Kylian Mbappe has mentioned that he is accustomed to coaches expressing negative comments towards him following criticism from Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique.
Mbappe struck three times as PSG beat Reims in Ligue 1, but coach Luis Enrique said afterwards that he was “not happy” with the forward. “I have nothing to say about the goals, but he can help the team in another way. I will talk about it with him first, but they are private conversations.
Kylian is one of the best players in the world, but we want more,” he said.
At 24 years old, Mbappe leads the scoring charts in Ligue 1, contributing 13 goals out of Paris Saint-Germain’s total of 29 in just 11 matches this season.
Despite ongoing speculation about his future and strong interest from Real Madrid, recent reports suggest that the Spanish club has withdrawn their pursuit of the World Cup winner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHScxNhKVUo
Mbappe insists his relationship with Luis Enrique is fine, however, telling reporters: “I’ve always worked well with the coaches I’ve had, like Didier Deschamps, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and so on.
These are coaches who have spoken to me ‘badly’, so to speak, but it didn’t stop me from playing well and having a good relationship with them.
“I’m a player who’s very demanding of himself, so when I find that demand from my coaches, then I’m very happy. I don’t need my manager to tell me I’m the best player in the world every day.”
Asked about the links to Madrid, he said while on international duty: “It’s not something that concerns the French national team,” began the France captain in an evasive manner. “You should come to Campus PSG and I’ll respond; the focus is on the country above anything else for the next week.”
Mbappe will likely be involved when France takes on Gibraltar in Euro 2024 qualifying on Saturday. PSG return to action with a Ligue 1 clash against Monaco on Friday, November 24.
Manchester United faces another setback as goalkeeper Andre Onana adds to their injury concerns.
Onana was forced off with less than 10 minutes remaining in Cameroon’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory on Friday due to discomfort. Fabrice Ondoa replaced him after he limped off the field.
This injury is a significant worry for United manager Erik ten Hag, given the team’s existing fitness issues.
Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen had to withdraw from international duty due to injuries, and defenders Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, and Tyrell Malacia are currently sidelined.
Midfielder Casemiro is also expected to be out until January.
The injury to Onana compounds United’s challenges, and the situation worsened on Friday as Marcus Rashford was forced off during England’s win against Malta after colliding with teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold at Wembley.
It remains uncertain whether Onana will be available for Cameroon when they face Libya on Tuesday.
Manchester Unitedis scheduled to return to Premier League action with an away game against Everton on Sunday, November 26.
Gyan suggested the importance of incorporating Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams into the team’s offensive strategy. Williams’ decisive goal secured a three-point victory for Ghana during the match held at the Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium on Friday, November 17, 2023.
In a post-match statement on Twitter, Gyan conveyed his belief that providing Inaki Williams with 60% of the balls in the offensive play would enhance his performance.
“Just feed him with 60% of the balls in attack, and he will be ready mentally to deliver. PERIOD,” Gyan asserted in his Twitter post.
Inaki Williams had a goal disallowed for offside earlier in the game but remained persistent in his efforts.
In the dying moments of added time, Williams seized an opportunity from a Gideon Mensah cross, skillfully evading his marker to head the ball into the net, securing his inaugural goal for the Black Stars.
The competition for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate in the Bantama Constituency is shaping up to be an intense showdown between the current Member of Parliament, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Ralph Kwame Agyapong.
During a recent event marking the inauguration of a library built by the incumbent MP in the constituency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commended his former deputy Chief of Staff. The president urged the electorate in Bantama to support Asenso-Boakye in the party’s upcoming primaries and the general election.
“It will hurt me so much if the people of Bantama throw him away. Give him the opportunity to represent you again and he will come and continue the good job he has been doing,” he urged.
In reaction to the president’s endorsement of his rival, Ralph Agyapong has disclosed that he too is garnering significant support from influential figures within the party.
This includes the backing of his brother, Kennedy Agyapong, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Assin Central and was a former hopeful for the NPP flagbearer position.
During an interview on Angel FM Kumasi, Ralph revealed that he enjoys support from various regional chairmen, including Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye, from the Bono Region and Kwabena Owusu Sekyere from the Ahafo Region.
“He supports me more than 1,001%. He repeated this two days ago. I was sitting with him in the room and he said, ‘Bantama, even if they like it, I will come and live there and do the work,” he stated.
According to Ralph, the president’s endorsement of Asenso-Boakye has opened the floodgates for his camp to go all out in the campaign.
“Has the president not come to do some of the work and gone? So it will be nice going forward; when he comes, Ken also comes, and then the two of us will also be facing off.
“Do you know those who want to come for me? Abronye is currently lurking at Asokwa. He says I should open up for him and I told the chairman to relax. Bantama will be exciting, so keep your eyes on Bantama. People are lacing their boots; Ahafo Chairman Sekyere has laced his boots and is stomping his feet,” he added.
Ralph Agyapong played a crucial role in supporting Kennedy Agyapong’s bid for the NPP flagbearer position, a campaign that ultimately ended with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerging as the winner.
