After this weekend’s Wallabies’ Test against New Zealand, Australia prop James Slipper will step down from international duty.
The 36-year-old, who is Australia’s mostcapped player, became the first player to play 150 Test matches for the Wallabies following Saturday’s defeat by the All Blacks.
He captained Australia on 15 occasions and won four World Cups.
The single most impressive accomplishment of my rugby career has been playing for the Wallabies, said Slipper, adding that it is a privilege I have never taken for granted.
After Sam Whitelock in New Zealand and Alun Wyn Jones in Wales, Slipper is the only other player to surpass the 150-cap milestone.
Coach of Australia Joe Schmidt described him as “the ultimate team man” and “he’s incredibly popular in the group.”
“I am aware of how important Wallabies represent to him, and the accomplishments he has made at the highest level of the game speak for themselves,” he said.
In Perth in 2010, Slipper made his professional debut against England.
When Australia take on rivals New Zealand at 10:45 am BST on Saturday, he’ll make his final appearance for the Wallabies in the same city to defend their first Rugby Championship title in a decade.
Israel’s repeated attacks on the Palestinian civilian population and its continued destruction of Gaza show no signs of abating, with at least 17 people killed since dawn in attacks against a ceasefire plan in the US.
On Wednesday, two missiles struck al-Falah School in Zeitoun, east of Gaza City, where Israel has expanded its ground invasion and launched extensive aerial bombardment, killing hundreds of people there. Another attack left many of the Palestinian Civil Defense personnel with serious injuries as they arrived on the scene.
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Six people were killed and others were hurt in the attack, according to medical sources at al-Ahli Arab Hospital, according to Al Jazeera.
In yet another Israeli attack on a home in the Derj neighborhood east of Gaza City, seven people were killed and many others were hurt.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee to the south, frequently being targeted on the way, by the constant bombardment of Gaza City, killing several people daily, destroying numerous residential buildings and schools, and causing the territory’s largest urban center to be destroyed.
In a mass grave inside the courtyard of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, 11 unidentified bodies were interred in the same area. In recent days, Israeli fire has been blaring down the largest medical complex in the besieged area.
As bombings and gunfire continue all over, kidney transplant patients at al-Shifa are in greater danger.
According to sources close to the emergency and ambulance services, three people were killed in airstrikes against two homes in the central Gaza Strip’s Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps, according to the Wafa news agency.
Trump’s threat of a “sad end”
According to President Trump, Hamas has “three or four days” to respond to his proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to a statement from Israeli and Arab leaders.
Trump said at the White House on Tuesday, “Hamas is either going to be doing it or not, and if it isn’t, it’s going to be a very sad end.”
A day after the White House released a 20-point document calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the exchange of Israeli prisoners for Palestinians in Israeli prisons, and a staged Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, Trump made the remarks.
Hamas would be required to disarm under the proposed plan, and the US would work with Arab and international partners to establish a “temporary international stabilization force.”
Hamas would not participate in Gaza’s governance, according to the plan. If members of the enclave “peaceful coexistence,” they would receive amnesty, and those who wish to leave would be given safe passage abroad.
Hamas’s negotiating team has been studying Trump’s plan as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues, according to the Qatari government’s foreign affairs ministry on Tuesday.
In their highly anticipated rematch in Dubai on Friday, Paul Hughes faces PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in a potentially career-defining night.
In the co-main event of the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, the rivals will compete for the PFL lightweight world title.
The lightweight’s professional record, which includes 14 wins and two losses, would gain even more if they won on Friday to become an MMA star.
Big breakthrough thanks to Charriere victory.
Getty Images
Hughes started out in the professional ranks in 2017 before really beginning to gain popularity with the Cage Warriors.
After claiming the Cage Warriors interim featherweight title with a majority decision over Morgan Charriere in London in October 2021, his big break came in his ninth professional fight.
The second round was a thrilling battle between Charriere and Hughes, before the momentum eventually turned to Hughes.
