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News from October 31, 2025

449 articles found

GM Chris Grier, Miami Dolphins Part Ways; HC Mike McDaniel Reportedly Safe
Technology

GM Chris Grier, Miami Dolphins Part Ways; HC Mike McDaniel Reportedly Safe

The Grim Reaper has come for a long-term member of the Miami Dolphins' front office. General manager Chris Grier and the Dolphins have agreed to part ways, the team announced on Friday morning. Following Thursday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Dolphins are now 2-7 this season. "This morning, I made the decision along with general manager Chris Grier to mutually part ways," team owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. "I have incredible respect for Chris and his family, and I want to thank him for his many contributions to the Miami Dolphins over the past 26 years." "As I assessed the state of the team and in my discussions with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change could not wait. We must improve – in 2025, 2026 and beyond – and it needs to start right now. Champ Kelly will serve as interim general manager effective immediately, and we will begin our search process for a new general manager. I want to thank Champ for stepping up and his commitment to the Dolphins success this season. There is a lot of football left to play and we all need to fight even harder." Ross also said that he remains "committed to building a winning team that consistently competes for championships." The 55-year-old Grier had been in Miami's front office since 2000. He started as a scout with the franchise from 2000-02 and would later serve as assistant director of college scouting (2003-07) and director of college scouting (2007-15) before becoming Miami's general manager in 2016. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who's in his fourth season on the job, will keep his position through the regular season, per ESPN. Following back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, the Dolphins went 8-9 and missed the playoffs last season. As for Miami's interim general manager, Kelly is in his first season with the franchise, having previously served as senior personnel executive. He previously held front-office roles with the Las Vegas Raiders (2022-24), Chicago Bears (2015-21) and Denver Broncos (2007-14). Miami has made the playoffs just four times since 2001 and hasn't won a playoff game since 2000, which is the longest drought in the NFL. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

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2025 College Football Week 10 Odds: Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Expert Picks, Best Bets
Technology

