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LIVE UPDATES: Heavy Security At LASIEC Office Ahead Of Lagos LG Result Collation

By in News, Nigeria News

Lagos State is conducting its local government elections to pick chairmen and councillors for the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the coastal state. 

According to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, who spoke with Channels Television, no political party was restrained from participating in the elections.

The electoral umpire said 15 political parties have been confirmed for the chairmanship, vice chairmanship, and councillorship positions in the 20 LGAs and the 37 LCDAs in the state.

Channels TV is on the ground and will provide a live update about the exercise. Kindly refresh this page for more details about the election.

05:05 pm: LASIEC Boss Contests Low Voter Turnout During Lagos LG Election

The Chairperson of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd), says people may say the turnout was very low in Saturday’s local government elections, but it was because voters didn’t stay more than five minutes at the polling units to complete the process.

She stated this during a press briefing shortly after voting ended on Saturday afternoon at the LASIEC head office on Lancaster Street in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

04:45 pm: Heavy Security Presence at LASIEC Head Office Ahead of Result Collation

The Lancaster Street in the Sabo Yaba area of Lagos was militarised on Saturday afternoon by security officials from different police special squads ahead of the collation of local government elections results.

The entire stretch of the street was barricaded by policemen heavily armed with all sorts of rifles and combat ammunition.

Our correspondent counted at least four armoured vehicles and 10 police patrol vehicles stationed on the street.

Fierce-looking policemen were positioned across the head office of the state electoral commission.

Scores of armed policemen were also scattered inside LASIEC head office with electoral officials going in and out of the building.

Assessing the electoral process so far, she thanked God that the rain didn’t disturb the process.

03:10 pm: Lagos LG Poll: Voting Ends, Counting, Sorting Begin

Voting has officially ended in Saturday’s chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship elections in Lagos State.

Voting lasted six hours from 9 am to 3 pm, as directed by the electoral umpire, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

Voting took place in the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas of the state.

With the conclusion of voting, LASIEC officials moved to the next stage, which is the counting and sorting of results in the presence of election observers and party agents, as well as some voters who stayed behind to monitor the process.

2:29 pm: It’s past 2 pm, and economic activities are ongoing at Igbayilola Market in the Ikate-Itire LCDA in Surulere. A PU is just by the side of the market, but the traders seem uninterested in voting.

 2.22 pm: At PU 18 in the Ikate-Itire LCDA in Surulere, only 24 voters so far out of the 733 registered voters in the PU, representing just 3.5% of the expected voter turnout.

1:59 pm: PU010 Ojota LGA
445 registered voters. Over 200 have voted.

A crowd of young men was seen around the polling unit. They initially packed themselves under the voting tent but dispersed upon sighting our bus.

According to the election officer, they speak only Hausa and do not understand English, but they want to vote. So they were looking for a speaker of both languages to help them find their names and vote.

1:07 pm: The speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, says the opposition must put a formidable front to gain power.

He said this after casting his ballot at Orile Agege Local Government in Oluwole Olaniyan Street, Polling Unit 019, Ward E, during the ongoing local government elections across the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.

12:31 pm: Lagos LG Poll: Gbajabiamila Votes In Surulere

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, cast his vote in Saturday’s chairmanship, vice-chairman, and councillorship elections in the Surulere Local Government Area of the state.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives cast his vote at Lagos PU 014 on Elizabeth Fowler Memorial High School in the Adeniran Ogunsanya area in the Surulere LGA of Lagos.

Gbajabiamila arrived at the PU, which has a total of 669 registered voters, at exactly 12:28 pm with a retinue of supporters and some government officials.

Security presence at the polling unit increased with his arrival.

Gbajabiamila cast his vote at exactly 12:31 pm.

12:10 pm: Three hours into voting, and only 60 persons have exercised their franchise so far out of the 669 registered voters at PU 014 at Elizabeth Fowler Memorial High School in the Adeniran Ogunsanya area in the Surulere LGA of Lagos.

Voting ends by 3 pm, but voters’ apathy may be at work here, with only 10% of the expected votes recorded three hours into the exercise.

The Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, is expected to cast his ballot here.

