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Super League Basketball to sue governing body

By in News, Sports News
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Tom Mallows
BBC Sport journalist

Super League Basketball (SLB) says it has begun legal action against the British Basketball Federation (BBF), accusing the governing body of abusing its position and breaching UK competition law.

The SLB says it is being undermined by the BBF’s decision to refuse to issue governing body endorsements (GBEs) – a requirement for any club wanting to sign an overseas player requiring a visa – unless it accepts a one-year deal to keep operating.

The SLB says that decision is designed to put its clubs at a “competitive disadvantage to any rival league favoured by BBF” and could be in breach of the UK Government’s code of practice for sports governing bodies.

The organisations had been in dispute over the BBF’s decision to terminate an interim deal with the SLB and instead agree a 15-year deal with GBB League Ltd (GBBL) to run the men’s professional league from the 2026-27 season.

SLB says the BBF has since acknowledged that it does not need a licence to operate and just needs to be recognised as a league.

It added that it has no issue with another league being given a UK licence, but wants to operate “free from unlawful harm”.

SLB was awarded an interim three-year licence last July to replace the British Basketball League, which collapsed amid financial concerns.

But in April the BBF agreed the deal with GBBL, saying that because SLB had elected not to bid for a long-term licence it activated a clause to terminate the interim agreement at the end of the 2024-25 season.

SLB disputed that view, saying it had withdrawn from the tender process after “concerns were raised over the legality of the BBF’s actions” and that its nine clubs would refuse to join.

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Truth behind Dame Deborah James’ husband’s romance with mystery woman as he moves on

By in Entertainment News, News

EXCLUSIVE: Dame Deborah James’ husband Sebastian recently went public with his new romance and it’s said that the pair who are head over heels, make one another very happy

Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor

Sebastien Bowen was seen holding hands with a mystery woman(Image: dmg media Licensing)

Dame Deborah James’ widower recently went public with his new romance, and it appears there could have been love in the air for a while. Sebastian Bowen had been alongside Dame Deborah throughout her tragic, incurable bowel cancer, and despite the heartache he faced, he was given strict instructions from her.

Prior to her death, the broadcaster revealed she wanted Sebastian to “move on” and find love again, when he was ready, stating he was a “very eligible bachelor.” Sebastian now appears to be head over heels in love with his new girlfriend, whose identity he has kept under wraps.

The loved-up couple were seen out and about in Hammersmith, west London, and dined at the River Cafe during their romantic day out. As the nation basked under the scorching weather, the UK enjoyed a heatwave. Sebastian opted for a more casual look, rocking a blue casual shirt, leaving his top buttons undone, with a pair of chinos and trainers.

Sebastien Bowen was seen hand in hand with the mystery woman
Sebastien Bowen was seen hand in hand with the mystery woman(Image: dmg media Licensing)

His girlfriend exuded glamour in an eye-catching red dress, which cut off above the knee as she lapped up the sun. As they went about their day, the pair looked smitten, with Sebastian and his girlfriend wrapping their arms around one another.

They walked around holding hands and were all smiles as they soaked up the sun. Now, leading body language expert Judi James has revealed that Sebastian and his new girlfriend may have been friends before things developed romantically.

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“One of the key words that stands out from their body language together is ‘relaxed’,” Judi told the Mirror. She went on to add: They appear lacking in any signs of tension or anxiety, suggesting they make each other happy.

Both Sebastien Bowen and the mystery women looked very happy
Both Sebastien Bowen and the mystery women looked very happy(Image: dmg media Licensing)

“There’s no clinging or neediness here: the hand clasp shows the fingers are meshed, but the clasp itself is relaxed and quite loose. Their smiles have an element of coyness, but they are twinned smiles and appear authentic rather than the kind of social, more effortful smiles you often see when people are trying to impress each other on a first date.”

Judi went on to say: “Their body language looks synchronised too, with lots of mirroring to suggest like-minded thinking. This looks like a very even-handed relationships in terms of emotions, intellect and levels of confidence, suggesting strong friendship that might have been established before anything more romantic.”

The pair held hands
The pair held hands(Image: dmg media Licensing)

Meanwhile, a source has since spoken about Sebastian’s relationship. “They looked like they were very much in love,” they told the Daily Mail. They went on to add: “It was very sweet. For anyone who was inspired by Dame Deborah’s attitude to life, it was really heartening to see her husband looking happy again.”

Sebastian has previously enjoyed a string of dates as per his late wife’s wishes, but he had been taking things “very slowly.” Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live show, You, Me And The Big C, she described her widower as a “very eligible bachelor” and knew he would have attention from other women following her death.

Dame Deborah encouraged Sebastian to find love again
Dame Deborah encouraged Sebastian to find love again(Image: PA)

“I have given him strict instructions,” Dame Deborah said. She went on to add: “I want him to move on. He’s a handsome man, I’m like, ‘Don’t be taken for a ride, don’t marry a bimbo, find someone else who can make you laugh like we did.” But she also joked that she had a list of people she didn’t want Sebastian to date.

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“I would do my damned hardest to haunt him,” she joked. Sebastian also has the blessing from Deborah’s family to find love again, with her mum saying in 2023: “Deborah will be a hard act to follow but he has our blessing.”

Iran says launched attack on US troops at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base

By in News, World News

BREAKING,

Iran has claimed that it attacked American forces at Al Udeid Air Base. After Tehran threatened to retaliate against US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, it launched an operation in Qatar.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officially confirmed on Monday that it had launched a missile attack against Qatar’s American al-Udeid Air Base.

Tasnim referred to the “Annunciation of Victory” as the operation.

Over Doha, Qatar’s capital, were flames, which were visible on Monday. Initial theories didn’t immediately identify whether this was missiles or an air defense system.

