Connect with us

News

Mouat and Dodds miss out on curling bronze as GB’s wait continues

Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat experienced disappointment in the mixed doubles curling event at the Winter Olympics for the second time in a four-year span, as they were denied a bronze medal by the host nation, Italy.

The video is currently unavailable for playback.

Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat reflect on their second consecutive Olympic disappointment in mixed doubles curling.

The British pair, comprising Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat, experienced their second Winter Olympic heartbreak in four years, falling short of a bronze medal in mixed doubles curling against host nation Italy.

After dominating the round-robin stage with only one loss, the duo's impressive form dissipated in the playoffs, leading to an unexpected early exit.

Following a surprising semi-final loss to Sweden, the pair suffered a 5-3 defeat to Italy in the Cortina Curling Stadium, leaving Team GB without a medal at the Games.

As Italian fans celebrated their team's victory, the Scottish duo was left to cope with the disappointment of another Olympic setback, with the arena's unique atmosphere unable to inspire a turnaround.

In a post-match interview with BBC Sport, Dodds expressed her frustration, stating, "It's a similar feeling to four years ago, but I'm trying to hold back my emotions."

This Olympic appearance was expected to yield a different outcome, with the pair seeking to learn from their previous playoff losses in Beijing and claim a medal.

Instead, they will now focus on the upcoming men's and women's events, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, as they strive to put their disappointment behind them.

Mouat also shared his emotional response, saying, "It's tough to accept that we performed better than four years ago, yet the result is the same – it's going to sting for a while."

A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date on the events.

The full schedule, including medal events and their respective times, can be found online.

The current Winter Olympics 2026 medal table is also available for reference.

Throughout the game, Mouat and Dodds found themselves facing narrow margins, often just inches away from the desired outcome.

With the hammer in the first end, the British pair had an opportunity to take an early lead but were denied when Dodds' shot fell slightly short, allowing the Italians to steal a point.

The hosts, led by Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, dictated the pace of the game, capitalizing on near-misses from the British duo to build their advantage.

After leveling the score, the British pair faced another setback when the Italians edged ahead once more, with Dodds' shot again falling just short of the mark.

At the interval, Italy held a 3-1 lead, putting pressure on the British duo to mount a comeback.

Although they managed to score one point in the fifth end, a critical mistake by Mosaner in the sixth end presented an opportunity for the British pair to shift the momentum.

However, Constantini's composed play ensured the Italians maintained their lead, ultimately securing a two-point advantage with two ends remaining.

With time running out, the British duo deployed their powerplay, seeking a big score, but could only manage one point, leaving them in need of a steal to force an extra end.

Unable to achieve this, they were left to confront the harsh reality of a fourth-place finish and another Olympic Games without a mixed doubles medal.

Mouat reflected on the experience, saying, "We feel fortunate to be competing at the Olympics together, having grown up as friends and never knowing how far we could go in curling – it's been an incredible journey with Jen."

Despite his disappointment, Mouat expressed pride in their perseverance, stating, "I'm obviously gutted, but I'm proud of us for sticking with it."

Following their previous Olympic disappointment in Beijing, the duo responded by winning medals in the women's and men's events – the question now is how they will bounce back this time.

After dominating the round-robin stage with only one loss, the British duo's surprising semi-final defeat to Sweden and subsequent loss to Italy in the bronze medal match were a significant setback.

Logan Gray, a two-time world junior bronze medallist and BBC Sport pundit, suspects that the emotional toll of the semi-final loss may have affected the pair's performance in the bronze medal match, which took place less than 24 hours later.

Gray noted, "It's always challenging to recover and perform in the bronze game – I think there was a bit of a hangover in the first few ends, which impacted their play."

According to Gray, the increased pressure of the playoff stage can create cracks in a team's communication, leadership, and decision-making, leading to a downward spiral.

He believes that this perfect storm of factors contributed to the British duo's struggles over the past two days.

The pair now face the challenge of recovering from their disappointment and preparing for their respective team events.

Mouat will return to the ice with his men's team, who are favored to win gold, as they face China on Wednesday, while Dodds will have an extra day to regroup before her women's team competes against China on Thursday.

Jackie Lockhart, a four-time Olympian and former world champion, hopes that the pair's previous experience with Olympic disappointment will help them bounce back this time.

Lockhart stated, "It's unfortunate, but having been in this situation before and come back to win medals might actually work in their favor – they're professional athletes who know how to move forward."

According to Lockhart, the duo will need to put their emotions aside and focus on the upcoming events, as they have done before, and trust in their ability to perform under pressure.

News

Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

Continue Reading

News

Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years

Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

Peter Murrell looking off to his right while sitting in a room. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and dark coloured tie.
Peter Murrell is due to appear in court next Friday for a preliminary hearing

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.

It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.

The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.

During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.

Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

A police van and a police officer outside Murrell's home in April 2023.
Murrell was arrested in 2023 as part of a probe into the SNP's finances

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.

BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.

The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.

Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.

Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.

The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.

A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.

The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.

It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.

The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.

Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.

Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.

Continue Reading

News

Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests

The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.

In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) show a victory sign in front of a banner with Tarique Rahman’s photo, as the results project BNP's victory in the 13th general election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain
Tarique Rahman has been out of the country for 17 years. He has promised democracy will be restored

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.

As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.

In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.

Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.

Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.

This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.

During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.

The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.

Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.

In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".

Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.

Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.

The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.

Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.

The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.

As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.

Continue Reading

Trending