2025 College Football Week 10 Odds: Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Expert Picks, Best Bets

And the beat rolls on. We were up again last week, and we're up on the season. Oh, and some very important official College Football Playoff rankings are going to drop in a few days. Here's what I'm on for college football Week 10. Last Week: 3–2Season: 28-18-2 This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. West Virginia @ No. 22 Houston Houston is now ranked and has gone Over its season win total (thanks, guys), but this is a spot to fade the Cougars. Houston’s offense has been hit-or-miss much of the season, but winning out is certainly on the table. I just think there’s a natural letdown here against a WVU team that played its best game of the year on defense last week in a 6-point loss to TCU. PICK: West Virginia (+13.5) to lose by fewer than 13.5 points or win outright New Mexico @ UNLV UNLV had been begging for a loss most of the season and Boise State finally obliged two weeks ago. The Rebels defense should have a lot of problems keeping the Lobos under 30. PICK: New Mexico (+4) to lose by fewer than 4 points or win outright South Carolina @ No. 7 Ole Miss The Gamecocks deserved a better fate last week against Alabama, and there is concern that the blown opportunity could represent South Carolina’s last stand. However, with all the talk about Ole Miss getting its biggest win of the year last week, and how the Rebels are now playoff bound, maybe Ole Miss has a little bit of a letdown here. Keep in mind, too, Ole Miss’ wins over SEC teams have come by seven, six, five and eight points. There was also a 3-point win over Washington State. Asking Ole Miss to win by two touchdowns might be a lot. PICK: South Carolina (+12.5) to lose by fewer than 12.5 points or win outright Memphis @ Rice Simply playing the spot here. Memphis is off a fourth-quarter comeback upset win over South Florida, and with Tulane next week on a short week, this feels like an absolute spot that you must play against. Heck, Memphis has proven it can lose to anyone, as it did at UAB. But the Tigers have also proven they can beat anyone, like they did against USF. Rice has been wildly inconsistent, but the Owls hung in there with Navy and bounced back from a bad loss against UTSA with a win over UConn. PICK: Rice (+14) to lose by fewer than 14 points or win outright UNDERDOGS TO PLAY ON THE MONEYLINE Last Week: 1-3, -1.6Season: 15-27, +3.1 New Mexico +150 BEAR BYTES North Carolina @ Syracuse Syracuse is 0-4 and has averaged 12.5 points since QB Steve Angeli was lost for the season. The Orange have lost all four games by at least 13 points. North Carolina has committed five red-zone turnovers this season, tied for the FBS lead with two other ACC teams — Boston College and Pitt. Virginia @ Cal Virginia is the only team with three overtime wins this season (3-0). The only other Power 4 team with two OT wins is Texas. Wake Forest @ Florida State Florida State has lost nine straight ACC games and is 1-11 in ACC play dating back to last year. Vanderbilt @ No. 20 Texas Vanderbilt has not been an underdog of less than a field goal on the road against a P4 team since 2018, when the Commodores were a 4-point favorite at Baylor. Penn State @ No. 1 Ohio State This is the first time Penn State enters the Ohio State game unranked since 2016, when the Nittany Lions upset No. 2 Ohio State 24-21 as 19-point underdogs. The last time Penn State played Ohio State unranked in Columbus was 2015 and No. 1 Ohio State won that game 38-10 as an 18.5-point favorite. Army @ Air Force In the last 21 games between service academies, underdogs are 21-6 against the spread (ATS) with 13 outright wins. Navy @ North Texas This is the first regular-season meeting of two AAC teams 7-1 or better since 2019, when Memphis beat Cincinnati 34-24. No. 10 Miami @ SMU Since 2019, Miami has lost nine games as a double-digit favorite. That's tied with Toledo for the most in the FBS in that span. No. 23 USC @ Nebraska Under Lincoln Riley, USC has been favored away from home 16 times. The Trojans have covered just three and two came in the Rose Bowl vs. UCLA. The other came at Stanford. That's 0-12 ATS with seven outright losses as a favorite outside the state of California under Riley, including at Illinois earlier this year. Nebraska has lost 27 straight games vs. AP ranked opponents dating back to a 2016 win over Oregon. Matt Rhule is 0-17 against ranked opponents as a Power 4 head coach. His two wins over ranked opponents came when Rhule was at Temple. Duke @ Clemson A loss against Duke will give Clemson its first five-loss season since 2010. Chris "The Bear" Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an "occasional" wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He's a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, "The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!" Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

Chris Fallica
Double murderer who stabbed pregnant girlfriend 23 times is jailed for life
Technology