According to Ralph, he has received unwavering support from his brother to secure victory over Asenso-Boakye in the upcoming NPP primaries scheduled for early 2024.
Ralph contends that, under Asenso-Boakye’s leadership, the Bantama Constituency has experienced a lack of development, with allegations of oppression against party executives and delegates.
Chairman of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, Samuel Atta-Akyea, has characterised the opposition by Ada residents againstElectrochem Ghana’s salt mining operations as a lawless attempt to hinder the company’s progress.
He cautioned residents to refrain from engaging in activities that undermine the firm’s advancement.
Over the years, Ada residents have raised concerns that the company’s operations in the area would jeopardise their livelihoods.
A conflict on November 6 resulted in one fatality at Toflokpo and numerous injuries during a shooting incident, prompting Parliament to initiate an investigation for a lasting solution.
During the committee’s visit to the salt mining site at Songor, Samuel Atta-Akyea emphasised his commitment to addressing entities that impede progress.
“My pain is hearing that there are some people who believe that if they don’t undermine this enterprise with their personal interests, they won’t be happy. It also means that if we should just put together a very vile conspiracy and commit some crimes and even kill somebody, that is their pleasure. We cannot have that lawlessness, undermining an undertaking that can bless the entire country.”
“So I am using this opportunity to sound a note of caution to those who believe that this whole Ada traditional area should not improve—when you have an investor who wants to improve a lot of people. (sic) They will seize some of the production lines for you to go produce and even create a ready market, and then they will buy it from you.
“And then somebody believes that this undertaking should be undermined. That lawlessness will have to cease. And this is one of the things that I, as the chairman of the committee, will take up at the highest level so that this country should not have people who want to undermine progress,” he stated.
The Ranking Member on theMines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor, however, said the committee would take steps to ensure a win-win situation for a peaceful and business-friendly atmosphere.
Parliament has granted approval for an $800 million loan agreement between the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and a consortium of banks and financial institutions.
The loan is intended to fund the purchase of cocoa beans for the 2023/2024 Crop Season, covering approximately 47 percent of the projected 850,000 tonnes of cocoa beans.
COCOBOD has reassured that it has implemented concrete measures to secure adequate funds for its annual cocoa purchases in the 2023/2024 crop season.
In response to a Reuters report stating that the firm borrowed up to $200 million from cocoa traders to address its funding gap, COCOBOD clarified that it has adopted a two-prong financing strategy to meet the necessary funds for the purchasing season.
A statement from COCOBOD in response to the Reuters report indicated that it had had firm assurances from its bankers of making funds available in time for the purchasing season and that a “Cocoa syndicated Loan has been laid in Parliament for consideration and approval.”
The 2023/2024 loan facility disbursement is proposed to be utilized forcocoa purchases and related operations as listed below:
Farmers’ services cost
– cocoa diseases and pest controls
– fertilizer distribution and application
– farmer pension scheme
– cocoa roads
– industry inputs (jute sacks, twine, stencil ink, passbooks.)
– child education support
Share of Net FOB
-payments to farmers
– buyer’s margin
– hauler’s margin
– international marketing operations (storage and shipping operations)
– disinfestation/grading and sealing cost
-finance cost
-COCOBOD and divisions cost
other costs/scale inspection and phytosanitary inspections
African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has cautioned that the attrition rate in Parliament may worsen in the near future unless political parties take proactive measures to address the situation.
Dr. Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of ACEPA, highlighted that political parties appear to prioritise financially affluent individuals over competent MPs, contributing to the current state of affairs.
This concern has been raised in response to comments by the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who linked the increasing attrition rate in Parliament to the excessive monetization of politics in Ghana.
Mr. Nketiah, speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, claimed that there has been a deviation from the original purpose of serving the nation through law formulation, with MPs now using their parliamentary privileges to recoup campaign investments or advance personal business interests.
Dr. Draman lamented the prioritisation of money over knowledge and experience by political parties.
“In advanced democracies, there are some seats where(sic) you don’t contest a sitting MP because of the wealth of knowledge or experience that he or she brings to the legislative agenda and the fact that the party needs the person to be in the House.
“Now the party looks at who has a fat wallet and who can win elections for them, even if the person is not going to bring anything to the table when it comes to the work of Parliament.”
He suggests that there should be a reevaluation of the positions within the executive arm granted to legislators, emphasising the necessity of a disconnect in this regard.
Prominent media personality and entrepreneurDeloris Frimpong Manso popularly known as Delay, has stated emphatically that she has no intention to sell condoms, as some of her fans are calling for.
She explained that her primary focus is on the food products she currently sells, and anything related to sex does not interest her.
The hostess of the popular ‘The Delay Show’ reiterated that, at the moment, her business venture is concentrated on selling food-related items.
“I am not interested in sex or condoms. So please stop asking about Delay Condoms. I just wanna sell food… I am not interested in selling condoms #DelayBread,” she wrote on her X page in reaction to some people asking her about when she would start producing and selling condoms.
