4+ min ago (1661+ words) New Zealand's Will Jordan, England's Ben Earl and South Africa's Damian de Allende were all star performers for their nations across November The autumn internationals always have great drama and storylines but, with the Rugby World Cup draw following hot on the heels of this year's fixtures, there was an added layer of intrigue in 2025 as the best of the northern and southern hemispheres collided. Reigning world champions South Africa solidified their number one status with a 100% record so far, albeit with a trip to Cardiff still to come, although few would bet against them rounding out their year with another victory. Meanwhile, England enjoyed the most profitable autumn of the Six Nations sides, winning all four of their matches to extend their winning run to 11 and rise to third in the world rankings. They were almost pipped to the…...

5+ min ago (347+ words) Two 19th Century chairs that belonged to the last Sikh ruler of India are to be auctioned. Duleep Singh (1838-1893) inherited the title of Sikh Maharaja at five years old, but after the annexation of the Sikh Empire by the British in 1849 he was exiled to Elveden Hall, on the Suffolk-Norfolk border. The chairs from the estate are expected to fetch between "8,000 and "12,000 for the pair. Nicholas Shaw, a specialist at Olympia Auctions, said it anticipated "wide interest" in them when they go under the hammer on Wednesday. Duleep Singh was the youngest son of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, who founded the Sikh Empire in the Punjab in 1799. After being exiled, Duleep Singh came to England at the age of 15 and over the years developed a warm friendship with Britain's reigning monarch, Queen Victoria. He purchased the Elveden Estate in 1863, and after his…...

7+ min ago (34+ words) If you are affected by Roxy's story, find support at BBC Bitesize Action Line. 'I was blackmailed after sending nudes' If you are affected by Roxy's story, find support at BBC Bitesize Action Line....

11+ min ago (422+ words) Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has insisted he has never engaged "in direct, unpleasant personal abuse", following complaints from 20 people he went to school with. A Guardian investigation spoke to contemporaries at Dulwich College who alleged Farage made racist and antisemitic remarks to them, which a spokesperson denied. Speaking directly to a BBC journalist about the allegations for the first time, Farage, 61, was pressed on the claims. He replied: "Have I ever tried to take it out on any individual on the basis of where they are from? No." He also ruled out holding an investigation into his own party, following the jailing of former Welsh Reform UK leader Nathan Gill for taking pro-Russian bribes. Lizzie Day says having Botox was as much a part of her routine as getting her morning coffee. Mariusz Korkosz was driving incorrectly for almost…...

14+ min ago (244+ words) On the Monday Night Club, Mark Chapman and Chris Sutton discuss criticism directed at Thomas Frank following Tottenham's 4-1 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday. Listen to the best bits of the Monday Night Club in the Football Daily podcast. Spurs fans should not write Frank off - Sutton. Video, 00:02:09Spurs fans should not write Frank off - Sutton Up Next. Liverpool are a 'work in progress' - Sutton. Video, 00:01:41Liverpool are a 'work in progress' - Sutton Grealish transfer to Everton 'amazing for everybody' Video, 00:03:04Grealish transfer to Everton 'amazing for everybody' Are Man City title contenders? Video, 00:01:29Are Man City title contenders? 'You don't want anyone fighting' - Hart on Gueye red card. Video, 00:02:23'You don't want anyone fighting' - Hart on Gueye red card 'It's changed my outlook on things' - Hoy on cancer diagnosis. Video, 00:00:45'It's changed my outlook on things' - Hoy on cancer diagnosis Liverpool need to 'go…...

15+ min ago (256+ words) More than "1m has been spent on a new bridge before construction has got under way. The Cygnet Bridge project aims to link Fletton Quays to the Embankment in Peterborough, creating a "walkable, liveable city" and reducing pressure on city centre traffic. The project was forecast to cost "6.3m, but in January Peterborough City Council asked for "2m of additional funding for complex design modifications and sewer diversions. A Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service has revealed the council has already spent "1.2m on a detailed design, structural checks and professional fees. Funding has come from the council, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and the government's Towns Fund. Originally, the project was estimated to be completed by November last year before it was later said that the bridge would be completed by summer 2026. Sewer diversion works began in September but, in…...

17+ min ago (264+ words) A man from Somerset has paid for a defibrillator for his neighbourhood after discovering a lack of them in the area. Dennis Wood, 80, from Burnham-on-Sea, had a heart attack in 2016 and wanted to see where his nearest machine was just in case. He said: "I just thought why not get ahead and purchase a defibrillator? Everyone was so thankful in our street. "I have a weaker heart than most so I thought, the more defibs in the area, the merrier I suppose - they save lives." Mr Wood bought the defibrillator through the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's Life Support initiative. Rosie Cornelilus-Light, who coordinates the Life Support project, said: "Our crew can be anywhere within Dorset and Somerset in approximately 20 minutes. "But the care a patient receives before we arrive can play a vital role in saving their life. "By…...

17+ min ago (441+ words) A pottery firm boss has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to give the ceramic industry a "level playing field" on energy costs. Portmeirion chief executive Mike Raybould said the government needs to be doing more to support UK ceramic manufacturers in the face of rocketing gas prices and increased foreign competition. Mr Raybould is hoping the government will respond to his plea in the Budget on Wednesday. While other energy-intensive industries such as steel will receive further support with their electricity costs from next year, the scheme will not help ceramic manufacturers with their gas bills. Royal Stafford and Moorcroft both collapsed earlier this year due to energy costs and cheap foreign imports, with the latter later rescued. Mr Raybould believes that Stoke-based Portmeirion and other local manufacturers could be a part of the "great success story" for the UK…...

17+ min ago (283+ words) Plans to extend a house in multiple occupation (HMO) have been approved on appeal. The proposal concerned 4 Ivy Road in Abington, Northampton, where the owner wanted to increase the number of occupants from six to seven. Planning officers at West Northamptonshire Council had recommended the scheme for approval. But after an August committee meeting raised concerns over noise, parking and litter, members voted to refuse it. However, the applicant, Mr V Kryshinets, appealed to the government's Planning Inspectorate, which has now overturned the council's decision. At the August meeting, a local authority officer told councillors it would be difficult to argue that adding one bedroom would significantly affect parking or local amenities, saying he was "not convinced we can make a case for it" if the decision went to appeal. Reform UK councillor David Gaskell warned the committee was being…...

18+ min ago (323+ words) A celebration of life service is being held for a woman who blogged about her life with breast cancer. Felicity Rackstraw ran the My Traitorous Tit blog, talking of her epxeriences since being diagnosed in 2022. In a post published following her death in October she called for people to mark her passing by wearing their fanciest outfit and having a party. A service to celebrate the 48-year-old's life is being held in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, later on Tuesday. "We are not calling it a funeral because that wouldn't be right for Flick, it's definitely a celebration of life," said her friend Janet Stanway, adding it would be "packed out" as she made an impression on so many people. Ms Rackstraw, known as Flick, was helped by Stoke-on-Trent cancer support group, Pink Sisters and Misters. In 2023 she told BBC Radio Stoke screenings…...