England told to 'keep pressure on' with Australia at risk of 'imploding'

After the Test-series defeat in South Africa started a bumper run of marquee games, for Australia, Sky Sports' Michael Atherton feels things could go "horribly wrong" for Baggy Greens; England can add to the misery as they tour Australia for three ODIs and five T20s from November 13

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A No 3 batter in Marnus Labuschagne who has gone 49 innings without a Test century and looks certain to be axed ahead of the impending home series against New Zealand.

Batting issues besides that, too, with the team rolled for 99 and 111 during the recent 2-1 loss in South Africa that saw their opponents displace them at the top of the Test rankings.

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Selectors in the firing line after persisting with Labuschagne and also recalling Nic Maddinson, who had not played a first-class game since March 2025 and went on to total just 56 runs in four knocks in South Africa, including a 33-ball duck, before he was jettisoned.

A generational, certainly, but aging bowling attack that must cram in that four-match assignment versus New Zealand around Christmas, five Tests in India and the day-night 150th anniversary Test at home to England in March prior to the away Ashes next summer.

Michael Atherton can envisage an "implosion" before Australia arrive in the UK, telling the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast : "You could see it going horribly wrong, couldn't you?"

England's Test team is not perfect - it could do with a frontline spinner as an option, for starters - but Joe Root's men will surely be taking some encouragement from Australia's travails in the longest format, even if they are unlikely to admit that publicly.

Now they have a chance to "keep the pressure on", in Atherton's words, as they embark on a white-ball tour of the country, a trip that comprises three one-day internationals - the first of which is on Friday November 13 (3.30am UK) - and five T20 internationals.

Australia have opted to rest pace stalwarts Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins for all eight matches but a number of Test players could be involved in the ODIs, including Travis Head, Alex Carey, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw.

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Atherton added: "Although some of the big guns are not playing, it is a chance to keep some pressure on Australia now - pressure on their selectors after the decisions around Labuschagne and what have you, pressure on some of their big-name players and pressure on them to keep their results modest.

"The past players will start to go at them as they started to do, actually, after about day one of the Ashes in Perth last year, before England then let them off the hook."

One of those past players to have his say after the third-Test thrashing by South Africa was David Warner , who branded the capitulation with the bat in Cape Town as "terrible", "disgraceful" and "un-Australian" while analysing the wreckage for Fox Sports .

What would be very Australian is to come back fighting when people have written you off.

Before last winter's Ashes they were told by many that they were too old but then promptly schooled a juvenile-at-times England en route to a 4-1 win that retained the urn.

Three years ago at the 50-over World Cup in India they were spanked by the hosts and then South Africa in their first two matches, only to win their next nine and claim a sixth title.

The point is that however much disarray Australia may seem to be in, they must not be taken lightly. If you do that, you are likely to get wounded. But, right now, England will feel they have a great chance to leave some pre-Ashes scars on their rivals.

For all this talk of Australia "imploding", though, let's not forget that England did that in Perth at the start of 2025-26 Ashes when, with the first Test in the palm of their hand, they gifted wickets with brainless drives and ended up losing inside two days.

This white-ball tour starts at the same venue and if England can avoid a repeat, then perhaps it will be Australia who cannot recover.

ODIs 3.30am UK time, with T20s 8.15am UK time

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Source: Sports

byNito
in
November 03, 2026

England told to 'keep pressure on' with Australia at risk of 'imploding'

After the Test-series defeat in South Africa started a bumper run of marquee games, for Australia, Sky Sports' Michael Atherton feels t...
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Stray Cat Settled Into a Foster Room, Then Had Five Kittens Overnight, Already Cleaned and Nursing by Morning

LoveMeow Tue, November 3, 2026 at 12:31 AM UTC

Abby | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

A stray cat, pregnant out on the streets with no one to help her arrived into the care of a Foster with a cozy room to give birth. She had her five kittens overnight and they were all cleaned and nursing by morning.

Abby came to the Pet Alliance, a shelter based in Central Florida, as a friendly stray, pregnant and nearly ready to give birth. She was taken by a calm foster with a room to settle in, and she wasted no time making herself at home.

After a relaxing few days, she decided it was time. Her foster woke up one morning to a surprise, five healthy kittens already cleaned, dried, and nursing, every one of them latched on.

This was not Abby’s first litter. She had raised kittens before, out on the streets, trying to keep them alive with nothing. This time, she did not have to do any of it alone.

A sweet, affectionate girl who settled right in | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

From the start, Abby charmed everyone at the shelter. “She’s sweet and affectionate and a master biscuit maker,” her foster shared with LoveMeow, kneading away contentedly from the moment she checked in.

