News

PC gamers are getting a couple of free titles every week, and this time there’s an excellent spooky open-world game set in Japan.

The other freebie this week is a multiplayer hide-and-seek game with a witch theme, just in time for Halloween.

Tango Gameworks

Ghostwire: Tokyo will be free for a week via the Epic Games Store[/caption]

Barrel Roll Games

Hide-and-seek game Witch It is also up for grabs[/caption]

Ghostwire: Tokyo and Witch It are this week’ s free games on the Epic Games Store.

The new freebies will be available from October 31 to November 7, 2024.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is a 2022 game in which Japan‘s capital has been overrun by a supernatural force unleashed by a mysterious occultist.

Your character, Akito, survived the attack and is possessed by a spirit that gives him supernatural abilities.

As other Tokyo residents have mysteriously disappeared, Akito must now fight the evil spirits and rescue people’s souls and his family.

Rated a favorable 75 on review aggregator Metacritic, the game features a spooky yet beautiful representation of deserted night-time Tokyo.

Witch It is a multiplayer game of hide and seek, set in a magical fantasy world.

You play as either a hunter or a witch, and each side has its own tools and spells to secure victory in timed team-based games.

Ghostwire: Tokyo’s regular price is £49.99 / $59.99, while Witch It usually costs £16.99 / $19.99, saving you almost £67 / $80.

Both games are on sale via Steam right now too, but there’s no better offer than grabbing them for free.

To claim the two games, you need a free Epic Games Store account and you will find them on the store’s home page.

Once you claim them, the two titles are yours to keep in your Epic Games library.

Installing the games on your PC requires the Epic Games launcher, which is a free download, too.

As usual, players will have a week to grab the two games for free, and starting November 7, 2024, a new title will be up for grabs.

The next free game on the Epic Games Store will be spy first-person shooter Deceive Inc.

Apex Legends players will also be able to get an Ash Free Unlock Bundle with an Ash ‘Burning Chrome’ Epic Skin for the free-to-play shooter.

For more deals on games, check out this new free Pokémon game that just went live.

Bethesda

Ghostwire: Tokyo’s protagonist Akito must use his special abilities to save the city from a masked occultist[/caption]

LABOUR MP Will Stone is swapping the House of Commons for a different kind of scrap entirely this weekend.

Stone – who has been dubbed the world’s hardest politician – is taking on Matt Inman in an MMA contest as part of the Polaris 30 card in Croydon, although it won’t be unfamiliar to the Swindon North MP.

PA

Will Stone (centre) celebrates a Brazilian jiu-jitsu victory[/caption]

Stone, 43, practised Brazilian jiu-jitsu for 17 years and is also a black belt in judo.

He trained 15 times a week before jumping into the world of politics.

The Labour MP is now going back to his roots ahead of a huge charity fight against MMA pro Matt Inman.

Stone, MP for Swindon North, said to ITV News: “I’m not scared.

“I think I can win. I’ve probably got a 20 per cent chance of winning.

“Matt is a very established fighter. He’s good but I’m strong in certain positions.

“So if I can get on his feet I’ve got a chance.”

Stone added to BBC: “It’s a very different world to be in. It’s exciting to be part of it.

“I love being a politician, it truly is an honour. But I also like being here. It brings you back to your roots and it’s a really nice thing.

He added: “I’ve competed across the world. Not done as well as I would have liked.

“I’ve stepped on the mat with hundreds of people watching me. I’m not nervous to go into a debate.

“If I’m willing to fight and grapple someone there is significantly higher consequences there compared to having a debate. I think with the nerves it helps a lot.”

When is Will Stone vs Matt Inman?

Will Stone vs Matt Inman is taking place on Saturday, November 2 as part of the prelims for the Polaris 30 fight card.

Polaris 30 is taking place from Fairfield Halls in Croydon, London.

The prelims gets underway from 3pm.

How can I watch Polaris 30?

The Polaris 30 prelims, featuring Will Stone, will be broadcast for FREE live on Polaris’s YouTube channel from 3pm.

The Polaris 30 main card will then be shown live on the UFC Fight Pass for subscribers.

British MMA legend Michael Venom Page is headlining the show in a grappling contest against Carlos Condit.