In the later rounds, the Lavey resident was in charge, coming close to defeating his French foe, and landing a number of eye-catching strikes.
Take two victories against Vucenic.
Cage Warriors
In November 2022, Hughes and Jordan Vecenic squared off in an intriguing rematch following their victory over Charriere.
Conor McGregor previously won the belt before the Dubliner forged for fame as a two-weight champion, so Hughes was aware of the value of a win in advancing his career.
The Derry native’s only other major accomplishment was his own one-time career defeat against Vucenic in 2020, which only boosted his desire for victory.
Hughes and his English opponent lost in a contentious split decision, and both fighters’ recovery was delayed by their injuries.
Given that it would pit the champion against the interim champion, the fight, which would take place over five rounds this time, was billed as the biggest in Cage Warriors history when it was made public.
Lavey man Hughes put on a strong performance to earn the win, deservedly, with a unanimous decision.
Vucenic fell to his feet in the second round, allowing Hughes to take control of the match for the majority of the game.
After receiving a body shot and a head injury, Hughes almost stopped Vucenic at the end of the third round.
In the fourth round, Hughes returned to where he left off, dropping Vucenic with a series of punches, and going into the fifth saw the contest come out on top.
victory that changed McKee’s life
PFL
In October of this year, it was announced that Hughes would fight AJ McKee in Dubai in his second fight since signing for PFL.
In the lead-up to the fight, which was the American representing the biggest fight of his career at the time, Hughes had described the encounter with McKee as “a life-changing opportunity.”
Prior to meeting Hughes, McKee, a former Bellator featherweight champion, had won 22 of his 23 professional fights. He was an expert and experienced player.
In terms of opponent skill and the ability to win, Hughes was undoubtedly the underdog, and it was obvious that he had taken a step up from Cage Warriors and won with a split decision victory.
In the first round, Hughes impressed with his dangerous striking, which included catching McKee with a right hook.
In the final five minutes, Hughes would regain control, catching McKee up against the cage and unleashing a number of strikes, including an eye-catching uppercut, while McKee fought back in the second round.
Confused Nurmagomedov defeat
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Unsurprisingly, this list includes Hughes and Nurmagomedov’s original fight for the then-Bellaby lightweight title in January, which is regarded as one of the 2025 fights.
Even though he gave a strong performance, Hughes was a huge underdog in the first round, and Nurmagomedov won with a thrilling majority decision.
In the second round, Hughes successfully defended Nurmagomedov’s numerous takedown attempts.
Nurmagomedov finished the third round well with a takedown, but momentum changed in the fourth round as he continued to dominate with several kicks to Hughes’ thigh.
After Hughes fled, the two fighters exchanged blows until the fight came to an abrupt halt, with both claiming to be confident in their own success.
After the judges scored the fight 47-47 48-46 48-46 in his favor, Nurmagomedov kept the belt and extended his unbeaten streak to 19 fights.
He acknowledged following the fight that he had “underestimated” Hughes and that he could not have prevented the latter in their second fight on Friday.
42-second KO homecoming
PFL
In his most recent fight from May in Belfast, Hughes recovered from that agonizing defeat to Nurmagomedov with an incredible 42-second knockout victory over Bruno Miranda.
For the first time since 2019, Hughes gave an electric performance that matched the atmosphere at SSE Arena.
Hughes seized on a laziness from Brazilian Miranda to capitalize on it and deliver his decisive blow in front of home crowd to stake his claim to a rematch against Nurmagomedov.
The referee intervened as Miranda fell and Hughes was unloaded, and a hushed Hughes soaked up the cheers from the raucous Belfast crowd.
Your day is approaching, Hughes said in the aftermath, “Usman Nurmagomedov, you can run and you can try to delay this rematch as long as you want.”
The dog lover, who rose to fame on Love Island in 2021, is taking a stand against something ‘devastating to witness’
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Faye Winter spoke to the Mirror in an exclusive interview(Image: Getty Images)
Spot an adorable puppy advert on social media, and it’s hard to resist bringing one home. But former Love Island star Faye Winter has now urged Brits to think twice about doing so amidst a rise in cruel scams.
