The FBI has revealed that a National Basketball Association player and coach is one of dozens of people facing charges in two separate investigations involving mafia-linked poker and illegal sports betting.
According to reports, Terry Rozier, a Miami Heat player, was one of the six people detained over alleged betting irregularities, along with others who may have fabricated injuries.
In addition, former Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is one of 31 people facing charges in a separate illegal poker game case involving organized crime figures and former players.
The NBA has been contacted by the BBC for comment.
According to CBS, federal investigators were looking into unusual betting behavior relating to a Charlotte Hornets game in March 2023.
According to The Athletic, Rozier’s performance in the game was being looked into by officials as part of an illegal sports gambling scheme.
Due to a sore right foot, Rozier played roughly nine minutes and only managed to score five points for the New Orleans Pelicans.
After being named England Women’s Player of the Year for 2024-2019, Lucy Bronze claims to put her “heart and soul” into every game.
In a year where the Lionesses won Euro 2025 in Switzerland, fans made the decision to play Chelsea full-back.
It’s always nice to be recognized, especially from England fans, said Bronze, 33, “but I wasn’t expecting it.”
“Over the past 12 years, I have put my heart and soul into every game I’ve played for England.” In that regard, it’s a great honor, especially given the Euros’ crazy year. I’m very proud.
In 2024-2025, Bronze started each of England’s 16 games for the Euros, scoring 15 of those appearances.
Her 79th-minute header in the quarter-final against Sweden ignited the comeback that resulted in a penalty shootout with her team 2-0 down. With her thigh strapped, Bronze fired the winning spot kick home.
Bronze revealed that she had a broken leg and had played 106 minutes of the final game against Spain, which was also settled by a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
Since making her senior debut in 2013, she has 140 caps, which puts her at joint-fourth with Alex Scott in the list of all-time appearances.
More Lionesses players have participated in 36 games overall than any other player in history, including a two-time European champion.
“For me, 2015 was my real starting point as an England player, and 2019 is when I felt at my best,” she continued. “This year has been something I couldn’t have imagined,” she continued.
“This year’s winning of the Euros, the noise surrounding it, and women’s football in general have been extraordinary.”
Chloe Kelly, England’s winning penalty scorer against Spain, and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, the match’s winner, were given the votes for second and third, respectively.
Joash Amupitan, the new head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has pledged to uphold the Constitution and the electoral laws of Nigeria.
He made this statement while speaking to journalists shortly after President Bola Tinubu sworn in at the State House in Abuja.
“I just took the oath of allegiance as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, as you may be aware.
In terms of the electoral system, he said to journalists on Thursday, “I reaffirm that I will defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman, addresses journalists following his swearing-in on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Amupitan added that the country’s Constitution had clearly mandated him to ensure fair, credible, and free elections.
I’ll involve all parties involved in this process, not just making sure it’s done. You need all stakeholders to succeed, he said, regardless of how success is measured.
READ MORE: INEC Chairman Amupitan Meets Headquarters To Take Over Office
He said he would speak after receiving briefings from national commissioners, but that he would not do so in the upcoming Anambra election.
A week after the Senate approved his appointment following a thorough screening on October 16, President Tinubu swore in Amupitan as INEC Chairman.
Later, the new chairman accompanied by his family and close friends to the INEC headquarters in Abuja to officially take office.
Amupitan has been the electoral body’s substantive head since 1999 when democracy first emerged.
“Keep Democracy Strong”
On Thursday, October 23, 2025, President Bola Tinubu sworn in Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman at the state house in Abuja.
President Tinubu appoints Amupitan to strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process during the swearing-in.
Your nomination and confirmation show the Executive and Legislative confidence in you.
In 25 years, our democracy has advanced significantly. Our electoral process must remain impartial, credible, and free to keep it strong. Therefore, I ask that you take steps to improve the security of our elections and strengthen the institutional framework of INEC.
Amupitan arrived at the State House earlier in the day, exchanging greetings with onlookers, and wearing a white agbada and gold cap.
Electoral Legitimacy
The 58-year-old law professor was subjected to extensive inquiries during his Senate screening about how he intends to restore Nigeria’s electoral legitimacy and implement meaningful reforms.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Amupitan promised to give reforms that boost voter confidence and promote transparency prioritization.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser can congratulate the winner and declare, “You won fairly and well. When that occurs, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored, he said.
Following his screening on Thursday, October 16, 2025, professor of law Joash Amupitan (fourth-right) received his confirmation by the upper chamber.
Amupitan also refuted reports that he was a member of President Tinubu’s legal team at the upcoming presidential election.
He reiterated his impartiality to lawmakers by saying, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties.”
With the addition of numerous biopics in the works, The Beatles’ world-wide love affair continues. Dale Roberts, a tour guide to Liverpool, explains why celebrities still flock to the Fab Four’s hometown.
5 images to be viewed
Celebrity-loved Beatles tour guide offers advice for upcoming biopic stars(Image: SUPPLIED VIA DALE ROBERTS)
It’s been over 60 years since four lads from Liverpool released their debut single and Beatles mania swept the world.
The Beatles dominated 1960s culture with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, and their popularity is still strong even today.
Such is the popularity of the Fab Four, a multi-part biopic by Sam Mendes following the stories of all four members, which will hit theatres in 2028, has already caused a worldwide buzz before filming has even begun.
Paul Mescal, who will play Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr portrayer Barry Keoghan were spotted around the city last month as they began to get a feel for their characters’ hometown. But if Paul, Barry – and their co-stars Joseph Quinn (George Harrison) and Harris Dickinson (John Lennon) – really know how to prepare for their roles, they’ll be giving every celebrity’s favourite tour guide a call.