12:07 pm: Ikeja LGA: PU 005

As young men play football on one side of the road, accreditation has just commenced on the other side

Election officers say they just received the ballot papers. Some of the voters say they have been waiting to vote since 8 am.

11:46 am: Lagos State Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat cast his vote at the polling centre, Oke-Balogun, Epe at 11.05 am

11:39 am: The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says he his pleased with the ongoing local government election exercise. Governor Sanwo-Olu commends the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission for the smooth process, and also urges others to turn out and cast their vote.

11:20 am: Ikosi-Isheri PU 036. 234 registered voters. Only 6 have come out to vote

PDP and APC party agents present.

11:09 am: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu arrives at his polling unit, with his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to cast their vote

10:46 am: As the Lagos state local government elections get underway, low turnout is being recorded in Alimosho and Agege LGAs.

A visit to some polling units also revealed the late arrival of voting materials.

10:35 am: Socialite Balogun Eletu aka Sam Larry, and some youth, arrive at Adeniji/Adele polling unit, Lagos Island Ward O06, 007.

10:31 am: Voting has commenced at Ikosi-Isheri PU 021. Election officers say they had to trek from the LCDA

10:21 am: Youths play football on Jubril Martins Street in the Surulere LGA of Lagos. There are a few PUs around, but they do not seem ready or interested in voting.

10:08 am: Voting has commenced at Ikosi-Isheri PU 020. APC agents are present at all polling units so far. No sign of agents of other parties.

09:46 am: PLWD Votes In Surulere, Says Process Seamless

At PU 17 with over 1,000 registered voters, in the Small London area of Surulere, scores of voters, mostly women, were seated under a canopy as they took turns to cast their ballots.

Amid the voting process, a police surveillance chopper hovered over the PU.

Interestingly, a physically challenged woman, Toyin Davids, cast her ballot.

She expressed satisfaction with the whole process and urged other PLWDs to exercise their franchise.

According to her, no challenge should prevent Lagosians from choosing their representatives.

However, low turnout was recorded at PU 34 in the Alhaji Marshal Small London area of Surulere. The PU has 172 registered voters, but only a handful of voters were seen at the PU.

09:38 am: Mild drama at the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA

Presiding officers and election staff are unable to leave for their stations because of an inadequate number of vehicles to transport them.

After speaking to one of the officers, it appears the transport provider was asked to provide a certain number of buses, which he claims he did. But the buses still aren’t enough to transport all the election officers.

09:18 am: Voting began at exactly 09:10 am after the accreditation of voters.

The PU has a total of 669 registered voters, but fewer than 12 voters are in the queue as of the start of voting. The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is expected to cast his vote at the PU.

09:17 am: LG Poll: Voting Begins At Gbajabiamila PU in Surulere LGA

Voting for the local government chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councilorship election has commenced at Lagos PU 014 on Elizabeth Fowler Memorial High School in the Surulere LGA of Lagos.

09:13 am: Voting has just started at the Elizabeth Fowler Memorial school in Adeniran Ogunsanya Area of Surulere, where the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is expected to cast his vote.

In most parts of the Local Government Area, Materials have been deployed.

09:01 am: Accreditation ongoing at PU 014 at Elizabeth Fowler Street in the Surulere LGA of Lagos.

As of 09:01 am, LASIEC officials are fully seated at the PU with men of the Lagos State Police Command on the ground.

Party officials and election observers are also on the ground, but only a few voters turn out for the accreditation.

8:53 am: LASIEC officials present. Voting is yet to commence. Security agents present. APC agent present as well.

8:52 am: Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Jubril Gawat, cast his vote at Adeniji/Adele polling unit, Ward 006, Lagos Island.

8:45 am: Alausa PU22; Setup underway.

8:43 am: Voting has commenced at St. Stephen nursery and primary school, Adeniji Adele, lagos Island East.

Voting commenced at exactly 8 am within the premises, which has two polling units, ward 006 and ward 007.

Ward 006 has 634 registered voters, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who will also be casting his vote here.

Ward 007 has 667 registered voters, and some of the residents are already exercising their rights by voting for their choice of candidates.

8:01 am: Alausa PU22: LASIEC officials arrived at 8:20 am, blamed lateness on logistical issues and sorting of materials.