Additionally, loud explosions could be heard.

Prior to this statement, Qatar’s US and UK embassies had issued statements warning citizens there to seek shelter there until further notice. As part of the precautions being taken to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, Qatar claimed to have temporarily restricted its airspace.

Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain are the nations that have the most US troops. These facilities are crucial hubs for regional logistics, intelligence gathering, and force projection for both air and naval operations.

The Middle East’s largest military base, Al Udeid, was established in 1996. The base can accommodate almost 100 aircraft and drones, covering a 24 hectare (60 acres) area. This base, which houses about 10,000 soldiers, has been the US Central Command’s (CENTCOM)’s front headquarters during operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

Tinubu Inaugurates 2,000 Tractors, Over 9,000 Specialised Farm Implements

By in News, Nigeria News

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu stated that the Federal Government was working with international partners to give young Nigerians the tools they need to become financially independent and ensure the security of their food.

Tinubu made the announcement at the beginning of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme in Abuja on Monday, when he also inaugurated 2,000 cutting-edge tractors and over 9,000 specialized farm implements.

He claimed that his administration’s reforms were intended to improve the appeal of farming to young Nigerians.

INCLUDE   Tinubu claims that we are making farming more sexy for young people.

We have more than 2,000 modern tractors, 50 bulldozers for preparing land for industrial use, 12 fully equipped mobile workshops, and 9,000 plus specialized farming equipment.

When used, this equipment will give our young people more opportunities for employment, employment, and sexiness in farming.

A 21st-century agricultural farming implement doesn’t need to be produced using an 18th-century method, he said.

He explained that the strategy of his administration included year-round cultivation, significantly reducing Nigeria’s seasonal shortages.

We have friends all over the world, Tinubu once said. Belarus has pledged to work with us to empower our youths, teach them how to do things, get them off the streets, educate them in technology, review mechanization, and train them in making repairs and fabrications.
The country will benefit greatly from the distribution of this equipment. We must make the most of the opportunity to become completely independent of agriculture and ensure food sovereignty given our country’s arable land and favorable climate. ”

He urged everyone who received this equipment to make the most of it.

We’ll collaborate with you, promise; We’ll keep you accountable and keep you accountable at various locations.

Let history record this day as the start of Nigeria’s agricultural revival, where modern technology and our farmers’ legendary resilience combine to achieve unmatched prosperity, he continued.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, the minister of agriculture and food security, claimed the plan was in line with the president’s call for urgent and creative action, putting agriculture firmly in the spotlight of the renewed hope agenda initiative’s goal of economic revival, job creation, and social stability.

He claimed that the machinery would transform the agricultural landscape of Nigeria.

Mr. Food security is national security, according to President Obama.

It is heartening to acknowledge Mr. Under this administration, four ambitious mechanization initiatives were instituted in response to President Obama’s renewed hope agenda on mechanization. The John Deere Tractorization Programme, Greener Hope Project, Green Imperative Program, and the Belarus Project, which we are launching today, are just a few examples.

Aliyu Abdullahi, the agriculture minister, stated that the 0. He claimed that the current mechanization level in the nation, which was 27 horsepower per hectre, would be almost 2 . With the mechanized scheme, the horsepower per hectre is 5 horsepower.

The minister remarked, ”  This particular program stands out because it was created with the intention of lowering the country’s low mechanization rate.

Prince Harry and Meghan spark ‘bemusement’ with ‘unexpected wish’ for Archie and Lilibet

By in Entertainment News, News

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly want to leave options open in the future for their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – and those in royal circles have reacted

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s unexpected wish for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet has reportedly sparked bemusement in royal circles. The Sussexes dramatically quit as working royals to carve out a new life in California – but it has been reported that they don’t want to rule royal life for their children.

Insiders close to the Sussexes previously said they want Archie and Lilibet to retain their titles and HRH styles so they can choose to become working royals if they so wish when they are adults. It came after the source spoke out and claimed the Sussexes feared passports for their children were being held up due to the use of their royal titles.

Prince Harry and Meghan(Image: Invictus Games Foundation via Ge)

But in a new report in the Sunday Times, it is claimed there is ‘bemusement’ in royal circles by this plan and that working royal roles for the youngsters in the reign of Prince William is ‘unlikely’.

It comes as those close to William have reportedly noticed a marked shift when it comes to his attitude toward his estranged brother.

A friend told the publication: “What has struck me the most recently is that he just doesn’t mention it at all. It used to be that the family stuff was taking up a lot of space in his head, it was a very close relationship and he was very upset. But he’s not letting it get to him at all any more. It is a change. It’s sad, but it’s a much healthier space for him to be at.”

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In recent months Meghan has been sharing more and more of her children online after setting up her own Instagram account at the start of the year.

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In recent weeks, the children have featured in an intimate family video of a trip to video as well as in a Father’s Day tribute for their dad, Harry.

And today, Lilibet has made yet another appearance in a brand new reel shared by mum Meghan. The clip takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Meghan preparing for the second drop of her As Ever products.

It shows Meghan practising her calligraphy, picking raspberries and other fruit from her garden, harvesting honey and exploring the garden with Lilibet. Meghan says: “A little behind the scenes of @aseverofficial. Hope you enjoy your treats when they arrive this week!”

The Duchess restocked her website with a number of new items, including a “Limited edition orange blossom honey” on sale for 28 US dollars (£20) – but all sold out within hours.

Meghan had promised some “delicious surprises” as she teased, earlier this week, that she would be offering some new products on her As Ever site. Also available was apricot spread in “keepsake packaging” and a crepe mix, both £10 each, flower sprinkles for £11 and a range of herbal teas at £9 each.

She also announced she is launching her own wine, with her rose, described as having “soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish”, available to buy next month.

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