Games Torch for the 2nd Niger Delta Games began its journey to Benin, Edo State on Monday, February 9 in Calabar, Cross River State.

The Torch, which is the symbol of the Games will pass through the capitals of all nine participating states that make up the Niger Delta region.

In Calabar, the Torch bearer, Patience Okon George led some Sports Commission officials and athletes from the U.J Esuene Stadium to the Governor’s office where they were officially received by the state’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey and Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, the Chairman of Dunamis-Icon Limited, organisers of the games.

A colourful procession which included young men and women dressed in the famous Calabar Carnival costumes. They danced to local Efik tunes belted from loud speakers mounted on trucks.

Odey, who stood in for Governor Bassey Otu, assured the state athletes that they would be adequately provided with equipment and welfare support to excel at the games, charging them to compete fairly to win in all the sports.

Ikpokpo commended the State Liaison Committee members for organising an entertaining Torch Tour and encouraged other states to design their own unique tour event.

According to a roaster released by organisers of the games, Akwa Ibom State is the next stop for the Torch on February 10. It will then proceed to Abia on the 11th, Imo on 12th March and Rivers State on February 13.

Bayelsa will host the Games Torch on February 14, while Delta State would receive it on February 16, from where it proceeds to Ondo on the 18th.

The Games Torch would light the cauldron at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to symbolise the start of the Games on the opening day and would on the last day, be handed over to the next host state.

The Niger Delta Games is organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Lindsey Vonn’s father has declared that the American superstar will no longer race after breaking her leg at the Winter Olympics.

“She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” Alan Kildow told The Associated Press. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”

Kildow and the rest of Vonn’s family – including her brother and two sisters – have been with Vonn while she is being treated at a hospital in Treviso following her fall and helicopter evacuation from the course in Cortina Sunday.

The hospital released a statement late Sunday, saying Vonn had undergone surgery on her left leg, and the U.S. Ski Team said she was in stable condition. There have not been other updates since.

Kildow declined to comment on details of Vonn’s injuries, but he did address how she was doing emotionally.

“She’s a very strong individual,” Kildow said. “She knows physical pain and she understands the circumstances that she finds herself in. And she’s able to handle it. Better than I expected. She’s a very, very strong person. And so I think she’s handling it real well.”

Kildow — a former ski racer himself who taught his daughter to race — said he slept in his daughter’s hospital room overnight.

“She has somebody with her — or multiple people with her — at all times,” Kildow said. “We’ll have people here as long as she’s here.”

Kildow and the rest of Vonn’s family watched the crash from the finish area with all of the other spectators.

“First, the shock and the horror of the whole thing, seeing a crash like that,” Kildow said of what he felt watching the scene unfold.

“It can be dramatic and traumatic. You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.

“You can go into a shock an emotional psychological shock,” he added.

“Because it’s difficult to just accept what’s happened. But she’s well cared for. … And the USOC and the U.S. Ski team have a very, very top-notch doctor with her and she is being very well cared for here in Italy.”

Pakistan has agreed to play against India in the Twenty20 World Cup match, the country’s government has said.

This reverses an earlier decision to boycott the cricket clash against its old rival, which had been cited due to geopolitical tensions.

The game is scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka on February 15.

It comes after the Bangladesh Cricket Board urged Pakistan to reverse its boycott following a meeting in Lahore with the ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board.

Pakistan’s boycott of the match in Colombo stems from the ICC replacing Bangladesh with Scotland after Bangladesh refused to travel to co-hosts India.

The ICC confirmed it would not penalise Bangladesh for their refusal to play in India, also announcing Bangladesh would host an ICC event prior to the 2031 50-over World Cup, co-hosted by India and Bangladesh.

BCB president Mohammad Aminul Islam said: “We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period … I request Pakistan to play the game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed his team would travel to Colombo for Sunday’s match regardless of Pakistan’s decision.

It now appears the match will go ahead.

Holders Hull KR will visit fellow Super League side Huddersfield Giants in round four of the Challenge Cup.

Wakefield Trinity host Leeds Rhinos in a West Yorkshire derby while St Helens visit Castleford Tigers.

Championship side Oldham will take a trip to Perpignan to face Catalans Dragons and Leigh Leopards face Hull FC.

Meanwhile the lowest ranked side still in the competition, Goole Vikings, have a home tie against Warrington Wolves with all 14 Super League clubs still in the competition.

