India set to host 2030 centenary Commonwealth Games

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India is set to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030 – the second time in 20 years that the event will have been held in the world’s most populous nation.

The city of Ahmedabad in the west of the country has been chosen ahead of Abuja in Nigeria by an evaluation commission from governing body Commonwealth Sport.

And the decision to hold the Games there in five years time is now expected to be ratified at the organisation’s general assembly in Glasgow on 26 November.

Ahmedabad can boast the Narendra Modi Stadium – the largest in the world, with a capacity of 132,000 – which hosted the Cricket World Cup final in 2023.

The city has a population in excess of five million people, and has even been suggested as a potential bidder to host a future Olympic Games.

“We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth,” said Dr. P T Usha, president of Commonwealth Games Association India.

The Games first visited India in 2010 when Delhi hosted.

It is the second time Abuja has missed out on staging the Commonwealths, having been overlooked for the 2014 edition in favour of Glasgow.

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The news looks set to end fears that Glasgow 2026 might be the last-ever Games, with Scotland’s largest city having stepped in after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew for financial reasons.

That came after Birmingham took on the 2022 event after the South African city of Durban pulled out.

However, a reimagined format – with fewer sports, athletes and venues – has lessened the cost and enticed India, Nigeria and a handful of other countries to make their pitch to welcome the 74 Commonwealth Sport nations and territories.

A Commonwealth Sport statement said they “assessed candidate cities against a wide range of criteria including technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth Sport values”.

It added: “The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board has agreed to develop a strategy for supporting and accelerating Nigeria’s hosting ambitions for future Games, including consideration for 2034.”

‘New optimism about future editions’ – analysis

It was not long ago that many wondered if Glasgow 2026 could be the very last Commonwealth Games, such was the difficulty in finding hosts.

But members of the Commonwealth movement will see this as vindication of its controversial decision to adopt a slimmed-down version of the event for next year.

Reducing the cost of staging it has clearly helped encourage potential host countries to bid after a period in which the future of the Games appeared to be in jeopardy amid scrutiny over its relevance and association with the British Empire.

BBC Sport has been told there is now a willingness to expand the sports programme for 2030, and new optimism about future editions.

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Stacey Solomon urges pet owners to try this £4 hack ahead of Bonfire Night

Stacey Solomon has shared a simple tip to help calm anxious dogs ahead of Bonfire Night, and it’s hugely affordable

With Bonfire Night on the horizon and the frequency of fireworks shows amping up as we head into the festive season, if you’re panicking about keeping your anxious pets calm, Stacey Solomon has just the trick. She’s shared a clever tip for pet owners ahead of the 5th of November, encouraging those with nervous animals to get a head start before the fireworks begin.

The TV star and mum-of-five, who often posts about her dogs Peanut and Teddy, revealed that she’s already preparing her pets using Pooch & Mutt’s Calming Range, and we think it’s a game-changer for nervous pups.

The brand’s range includes calming dog treats and food (starting from £2 for food and £4 for treats), formulated with natural, soothing ingredients like chamomile, valerian root and L-tryptophan to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Stacey’s trick is to start introducing these into pets’ diets now, ahead of Bonfire Night, as they are most effective when fed over a period of time.

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Calming products in Pooch & Mutt’s range:

With fireworks season fast approaching, this simple, affordable hack could make all the difference for anxious pets. Whether you’re planning a quiet night in with your pooch or just want to know your pets are feeling ok at home, Stacey’s top may save you and your dog from a stressful November.

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Looking for more ways to keep your pets calm? Amazon is selling HEYWEAN’s Dog Anxiety Jacket starting from £17.99 for extra small dogs up to £26.99 for extra large dogs.

Boycott of Israel gymnasts sets ‘dangerous precedent’

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The Israeli Gymnastics Federation (IGF) says a “dangerous precedent” has been set after its athletes were denied entry into Indonesia for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Indonesia said it would not grant visas to the Israel team for the event in Jakarta from 19-25 October because of the country’s military offensive in Gaza.

A request from the IGF for urgent provisional measures to guarantee Israeli participation, or to move or cancel the event, was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

Cas said the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) argued it had “no prerogatives” in the issuing of entry visas, and the Indonesian government’s decision not to grant the visas falls “outside the competence” of the organisation.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel but the IGF says it had been given assurances its delegation would be welcome.

IGF secretary general Sarit Shenar said that its athletes “just want to participate” but the decision to deny them visas represented “a very slippery slope” for sport in general.

“Our biggest fear is that this type of event can go on and can just be a setup example,” Shenar said.