Jones seizes chance & Farrell’s return – how are Lions shaping up for first Test?

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images
Tom English
BBC Sport at Adelaide Oval
@tenglishsport
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And so, after six games and five wins, after 235 points scored and 81 points conceded, after 35 tries for and 12 against, we’ve arrived at the so-called business end of the tour.

The Lions are heading back to Brisbane on Sunday for the first Test against the Wallabies the following Saturday. The preamble is now complete, mercifully. The phony war is officially over. Hallelujah. It’s been pretty dull.

Saturday’s match against an AUNZ Invitational XV was a little different. Things happened. Garry Ringrose’s injury became known and the possible spin-off consequences are intriguing.

Garry Ringrose and the butterfly effect

The news of Ringrose’s head knock and the fact that he will miss the first Test came mid-match in Adelaide. Huw Jones, the other outside centre in the squad, was conveniently tearing it up at the time.

“Garry unfortunately had a delayed reaction,” head coach Andy Farrell confirmed after the rout of the AUNZ Invitational side. “He had headaches for a day and it carried on the next day. So he went through concussion protocols and failed those, unfortunately.”

A day that started with Ringrose and Bundee Aki looking very much like the Test match midfield (with the Scottish counterparts Jones and Sione Tuipulotu not making the squad) looks to have completely turned on its head.

Jones, gaining form after recovering from injury and outstanding in Adelaide, will start at 13 against the Wallabies. Farrell talks a lot about cohesion, so it would make sense for Tuipulotu to join him. It was always going to be the two Irish centres or the two Scottish centres, despite all the mixing and matching in earlier games.

If it’s Jones and Tuipulotu, then what happens to Aki, a bit of a force of nature in the red jersey? The bench? Well, not really. You fancy that Owen Farrell will cover 12, as well as 10, so maybe Aki misses out altogether. Ringrose misses the game and there’s a butterfly effect.

“I actually don’t know a lot about it,” Jones said after the game of the news about Ringrose. “No-one told me, which I think was probably a good thing because then it didn’t mess with my head.

“He played really well on Wednesday [against the Brumbies]. He’s great, one of the best guys I’ve met. We shared a room in Perth and I really got on with him. We’ve been working together loads, the four of us, Sione and Bundee as well, to try and get all of our connections, so I’m gutted for him.

“But if that means that I get an opportunity next week then I’ll be very happy with that and then try and grab it with both hands.”

Battle for the number seven jersey goes to the wire

When Andy Farrell was asked in the post-match press conference about his back-row and whether the identity of the guy who’s going to wear the number seven jersey has become clearer, he took out his straight bat and knocked the question out of the park, Don Bradman style.

“We’ve got great options there, so we’re delighted with that.”

Anyway… Jac Morgan was very impressive again on Saturday. The game turned into a hammering, but when it was still a contest, Morgan was intense and influential.

Ian Foster was in charge of the AUNZ team, and as a former All Blacks coach he’s not a bad sounding board on this whole Lions back-row. Asked which of the Lions impressed him the most, he was pretty direct.

“You can’t help but be impressed with Morgan at the moment,” he said. “He’s going good as a loosie [loose forward]. There’ll be a lot of consideration about that loose forward trio, but they’re mobile, they’re skilful and he [Morgan] is a tough player.

“Look, he just works hard. You could see that we were a bit short in some of our connections at the breakdown on early phases a couple of times and he made a bit of a meal of that. He’s good in that space, but he had great support too.”

Owen Farrell makes an impressive return

The pantomime baddie came on for the last 30 minutes, which is 30 minutes more than he’s had since early May. There was a little booing.

You’d imagine that, for Farrell, the only thing more disconcerting than fans booing him is fans not booing him. It’s expected these days – as much a part of his rugby existence as anything else.

“He did OK, he did OK, as did many others,” said his father, later. No danger of going over the top there. “There were some great individual performances, wasn’t there? But I suppose those individual performances gelled together as a collective.”

It felt like Farrell Sr couldn’t wait to get away from talking about his son, but it was a fine cameo – a nice link with the excellent Ben White in the build-up to Scott Cummings’ try and a clever chip through to Henry Pollock later on, among other things.