Faye has long considered herself a dog person, having worked in animal shelters and volunteered for Guide Dogs years before appearing on the ITV reality show in 2021. Now, using her platform to make a difference, she is determined to address an issue that breaks her heart.
“Backyard breeders are dominating the market, and it’s poisoning something that should be pure and joyful,” she told the Mirror. “I worry constantly about the welfare of the dogs, so many of them are exploited purely for financial gain, especially breeding dogs, bred over and over again with no thought for their health or happiness.
“Since Covid, when the demand for puppies exploded, it’s only got worse. Fashionable breeds are being produced under sickening conditions, with standards that make my stomach turn.
“These breeders will go to shocking lengths to fool people, scattering their breeding dogs across the UK, or even renting Airbnbs to create the illusion of being loving, family breeders. It’s calculated, it’s cruel, and it’s devastating to witness.”
Breeding dogs isn’t quite as simple as bringing two dogs together and letting nature take its course. In fact, anyone who breeds three or more litters in a year, or operates a business selling dogs is legally required to have a licence. They must also adhere to strict welfare standards.
‘Backyard breeding’ therefore regards the practice of breeding dogs illegitimately, and often within ‘inadequate conditions’ with ‘insufficient care’, according to the RSPCA. These operations, commonly known as ‘puppy mills’, often involve overbreeding dogs and subjecting them to unhygienic environments, which increases their risk of illness and long-term health issues.
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In 2022, research from The Kennel Club revealed that around 25% of puppy buyers suspected their breeders were operating illegally. This finding coincided with a threefold increase in the number of people buying puppies on social media since 2017, and almost a third paying before ever seeing them in person.
“[When getting a puppy] we want them to be in a setup of a family home environment, we want them to be from people that care,” Faye continued. “We want them to have the best upbringing and the best breeding background, so we aren’t going to be breeding for fashion items, for example.
“You don’t want people breeding and making dogs ill, because ultimately, two bad dogs breed, and you’re making worse dogs. We want to be able to make sure that dogs are bred [well], but also the people that are breeding them, they’re not dotting themselves around and, you know, using Airbnbs.
“That they have got a UK home address, that they have got IDs. We want to make sure that these people are real, and you’re not being defrauded out of money…When it comes to litters being born, you’ve also got people that will take your money and then disappear off the face of the earth.”
In light of these concerns, Faye has now become a new ambassador for PetProov.com. Founded in 2024, this UK-based start-up works by verifying the identities of both buyers and pet breeders using ‘government-grade checks’.
To complete a transaction, either a buyer or the breeder pays a one-time fee of £4.99 per pet. The other party then receives an email invitation to download the app, which requires you to complete a live facial recognition check and to upload a copy of government-issued ID. PetProov claims this only takes a matter of minutes.
Once verified, sellers are then able to share key documents about their animals, including health and vaccination records. In turn, a prospective buyer can thoroughly evaluate a pet’s background before making any commitment.
Faye continued: “The more people that are signing up for PetProov, and getting their breeders to fill in the application, the more we can make sure we are streamlining it so that people can’t slip through the net.
“They can’t be allowed to change their addresses, they can’t be allowed to use fake names, they can’t be allowed to use Airbnbs to be able to sell puppies.”
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In 2022, Faye, from Devon, welcomed home Bonnie, a Golden Retriever. Speaking of her own experience, she said: “My breeder, she didn’t care who I was, where I was from, my background, anything else. She wanted to know that I was the right person for her puppies. I got literally interrogated.
“I was given some downtime to go and have a think about the puppy. I was given huge documentation of how much Bonnie was likely to cost me over her years, how much she was going to likely cost me in vet bills, how much she was to insure, how much dog food it was going to cost me.
“I was then given a cooling off period. Obviously, I knew that my breeder was great, I had to sign a contract to make sure that if anything was to happen to her, or if I could no longer look after her, that she would go back to my breeder, she wouldn’t be sold on.