“That if it happened in World Championship and gymnastics, what’s next? It can be in any discipline, in any sport, in any competition. This precedent is very dangerous.”

Among the athletes unable to compete are defending world floor champion Artem Dolgopyat.

Indonesia has cited their longstanding political and diplomatic principles for their decision.

“We are aware of the Israeli Gymnastics Federation’s plan to appeal to Cas. We are anticipating the lawsuit and will face it respectfully, following the rules and regulations of Cas and Indonesia,” said Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir.

The decision came from the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno, who refused to recognise Israel as a country.

That stance has shaped Indonesia’s diplomatic posture for decades.

During the 1962 Asian Games, Indonesia similarly barred Israeli athletes – leading to its exclusion from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by the International Olympic Committee.

Although that ruling was overturned, Indonesia boycotted the Games.

In March 2023 Indonesia was stripped of its right to host football’s Under-20 World Cup after the governor of Bali, where the draw was due to take place, refused to host the Israel team.

Six months later, Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage back to Gaza.

Since then more than 67,000 people have been killed by Israel’s offensive, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Its figures are seen as reliable by the United Nations and other international bodies.

More than nine in 10 residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Last month the UN commission of inquiry formally declared Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – though Israel rejected this.

On Monday, 20 living Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian detainees were reunited with their families as part of a ceasefire deal.

Shenar said Indonesia’s decision to deny visas to Israeli athletes was “sad timing” given the events of the previous day.

She added that “sport and politics should never interfere each other” as she pointed the finger of blame at FIG, given the IGF had raised the issue with them more than a year ago.

“We were hoping for a diplomatic solution, way before a legal one,” she added.

“They [FIG] sent us a letter telling us everything is taken under control, that the authorities there gave official letter that they will there will be no problem.

“There is no question who’s responsible for this mess in our eyes – FIG, a part of the International Olympic Committee.

“They should be obeying all the rules and not ignoring the Olympic Charter.”

In September, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions over its actions in Gaza.

There have also been widespread calls for the country’s teams to be suspended from football competitions by European football’s governing body Uefa.

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Gov Okpebholo Gives Employment Letters To 5,000 Teachers

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has officially absorbed over 5,000 contract teachers into the state’s Ministry of Education as permanent staff members.

According to the statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, the teachers had been on contract with a “monthly stipend of ₦65,000 during the administration of Godwin Obaseki”.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who personally oversaw the distribution of the letters, emphasised the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: I Won’t Forgive Any Commissioner Not Wearing ‘Asiwaju’ Cap, Okpebholo Warns Appointees

They were formally handed appointment letters during a ceremony held at Government House on Wednesday.

Governor Okpebholo, who personally oversaw the distribution of the letters, emphasised the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.

“Teachers, I am happy to see you. I wanted it this way because I had asked several times if you had received your letters.

“The answer was no. So, I decided to supervise the process myself. As you collect your appointment letters today, you will also receive transport fare because I know many of you have travelled long distances,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Role Of Teachers

He further acknowledged the vital role teachers play in shaping the future of Edo State, underscoring the administration’s dedication to improving the welfare of educators.

“You are very important to us. Your reward is no longer in heaven; it is here, under our watch,” he added.

Addressing the teachers earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, expressed deep appreciation for their perseverance over the past three years despite the challenges of being on contract.

“You have been suffering for years, yet you have stayed committed to educating our children, waking up at night to prepare lesson notes. Beautiful schools without teachers are useless.

“Today, an angel has come, a leader who thinks about your welfare day and night,” Iyamu was quoted as saying.

Construction Of 68 Schools

He also highlighted the achievements of Okpebholo’s administration within the education sector, noting the construction of over 68 schools within one year, aimed at benefiting children from all walks of life.

“He met Ambrose Alli University with a ₦41 million subvention and increased it to ₦500 million. Right now, a 1,500-capacity lecture theatre and a 600-capacity hostel are under construction,” he added.

The commissioner further disclosed that the EDU-Rescue Programme was launched to give children from poor backgrounds access to quality education.

GB men’s basketball team banned from internationals

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Basketball’s world governing body Fiba has suspended the British Basketball Federation (BBF) and barred the men’s team from international competition because of governance issues.

A Fiba taskforce was set up in August to investigate “regulatory non-compliance” within British basketball.

In April, the BBF awarded a 15-year licence to run a new professional men’s competition – the Great Britain Basketball League – to GBB League Ltd (GBBL).

The BBF said GBBL, a consortium led by the American businessman Marshall Glickman, would provide £15m funding in the first two years.