Polaris 30 prelims

Tommy Yip vs Reiss Bailey
Romao Carvalho vs Muhammed Mustafa
Jean Luca Maltese vs Harry Loseby
Craig Young vs Dinu Bucalet
Steve O’Keefe vs Norbert Novenyi
Sam Gibbs vs Hejraat Rashid
Francesca Lana vs Martyna Zola
Pawel Jaworski vs Faris Benlamkadem
Ben Hodgkinson vs Dave Weston
Jack Tyley vs Nathan Jones
Paul Redmond vs Christian Ozbek
Ian Butler vs Will Nicholls
Will Stone vs Matt Inman
Andy Roberts vs Marco Canha
Rosa Walsh vs Sula Mae Loewenthal
Kieran Kichuck vs Carson Coles

Polaris 30 main card

Philippe Geyer vs Eoghan O’Flanagan
Dante Leon vs Ellis Younger
Cameron Else vs Nathaniel Wood
Keith Krikorian vs Jed Hue
Nia Blackman vs Helena Crevar
Carlos Condit vs Michael Venom Page

THIS is the moment Jose Mourinho is wiped out in a training exercise before being helped off the floor by his players.

The hilarious incident occurred in a Fenerbahce training session this week.

Instagram @josemourinho

Jose Mourinho was knocked over during a training session with Fenerbahce[/caption]

Instagram @josemourinho

The Special One lay on the ground after the bizarre incident[/caption]

Mourinho posted the footage to his Instagram account.

In it, the Special One could be seen ordering players around as they ran and passed the ball in tight combinations.

Mourinho was at the centre of the exercise as he barked orders at his stars.

But the Portuguese ace ended up getting involved in a painful way.

As he walked backwards, a Fenerbahce player accidentally ran into him, knocking the coach to the floor.

Players gathered round as Mourinho lay on the ground.

Yet he was all fine and well after gingerly getting up before walking off the pitch in a daze.

It is unclear from the footage which player knocked Mourinho over.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

But in his post, the Special One tagged Fenerbahce’s Turkish left-back Ismail Yuksek.

And he also mentioned two of his former players in ex-Man Utd star Marouane Fellaini and former Roma defender Marash Kumbulla — hinting that it’s not the first time he’d been knocked over in training by a star.

PA:Press Association

Getty Images - Getty

Nemanja Matic also had plenty to say[/caption]

Mourinho said: “Lesson to young coaches, ‘never wear the same colour as players’.

“They can pass you the ball… or kick you from behind @fellaini @maxkumbulla @ismailyuksek.”

Some of Mourinho’s former players were among those who reacted to the amusing post.

Nemanja Matic, who played under him at Chelsea and Manchester United, joked: “Well deserved!”

While ex-Blues pair John Terry and Willian reacted with laughing emojis.

Kumbulla, one of the players tagged in the post, added: “Sorry again mister!”

ONE of the stars of BBC Morning Live has quit her day job after 14 years.

This comes as her romance with her on-screen co-star was previously revealed.

Instagram

Rav Wilding is dating former police detective Rebecca Mason[/caption]

BBC

The officer appeared on a variety of TV shows as a talking head specialising in online fraud[/caption]

Instagram

She has now decided to quit the police force as her TV career gathers pace[/caption]

BBC Morning Live presenter Rav Wilding, 46, announced that he’d secretly separated from TV producer Jill Morgan last year.

After more than a decade together, he later found love with fraud detective Rebecca Mason.

The duo first met in 2020 when his wife was pregnant and Rebecca was starting to do more TV work as a talking head.

She appeared as a fraud specialist on a string of shows, including This Morning and Hunted.

An IMDb listing confirmed Rebecca appeared as herself in an episode of Ill Gotten Gains from four years ago with Rav.

Rebecca has now announced that she’s decided to leave the police behind as her burgeoning TV career takes off.

The TV personality took to her Instagram grid page with an album of snaps of her time in the police force.

Alongside the pictures, she wrote: “After 14 years as a Police Officer and 10 of those serving as a Detective, I’ve made the tough decision to step away from the badge and let my career take a new direction.

“Being a police officer has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my life—full of challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable memories.

“But life is too short not to follow your gut and your heart, and right now, I know it’s time for a change and a much-needed break.

“To my incredible colleagues and everyone who supported me—thank you for everything.”

She added: “Here’s to new beginnings and following the path that feels right.

“Who knows…maybe one day DC Mason will be back.”

When the pair first got together, a source told The Sun: “Her name’s Rebecca Mason, she’s a Surrey Police detective who specialises in online romance fraud and scams but she’s been building a TV career on the side by going on shows like Hunted and W’s Red Flags, where she’s a talking head.

“They actually first worked together years ago when he was presenting Ill Gotten Gains and they’ve got the same agent too.

“The whole team at Morning Live know they’re together, especially since Rav and Rebecca went to Michelle Ackerley‘s hen do a month or so ago.

“All of their colleagues are happy for them. The producers and other experts have commented on a few of their Instagram posts saying how they make a great couple.”

BBC

The pair first met in 2020 when Rav’s first wife was pregnant[/caption]

Instagram

They first worked together on the BBC documentary series Ill Gotten Gains[/caption]

BBC Morning Live is available to watch on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.