Delay bread
When she was asked by a fan why she keeps issuing the notice to people on her social media platforms, she retorted, “Because I am not interested in sex or condoms, it is all about Delay Bread.”
Delay, a thriving entrepreneur, manages her own business known as ‘Delay Foods.’ Her product line encompasses items like sardines, mackerel, and various others, with the latest addition being bread.
Williams, who switched his allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022, made a significant impact in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
After scoring two goals in four matches at the2022 World Cup, he continued to showcase his talent in a crucial match against Madagascar on November 17, 2023.
The game was characterised by tight defences and limited chances for both teams. With the match seemingly heading for a goalless draw, Williams entered the game in the 85th minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXG0_iBwZZI
Utilising his speed and strength, he disrupted the Madagascar defence and created opportunities for his teammates.
In the 93rd minute, receiving a pass from Gideon Mensah, Williams unleashed a powerful free-header from outside the box that found the top corner of the net.
The late goal not only secured a dramatic 1-0 victory for Ghana but also earned them three crucial points in the Group I opener. Ghana is now tied with Mali, who also secured a victory in their first game against Comoros.
The upcoming match against Mali on November 21, 2023, holds significant importance as it could determine the group’s leader.
Williams’ celebration with teammates reflected the relief and joy of breaking the deadlock and contributing to Ghana’s successful start in the qualifiers.
Two UK-based research firms have predicted a win for former President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and Fitch Solutions, according to a myjoyonline.com report, made this projection.
The EIU attributed the potential change to factors such as declining living standards, limited job opportunities, and inadequate public services in Ghana.
Similarly, Fitch Solutions anticipates that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) tenure is unlikely to continue, predicting that former President Mahama will secure victory in the swing regions with a substantial margin, obtaining nearly 48% compared to Vice President Bawumia’s projected 29%.
In support of their predictions, Fitch Solutions incorporated data from Global Info Analytics alongside their proprietary data.
This data analysis places the NDC ahead of the NPP in key regions, including theVolta and Oti Regions, the three Northern Regions, and the Akan Regions, making it unlikely for the ruling NPP to retain power after the 2024 election.
His life took an unexpected turn when God gave him a profound urge to initiate a ministry dedicated to the well-being of children, aptly named “Prayer for Children Ministry.”
The inspiration for this ministry struck Fiifi Banson during a transformative experience. He vividly recounted a moment when “after all the bad things I have done on radio during my Peace FM days… one day I just woke up and God had written Psalm 1:2:7 verse 3 in a dark place on a wall in my bedroom.”
He believed that God was holding him accountable for his past actions, and this ministry was a form of penance.
With unwavering determination, the celebrated broadcaster embarked on his mission, reaching out to fellow parents and guardians to join him in interceding on behalf of their children.
Speaking at the press launch of legendary gospel musician Joe Beecham’s ‘Yonder’ concert scheduled for December 3, 2023, at the Victory Bible Church in Awoshie,Accra, Fiifi Banson indicated that the Prayer for Children Ministry initiative has since become a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless families.
Minority in parliament has expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Finance for not furnishing Members of Parliament with copies of the 2024 budget statement following its presentation on November 15.
Minority Leader Ato Forson highlighted the issue, underscoring the need to promptly receive the budget documents for the ensuing post-budget discussions.
“Mr. Speaker, it is important for me to state that as we speak, we are all aware that the post-budget starts tomorrow; unfortunately, we have not received copies of the budget statement,”Ato Forson conveyed during parliamentary proceedings. “I do not have a copy of the budget statement, and no one is here. I have been observing the Ministry of Finance website since Wednesday to be able to download a soft copy,” he added.
Ato Forson underscored the significance of having access to the budget documents, describing the situation as a pressing concern as the house commences its worship tomorrow. “Mr. Speaker, this is not a speech; this is an appendix that comes with it. Mr. Speaker, we don’t have it; we don’t have it,” he reiterated.
Chelsea legend Mikel John Obi has expressed his opinion that Lionel Messi surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo as a footballer, stating that he doesn’t understand the comparisons between the two.
Mikel contends that Messi’s talent is unparalleled and believes the Argentine football icon is in a league of his own.
Reflecting on the challenges of playing against Messi, he mentioned that the game plan to contend with the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner was to resort to physical tactics such as ‘kicking him’.
“For me, Messi, Messi was the guy. The training the whole week was about Messi. The game plan was just to kick him. You have to have two or three players with him. You can’t defend 1v1 against Messi; it’s impossible, and you’re dead.
“And the way they move the ball around, the way they play, the sole purpose of getting the ball to him… so difficult, the way he touches the ball, the way he moves it, the way he passes it,” he said on the Vibe with Five podcast.
“I know the comparison is there but… I played against both and Messi was very close to me when we played against them. For me, I’m not going to say mile but because of what Cristiano has done as well.