However, the existing nine Super League Basketball [SLB] clubs claimed the tender process run by the governing body was “illegal and unjust” and refused to join the new league.

The clubs launched legal action against the BBF in the high court, while UK sports minister Stephanie Peacock reportedly asked the government body responsible for elite funding, UK Sport, to investigate the allegations.

In a statement, Fiba said it had completed a “comprehensive review of the situation, including interviews and meetings with basketball stakeholders”.

Under the terms of the suspension, the BBF will not be permitted to licence or recognise national men’s competitions, or field a men’s national team in Fiba senior competitions.

The taskforce will now “engage directly with basketball stakeholders and the UK government to explore and propose an interim operational framework for the top-tier men’s national competitions”.

The statement added: “These measures aim to restore regulatory integrity and promote sustainable governance of men’s basketball in Great Britain as soon as possible.”

On Sunday, the BBF announced the resignation of chairman Chris Grant after three years because of “personal reasons”.

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Britney Spears ‘bombshells’ from ‘bedroom knife to secret Justin Timberlake call’

The wellbeing of pop icon Britney Spears has been a hot topic for years and now her ex-husband Kevin Federline has fanned the flames by levying a series of explosive claims against her in his new book

Fears for Britney Spears have been mounting in recent months, and now her ex-husband Kevin Federline has added fuel to the fire with a series of wild claims in his new memoir.

Kevin, 47, married the popstar in 2004 following a whirlwind romance and the former couple went onto have two sons, Sean Preston, 19, and Jayden, 18. The former backing dancer was granted full custody of the boys a year after they divorced, in the wake of Britney’s mental health battles.

According to an excerpt obtained by the New York Times, in the 47-year-old’s upcoming book You Thought You Knew, Federline alleges that the children would wake up to find their mother holding a knife at their bedroom door while watching them sleep.

READ MORE: Britney Spears facing ‘make or break’ decision but her hands are tied

“They would awaken sometimes at night to find her standing silently in the doorway, watching them sleep – “Oh, you’re awake?” – with a knife in her hand,” writes Kevin. “Then she’d turn around and pad off without explanation.”

The knife allegation follows claims made by Britney’s sister Jamie Lynn Spears in her 2022 memoir Things I Never Said. Jamie, 34, alleged Britney had locked them both in a room together while holding a knife, a claim the singer branded “crazy lies”.

Federline goes on to claim that the boys cited ‘fear’ as a reason for not wanting to visit their mother at home in their teenage years. Talking about the infamous night in 2008 which saw Britney committed to the psych ward of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center after refusing to relinquish her sons to their father, he insisted it was “one of the hardest nights of my life”.

The star was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold and Federline was granted full custody of the children with Britney forced to pay him a sizeable child maintenance each month.

Britney’s relationship with her sons is said to remained strained and the boys moved to Hawaii with their father in August 2023. In her own memoir The Woman in Me, which was released the same year, Britney hit back at her ex-husband.

“Kevin tried to convince everyone that I was completely out of control,” she said. “He started to say I shouldn’t have my kids anymore – at all.”

The singer revealed she had struggled with postpartum depression and admitted to taking Adderall, an ADHD medication, but denied having a drinking or drug problem.

Chillingly, in his memoir Kevin voiced his fears the “clock is ticking” for his ex-wife. “The truth is, this situation with Britney feels like it’s racing toward something irreversible,” he said. “It’s become impossible to pretend everything’s OK.

“From where I sit, the clock is ticking, and we’re getting close to the 11th hour. Something bad is going to happen if things don’t change and my biggest fear is that our sons will be left holding the pieces.”

In a statement provided to Us Weekly, Spears’ representative said, “Once again [Federline] and others are profiting off her, and sadly it comes after child support has ended with Kevin.

“All she cares about are her kids, Sean Preston and Jayden James, and their well-being during this sensationalism,” they added.

It comes as he also claimed he caught Britney on the phone to her ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, the night before their wedding when they were staying at the Fairmont in Santa Monica.

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“I’m like, ‘What’s wrong?’ I thought she was talking to her mom on the phone or something and maybe she was, like, having doubts. And she told me that she was on the phone with Justin.

“I just kind of stepped back like, ‘Did I just hear you right? What the hell is going on?’ And I immediately was, ‘Okay, we don’t have to do this.’ I didn’t care if we got married or not,” he said. “And she told me no and really was like, ‘I just wanted to make sure that everything is done. I want to make sure that I say my final piece.’ I’m like, ‘Damn. On the night before our wedding, this is what you decide to do?'”