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British Basketball Federation to enter liquidation
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The British Basketball Federation says it will enter liquidation as the crisis engulfing the sport in the UK continues.
A statement from the BBF said it had ceased to trade “due to a significant and unanticipated reduction in income” and “unforeseen expenditure resulting in the company’s inability to meet its liabilities”.
It has been reported the BBF’s financial position had been affected by legal costs incurred during its battle with Super League Basketball (SLB).
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 American businessman Marshall Glickman, would provide £15m funding in the first two years.
However, the existing nine SLB clubs claimed the tender process run by the governing body was “illegal and unjust” and refused to join the new league.
A week ago SLB reached an agreement with basketball’s world governing body Fiba to oversee the top-tier men’s competition in Great Britain.
Last month basketball’s world governing body Fiba suspended the BBF over governance issues.
The BBF statement added that the immediate priority was for domestic basketball stakeholders to work with Fiba “to ensure the ongoing stability and security of the Great Britain national teams”, including forthcoming Fiba competitions.
Fiba, which set up a taskforce in August to investigate regulatory non-compliance within British basketball, said it will continue to support the BBF to “restore its operations and secure its position as the basketball governing body in Great Britain”.
UK Sport said: “We have taken robust steps throughout this period of uncertainty to safeguard public funds and to help enable GB teams to continue to compete.
“We will now work closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the basketball community to establish a way forward for the sport.”
A spokesperson for GBBL told BBC Sport it was “working with its legal counsel to evaluate its options” relating to the status of the licence it was awarded by the BBF.
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Hearn spies Eubank’s weight as Benn wants redemption
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Chris Eubank Jr vowed to put on a “fight of the decade contender” in his rematch with Conor Benn on Saturday.
The bitter rivals engaged in a final tense face-off at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in at the iconic York Hall in Bethnal Green.
Eubank looked emotionless but Benn, who said he was too fiery when he lost their first fight in April, appeared the more charged of the two.
“Everything is on track for a Chris Eubank Jr knockout win,” Eubank said.
“This is what I love to do, this is my life. I’m not excited, this is what I was bred to do. I can’t wait to go out there and show the world yet again.
“The first fight was a fight of the year contender. This fight will be a fight of the decade contender.”
After being the stars of the news conference on Thursday, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn were not on stage for the weigh-in.
The boxers weighed in officially on Friday morning behind closed doors and both tipped the scales at 11st 5lb (72kg).
Despite it only being a ceremonial weigh-in, the scales were turned on and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said Benn weighed 11st 13lb (76kg) with Eubank two pounds lighter.
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‘Redemption is all that matters’
There has been talk of slower ticket sales for the rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with some suggestions that the appetite to see Eubank and Benn meet again is not quite there.
But this was the first event of fight week when the public were allowed to attend and there was standing room only with the queues around the corner to gain entry.
Eubank made one final attempt to wrest control of proceedings before fight night by making Benn wait an extra few minutes before they were announced on to the stage.
Both men received a warm welcome and plenty of cheers when they eventually emerged.
The build-up to this bout has been less dramatic than earlier in the year when Eubank slapped Benn with an egg at a news conference, and coming in overweight by 0.05lb the day before the fight.
Although the hostility remains, it appears the respect they gained for each other after a bruising contest has ensured no-one oversteps the line.
“I’m excited to get in there and do the business,” Benn said.
“It’s a blessing. I’m a welterweight but I want to come in heavy. I’m not concerned about what Chris does.
What is the rehydration clause?
Just as when Eubank and Benn fought in April, there is a rehydration clause that both must adhere to – meaning neither man can put on more than 10lb between Friday’s weigh-in and Saturday morning.
Benn’s team feel the rehydration clause allows for a more level playing field.
The weight disparity, with Benn jumping up two divisions for this contest, has been a hot topic in the build-up to both fights.
In April, Eubank missed the middleweight limit of 11st 6lb by 0.05lb at the weigh-in – but came in comfortably below the rehydration limit the next day.
Fighters usually shed fat over the course of their training camp to get close to the agreed or stipulated weight limit.
Prior to the weigh-in, which takes place a day before fight night, they may dehydrate to lose the final bit of weight.
Losing water weight close to the fight allows them to refuel with food and water much more easily.
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Strictly’s George Clarke confirms relationship with lingerie model
George Clarke, 25, has gone Instagram official with his lingerie model girlfriend, Yasmin Amelia, as the couple made their red carpet debut at the TikTok awards
George Clarke, 25, who has already won the nation’s hearts with his cha cha cha, made his relationship official with his lingerie model girlfriend at the TikTok awards on Thursday night. The pair, looking loved-up, walked the red carpet together at Magazine London in North Greenwich.
George, nominated for Creator of the Year and highly commended for it, didn’t hesitate to introduce his girlfriend Yasmin Amelia to his friends. Yasmin, signed to J’adore Models agency, also boasts nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram.
The couple shared a kiss as they posed for photos with fellow creator Max Balegde, 26, and his boyfriend and influencer, Andrew Spanndy. When asked about his celebration plans, George said: “I’ve got to get up at 7am tomorrow, I ‘ve got to get home to bed.”
“It’s getting a lot tougher but I feel like I know what I am doing a lot more now.”
Dressed in a navy pinstripe suit and white shirt, Yasmin chose a white lace off-the-shoulder gown. George was announced as the sixth celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
Yasmin, speaking about the event, told the Mail: “This is a whole new world to me.”