“She was so hot on it that I knew that she was my breeder, and I knew she was a very, very good breeder.” Later, she also added: “My biggest therapy was Bon, and, you know, my situation completely changed when I got Bonnie, and she got me through it.
“…Our dogs look out for us every single day of our lives, we are their favorite hello, and we are their worst goodbye. We need to make sure that we have that same level of respect for them.
“I just want everybody to know that there is now a platform that is going to help you make the best decisions when it comes to buying a dog.”
You can find out more about PetProov here.
Five signs an online puppy advert is dodgy
A staggering 87% of puppy trade calls received by the RSPCA concern animals bought over the internet. Below are just a few of several warning signs it urges buyers to watch out for.
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Descriptions may have been copied and pasted and used on more than one advert.
Words like ‘miniature’ and ‘teacup’ can be a sign of dealers trying to capitalise on popular terms.
Same contact number on more than one advert. Try Googling the number to see if it’s been used on any other puppy adverts.
Vaccinated early. If the advert says a puppy has been vaccinated, check how old he or she is. A puppy cannot be vaccinated before they’re four to six weeks old.
Promises of ‘free insurance’ and ‘puppy packs’. These don’t mean the advert is from a legitimate breeder.
Guidance from The Kennel Club also encourages people to:
Avoid buying a dog around Christmas time – most responsible breeders avoid selling during the festive season.
Do not buy from a third party/anyone other than a breeder.
Do not buy from a breeder who won’t show you the puppy interacting with its mother.
Do not pick up a puppy from anywhere other than the breeder’s home/premises.
According to government officials, at least 91 people are still buried beneath building rubble in Indonesia as a result of a school collapse.
The most recent figures were revised from an earlier estimate of 38 people, according to Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management, or BNPB, on Tuesday evening.
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At least six people have been trapped under the rubble for almost two days, according to the agency.
In a Facebook statement, BNPB stated that “reescue efforts are currently being conducted manually by digging holes and openings to evacuate survivors.”
In one section of the collapse, the joint search and rescue team has found signs that six people are still alive. Rescuers have been able to provide food and water to the victims through existing gaps, according to the organization.
Official figures do not include those still trapped in the classroom, but three people died and nearly 100 were injured in the school collapse.
According to the organization, 26 of the injured have been discharged and are still in the hospital.
More than 300 rescuers from the BNPB, the military, and the national police were dispatched to Sidoarjo, East Java, where the accident occurred while students were attending prayers and the majority of the time were teenage boys.
The next stage will involve the use of heavy equipment to recover deceased victims who are still trapped, according to the organization.
Authorities claim that while unauthorised construction was being carried out on a higher floor, the school’s foundational pillars collapsed.
At least three people killed in East Java-Archipelago after a collapsed boarding school building twitter.com/xu8Zfymsfw
Emma Smith, BBC Sport journalist and Ciaran Kelly, Football reporter
Christian Burgess, a history graduate who studied World War One, is more knowledgeable about the significance of Belgian resilience in the face of a wealthy, more resources-savvy adversary.
He told BBC Sport, “I specialized in one of the small reasons the war broke out: Belgium was essentially protected by the UK, and the UK went to war again when they invaded.”
The area is fascinating for a history buff because Burgess claims that there are “monuments that you constantly drive past that remind you of the First and Second World Wars”
And in keeping with the tenacity of the area, his own career has also been a study of upsetting the odds; he acknowledges never truly anticipated being a champions league player. He was the oldest English outfielder to debut in the Champions League since Steve Bould for Arsenal in November 1998, age 33 years and 344 days, when he faced PSV on September 16th.
Even if Union Saint-Gilloise hosts Premier League powerhouses Newcastle United on October 1st, both their captain and Union Saint-Gilloise will be ready for their competition debut.
“I just vividly recall watching the Champions League as a child. I recall watching Liverpool in the Istanbul final. Ronaldinho’s special goal at Chelsea-Barcelona is all I recall. There is no way I could ever imagine playing in that competition, and it’s very strange for it to happen this late, he said, “because they’re the kind of memories that stick with you.”