“But for me, I really don’t see the comparison in any way. Because I think Messi is from a different planet, and I just think he is that good.”
The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stands out as the longest-running competition between two players vying for the title of the greatest of their generation. The debate extends to determining who among the two can be acclaimed as the Greatest Player of All Time (GOAT).
FormerSuper Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel has emphasised the challenges that many African footballers encounter after achieving success in their careers.
Mikel elaborates on the familial pressure that arises when a footballer attains financial success. According to him, the family often perceives a sense of ownership and entitlement to the player’s success, assuming that the player owes it to them.
In recounting a worst-case scenario on Vibe with 5, Mikel describes situations where the player’s sisters may marry opportunists and subsequently have many children, with the expectation that the player should bear the responsibility of caring for these children.
“When we come from Africa, and this is something that I don’t think we speak a lot about. When you make money, it’s not your money. You have all these relatives, cousins, whatever you call it. And your sisters get married to some guy who just wants to get married into John Obi Mikel’s family because then “my life is sorted”. You send money to your sister; the money goes to him, and he does whatever he does with it. This is something nobody knows about.
“So you get your salary, you say okay, now I’m going to put this aside for this person, put this aside for that person, put this aside for mum and dad. Before you know it, where is it? You get nothing.”
“And they keep having so many kids and so many kids and you look at it… Okay, you have this many kids; who is going to look after them? It’s you. They look out to you for you to look after the kids, your husband, and the husband’s family. And it becomes really and absolutely crazy. For them, you owe them that.”
Mikel revealed that he was in the same position until he decided to bring it to a halt about five years ago.
“So sometimes you have to be strong and say, You know what, guys, enough is enough. I don’t care. For me, that was five years ago; I said F it, no more. Because I’ve been doing this since I started playing football.”
“The reaction is you become the bad guy. They stop answering your phone calls,” he added.
He indicated that his agent advised him to stop giving more than he should to the family.
“My agent told me, ‘Mikel, you can’t be doing this. You killing yourself and you are killing them. Because all you do is give them, and they get so comfortable that they expect you to do that for the rest of your life. And I came to that point five years ago, where I stopped.”
The Chelsea legend further noted that when the player eventually musters the courage to set boundaries, the family resorts to threats of going public with their grievances.
“They will give you this thing whereby if you don’t do it we going to go to the press. What? After all that I’ve done for you guys?”
John Mikel Obi made the statement while discussing money management as an African footballer who is often focused on family, notably extended family.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian populace for what he terms their unwavering and unexpected show of love to the flood victims in the Volta Region.
According to the lawmaker, he is overwhelmed by the kind of donations undertaken by some Ghanaians to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens who were affected by the Akosombo Dam-induced floods.
In a conversation with Bola Ray on Starr Chat, he added that Ghanaians, in the face of the hardship in the flood-hit areas in the Volta Region, have outdone themselves.
“I want to take a moment to celebrate Ghanaians. To be honest with you Bola Ray, I have been so moved by the generosity and compassion of Ghanaians. You know, we’ve always known we are nice people, we are warm, and Ghanaians are hospitable, but I have experienced it. You know, as we say on the streets, ‘feeligadochi’. You know, I’m just lost for words. I mean, first-hand experience. People just call you; look, we are in your constituency; where are you? You don’t have to call anybody or beg anybody. People are just pouring in,” he stressed.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) initiated its controlled spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on September 15, 2023, due to the consistent rise in the upstream water level of the Akosombo Dam, primarily caused by rainfall.
Since the spillage exercise began, some communities downstream of the Volta River have been submerged due to the excessive water from the dam.
Residents in these areas were left stranded as their homes were submerged by the flood.
However, several Ghanaians have come to their rescue by providing food, money, shelter and clothes for the victims.
Renowned gospel musician Diana Asamoah, dressed in black funeral attire with a purse and spectacles, looked striking despite her sorrowful expression.
Celebrated highlife musician Martin King Arthur, popularly known as Kofi Kinaata, was also present in his black outfit, accompanied by unidentified individuals.
These two celebrities, along with various personalities, joined the gathering to shake hands with the widower, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, expressing condolences during this tragic time.
A state funeral for the late former First Lady Theresa Kufuor took place at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra on November 16, 2023. The event commenced with a file past at 7 a.m., followed by a burial mass at 9 a.m.
Final funeral rites for the former First Lady were scheduled at Heroes Park in Kumasi on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Theresa Kufuor passed away at her home in Peduase, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, October 1, at the age of 87.
The funeral saw the presence of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the First Lady, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, politicians, New Patriotic Party members, and family and friends of the late former First Lady, all expressing condolences to the grieving family.
Within the realm of football, point deductions stand out as arguably the most severe reminder of the consequences that clubs must confront for violating regulations, manipulating their figures, or mishandling finances.
While penalties are a regular occurrence, certain instances distinguish themselves for their unprecedented severity and the subsequent ripple effects, reshaping the destinies of clubs and redirecting the course of competitions.