Double murderer who stabbed pregnant girlfriend 23 times is jailed for life

An “evil” double murderer who stabbed and slashed his pregnant girlfriend 23 times after being released from prison on licence has been jailed for at least 42 years. Alana Odysseos, 32, was in the early stages of pregnancy with her third child when she was murdered by “lifer” Shaine March at her home in Walthamstow, east London, early on July 22 2024. March, 47, of Surrey Quays, south-east London, had admitted her murder on the seventh day of his trial after an expert no longer supported his claim of diminished responsibility. Jurors in his trial were not told that March had been convicted of murder before. March was aged 21 when he fatally stabbed 17-year-old Andre Drummond in the neck at a McDonald’s restaurant in Denmark Hill, south London, in January 2000. Following his release on a life licence in early 2013, he was recalled to jail later that year after he stamped on the stomach of another pregnant girlfriend in July and was released again in February 2018. March also had convictions for assault and criminal damage in 1995. The court was told Ms Odysseos knew about March’s murder conviction and safeguarding checks had been made by probation services. But when the defendant said their relationship had ended amicably, no further checks were made. Hours before killing Ms Odysseos, March had argued with about whether to abort their unborn child, with the victim heard to say: “I don’t want to kill my baby.” On Friday, Mr Justice Murray jailed March for life with a minimum term of 42 years. The senior judge rejected calls from Ms Odysseos’s family and the prosecution for a whole life order but noted that, given his age, March may never be released. March had appeared in court by videolink from Belmarsh prison, having initially refused to come to the Old Bailey. He made no reaction as members of Ms Odysseos’s family told of the devastating impact of her murder. Mother Karen Cronin said: “Alana, my beautiful kind and loving daughter, left this earth in the most callous and brutal way imaginable. “The person who has done this to my daughter – who I don’t think deserves the respect of using his name – is evil and a coward. Why did he have to resort to the level of violence he used? “The anger I feel towards him doesn’t feel Christian so I can no longer go to Church. I will never have forgiveness in my heart.” “I want him to die in prison. He should never be let out.” Father Alan Yates said his daughter was a “happy-go-lucky” much loved mother who was “kind and considerate” and would stick up for what she believed in. He said something changed after she met March and she became a “timid vulnerable person who was not our Alana”. He said: “I hope a sentence is given that means Shaine March will never cause another family the pain and loss we are suffering. It is unimaginable and we will never get over our loss. “Every day I wonder why he didn’t walk away. Alana was pregnant with his child. This meant nothing to him.” The court heard statements from her three sisters, including Lorraine Schofield who said March was a “monster” and “evil, disgusting coward”. She told the court: “All Alana wanted was to be loved. The baby she so desperately wanted to protect that night was taken away.” Sister Jasmine Yates told March: “You took more than one life that night. You took Alana, you took the baby she was carrying, the child she was excited about. “I fear if you are ever released you will kill again.” Prosecutor Louise Oakley argued for a whole life order – meaning Marsh would never be released – given the “exceptionally high” level of offending. Previously the court had heard how police were alerted by members of the public in Lynmouth Road who found Ms Odysseos outside her home wearing a nightie and dressing gown and clutching her right side. Bleeding from multiple stab wounds to her body, she pointed at the defendant standing nearby and shouted: “Shaine stabbed me, he stabbed me. Help, help.” March walked away as Ms Odysseos died on the ground outside her address despite the efforts of police and paramedics, jurors heard. She had suffered stab wounds to her chest, stomach, pelvis, shoulders, buttocks, right arm, thighs and lower legs. Before throwing his mobile phone in a drain, March recorded a voice note saying: “Mum, I just killed a woman, and I’m going back to jail.” At 4.41am, staff at Creams Cafe in Walthamstow called 999 to report finding a man covered in blood who told them he had killed his wife and child. Following his arrest, March told police: “I did it. I killed her Alana Odysseos. I killed her hahahaha.” As he was put into a police van, he went on to asked to be put in jail “where I belong”, saying he was “scum” and deserved it. The defendant later told a prison officer that he “saw red” and stabbed his girlfriend with a knife from the kitchen after arguing about a pair of his trainers. While in handcuffs and accompanied by two officers, March kicked the head of a fellow detainee, knocking three of his teeth out, the court had heard.

Emily Pennink
SNP rejects referendum…. but only on the break-up of Highland Council
Technology