She came with a mother’s résumé, too. “I can already tell she’s gonna be an excellent mom,” her foster wrote while Abby was still expecting, and the prediction held up the instant the kittens arrived.

Five hungry newborns, one very capable mom Credit: Snuggle Fluff

Watching Abby with her newborns, it is clear she has done this before. She curls around the whole row of them, keeping every kitten fed and warm without a wasted motion.

The proof was in the details. The babies were already clean and dry before anyone found them that morning, the hardest part handled entirely on her own, in the dark.

Small enough to fit in a palm | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

Those first days were all about eating and sleeping. The five kittens tucked against Abby’s side and nursed around the clock, growing by the hour while she kept them close.

For a mother who once had to find food and shelter for babies like these on the street, the quiet of a warm foster room was a world away from everything she had known.

Worn out from the hard work of being a newborn | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

Between meals, the kittens did what newborns do best, sleeping in a heap with their paws tucked and their faces scrunched. Abby kept watch over every nap.

Her foster summed up the scene with two words. The litter was a bunch of “little piglets,” five of them, eating and dozing and growing rounder by the day.

The whole family, fed and content | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

Each of the five got a name. There are four grays and one brown tabby, which makes Honey easy to pick out as Mama Abby’s only brown kitten. Her sister Harley rounds out the two girls, and the boys are Happy, Halo, and Fred.

Abby manages all five at once like the seasoned mother she is, settling the whole pile in to nurse and keeping track of every last one.

Happy, getting a wash whether he holds still or not Credit: Snuggle Fluff

Happy earns his name, squirming and scooting around even as Abby tries to groom him. She stays patient, following the moving target with her tongue, determined to get him clean.

It is the kind of small, ordinary moment Abby never got to have in peace before. Here, she can fuss over a wiggly kitten without one eye on the street.

From newborns to proper little cats in a matter of weeks | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

They did not stay tiny for long. The helpless newborns from those first photos filled out fast, trading the nursing pile for wobbly first steps around the room.

Every week brought something new, a little more weight, a little more coordination, a little more mischief. Abby watched it all unfold from the middle of the chaos.

Rarely more than a paw apart | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

By three weeks, the kittens were walking, playing, and sprouting their first teeth. Now, at five weeks, they are a full-on pack, tumbling over each other and exploring every corner of the room.

They are healthy and thriving, hitting every milestone right on schedule. Their mother made sure of it.

Happy and Honey | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

Honey has found the toy basket. She bats a fuzzy green bug around the blanket with the fierce focus of a cat ten times her size, swatting it clear across the room and pouncing after it.

Each of the five is finding its own way now, discovering toys, blankets, and the endless entertainment of four siblings to climb on.

Change happens fast as a kitten | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

The personalities are already showing. Fred is, in his foster’s words, “so chunky,” the solid one of the bunch, while Halo has a signature move. “Silly Halo always has his feet in the air,” her foster said of the kitten who cannot seem to nap any other way.

At five weeks old, the litter has a remarkable amount of character between them, and plenty of growing still to do.

Fred then and now | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

Watching them grow has been the easy part, because Abby made the hard part look effortless. “She is so relaxed knowing her kittens are safe,” her foster said, a calm a street cat rarely gets to feel.

Not long ago, Abby was raising kittens on the streets with no one to help and no promise any of them would make it. Between feedings these days, she kneads her blanket like the master biscuit maker she is, perfectly at ease. This time she has had nothing to do but be their mother, and when the kittens are grown, she will be spayed and finally get to enjoy being a cat again.

5 weeks already! | Credit : Snuggle Fluff

Share this story with your friends. View more on Abby, her kittens, and Pet Alliance on Instagram @petalliancego and Facebook. Follow their foster journey on Instagram @snuggleflufforg.

Related Story: Shortly After Cat Was Found at an Apartment Complex, She Had Kittens, and Later Even Adopted Another One

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Source: Nature

byNito
in
November 03, 2026

Stray Cat Settled Into a Foster Room, Then Had Five Kittens Overnight, Already Cleaned and Nursing by Morning

Stray Cat Settled Into a Foster Room, Then Had Five Kittens Overnight, Already Cleaned and Nursing by Morning LoveMeow Tue, November 3, 20...
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Patriots lose practice squad linebacker to the Lions

Bernd Buchmasser Tue, November 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC · 1 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New England Patriots have lost a member of their practice squad to the Detroit Lions.

Linebacker K.J. Britt, who has seen action in one game so far this season, has been signed to Detroit's active roster. The transaction comes in the aftermath of the Lions losing starting linebacker Jack Campbell to a neck injury on Sunday.