In light of Everton’s recent 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules, Flashscore examines a selection of examples from English football that have left enduring imprints on the respective clubs involved.
Luton Town (2008) In 2008, Luton Town Football Club, then competing in the Football League One, faced dire consequences due to financial irregularities.
The club was first hit with a 10-point deduction in 2007/08 for falling into administration, which was enough to see them relegated to League Two.
General view of the stadium of Luton Town versus Liverpool during the FA Cup third round football match at Kenilworth Road in 2008
AFP
The following season, in 2008/09, Luton were hit with a staggering 30-point deduction, a record at the time, stemming from multiple breaches of regulations, including improper payments to agents and financial misconduct.
This unprecedented penalty saw Luton plummet to the foot of the league, facing an insurmountable task to avoid relegation. Despite picking up 13 wins and 17 draws throughout the campaign, they finished bottom with 26 points.
It meant the club dropped out of the football league and into the National League for the start of the 2009/10 season, making their storied rise up to the Premier League this season all the more remarkable.
AFC Bournemouth (2008)
In the same year, another notable points deduction unfolded, impactingAFC Bournemouth.
The club faced a substantial 17-point penalty due to financial mismanagement, notably entering administration amid considerable debts.
This deduction had a profound impact on Bournemouth’s league position, causing a significant drop from mid-table to the verge of relegation.
Despite the setback, Bournemouth showcased resilience and fought admirably. Despite the points deduction, they managed to avoid relegation from the football league, securing 46 points. The following year, they achieved promotion back to League One.
Portsmouth (2010) Portsmouth Football Club’s tumultuous journey in 2010 epitomised the repercussions of financial turmoil.
Portsmouth supporters in 2010 at Wembley
Despite securing the FA Cup in 2008, Portsmouth (Pompey) faced severe challenges, including substantial debts, estimated at around £135 million, and ownership complications.
In the midst of a financial crisis that pushed them towards liquidation, Portsmouth received a monumental nine-point deduction while already struggling in the Premier League.
This setback positioned them 17 points adrift from safety with just nine league games remaining.
The penalty exacerbated the club’s difficulties, significantly contributing to their eventual relegation from the Premier League.
This event marked a pivotal moment in Portsmouth’s descent from the pinnacle of the Premier League to the depths of financial turmoil, leading to their involvement in lower divisions.
Despite spending some time in League Two, they currently find themselves competing at the top of League One.
Birmingham City (2019)
In a more recent instance, Birmingham City Football Club encountered a significant challenge in 2019.
The club received a nine-point deduction as a consequence of violating profitability and sustainability regulations within the English Football League (EFL).
While this deduction may not have historical proportions, it had a substantial impact on Birmingham City’s standing in the Championship.
The penalty created considerable pressure for the club, putting their Championship status at risk.
Nevertheless, the team displayed commendable resilience, narrowly escaping relegation in a tense conclusion to the season.
Derby County (2021)
An even more recent addition to the annals of significant points deductions came in 2021 when Derby County Football Club found itself embroiled in financial strife.
The club was handed a monumental 21-point deduction due to accounting irregularities that breached league regulations – they were reported to owe £29.3 million to HMRC.
Wayne Rooney and Festy Ebosele of Derby County applauds fans
The unprecedented deduction placed Derby County in a precarious position within the Championship, requiring them to face a challenging uphill struggle to maintain their status in the division.
This penalty prompted intense discussions regarding the fairness and repercussions of such significant deductions on a club’s competitive outlook.
Despite the dedicated efforts of then-manager Wayne Rooney, who operated with limited resources and a squad largely composed of free transfers, the club narrowly fell short of securing their position at the end of the season. As a result, they were relegated to League One, marking their first descent to this level since 1986.
His remarks stem from allegations by some members of the National Democratic Party (NDC) over the incumbent government’s abandonment of hospital projects that were started by the previous government.
In response to this on Hello FM in Kumasi, Mr. Osei-Mensah stated that the NDC lacks the moral authority to discuss issues concerning the region as it has failed to take meaningful actions for the people.
He called on the NDC to show him just one hospital it was able to commission during its tenure and he will step down from his role as minister.
“They [NDC] are complaining about uncompleted hospitals. They claim the hospital at Nyameani junction has been awarded and its a loan; who told them?” he quizzed.
“NDC should be ashamed of themselves. When they were in power from 2009 to 2017, did they even commission one hospital in the Ashanti region?. They should show me just one and I’ll resign. If they get just one hospital they commissioned, I will resign.I tell you, we are going to work with facts and figures,” he said.
Despite a recent 2-1 victory against Alves that marked a comeback from three consecutive losses, Xavi voiced dissatisfaction with his team’s performance.
He attributed the negativity surrounding the team and media criticism to their displays on the field.
“We are well placed in the Champions League and La Liga,” Laporta said. “I want to make it very clear, just as (Barca sporting director) Deco and the directors of my board have, that we are completely on the side of our coach and that we are proud to have Xavi as coach for his professional and human quality.