George’s showbiz roots run deeper than his online personality, as his father is the studio boss at an iconic British production company. George’s dad is Sean Clarke, the managing director of Aardman Animations – the studio behind the British institution Walla.
His dad, Sean, who started his career at the company in 1998, has climbed the ranks to co-produce Early Man and the two Shaun The Sheep films. In 2019, he was announced as the new boss of the entire operation.
While children often look to their parents for inspiration, Sean has previously confessed that his son’s YouTube success inspired him to make changes at Aardman.
Born and bred in the UK, George began dabbling with video content as a teenager, quickly realising the power of humour and honesty to connect with people globally.
Since then, he has built a successful digital career with millions of followers on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, attracted by his authenticity and sharp comedic voice. He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast, which has become so popular it has led to a series of live shows across the UK.
Before joining the dancing show, fans speculated that he was dating model Yasmin during a live stream on social media. However, last night, the pair made their relationship red carpet official.
This comes after George admitted earlier this week that his upcoming routine on Strictly Come Dancing means “so much more” than just the routine. The YouTube star is gearing up to perform a Rumba on Saturday’s edition of the BBC competition alongside professional partner Alexis Warr.
They will perform to Lily Allen’s cover of Keane classic Somewhere Only We Know, which his sister performed at his grandfather’s funeral, but as George appeared on Wednesday’s edition of the spin-off series It Takes Two, he emotionally explained that he has been struggling to ‘not put pressure’ on himself because he knows how much it will all mean to his family.
He said: “It definitely will be. Especially considering the past few weeks have been much much more ‘ok I can do the steps but can I perform?’ I feel like the steps are very important but the performance is everything to me because it’s a song that means a lot to me and my family. And yeah it is hard this week to not put the pressure on myself because it is a dance that I want to get right even more so.”
George has consistently been at the higher end of the leader board throughout his time in the competition so far, but admitted ahead of his next challenge that it can all feel ‘really strange’ to him because performing isn’t something he’s necessarily used to.
He said: “It’s really strange, the whole sort of performing side of it because that’s not something I do.”
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[FULL LIST] Bago Submits 30 Commissioner-Nominees For Screening
Two months after dissolving his cabinet, Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has submitted a fresh list of 30 commissioner-nominees to the Niger State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Bago had earlier dissolved the State Executive Council during a meeting at the Council Chamber in Minna.
He appreciated former commissioners for their service and contributions to the development of the state.
At the time, he retained only key officials, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, and other principal officers in his office.
In a letter dated November 12, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, the governor forwarded the names of new nominees for confirmation in line with Section 192(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
READ ALSO: Senate Panel Clears Executive Chairman, Commissioners For FCC
He noted that the selections were made after extensive consultations and described the nominees as individuals of integrity, proven competence, and commitment to the state’s progress.
Bago appealed to the House to give the nominees prompt consideration to allow for the reconstitution of the State Executive Council.
He expressed confidence that the new commissioners, once confirmed, would play key roles in advancing his administration’s ongoing reforms and development initiatives.
According to a statement from the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, the nominees have also undergone necessary security clearance processes.
Full List of Commissioner Nominees and zones:
The Traitors star drops Charlotte Chilton baby bombshell as he vows to tell ‘truth’
The Traitors star Jonny Holloway has spoken in length on the Charlotte Chilton paternity twist and has revealed that he has asked for a DNA test to establish whether he is the father of her daughter
Charlotte Chilton’s Traitors co-star Jonny Holloway has spoken in length about claims he is the father of her daughter Penelope. Charlotte has spoken out multiple times about Conor Maynard being the dad, which he has denied.
A second name was then thrown into the mix following Conor’s constant denials and two paternity tests confirming he isn’t the father. It has now been revealed that her co-star Jonny Holloway also claimed he slept with her around a similar time.
However, Charlotte has denied sleeping with Jonny. He claimed that he has asked for a DNA test – but she has since changed her mind, according to Jonny, and won’t discuss the paternity with him.
“If I was the father I would step up and take that child as my own. Relations took place on a drunken night out. I was heavily intoxicated at the time. I’ve asked for a DNA test several times but have been ignored,” he told the Daily Mail.
“I’m a man of values and standards, I come from a military background. I pride myself on having respect and being a good dad to my children.” Jonny also said he contacted Charlotte and asked for a DNA test.
He added: “I said to Charlotte, ‘Look we both know what happened here. Should we do a DNA test because of what has happened?’ Originally she said yes. When it came to me setting it up, I haven’t heard back from her since. I don’t know what is going on.
The Mirror have contacted Charlotte’s representatives for comment.
Almost two years ago, Charlotte gave birth to her daughter Penelope. She claimed Conor was the father, while he insisted he wasn’t. This led to a lengthy battle in which Conor took a DNA test that said he was not the father, and then, at Charlotte’s insistence, took another with the same result.
In a recent interview when she broke down in tears, Charlotte said: “I know for a fact that the only person who can be my daughter’s father is Conor Maynard.”
Conor then appeared to mock Charlotte’s interview, by posting a video in which he said: “Here’s an invisible tissue for your invisible tears.” He captioned the video with: “My response to the most recent news…” He then played a new song, in which he tells the subject of the song to “please shut up”.
Later, he took to social media again to claim that another Traitors star was a possible father of Penelope, which she has said is impossible as they didn’t sleep together.
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Charlotte has said that she “categorically knows” that Conor is the “only person” her daughter could have come from.