SNP rejects referendum…. but only on the break-up of Highland Council

Highland councillors have again rejected an attempt to simply look at the size of the local authority area after a proposal from an opposition councillor to give the public their say. The move may well come back to haunt those councillors who voted it down as they are responsible for removing local voters from having a direct say in how they are governed. It may also be seen as the death blow to the hopes the council can be perceived as a “listening” council. It comes amid questions about “the effectiveness, accountability and local responsiveness of the Highland Council in its current structure” following a series of high-profile failures going back years. The motion tabled by Skye Councillor Ruraidh Stewart asked for the following: • To hold an advisory referendum on the future structure of local government in the Highlands. • That the people of the Highlands be asked: Yes or No – “should the Highland Council be reorganised into smaller local authorities?” • That ballot should take place alongside the next local government elections, to ensure maximum participation and to minimise additional costs. • Results will be published on a ward-by-ward basis as well as for the Highlands as a whole. • That officers be instructed to prepare the necessary arrangements and report back on the practical steps required to give effect to this advisory referendum. He said: “My ask is one simple thing: To give the people of Highland the right to decide if this vast authority from Caithness to Lochaber, from Nairn to Skye should remain as one or whether parishes should return to smaller, more local councils closer to the communities they serve. “This is not the first time such a proposal has been brought to this chamber: in each of the last two council terms similar motions were narrowly defeated. “Each time arguments were strong on both sides, each time the division in this chamber mirrored the division in our communities. “And each time we made the same mistake: believing that this question could be settled by councillors alone; now I think that moment has passed. “The decision should no longer rest with a few dozen members here in Inverness – I think it should rest with the people of the Highlands. “And that is why I propose this motion, not to break-up Highland Council but to give it back to the people of the Highlands.” The economy and infrastructure chairman and Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans countered with an amendment complimenting the council on its work. It stated: “This council reaffirms its commitment to resilience, economic sustainability, and equitable support for all communities across the Highland region. “We recognise the vital role Highland Council plays in delivering essential services and infrastructure, supported by revenues derived from concentrated tax bases. “These revenues are crucial in reflecting the social values and aspirations of our region, enabling the provision of services such as education, health and social care, infrastructure maintenance, and significant capital investment.” It then went on to highlight the delivery of “key strategic projects” that include “the Corran Ferry replacement, Naver Bridge, Uig Linkspan, the school capital programme, and future investment in Green Freeport.” Except the Corran Ferry cash came from the UK government’s levelling up fund, the school capital programme is paid for by council tax hikes and debt and the council does not invest heavily in the freeport as that comes from the private sector or government. The amendment continued claiming that as “one of Scotland’s largest local authorities” its “scale provides political influence and economic leverage at both Scottish and UK levels”. Cllr Gowans said: “Do you really think, Cllr Stewart, that the people of the Highlands would welcome having to pay and have that burden to spend on that instead of on services? “And we have to consider the economies of scale, which is absolutely critical, because it is not just about how we share things across Highland - such as the 7000km of our road network. “How on earth would a small council in a place like Portree manage to do all of its roads which is getting the benefit of the council tax from Highland, but it is also about how we share services across council areas.” Councillor Andrew Baxter referred back to a previous vote in 2021 on looking again at the size of the council and how members of the current political administration voted. “I would refer you to the minutes of the meeting because that motion had some interesting people voting for it - Councillor Bremner (current council leader), Councillor Brown (leader of Inverness), Councillor Knox, Councillor Graham Mackenzie (chair of communities and place), and Councillor Rosie,” he said. “They all voted, along with me, for the proposition to ask the Scottish Government to review Highland Council boundaries and then last year [at the previous vote] we watched them do the complete opposite. “So what has changed? What has changed is that they are now in administration. And I also look back at what we actually agreed. “An amendment put forward by Councillor Finlayson (chair of education) and it said that the council agrees to engage with the wider public on what basis Highland Council area could be adjusted to improve local democracy - did that happen? No.” Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.

Scott Maclennan
Two girls, 9 and 10, raped and murdered while out door-knocking for Halloween
Technology

Two girls, 9 and 10, raped and murdered while out door-knocking for Halloween

Two young girls were raped and murdered on a beach after they went door-knocking in the days leading up to Halloween . Patricia Leedie, 9, and Leanne Oliver, 10, were out trying to earn some pocket money. While Oliver's parents were at a Sunday afternoon barbecue in a neighbour's back garden, the girls decided to go door-knocking. The friends were no strangers to odd jobs for a bit of cash - they had previously asked neighbours if they could do some chores in return for money. But on that fateful day on 29 October 1995, they didn't return home. Both girls were last seen around 3pm that day. By 7pm, they were reported missing, and a huge search was launched. The authorities scoured the area until midnight, then resumed the search at dawn, the Express US reports. Alby Oliver, Leanne's dad, was the first one to discover the girls that morning, roughly 12 hours after they vanished. Their partially clothed bodies were found lying side-by-side in the sand dunes at Warana Beach. Post-mortem examinations later revealed that both girls had been sexually assaulted, ABC reports. Police began questioning residents and attendees of the barbecue as they tried to piece together the events of the day and solve the double murder. Shortly afterwards, a wallet belonging to 27 year old Paul Stephen Osborne, a labourer from Wurtulla, who had previously served time for sexually assaulting a teenager, was found on the beach near where the girls' bodies were discovered. Osborne had attended the same barbecue as Leanne's parents on the afternoon of the murders, then was spotted heading towards the beach. The police interviewed Osborne the same night the girls were discovered and charged him with their murders that very night. The horrific attack sparked a public outcry, necessitating increased security at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on the day of his trial. Simultaneously, both girls' relatives and some family friends shed tears as they awaited the start of proceedings. As Osborne was brought into the courtroom, attendees shouted insults at him, resulting in many being thrown out of the gallery, according to ABC. Osborne admitted to all charges and received two life sentences for the murders and two 18-year sentences for the rapes. He remains a restricted prisoner due to the severity of his crimes. Even after three decades, the community of Warana, situated north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia , is still grappling with one of the most horrifying crimes it has ever witnessed. Osborne was recently denied parole and won't be eligible for release for at least another eight years. When Supreme Court Justice Glen Williams handed him two life sentences for murder and two 18-year sentences for rape, he stated that Osborne should never be released. Although he was eligible for parole in 2020, it was denied. Queensland Parole Board president Michael Byrne announced that Osborne would not be permitted to apply for parole again until at least May 22, 2032. Byrne acknowledged the gravity of the crimes, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, emphasising the risk Osborne's release would pose to the public.