The Beatles had already split up when Dale Roberts was born, but that hasn’t stopped the 35-year-old from Liverpool from becoming one of the band’s biggest fans and launching an impressive career.
It’s safe to say Dale is the man to know if you want to learn more about The Beatles, from co-owner of George Harrison’s childhood home, which is now an immersive heritage Airbnb Dale runs his own business, Dale Liverpool Tours Ltd, which offers bespoke and VIP tours to clients like Liverpool FC, Comic-Con, and international travel companies.
Over the years, Dale has delivered tours to Hollywood actors, Grammy-winning musicians like Elvis Costello, WWE stars such as Mick Foley, politicians, influencers, and elite sports personalities.
“I’ve delivered tours for many famous people, and one of the craziest things is that they recommend me to others,” Dale tells us. “Ben Davis (Ant-Man, Red Dead Redemption) called me asking to do a tour for his friend — a top improv comedian who has worked with Steve Carell.
Charisma Carpenter, the author of The Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Angel Legend, has participated in numerous tours and was absolutely lovely. I had Steve Holley, a drummer for the Wings, talk to me about his time with Paul McCartney last year; Elvis Costello also did the same!
When Liverpool FC won the 2024 League Cup, about five of the players on the pitch had taken a tour with me a few months prior.
Dale, who was born and raised in Walton, has become one of Liverpool’s most well-known figures in the booming tourism sector by pursuing a career in The Beatles.
He was hired as Head of Marketing at Liverpool’s open-top bus company, Liverpool City Sights, in 2016. The business was struggling to make it to the bottom of TripAdvisor’s regional rankings. A hop-on hop-off tour with a Beatles theme shook up the city’s tour scene, and Dale helped design it.
He claims that Dale accidentally started leading in 2017 when the team was understaffed and found his calling right away. He was later recognized for his contributions to the tour, including being recognized by TripAdvisor as one of the Best in the World in 2022.
He was hired by Cavern City Tours as the marketing manager for Liverpool’s renowned Cavern Club a year after designing the tour. Additionally, he began guiding them on their renowned Magical Mystery Tour. In a first for the venue, Dale became the only guide to lead scheduled tours inside the Cavern in its history when he was invited to give scheduled “Behind the Scenes” tours in 2019.
During that time, Dale received hundreds of glowing reviews and TripAdvisor listed the Cavern Club ahead of Buckingham Palace among the world’s greatest landmarks. By late 2021, Dale had become manager of the Magical Mystery Tour — Liverpool’s longest-running Beatles bus tour. He would go on to set records for customer feedback, and in 2024, TripAdvisor ranked the tour the 8th best in the world.
“I think Liverpool should be the best tour in the world,” Dale says. Our music “changed the world because it has such a wonderful history.” You couldn’t see everything that changed the world in any other major city because it’s so easily accessible.
The city’s abundance of tours and experts is useful for the cast of the upcoming Beatles films. John, Paul, George, and Ringo have a lot of acting experience, but they are not from Liverpool. Does Dale have any advice for the cast who wants to impress the Merseysidens?
“If I could give the young actors acting one piece of advice, it would be to spend time in Liverpool, visiting the landmarks and walking the streets as the Beatles did. You have to feel this city’s attitude and sense of humor.
Liverpool made the Beatles, not The Beatles, according to the saying. We can be excited if the actors take the time to realize that they will be channeling something real on screen.
And if Paul, Barry, Harrison, and Joseph have any sense, they’ll be calling Dale to make sure they’re up to speed before the cameras start rolling, following in their celebrity contemporaries.
Until the end of the season, Sale coach Byron McGuigan will work as a part of an interim position on the England coaching staff.
When on duty in England, former Scotland wing McGuigan will concentrate on the contact area and developing skills and tactics with the back three.
For their successful tour of Argentina and the United States earlier this year, McGuigan and Bath attack coach Lee Blackett were sent abroad.
With Richard Wigglesworth switching to defense, Joe El-Abd working with the forwards, and Richard Wigglesworth taking over the attack role full-time, McGuigan and Blackett are now a part of a rejigged England set-up.
Steve Borthwick, England’s head coach, described Byron as a “intelligent and driven coach with a real desire to improve players.”
He understands the game well both as a coach and an international player. The impact he will have in the fall is something I’m anticipating.
“It was a huge privilege to play for the team this summer,” said McGuigan.
“I’m very appreciative of Sale’s support in allowing me to pursue this opportunity alongside my club position. It’s a fantastic opportunity to continue improving as a coach while supporting both teams.
Although McGuigan’s arrangement was delayed last year because other top-flight clubs rejected his initial proposal to split his time between the national team and Saracens, McGuigan’s appointment was later delayed.
The McGuigan coaching role is seen as a development opportunity without any potential conflict of interest, in contrast to Morrow, who has influence over the treatment of England’s centrally-contracted players and their selection issues.
After seven seasons and more than 100 appearances for Sale, McGuigan retired as a player in 2023, and he only joined them as their defense coach in November.
According to Sale rugby director of rugby, “Byron is a coach who is so recently removed from playing that he can tap into the players’ emotions and understand what they’re feeling.”
Because he hasn’t been at the coal face himself for a while, he can still inspire players’ interest.
His game intelligence, his rugby IQ, and his understanding of defensive shape, especially in the wider channels, are all excellent additions to what he inspires the lads to put their bodies on the line.
McGuigan, who was born in Namibia and raised in South Africa, won ten caps for Scotland, earning three Test tries from his mother.