Here, we are a close-knit group; we close ranks. At this moment, it is very important to be together. Now we have a period in which the injured can recover and Xavi will have all the troops available. We are in it and the important thing is how it ends. We are working here to be strong in the final stretch.“
Australia is set to donate a substantial portion of their match fees from the World Cup 2026 qualifier against Palestine in Kuwait City to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
The Socceroos’ contribution, a five-figure sum, will be channelled through the Professional Footballers Australia Footballers’ Trust and will be directed to Oxfam.
Additionally, Football Australia will match this donation. Originally scheduled to take place in the West Bank, the venue was changed to the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait following Israeli forces’ attacks on Gaza in response to an October 7 assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel.
Israel claims that Hamas is responsible for the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of about 240 hostages. In contrast, Gaza health authorities assert that over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli counteroffensive.
In terms of football, Australia, ranked 27th globally and fourth in Asia, leads their qualifying group after a decisive 7-0 victory over Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Palestine, ranked 96th globally, holds the third position following a draw with Lebanon.
The Football Association (FA) has charged Arsenal manager Mikel Artetawith making insulting comments about match officials, as announced on Thursday.
Arteta expressed his frustration, labelling the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United on November 4th as embarrassing and disgraceful.
This criticism followed the goal, despite a triple VAR assessment.
“Mikel Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following comments that he made in media interviews after Arsenal’s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday, November 4,” the FA statement said.
“It’s alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.”
BREAKING: Mikel Arteta has been charged with misconduct following comments he made in post-match interviews after Arsenal’s Premier League game defeat to Newcastle United. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/eukb97vhM0
England’s coach Gareth Southgate, has revealed a shift in his plans for the England squad in the European 2024 qualifiers against Malta on Friday and North Macedonia three days later.
This adjustment stems from the absence of several players due to injuries.
Despite having secured qualification for next year’s finals in Germany with a win against Italy last month, Southgate now faces the challenge of reshaping the squad given the unavailable players.
“You always have to adapt. We’d maybe have written two possible teams for the next two games but you never really know what’s going to come your way,” Southgate said in a press conference on Thursday.
“We have lost more players than is normal and there’s some long-term injuries amidst that, which is a big shame for the players themselves, but then there’s always opportunities for the players coming in.”
Southgate confronts England’s last games of the year without essential players, including Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, who are sidelined with shoulder injuries.
The coach emphasised the managerial challenge of striking a balance and making tough decisions in light of these absences. This comes after he faced inquiries regarding the absence of Chelsea striker Raheem Sterling.
“As a player, you never agree with a manager’s decision to leave you out, but you just hope you do it in the most respectful way possible, with constructive points so they can go away and work on things,” said Southgate.
Southgate also spoke of how,despite England leading Group C with 16 points after six games, his priority is to prove they are a top team that wins games, despite facing constant criticism.
“The most important message revolves around our day-to-day standard on the training ground,” said Southgate. “We aspire to be a top team, and we’ve been consistent for a while, and that comes from everything you do and the things no one else sees.”
English FA announced on Thursday that Jack Simpson, a 26-year-old former Cardiff City defender, has been suspended for six matches and fined after he admitted to using racist language towards a teammate.
The incident occurred during Cardiff’s pre-season tour in Portugal. Simpson, who previously played for Rangers, departed from Cardiff in August and has been a free agent since then.
Simpson was fined 8,000 pounds and will undergo “face-to-face education,” the FA said in a statement.
Real Madrid’s21-year-old midfielder, Eduardo Camavinga, sustained a right knee injury while training with the French national team, as confirmed by the La Liga club on Friday.
The diagnosis revealed a “rupture of the external lateral ligament” in Camavinga’s right knee, and Real Madrid has not provided an estimated timeline for his return.
This injury further compounds Real’s challenges, as Camavinga, who has featured in every league game this season, now joins the ranks of Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and Arda Guler as Real players dealing with knee injuries.
The setback for Camavinga comes on the heels of winger Vinicius Jr being forced off with a thigh injury during Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Colombia on Thursday, adding to Real Madrid’s concerns on the injury front.
Real are second inLa Liga with 32 points from 13 matches. They play Cadiz in their next league game on Nov. 26, after the international break.
The Glazer family, owners of Manchester United, is reportedly nearing the completion of a deal with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, where he would acquire a 25% stake in the club at $33 per share, as per Sky News on Friday.
This proposed deal reflects a premium of 79.1% compared to Thursday’s closing stock price of $18.43, giving Manchester United an approximate market capitalization of $3 billion.
The US-listed shares surged by 8.1% to $19.90 in premarket trading. If accepted, Ratcliffe’s stake would be valued at $1.36 billion, based on a Reuters calculation.
As of now, Manchester United has not provided a response to Reuters’ request for comment. Ratcliffe, also the chair of Ineos, a petrochemicals firm, is expected to pay over $1.5 billion for the 25% stake in United.
