson all came close to breaking the deadlock.
Jackson scores in Botswana [Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP Photo]
Botswana’s chance of a waste
While Edouard Mendy, a former Chelsea goalkeeper, and Senegal were merely a spectator, Phoko kept the West Africans at bay with his hands, feet, and legs constantly in motion.
However, one of the title favorites, Germany-born Ismail Jakobs and German-based Jackson, who had been a part of the pressure for an endless period of time, came out in style in 40 minutes.
Jakobs immediately reacts by pulling the ball in from Jackson’s left hand and directing it wide of Phoko’s net with his left foot.
At the conclusion of the opening half, Botswana finally threatened to score in added time despite having qualified at the expense of Cape Verde, who qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
However, they did not use a free kick that was just outside the area. A corner was overhit and a deflected shot went beyond the far post without being touched.
After 58 minutes, Jackson doubled the lead thanks to a flowing move from midfield and quick, precise passing.
The 24-year-old rounded Mosha Gaolaolwe and headed home when the ball was being worked to him in the box.
With his smart finish in the 90th minute at the conclusion of another excellent team move, Cherif Ndiaye put the finishing touch on the Senegalese crown.
Midway through the second half, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw introduced 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain, who was confident his team were cruising to victory.