The caveat is that, by the time he arrived, the game was done and the AUNZ side were a busted flush.

Hugo Keenan stands up to the greatest pressure

The Leinster and Ireland full-back was under significant pressure going into Saturday. Still not totally free of illness, and with the memory of his poor performance against the Waratahs still fresh in the mind, Keenan couldn’t afford to fail.

With Blair Kinghorn out of the first Test, he was the only out-and-out full-back left standing. And his coaches needed him to come good. He did. Right from the off, he looked himself again. He was full energy and intent.

“I thought he was excellent,” said Farrell. “There were some great, tough, gritty performances.”

What next for the tourists?

The Lions head for Brisbane at about midday on Sunday, about 03:00 BST in the UK. “We’ve got a normal week coming up,” said Farrell, after battling through so many abnormal ones featuring games and flights and training ground walk-throughs at a devastatingly rapid pace.

“When we get to Brisbane, we’ll have a coaches’ meeting like we always do and discuss how the week is going to unfold,” he said.

“We train Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We’ll get to a performance day on Wednesday and everyone will know where they’re at.

“I just said to the players that selection is going to be unbelievably difficult. That’s how it should be. I know that we’ve got a group that’s as cohesive as it gets and they’re all rowing together no matter what because, like I said during the week, it takes a squad to win a series.

“The lads who get picked in the first Test, they’ll be the lucky ones to represent the group, but they’ve also got to earn the right to keep that jersey for the second Test as well.”

So who are the lucky ones? Another punt at picking Farrell’s brains…

Keenan, Freeman (Hansen), Jones, Tuipulotu (Farrell), Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park (Mitchell); Genge (Porter), Sheehan (Kelleher), Furlong (Bealham), Itoje, McCarthy (Beirne), Chessum, Morgan, Conan (Pollock)

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  • British & Irish Lions
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Hollyoaks star’s five-word comment as brother Lloyd Glasspool makes Wimbledon history

By in Entertainment News, News

A former Hollyoaks star was in the crowd to watch his brother make history at Wimbledon as part of the first male duo to win the doubles event in almost 90 years

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool won the Gentlemen’s Doubles at Wimbledon(Image: Getty Images)

A star of Hollyoaks has proudly spoken out after his brother’s history-making feat. Parry Glasspool congratulated his brother after an epic encounter saw him lift the Wimbledon title.

Parry, who starred as Harry Thompson in the Channel 4 soap, was in the crowd as sibling Lloyd and partner Julian Cash saw off Rinky Hijikata of Australia and David Pel from Holland 6-2 7-6 in 82 minutes on Centre Court.

With the sun beaming down, the duo became the first Brits to win the title since 1936. And Parry couldn’t have been prouder. He took to social media to share his elation.

Posting a clip of the moment Lloyd and Julian won the match, Parry wrote: “Who would’ve thought it! Tennis every day for 25 years. Looks like it paid off!”

Parry Glasspool
Parry Glasspool, who played Harry in Hollyoaks, praised his brother’s achievement(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

He went on: “MASSIVE CONGRATS to the Little/Big brother for his WIMBLEDON DOUBLES WIN!! Crazy scenes.” It’s the first time a homegrown duo have won the accoladed in almost 90 years. The last pair to do so was Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey in 1936. The win stretches the pair’s winning streak together to 14 games.

Speaking of the win – which sees the pair bag £680,000 – Lloyd said: “It’s incredible. We’ve had a Brit win last year (Henry Patten) and the year before (Neal Skupski). Now we have given you two Brits. We did our best.”

He added: “I want to thank all of my team. I’ve had people fly in from America, Italy, though coming from Birmingham is not as impressive. My fiancé Sophia has put up with me for the last two weeks, making her stay in bed until I wake up.

“All the LTA staff, who have given us massive support through my whole career, the coaches, the physios. They help us all through the year. We are incredibly grateful.”

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool won the Gentlemen's Doubles at Wimbledon
Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool won the Gentlemen’s Doubles at Wimbledon(Image: ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Julian echoed his partner’s sentiments before admitting there was a lot of pressure on their shoulders. “The fact we were able to do what everyone was talking about is surreal. This means the world,” he said.