EFL CULT HERO David Stockdale has been brutally sacked as manager of non-league outfit Blyth Spartans AFC.

The former Premier League goalkeeper, who was only appointed 48 days ago, has turned to social media to announce his dismissal.

https://www.instagram.com/yorkcityfc/

David Stockdale has been sacked by non-league side Blyth Spartans AFC[/caption]

Getty

The former goalkeeper took up his first role in management just 48 days ago[/caption]

Stockdale posted on X: “Gutted to have been SACKED. Not what I wanted or worked for.

“It’s been a great time and worked with some great people. Hopefully I can try somewhere else. I wish @Blyth_Spartans all the best.

“But more so the staff and players I had while there. Truly great people .”

The 39-year-old joined Blyth Spartans as assistant manager to the newly appointed former Newcastle star Nolberto Solano on August 5.

Stockdale was then appointed caretaker manager after Solano was sacked 22 days later on August 27.

But he was later given the job on a permanent basis on Friday 13 September after reaching the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

However, the Green Army have endured a horrible start to the Northern Premier League Premier Division season.

The Northumberland outfit sit rock-bottom, having lost seven and won just two of their opening 12 games following their relegation from the National League North last term.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

In fact, Stockdale was winless in the league during his seven-game spell as permanent gaffer.

The club’s two victories came against Campion and Workington during the former goalkeeper’s fortnight as interim boss.

Blyth Spartans have also announced that local businessman Martin Trinder will take over the club from Friday 1 November.

Earlier this month, the club’s chairman Irfan Liaquat revealed that he was looking to sell, and that discussions with a potential buyer were underway.

The non-league side had to postpone their last two home games following the resignation of club volunteers.

Fans boycotted their FA Trophy defeat against Stockton in their last match at Croft Park in protest at Liaquat’s running of the club.

Meanwhile, Stockdale became a cult-hero during his playing career in England.

He started at York City in 2003 before later earning a move to Premier League outfit Fulham in 2008.

The stopper had multiple loan spells away from Craven Cottage at the likes of Rotherham, Leicester City, Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town and Hull City.

He left the West London club on a permanent basis in 2014 for Brighton and helped the club win promotion from the Championship in 2017.

Since leaving the Seagulls, he has had spells at Birmingham City, Southend, Coventry City, Wycombe Wanderers, Stevenage and Sheffield Wednesday.

Stockdale returned to York in June 2023 as a goalkeeper and head of recruitment, but was released in April.

He spent six years with the Cottagers and featured 39 times in England‘s top division.

Rex

IT has been the most unwatchable series of Strictly in 20 years, so it’s frightening to think history was made this weekend with the show’s highest-scoring Halloween week ever. Yikes.

Nines and tens were being handed out like candy to the celebs – most of whom have previous dance experience.

PA

BBC

Nines and tens were being handed out like candy to the celebs[/caption]

Topping the leaderboard was EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick who won last year’s Strictly Christmas special when he scored four perfect 10s from the judges.

However, according to ex-pro James Jordan, last weekend was the “highest-scoring Halloween week ever – and the lowest standard for many years”.

He added: “In my opinion, before anyone says I’m bitter”, as he prepared to receive backlash for pointing out the truth.

In my opinion, James – a professional dancer on the show for eight years – is absolutely right.

Unlike him, I can’t claim to be an expert in the techniques behind an impressive Charleston or sexy salsa.

What I do know is how to spot desperate moves to liven up a series that’s lost its sparkle after a summer of scandals.

The self-indulgent judges know the top score paddle – fondly remembered as a “ten from Len” (as coined by the late, great Len Goodman) – is guaranteed to see hysterically happy celebs jumping up and down in the ‘claudatorium’.

Sadly, breaking records to encourage over-enthusiastic whooping from those on the payroll is just papering over the cracks.

As a life-long Strictly fan, it saddens me to say that the 20th anniversary series is the worst by far.

Not only has it been cheapened by low-quality stars and celebs with previous dance experience, viewers are still reeling from revelations the show isn’t as happy behind the scenes as appears on-screen.

This year’s bunch are bearing the brunt of the bosses’ mistake – failing to address the exits of Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice after abuse allegations last series.

Fans are also missing what made Strictly Come Dancing so successful in the first place – watching famous faces learn to dance from scratch.

Alongside Jamie, this series has professionally trained dancer Tasha Ghouri from Love Island and singer J.B. Gill who dances in JLS.

They might have more experience, but being able to perform the right moves on time isn’t what makes you Strictly legend – for which we are seriously lacking this series.

The only glimmer of hope that could save Strictly this year is the show’s first blind contestant, Chris McCausland.