Adam Schefter of ESPN was first to report the news, which were also shared in the Pats Pulpit Feed by community member Matt Monitto.

Britt, 27, originally joined the Patriots on a one-year free agency deal in March. He did appear in all three preseason games on defense and special but ultimately was released ahead of late August's roster cutdown deadline. He was brought back via New England's practice squad the next day, and spent the entire season so far there. He played 14 kicking game snaps and registered one tackle is his lone regular season appearance.

Britt was one of six linebackers on New England's pay roll entering this week, and the only one on the practice squad. The active roster features starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss as well as backups and special teamers Darius Muasau, Namdi Obiazor and Erick Hunter.

With Britt now off to Detroit, New England will have an open spot on its practice squad . Recently-released safety Elliott Davison appears to be a realistic candidate to fill it .

The Patriots will host the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium this coming Sunday. They will play the Lions the following week in Munich, Germany.

Source: Sports

byNito
in
November 03, 2026

Patriots lose practice squad linebacker to the Lions

Bernd Buchmasser Tue, November 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC · 1 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New England...
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Dodge announces its return to the NASCAR Cup Series beginning at the Daytona 500

Associated Press Tue, November 3, 2026 at 2:12 AM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LAS VEGAS (AP) — Dodge is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, a year earlier than initially expected.

The Stellantis-owned Dodge brand announced its return at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas on Monday.

Dodge will once again give the Cup Series four manufacturers, joining Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota in fielding entries to compete in a 36-race schedule that begins in mid-February and crowns a champion in early November.

Kaulig Racing will use the Dodge Charger to field a two-car team beginning at the Daytona 500. AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon are expected to fill those seats.

"Dodge's return to the NASCAR Cup Series is a significant milestone for the sport," NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell said in a statement. "This commitment speaks to Dodge's belief in our sport and gives fans another reason to be excited about what's ahead.

"The partnership between NASCAR, (Ram CEO) Tim Kuniskis and the entire team at Stellantis has been nothing short of phenomenal. They have a deep passion for NASCAR and its ability to showcase the world's top brands, and we can't wait to see Dodge on the racetrack for the Daytona 500 and beyond."

Dodge raced in NASCAR through the 2012 season and left the same month it celebrated the Cup title with Brad Keselowski and Penske Racing. It was Dodge's first Cup championship since Richard Petty's sixth of seven titles in 1975.

Dodge re-entered the NASCAR Truck Series with its Ram brand in 2026, with eyes on expanding to the premier Cup Series in 2028. Kuniskis vowed to be disruptive while doing it "unlike anyone else."

Kuniskis said Ram planned to tap into NASCAR's estimated fan base of 20 million "and turn it into 80 or 100 million." Kaulig had five trucks race this season, all of which are outside the top 10 in the series standings heading to the season finale at Homestead, Florida, this weekend.

Normally, it would have taken Dodge two years to get ready for the Cup Series. But Dodge reportedly bypassed part of the timeline required to develop a new engine by partnering with Earnhardt Childress Racing to build Dodge-spec powerplants alongside its regular Chevrolet operations.null

The Athletic reported that Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota allowed that unique partnership in part because they believed a fourth manufacturer in NASCAR would be good for the overall health of the racing series.

Source: Sports

byNito
in
November 03, 2026

Dodge announces its return to the NASCAR Cup Series beginning at the Daytona 500

Associated Press Tue, November 3, 2026 at 2:12 AM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LAS VEGAS (AP) —...
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6 Signs Your Dog Feels Safe, Secure and Happy With YouBeth

Sometimes, you might wish you could come back in another life as a dog—especially when your pup seems to have not a care in the world. You know the look: a loose, wiggly body, soft eyes, and a deep sigh as they settle into their favorite spot on the couch. But not every pup is living the carefree life. In fact, loud noises, changes in routine, moving to a new home, and other stressors can leave some dogs feeling uneasy, even when they have loving, attentive pet parent. So, how can you tell if your feels, safe, secure and happy?

Seeing how your furry companion is part of your family you want to make sure they feel comfortable and are in a good mood. The good news is, their body language can offer you important clues. Though, decoding those signs can be tricky since some dog behaviors can be really subtle and easy to miss out on.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your furry family member to see what they are communicating to you. There are some common signs your dog is happy and relaxed, though, and recognizing them can help you better understand how your pup is feeling. That way, if you notice they are feeling down, you can help lift their spirits. “Like humans, dogs that aren’t content likely have higher cortisol levels, which can harm their health and well-being in the long run,” explains Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, a professional dog trainer at Woofz, a puppy and dog training app by nove8.