Jeremiah Hassel,Sarah Tulloch
GOG is giving away the perfect horror freebie for Halloween
Science

GOG is giving away the perfect horror freebie for Halloween

Halloween is upon us, and I have a treat for you--and by "I," I mean GOG, but I'm telling you about it so hey, let's give some credit where it's due. Anyway, the treat in question is Stasis, the excellent 2015 point-and-click horror adventure from The Brotherhood, which is free for the taking on GOG until November 3. Stasis is a perfect choice for Halloween gaming. You awaken from cryogenic stasis aboard a not-quite-abandoned spaceship in the middle of what was supposed to be a routine trip to Titan: The crew is dead, your wife and daughter are missing, and unpleasantness abounds. Narrative twists and turns follow, leading through a story that's not especially novel but still manages to deliver surprises. A lot of that arises from your freedom to make a mess of things: Your in-game avatar isn't the most hard-charging videogame hero imaginable, and there are many ways to die, most of them awful. The game itself is also surprisingly gross for an isometric point-and-clicker. (Which I mean as a compliment.) So it's a good time! And it is in fact a very good game, creepy and horrific but not really frightening, so it's manageable even if you tend not to care for scary games. Can't beat the price right now either. If you dig Stasis, there's a prequel chapter called Cayne, which is free as a regular thing and quite good in its own right; there's also a new addition to the series, Stasis: Bone Totem, not a direct sequel but a separate bad things in awful places experience that's also very highly regarded: It's not free but it is currently 60% off so you can pick it up for $8. The Brotherhood's next game, Animal Use Protocol, is set to come out sometime in 2026.

Andy Chalk
India, Pakistan Once Again In Same 'Asia Cup' Group; Set For Heated Clash On November 16
Technology

India, Pakistan Once Again In Same 'Asia Cup' Group; Set For Heated Clash On November 16

The Indian and Pakistan cricket team will once again play each other in an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events despite teh dramatic events of the men's Asia Cup T20 2025, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led side were not handed the trophy post their win over the Men in Green in the summit clash with Pakistan's interiror minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chief of the ACC refusing to hand over India's deserved prize to them. However, while that issue remains unresolved with India yet to be handed the trophy, the arch-rivals are set to play each other in the newly rebranded 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars, which was previously known as the Emerging Asia Cup. The schedule for the latest edition was announced on Friday (October 31), with the tournament set to take place from 14th to 23rd November. All games will take place at the West End International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. India-Pakistan Set For Face-Off The tournament will see a total of eight teams participating, with the 'A' teams of the Test-playing nations, while senior teams of the associate nations will take part. India A and Pakistan A are in the same group and will go head-to-head on 16th November. The two sides are in Group B with the UAE and Oman. Meanwhile, Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, and Afghanistan A are in Group A with Hong Kong China. While the groups are exactly the same as last month's senior Asia Cup, the format is different. Unlike a Super four stage, the top teams in the group stage will play a semi-final The matches will be played in the T20 format. This will mean that the India-A team will have two assignments simultaneously, with three games in the 50-over format against South Africa-A scheduled from November 13 to 19 in Rajkot. The senior Indian team will be playing a two-match Test series against South Africa from November 14 too. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.