After stepping away from his role on Hollyoaks, which he held for four years before his character was killed off in 2019, Parry has since become a dad and took a step back from his on-screen life.

In 2023, he admitted he held a much different role to his soap days. As well as appearances in Emmerdale, where he starred as Jason Denshaw, Parry also became a fitness instructor. He held his own business, PG Fitness.

According to his business page on Instagram, Parry is a PT and online coach. In his latest video he has offered fans a look at “toning made easy”.

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Absorbing Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry set for next chapter

By in News, Sports News
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Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter at Wimbledon

There are a number of factors which turn an exciting rivalry into an epic, enduring duel that transcends the sport.

The core talent. The blend of personalities. The gripping encounters on the biggest stages.

The tussle between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz – ranked one and two in the men’s game – has all those components.

It also has arguably the most important ingredient: each player being pushed to a greater height by the other.

On Sunday, the pair will meet again in the Wimbledon final – where Sinner aims to win his first title and Alcaraz bids for a rare third in a row.

A renewal of their acquaintance at the All England Club comes just 35 days after Alcaraz beat Sinner in an all-time classic French Open final.

Asked about their rivalry, Alcaraz said: “I’m not going to say I’m feeling like when Rafa [Nadal] and Roger [Federer] are playing.

Sinner, 23, and 22-year-old Alcaraz have created a duopoly in the men’s game over the past two seasons.

Because of his brilliance, Sinner has remained the world number one – despite serving a three-month doping ban this year in a case which rocked the sport.

The pair have gained a grip on the Grand Slam tournaments, winning the past six majors between them.

Their epic French Open battle was another demonstration of how the absorbing rivalry – which the ATP Tour has long pinned its hopes on filling the Federer-Nadal-Novak Djokovic void – could be a blockbuster for years to come.

“You cannot compare what the ‘Big Three’ did for 15-plus years. [Our rivalry] is not that big yet,” said three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner, who is aiming for his first non-hard court major.

“This is the second consecutive Grand Slam that we are in the final and playing each other – I believe it’s good for the sport.

“The more rivalries we have from now on, the better it is, because people want to see young player going against each other.”

The quality, excitement and tension of the recent Roland Garros final accelerated interest in the pair.

Alcaraz fighting back from two sets down – and having saved three championship points – to win a five-setter in over five hours has whetted the appetite for Wimbledon.

The five-time major champion expects to be pushed “to the limit” again at the All England Club.

“It’s going to be a great day, a great final. I’m just excited about it,” he said.

Ice versus fire – the 21st century version

The contrasting personalities are reminiscent of another pair who created a rivalry which continues to endure almost 50 years later.

Bjorn Borg was the ‘ice’ compared to John McEnroe’s ‘fire’ and there are similar characteristics in Sinner and Alcaraz.

Sinner is ice-cold during matches and little appears to faze the mild-mannered Italian – on or off court.

He was able to stay sanguine during the doping controversy and has also moved on quickly from the brutal nature of his French Open defeat.

“We keep talking about the fact that he’s got really good self-awareness and puts everything into perspective,” Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill told BBC Sport.

“I think that’s part of the reason why he’s been able to do what he’s been able to do here.

“I would have been heartbroken after losing a final where I had match points, but he sees the big picture really well and is why he’s able to bounce back so quickly.”

Alcaraz is not as combustible as the famously volatile McEnroe. But he does possess a more colourful side than Sinner.

He bellows ‘Vamos’ when big moments go his way in matches and also regularly shows his emotion by breaking out into beaming smiles.

The natural warmth and authenticity of the Spaniard, plus his array of stunning shot-making, makes him relatable to fans.

Who’s got the advantage?

Sinner has been the dominant player on the ATP Tour for the past two seasons, winning 98 of his 109 matches (90%) and lifting nine titles.

In the same timeframe, Alcaraz has won 102 of his 120 matches (85%) and claimed nine titles.

But it is the Spaniard who is dominating their head-to-head record.

The triumph on the Paris clay was his fifth straight victory over Sinner, extending his dominance to eight wins from their 12 career meetings.