The Glazer family, known for their success in real estate, retail, and healthcare, acquired the club in 2005 for £790 million. The family, controlling 96% of Manchester United’s voting stock, announced last year that they were exploring various options for the club, including new investments or a potential sale.
While the deal is yet to be finalised and remains under negotiation, Sky News reported the progress on Friday.
Earlier in the week, Manchester United announced the departure of CEO Richard Arnold, with Patrick Stewart, the general counsel and board director, stepping in as interim CEO.
Premier League has imposed a significant 10-point deduction on Everton for violating its financial fair play regulations.
This penalty stands as the most substantial in the league’s history, causing the club to fall into the relegation zone, now occupying the 19th position, with only a goal difference keeping them ahead of bottom-placed Burnley.
A statement from the Premier League read: “An independent commission has imposed an immediate deduction of 10 points on Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs).
“The Premier League issued a complaint against the club and referred the case to an independent commission earlier this year. During the proceedings, the club admitted it was in breach of the PSRs for the period ending Season 2021/22 but the extent of the breach remained in dispute.
“Following a five-day hearing last month, the commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5 million, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105 million permitted under the PSRs.
“The commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.”
Everton say they are “shocked and disappointed” by what they call an “unjust” ruling by the Premier League and are now beginning the process to appeal the decision.
“Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission,” the club said in a statement.
“The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction. The club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League.
“The appeal process will now commence and the Club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course.
“Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process.
“The Club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings.
“Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted.
“The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton cannot comment on this matter any further until the appeals process has concluded.”
Middlesbrough experienced a three-point deduction for failing to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn during the 1996/97 campaign, and Portsmouth received a nine-point deduction in 2010 after entering administration.
In March 2019, Showboy received a six-year prison sentence for stabbing the US-based Ghanaian musician during a confrontation.
Although Junior survived the stabbing, he tragically lost his life in a robbery incident in 2021.
Showboy’s associates were implicated in the crime at the time of Junior’s death.
After spending several years behind bars, Showboy has now been released, and a recent video shared on social media captures his return to Ghana.
In an Instagram announcement, the former co-founder of the AMG group shared a video of himself at the beach, participating in a ritual cleanse.
“I am back to pay homage to all the gods and my ancestors. I am back.” He spoke.
In the caption that accompanied his post, Showboy, who disclosed how his mental health has since been disoriented by the entire encounter, thanked everyone who stood by him.
“Thanks to Allah/God and our ancestors for everything!!! Shouts to all my dawgs /Families that held me down and never turned their back on me. Shouts to all that tolerated my depression and sorry to all I offended !!! back for everything! FINALLY FREE!” he retorted.
How Showboy accused Criss Waddle of setting him up
Even though Showboy was in detention, he was quite active on social media, sharing details of his life and events leading to his incarceration.
In one of his posts last year, he accused Criss Waddle, founder of AMG Record label, which he is said to be co-founder for setting him up.
“Criss Waddle sent Junior and us to my house (apartment)… they set me up…my life hasn’t been the same since then. July 3, 2016. I never forget this day. U can read the statement and see the lies they told the police. They came to court and denied everything and said they scared of me”.
“Told court am a Gunsta .. prosecutor told me I got a Huge Ego and said I call the shot .. I was profiled .. if not Criss Waddle sending Junior to me to come pay me money he Criss Waddle owed …all this never was going to happen .. Junior us was never my friend. That was Criss Waddle friend that hated on me out of jealousy .. I was set up by Criss Waddle and his friends. .thats the facts … still ain’t got no visit from Criss Waddle till today. .. haven’t seen him in 5yrs(sic),” he wrote at the time.
Showboy shared the particular video in which he was captured stabbing Junior US, in a bid to advise people on controlling their temper.
He said if he could turn back the hands of time, he would’ve simply walked away during their argument and not resort to violence.
“6 yrs ago , Criss Waddle sent Junior US to my apartment … 6yrs ago I lost my freedom and independence. 6yrs ago I lost it all defending Amg and Criss Waddle …. I wish I could reverse this moment and just walk away after he attacked me inside my apartment.
“I post this to advice the new youth. . violence is not the way out … 6yrs ago on the 4th of July 2016, .. ..I lost my soul. ..being fighting this case all my life … Nothing to prove if u know who you are and know your worth. I pray I have another chance soon to chase my dream. … .stay away from violence and stay positive if u have your freedom…” he established.
Mohamed Salah showcased a stellar performance, scoring four goals as Egypt opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a anticipated 6-0 victory over Djibouti.
Salah’s remarkable feat propelled his overall goal tally for Egypt to 53 in 93 appearances as they aim for a spot in the 2026 finals after missing out on the Qatar World Cup last year.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, missing the injured Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, faced an unexpected setback with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in a rainy encounter in Uyo.
Lesotho, positioned 113 places below Nigeria in the FIFA rankings, took a surprising lead with defender Motlomelo Mkhwanazi’s goal, only to be equalized by Semi Ajayi from Kelechi Iheanacho’s corner.