I earned my degree while playing for Boro.
Images courtesy of Getty
Prior to his second year of study, Burgess was given a trial at Championship side Middlesbrough after being released by Arsenal as a young player.
Tony Mowbray, the then-manager, encouraged him to continue his education despite the fact that he had already signed a two-year professional contract.
He referred to his first professional deal as “something you couldn’t turn down.” I then accepted it and began my education at Teesside University. My first two years were allowed to transfer.
Because the contract was a foot in the door, not a career, Mowbray advised me to ensure that I completed it. I listened to his words, and thankfully, I was able to pursue a career in the game as well.
Prior to moving to Belgium in 2020, Burgess enjoyed stints in League One with Portsmouth and Peterborough.
And, remarkable to note, he is not the only English center-back to have left his third-tier job to pursue a top-flight career in Belgium.
After Union “taken a chance” on him, defensive partner Ross Sykes was signed from Accrington Stanley in 2022.
After Sykes, like Burgess, overcome hardship in his early years, the pair helped Union win their first league title in 90 years last year.
Although he is currently 6’5″, Burnley previously released him because he was deemed to be “too small” as a child.
It ultimately turned out to be a turning point for his career.
He said after being fired at the age of 11, “I didn’t want to keep going with academy football.” However, one or two weeks later, my parents convinced me to appear in court at Accrington Stanley. After that, I didn’t look back.
Sykes and Burgess combined for 318 appearances for Union, beginning a campaign that has brought the Belgian league leaders to the top of Europe’s table for the first time.
Sykes’ surprise defeat to PSV in their first Champions League game last month came as no surprise to Union because his team are “not afraid to come up against anyone.”
Burgess certainly felt at home at the top of the table in Europe. The Union captain finished the match as the top-ranking player, receiving a 9.39 out of 10 rating from BBC Sport readers.
An Englishman may not seem like the most obvious choice to lead a European campaign, but Union have always chosen the less traveled route. They have only played one league game in the top two tiers of English football.
According to Burkess, “It’s a club built on the reputation of bringing youngsters from untapped leagues through.” If they see potential, we have players from the Union, Estonian, Latvian, Croatian, and Austrian leagues, and that will give them a chance to shine.
It would be “a dream come true,” the author said.
Images courtesy of Getty
When Union discovered their opponents in last month’s Champions League draw, this tight-knit group of players were observing closely in the canteen.
Union had already secured glamorous matches with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid, but the Belgian champions’ pairing with Newcastle had a particularly loud roar.
Sykes leaped from his seat at the back of the room and punched the air immediately, all of whom were present. They understood what it meant to Englishmen.
“Playing in the Champions League against your boyhood club” He claimed that nothing can be further from that.
Although Sykes was born in Burnley, the centre-back idolized Alan Shearer and later Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor for their roles.
Sykes even watched Newcastle’s Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund from the stands at theWestfalenstadion a few years ago.
On Wednesday night in Brussels, the centre-back could face the Black and Whites.
Because it’s in the Champions League, he said, “It would be a dream come true.” The best competition available to club members is “the one.”
Union’s defensive partner Burgess claims they want to place in the play-off round and earn a shot at a European giant in knock-out football if they place in the top 24 in the league phase.
There shouldn’t be any understatement when playing against a club like Union and determined players like Burgess and Sykes.
I’ve picked up the art of perseverance. I’ve also experienced a lot of downs throughout my career, according to Burgess.
I definitely made mistakes at Portsmouth and Peterborough before I can get where I am right now, and part of that is simply continuing to work hard.
On Wednesday night, Sykes will have his family watching him at Lotto Park to possibly watch him make his competitive debut.
The 26-year-old’s remarkable journey would be in its most recent chapter.
He remarked, “Never give up.” You will always be compensated for the work you put in, according to the saying.
Watch highlights of every Champions League game on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, and the BBC Sport website and app from 12:00 to eve of the match.