He’s a favourite to win and should quite rightly be the one to lift the glitterball trophy – but not for the most obvious reason.

It goes without saying, that a novice being able to learn how to dance while not being able to see is unbelievably impressive.

However, it’s his ability to deliver self-deprecating humour without garnering sympathy votes, all while inspiring viewers that the impossible can sometimes be possible, is what undeniably warms our hearts.

He may not be the best out there on the dancefloor – but he’s Strictly’s secret weapon.

It’s a ten from me.

PA

A GIFTED Oxford University student drowned after jumping into the River Thames while celebrating his end of exams.

Wesley Akum-Ojong tragically died after completing his first year studying politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) at Brasenose College on June 21 this year.

Brasenose College

Gifted Oxford University student Wesley Akum-Ojong tragically drowned after jumping into the River Thames[/caption]

Alamy

The teen had been celebrating finishing his end of year exams in June this year[/caption]

The 19-year-old jumped from a bridge at the Port Meadow beauty spot at 6.52pm and went missing in the water for over an hour.

He had been “trashed”, a uni tradition where students celebrating the end of year are covered with shaving foam and confetti.

One friend told police how Wesley had only completed is last exam at 5.30pm that evening.

She said in a written statement how students would jump into the river after being ‘trashed’ to “wash it all off”.

An inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard Wesley, who aspired to be Britain’s youngest prime minister, headed to the water with a large group of other undergrads.

The teen told one of his friends he felt “apprehensive” about jumping in, the inquest heard.

In a post-mortem examination report, pathologist Professor Ian Roberts said toxicology tests had found no evidence of intoxication.

One student said they saw Wesley resurface immediately after landing in the water.

But, he never made his way back to the river bank, and the group called 999 after around 40 minutes.

A video taken of the moment Wesley jumps in showed him appearing “to be struggling a little” but “nobody seems to have realised”, said an officer who was at the scene.

The inquest heard the 19-year-old was wearing “heavy clothes”.

Emergency services arrived just after 7.30pm, and Wesley was pulled from the water by firefighters at 8.10pm.

Paramedics performed CPR and tried to revive him for over an hour before he was rushed to John Radcliffe Hospital.

Wesley arrived at 9.31pm but was sadly pronounced dead 12 minutes later.

A student who had been on the bridge at the same time as the teen told police she was swimming for about an hour after jumping in.

She said she “found it hard to understand how someone could’ve missed Wesley being in distress in the water.”

Thames Valley Police said around 200 people had gathered at the river bank as the tragedy unfolded.

A witness told the force: “It was hard to concentrate as there were so many excited people around.”

Wesley’s family described him as a dutiful, “kind, caring and helpful”  student.

He was the only student from his year at Watford Grammar School for Boys to attend Oxford.

The teen was born in Cameroon and moved to Britain when he was four months old.

His GP said he did not have a history of any long-term conditions.

Area coroner for Oxfordshire Nicholas Graham concluded the student drowned by accident.

Wesley’s heartbroken mother, Patience Akum-Ojong, and other family members pressed the coroner on why more blood than water had been found in the teen’s lungs.

The family also challenged why many other students had died in similar circumstances at Oxford. 

Jane Harris, co-director of student welfare and support services at the university, said records across the past 12 years revealed Wesley was the only student to die in the water during a “celebration”.

Dr Simon Smith, a senior tutor at Brasenose College, said in a written statement read at the inquest the college warns students about celebrating the end of their exams safely.

He added that the university had re-run a campaign this year encouraging students to celebrate sustainably. 

It warns anyone who throws, pours or sprays substances after their exams are liable to a £150 fine for breaching the university’s Code of Discipline.

Facebook

The 19-year-old’s family described him as kind, caring and helpful[/caption]

Alamy

Friends on the bridge at the same time reported Wesley had been ‘apprehensive’ about jumping in[/caption]

The draft truce deal between Jerusalem and Beirut calls for a withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces from Southern Lebanon within seven days but leaves room for defensive moves against re-emerging threats, Israel’s Kan News public broadcaster reported on Wednesday.

Former New York congressman Lee Zeldin dished on Donald Trump’s chances in The Empire State on Thursday, saying that the state will be “tough” for any Republican to win — but that the former president has a huge surge compared to 2020 and his presence in the city will help down-ballot races. “It’s certainly uphill...

BEDFORD, Pa. — A Puerto Rican woman trashed President Biden for calling Donald Trump’s supporters “garbage” after a J.D. Vance rally Wednesday at a rural airport in southwestern Pennsylvania. “Biden is a bumbling idiot — point blank. He starts talking, and then garbage literally flies out of his mouth,” Jessie Anderson, a decade-long Army veteran...