Aayush Kataria
Hylo Open: Lakshya Sen Falls in Quarterfinals as Unnati Hooda Storms into Semifinals
Technology

Hylo Open: Lakshya Sen Falls in Quarterfinals as Unnati Hooda Storms into Semifinals

Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen exited the Hylo Open 2025, a BWF World Tour Super 500 event, after losing to fourth seed Alex Lanier of France in straight games in a quarterfinal clash on Friday. Sen, who had also faced Lanier earlier this month at the Denmark Open, suffered his second loss of the year against the French shuttler. Despite a spirited effort to level the match after dropping the opening game, Lakshya eventually fell short, losing 17-21, 21-14, 15-21 in a tightly contested battle that lasted one hour and 14 minutes. The Indian had earlier advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating compatriot Sankar Subramanian in straight games, sealing the win in just 46 minutes. In another men’s singles quarterfinal, Ayush Shetty went down fighting against Kalle Koljonen of Finland in a three-game thriller. Shetty began on a strong note, taking the first game 21-19, but Koljonen bounced back to claim the second 21-12 before wrapping up the decider. Shetty had entered the last eight after a stunning victory over Singapore’s world No. 6 Loh Kean Yew, whom he defeated in straight games in just 34 minutes, marking one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Amid an otherwise disappointing day for India, Unnati Hooda brought some cheer as she stormed into the women’s singles semifinals with a straight-game win over China’s top shuttler Lin Hsian Ti. The 18-year-old, who recently impressed at the BWF Junior World Championships in Guwahati earlier this month, delivered a composed and aggressive performance to prevail 22-20, 21-13 in 47 minutes. Hooda’s victory keeps India’s hopes alive at the Hylo Open, as she looks to continue her fine run in the semifinals

Evince Das
Brendan Rodgers tipped for Premier League management return despite Celtic allegations
Technology

Brendan Rodgers tipped for Premier League management return despite Celtic allegations

Brendan Rodgers could find himself back in the Premier League soon, despite being branded “divisive, misleading, and self-serving” upon his exit from Celtic. Rodgers resigned as Celtic manager on Monday following a poor start to the season and breakdown in relationship with the board. The Northern Irishman left with Celtic eight points adrift of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts following a 3-1 loss to the early pace-setters. Celtic released a statement close to 10pm on Monday night to confirm the shock news before major shareholder Dermot Desmond went on the attack. While Celtic released a run-of-the-mill statement, Desmond produced a stunning set of allegations about Rodgers. He said the manager was to blame for “a toxic atmosphere around the club” and had told lies to the press about the board. Martin O’Neill has come in as interim boss, while Rodgers, a former Liverpool and Leicester boss, is already being linked with a new job. According to talkSPORT , he would be top choice at Molineux should Wolves sack Vítor Pereira in the near future. Pereira is under huge pressure, with Wolves bottom of the Premier League and still without a win after nine matches. The Portuguese manager was seen angrily arguing with supporters after the dramatic 3-2 defeat by Burnley on the weekend and needs a result when they travel to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. He vowed to keep going and explained the confrontation in his pre-match press conference. "I went there just to say to them that we are fighting, we are fighting, we are fighting, and we must fight together. This is what I said," Pereira said. "But I understand the frustration because I was frustrated also. But this is football. The last game (against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round), the result was not the result that we wanted. But I felt again the connection between the supporters and the team, and this is because of that." Wolves lost 4-3 to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in midweek, piling yet more pressure onto Pereira who only recently signed a new contract with the club. Pereira joined Wolves in December 2024 after the dismissal of Gary O'Neil and comfortably led them to safety in the Premier League, having arrived when they were 19th. He retains the backing of the hierarchy for now, but knows results must turn soon. “I have a lot of experience in football,” he said this week. “A few months ago they sang my name. When I arrived here the club was in a very bad position, and we are in the Premier League because together we got it. "We did fantastic work to be here competing in the Premier League. But I understand it’s football. If you win two or three games in a row everything changes. I'm concerned about the team. I'm concerned about winning games, it’s not about me, it’s about the team, about the club.” Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Felix Keith
Highland Council £36.7 million black hole branded an ‘embarrassment’
Technology