The ties will take place on the weekend of 14-15 March with the specific dates yet to be decided.

The final will be held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 30 May.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fired back at boxer Jake Paul on Monday after the fighter called Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen” and vowed to boycott the Super Bowl LX halftime show.

Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was among those fawning over the Grammy Award-winning artist’s act during a game that saw the Seattle Seahawks take home their second Super Bowl title in a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks to reporters at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 21, 2025. (Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

“A ‘fake American citizen?’ Didn’t you MOVE to Puerto Rico to avoid paying your taxes while kids across America go hungry?” the congresswoman wrote on X.

“Meanwhile Benito actually funds low income kids’ access to arts and sports programs, while you defund them. Of course you’re mad. He makes you look small.”

Paul later clarified that he was rebuking Bad Bunny because of his stance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations despite being an American citizen.

Jake Paul fights Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight bout at Kaseya Center on Dec. 19, 2025, in Miami, Florida. (Ed Mulholland/Getty Images for Netflix)

SEAHAWKS FANS PUT ON RAUCOUS CELEBRATION IN SEATTLE AFTER TEAM’S SUPER BOWL WIN

“To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico. I live in Puerto Rico, and I love Puerto Rico. I have used my platform to support Puerto Rico time and time again and will always do so,” Paul wrote on X. “But if you’re publicly criticizing ICE who are doing their job and openly hating on America, I’m going to speak on it. Period. That’s the same reason I called out Hunter Hess.

“If you benefit from a country and the platform it gives you, but publicly disrespect it at the same time, that’s what I mean by being a fake citizen. And I agree love is more powerful than hate. Love America.”

Bad Bunny prominently spoke out against ICE when he received his Grammy Award for Album of the Year earlier this month.

Bad Bunny performs during halftime of Super Bowl LX, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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“ICE out,” he said. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens — we are humans, and we are Americans.”

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Travis Kelce’s retirement rumors have once again been fueled since the end of the 2026 NFL season. In 2025, too, it was rumored that the TE was considering leaving the league after the Kansas City Chiefs failed to make history after their loss in Super Bowl LIX. Later, he responded to the allegations and revealed his decision to stay for at least one more season.

This year, the rumors resurfaced again following the announcement of his increased involvement in golf. According to recent announcements, Travis Kelce will headline the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and tee off on the field. The tournament has a history of celebrity and amateur golfers matching up with pros for the first two rounds, but this season’s event is focusing more on the professional side of the game, thus there aren’t many celebs scheduled.

Until February 9, Travis Kelce is the sole celebrity confirmed to attend the event, as reported by the Pebble Beach Pro-Am’s Instagram page. The caption on this post said,

“Keeping it 100 at the @attproam. Special guest @killatrav officially joins the field next Thursday and Friday at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.”

Kelce’s participation in this tournament has fueled speculation that if he decides to retire from football, he may be able to play golf more frequently. His contract with the Chiefs was for two years and valued at $34.25 million. This deal expires at the end of the 2026 season, and Kelce will be eligible for free agency starting from this March.

Aside from all of these considerations, Travis Kelce was also present at the WM Phoenix Open, where he swung one of the top shots on the course. Interestingly, before his involvement in this tournament, he also had an important conversation with his fiancée.

Taylor Swift gives Travis Kelce some critical advice concerning the WM Phoenix Open

Travis Kelce was present at the TPC Scottsdale, which hosted the 2026 WM Phoenix Open. He was participating in a pro-am event and made a great shot on the par-3 hole 16. This hole is regarded as one of the most difficult due to the buildup of pressure caused by the course being surrounded by fans. Interestingly, Kelce’s tee ball landed only a few shots from the hole. The Golf Channel’s X page reported on this with the caption,

“TRAVIS KELCE WITH AN ABSOLUTE DART ON THE 16TH. 🔥🎯 The 3x Super Bowl champ sticks it to within a few feet and wins the gold WM chain!”

Following this shot, the TE added that his fiancee Taylor Swift, offered him some critical advice before the event to enjoy. Kelce discussed it in an interview, and according to Newsweek, he stated:

“Just go and have fun, sweetie. That’s the only advice she can give on a day like today.”

For his impressive shot, Kelce also received the WM Phoenix Open’s iconic golf chain.