To help you read your pet better, here are six signs trainers say may indicate your dog is all wags, no worries.

Related: 7 Signs Your Dog Feels Safe With You, According to a Pet Trainer

6 Signs Your Dog Feels Safe, Secure and Happy

A dog who is relaxed playing with a toy.A dog with no w

How to tell if your dog is content and at ease can vary, but there are several common ways your furry companion can communicate their mood to you. From soft eyes to a loose, wagging tail, your dog’s body language can offer clues about how they’re feeling. But not every wag means happiness, and some signs of a relaxed dog are surprisingly easy to miss. Levy shares how you can tell the difference and what signs show your pup is feeling comfortable, secure, and enjoying life.

1. They don’t destroy the house when you’re gone

Wondering how to tell if your dog feels comfortable being home alone? One encouraging sign is that they can settle down without becoming distressed or without destroying anything in your home. Levy says that when a dog’s needs are being met and they can relax in their environment, they may be less likely to show signs of separation-related distress

“If your dog can chill out and you see no signs that they barked or destroyed anything while you were away, that tells us they can stay calm and relaxed on their own,” Levy explains.

2. Their eyes look soft and relaxed

If you’re not sure what happy dog body language looks like, you’re not alone. Many pet parents overlook these signs that their pet gives them because they don’t know what to look for. Afterall, some are more noticeable than others.

“Body language is our dogs’ only way of communicating with us how they are feeling, and so it’s important that we learn these subtle cues that let us know whether our pups are feeling stressed out or chill,” Levy explains.

She adds that a relaxed expression, soft gaze, and loose facial muscles can be reassuring signs that your pup feels comfortable. In fact, it’s just another way your dog smiles on the inside. By contrast, a dog showing the whites of their eyes alongside a tense body may be uncomfortable or stressed, so it’s important to read their whole body rather than focus on one cue.

3. They sleep deeply when you’re home

One of the signs your dog feels safe at may be their ability to settle into a comfortable nap. Your dog doesn’t have to snore for this behavior to mean they don’t have a care in the world (it’s just a cute add-on). After all, dogs need plenty of rest, and a relaxed sleeping posture can suggest they’re comfortable in their surroundings. Levy notes that animals are vulnerable while sleeping, making a safe-feeling environment important.

“Spending lots of time asleep indicates that your dog is feeling safe and comfortable in their environment,” Levy says.

That said, Levy notes that sudden changes in sleep patterns are worth flagging with a vet.

Related: 7 Signs Your Dog Feels Happy, Heard and Understood, Say Experts

4. They want to play with you

There are a few ways you an tell your dog has no worries. Just watch what happens when your pup brings over a favorite toy, nudges you to play, or drops into a playful bow. Levy reports that dogs are among the few animals that spontaneously play as adults, so this behavior is their way of telling you they have no worries or fears.

“Play in adult dogs is not necessary for survival and is purely something they do for fun, and stressed animals are existing in fight-or-flight mode—not looking to have fun,” Levy says. “If your dog initiates play with you most days, that is a great sign they are relaxed in your company and just want to have fun.”

5. Their tail wags slowly and loosely

Does a wagging tail always mean a dog is happy? Not necessarily. According to Levy, tail wagging is one part of canine body language, and its meaning depends on the dog’s posture, the movement of their tail, and what’s happening around them. As a result, a slow and loose wags are the tell-tail sign your dog is in a calm, happy state however, fast, short wags with a high, stiff tail might even indicate that your dog is preparing to react aggressively.

6. A relaxed, open mouth

How do dogs show they are relaxed? One way to tell is by paying attention to their mouth. A dog with a loose jaw and a relaxed, slightly open mouth may be comfortable in that moment and feels safe around you. Some researchers describe this appearance as a relaxed open mouth (ROM), but context matters because if your dog is panting, that can also happen because of heat, exercise, excitement, pain, or stress.

Levy explains it’s important to consider their breathing rate and other facial cues rather than relying on a pup’s open mouth alone. “The key thing to look for is how heavily they are breathing and whether you can see wrinkles at the corners of their mouths,” Levy says. “True ROM usually has no side-of-mouth wrinkles and a low breathing rate, but this can be harder to see in some breeds, and others are just wrinkly all the time, no matter how they feel!”

Source:

Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, a professional dog trainer at Woofz, a puppy and dog training app by nove8

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Nov 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Dogs section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Nature

byNito
in
November 03, 2026

6 Signs Your Dog Feels Safe, Secure and Happy With You

6 Signs Your Dog Feels Safe, Secure and Happy With YouBeth Sometimes, you might wish you could come back in another life as a dog—especial...
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