Jannik Sinner shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz after their 2022 match at WimbledonGetty Images

“On the other hand if Alcaraz doesn’t bring his A game then Sinner will win every time. So it’s going to be extremely interesting.”

Alcaraz has moved through the gears nicely at the All England Club and goes into the final – unlike Sinner – having suffered no injury problems over the past fortnight.

After beating Djokovic in the semi-finals, Sinner said the elbow injury he suffered in the fourth round against Grigor Dimitrov would provide “no issues” on Sunday.

“I will give a slight edge to Carlos as a favourite because of the two titles he’s won here and the way he’s playing and the confidence he has right now,” seven-time champion Djokovic said.

“But it’s just a slight advantage because Jannik is hitting the ball extremely well.

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  • Tennis

India level up with England as tempers nearly boil over at Lord’s

By in News, World News

KL Rahul scored a century while Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant pitched in with crucial fifties as India posted 387, equalling England’s first innings, on a heated third day on and off the field at Lord’s

An injury to Shoaib Bashir blunted England’s pace-spin attack strategy when India looked vulnerable with five wickets down after losing Pant and Rahul in quick succession, before Jadeja steadied their innings with his third fifty-plus knock in a row.

England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who played a single over from Jasprit Bumrah before stumps, remained unbeaten at 2-0 as the five-match series remains tied as both sides look to go 2-1 up with a win in the third Test.

With two overs scheduled to be bowled before stumps, tempers started to flare when Crawley pulled out of his stance four times – and later in the over called for the physio in what would be the only over of England’s second innings.

The tourists were irate with Mohammed Siraj displaying a thunderous look, before Bumrah slow handclapped and India skipper Shubman Gill confronted Crawley, pointing a finger in the opener’s face.

England opener Zak Crawley makes his own point back to India captain Shubman Gill after the hosts’ batter called for the doctor after being hit on the finger during day three [Stu Forster/Getty Images]

India started well from an overnight score of 145-3 as left-handed batter Pant, who scored twin centuries in the first test, battled through an injured finger on his left hand as he hooked England captain Stokes for six to bring up his fifty.

The 27-year-old survived when an awkward hook on a short ball from Stokes almost got him caught near the fine leg boundary, but a diving Crawley could only lob the ball back inside to prevent a six.

But Pant was run out for 74 on the last ball before lunch as he tried to take a quick single after playing Bashir towards cover point, where Stokes made a quick turn to hit the stumps on the non-striker’s end with a swift, direct throw.

Opener Rahul was the next to fall, edging Bashir’s flighted ball to Harry Brook in the slip on his very next ball after reaching 100, leaving India on shaky ground at 254-5 under a warm London sun.

But Bashir had to leave the ground when he injured a finger on his non-bowling left hand while attempting a low catch from his own delivery as Jadeja shot down the wicket, with commentators saying the 21-year-old might need extra treatment in the evening.

Jofra Archer of England bowls to Jasprit Bumrah of India during day three of the third Test
Jofra Archer of England bowls to Jasprit Bumrah of India during day three of the third Test [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]

Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, new to the crease, looked unsteady as England’s bowlers piled on the pressure. Mix-ups between the batters put Reddy at risk of getting run out on two occasions, but Ollie Pope’s direct throws missed the target both times.

However, as England returned to using two pacers soon after Bashir’s injury, the pair put together a 72-run partnership before Stokes claimed his second wicket of the match, getting Reddy to nick it to keeper Jamie Smith for 30.

Jadeja drove Joe Root down long off for four to complete his half-century, while Washington Sundar took a slow, cautious approach on the other end.

Their 50-run partnership for the eighth wicket got India within 11 runs of England’s total, before Chris Woakes dismissed Jadeja for 72 as the batter’s attempt to send the ball down fine leg only took a thin edge and landed in Smith’s gloves.

Akash Deep, in at number nine, was given out leg before wicket twice by umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat during the same over, but Hawk-Eye showed the ball was missing the stumps when the batter reviewed them, overturning both decisions.

But Deep fell soon after to Brydon Carse for seven, with Brook trapping him at third slip with a low dive.

Sundar brought the scores level with a flick to the mid-wicket, before Woakes dismissed Jaspreet Bumrah for a duck in the very next ball to bag his third wicket.