Highland Council £36.7 million black hole branded an ‘embarrassment’

Highland Council is again struggling to balance its books with its medium-term financial plan revealing a £36.7 million black hole over the next three financial years. The figures emerged as the new third year estimates were available adding another £14.5 million – the total sum includes £23.8 million of already agreed savings. A year ago Audit Scotland prepared a briefing on behalf of the Accounts Commission that looked at the revenue budgets of Scotland’s councils. It confirmed Highland Council has the largest budget gap in Scotland and that makes it increasingly likely that services will be squeezed while charges are likely to rise. So the new figures pile yet more pressure on the local authority with Green Councillor Chris Ballance branding it “an embarrassment for the administration.” Opposition leader from the LibDems Alasdair Christie called for an additional meeting next year to review the finances. Council leader Raymond Bremner said: “It is fair to say that a number of issues resulting in the forecast budget gap are not within our direct control.” He added: “There are clearly a number of financial risks and challenges which this report sets out.” One of them is a policy called Reducing Class Contact Time (RCCT) for teachers to allow them to plan lessons, mark work and so on. The council paper stated: “It is estimated that the cost of implementing RCCT in Highland could be in the region of £6.6m on a full year basis.” Then there is Adult Social Care (ASC) where a “key risk and uncertainty relates to the ASC budget and NHS Highland’s forecast of an £19.8 million overspend in the current financial year.” NHS Highland takes the lead on adult social care but the council also plays a role by offering a “one off reserve funding to NHS Highland of £5.6 million towards ASC.” Highland Council has been enduring a never ending series of budget gaps and cuts while also having a dire need to invest in infrastructure, such as schools. Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.

Scott Maclennan
Parthiv Patel Demands Rethink on India’s Spin and Batting Depth After Crushing Loss in Melbourne
Technology

Parthiv Patel Demands Rethink on India’s Spin and Batting Depth After Crushing Loss in Melbourne

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel feels the visitors’ need to make decisions in terms of spinners combination and number eight slots after suffering a four-wicket defeat in the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. Inserted into batting first, India’s innings unraveled early as Josh Hazlewood ripped through the top order with a probing spell of 3-13, leaving the visitors four down inside the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma countered with a composed 68, but India failed to rebuild and were bowled out for 125 in 18.4 overs. Australia chased down the target with ease, winning by four wickets and 40 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. "There are positive takeaways like Abhishek Sharma's batting and Varun Chakaravarthy's bowling, but the team management faces crucial decisions. They must determine the optimal combination regarding playing two wrist spinners in Australian conditions and whether to strengthen batting at number eight by including a bowler like Harshit Rana, who can bat instead of a specialist like Arshdeep Singh.” “Additionally, the toss strategy raises questions; despite significant dew, India intended to bat first. This decision requires examination, especially since local groundsmen confirmed heavy dew formation during evening matches," said Parthiv on JioStar. Patel also offered insights into Shubman Gill’s role in the side and his approach with the bat, especially after he was dismissed for five in Friday’s game. "As vice-captain, Shubman Gill's contributions naturally remain crucial, though the primary discussion revolves around team composition rather than the established opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma.” “Regarding Gill's approach with the bat, he possesses the ability to play aggressive shots down the ground and match Abhishek's intent, but he doesn't need to replicate that style. His strength lies in timing the ball beautifully through the mid-on and mid-off region without resorting to cross-bat shots, which is what he did in the first T20I in Canberra.” “Given his experience and reading of the game, he can afford to set his own tempo, much like he did during the Asia Cup, rather than altering his natural game and playing like his partner Abhishek Sharma in this series," he concluded. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.

IANS,Times Now Digital
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