Jofra Archer got Sundar out for 23 to bring an end to India’s innings, leaving the match finely poised going into the final two days.

Chris Hughes furiously hits back at ‘gay’ claims as he opens up on JoJo Siwa romance

By in Entertainment News, News

Love Island star Chris Hughes has dished out details on his relationship with singer JoJo Siwa, addressed their age gap and hit out at rumours that their romance is fake

Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa on This Morning(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Chris Hughes has opened up on his relationship with JoJo Siwa, revealing that the American singer gave him a “magical feeling” he hadn’t experienced before.

The Love Island star, 32, met JoJo, 22, on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year. At the time, JoJo was in a relationship with 27-year-old Australian actor Kath Ebbs, who identifies as non-binary. But speculation quickly arose about Chris and JoJo, who broke up with Kath at the CBB finale party.

Initially, JoJo and Chris didn’t confirm their relationship but after making a number of transatlantic trips to see each other, it became obvious that they were more than friends. Chris has now spoken for the first time about their relationship, which came after he dated The Only Way Is Essex star Olivia Attwood and singer Jesy Nelson.

READ MORE: JoJo Siwa on ‘pregnancy’ after TikTok trend heats up over Chris Hughes romance

Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa
The pair’s relationship started off as a friendship(Image: Instagram)

He also had a relationship with professional golfer Annabel Dimmock but had been single since they split up in 2022. “I started to think there was no one out there for me,” Chris said. He went on to explain that over the years, he had been on dates but didn’t feel a spark, leading him to question himself and wonder if he had commitment issues.

“Then meeting Joelle gave me this magical feeling. She is the most precious person. Life has an unexpected way of bringing two people together, and this feels like that. We were meant to cross paths. We keep saying to each other it was serendipity. Life handed me a blessing in my lap.”

Speaking to The Sun, Chris said he and JoJo “gravitated towards each other” while on Celeb Big Brother – but he insisted they were only friends at the beginning. However, he admitted that he began feeling “confused” about his feelings towards the end of the show and said that when JoJo flew back home to the US, she felt “upset” and he was “sad” to see her go.

Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa
Since leaving CBB, they have often travelled to see each other(Image: Instagram/itsjojosiwa)

Chris later went to see JoJo and her family in Orlando, Florida, which he described as “the best three days of my life” – and also the time when “something fully ignited” inside of him. Chris said that was the moment he and JoJo opened up about their feelings and kissed for the first time.

Gushing on JoJo, who identifies as queer, he said: “It was really special and just happened without any effort or planning. Our first kiss was genuinely special – it felt like I was in a movie. I can’t keep my hands off her now! I love her skin, her eyes and her smile.”

He added that their age gap isn’t an issue, as he confessed that although their relationship is in the early stages, he sees himself marrying the American star. The admission comes after JoJo admitted they had already discussed marriage, saying about Chris: “He is my favourite person in the world … It’s beautiful, it kind of radiates. He’s my favourite person and I am very grateful and very happy.”

Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa
The couple have already discussed marriage(Image: Instagram/itsjojosiwa)

Chris also addressed rumours that their relationship is fake, and said criticism doesn’t bother him as long as people aren’t nasty. He said: “I wouldn’t go to the effort of loving someone for any other reason than it being real.” He added: “I’ve had more people call me ‘gay’ in the last two months of my life than ever before. But it doesn’t bother me, as long as people aren’t nasty, opinions are fine.”

He added that while he understands he may be feminine in how he does certain things, he will not change for anybody. He cries a lot and says there’s not one part of him filled with toxic masculinity, and while he says some believe crying makes you ‘less of a man’, he won’t let himself think that and says crying is his release.

Earlier this month, a source said Chris is ready to “pop the question” to JoJo. “Chris is smitten. He can’t believe his luck. He and JoJo have got the most lovely thing going on here. It came from nowhere but they are so in love already – it has happened so quickly,” the source claimed.

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“Anyone who knows Chris says that they can see him popping the question at any moment – it has been a whirlwind, a fairytale. The love is real and it is wonderful for anyone who knows Chris to see. She is besotted, too, things are moving very fast.”