In other matches, Mozambique secured the first away victory of the African qualifying campaign, beating Botswana 3-2 in Group G. Algeria, the favourites in the group, had an unconvincing 3-1 home win over Somalia, prompting coach Djamel Belmadi to make halftime substitutions.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M9PqfMTvDfQ
Gabon rallied from a goal down to defeat Kenya 2-1, with Denis Bouanga equalising on the hour mark and Guelor Kanga securing an 88th-minute winner in Franceville.
Burundi also clinched a victory in Group F, edging the Gambia 3-2 in a match played in Tanzania due to Burundi’s lack of a suitable stadium.
Sudan hosted their Group B clash against Togo in Benghazi, Libya, due to the civil war in their country.
The Group D clash between the Cape Verde Islands and Angola concluded in a goalless draw, characterised by missed chances.
The first two rounds of African qualifiers span from Wednesday to the following Tuesday, with the next set of matches resuming in June.
In the qualifying format, nine groups determine direct qualifiers for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., while the four best runners-up have an additional chance through a two-tier playoff system.
Just days after being released by his kidnappers, the father of Colombian striker Luis Díaz found himself in tears on Thursday as he witnessed his son score both goals in a 2-1 victory over Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match.
Decked in a Colombia jersey and a necklace, Luis Manuel Díaz fell onto the people beside him in the stands at the Metropolitano Stadium, shedding tears of joy alongside his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, during the celebration.
Luis Manuel Díaz had been held captive for 12 days in a mountainous region by the ELN guerrilla group before being reunited with his family on Tuesday.
“I thank God. He makes it all possible. We have always lived tough moments, but life makes you strong and brave. So is soccer and so is life,” Luis Díaz said after the match. “We deserved this victory.”
UNBELIEVABLE MOMENTS OUT OF COLOMBIA!
LUIS DIAZ SCORES TWO GOALS IN FIVE MINUTES TO TAKE THE LEAD OVER BRAZIL!
Díaz secured both goals with headers, the first in the 75th minute and the second in the 79th, marking Colombia’s first victory against Brazil in World Cup qualifying in 15 matches.
“He is a friend; he has suffered a lot these days. This is beyond soccer; he deserves it,” said Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, a teammate of Díaz at Liverpool.
Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve said it time after time, Hollywood cannot write scripts that come even close to our great sport of football.
From the depths of despair to the heights of triumph.
Armed men on motorcycles abducted Díaz’s parents from a gas station in the town of Barrancas on Oct. 28. His mother was rescued within hours by police, who set up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people near the Venezuelan border.
Real Madrid faced further injury setbacks as Vinícius Júnior was forced off during Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Colombia on Friday.
The Madrid forward contributed an assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal, but he had to be substituted in the 27th minute in Barranquilla, with visible strapping on his left thigh.
This injury comes just two days after midfielder Eduardo Camavinga hurt his knee in training with France.
Madrid is already grappling with the absence of goalkeeper Kepa (thigh injury), Aurélien Tchouaméni (broken bone in left foot), and long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão, both of whom suffered ACL tears in August.
Jude Bellingham also withdrew from the England squad due to a shoulder injury sustained during Madrid’s 5-1 win over Valencia.
Vinícius Júnior will undergo tests to assess the extent of his injury.
Sources indicate that, while he is in less pain than during the hamstring problem in his right leg that sidelined him for a month earlier this season (August to September), there is still concern about his prognosis.
“I think it’s the same injury as last time,” Vinícius said post-match. “I got a knock, and I felt it [again] later. I’ll have tests, to see what it is.
“From what the doctors say, it will be difficult [to play Argentina on Wednesday] but we’ll try everything.”
Vinícius has recently displayed his top form of the season, notably scoring twice in Madrid’s 5-1 victory over Valencia last Saturday.
Camavinga returned to Madrid for assessment on Thursday and was scheduled for a scan to determine the extent of his knee injury and the duration of his absence. Preliminary indications suggest he might be sidelined until January, according to sources.
In LaLiga, Madrid holds the second position after 13 games, trailing surprise leaders Girona by two points. They are also leading Champions League Group C with a perfect record of four wins out of four.
Following the international break, Madrid is slated to face Cadiz in LaLiga on November 26, followed by home fixtures against Napoli in the Champions League on December 2 and Granada in LaLiga on December 2.
Saudi Pro League (SPL) clubs, having completed a substantial £784 million ($972 million) spending spree in the summer, are now focused on recruiting players of the “highest level” to join the ranks of Cristiano Ronaldo,Neymar, and Karim Benzema in January, according to SPL director of football Michael Emenalo.
As the January transfer window approaches, Saudi teams, including reigning champions Al Ittihad, have been linked to potential moves for players such as Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Raphaël Varane.
Al Ittihad is also expected to make a renewed effort to acquire Mohamed Salah, having seen a £150 million bid for the Liverpool forward rejected in September.
Additionally, there were reports of a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen during the summer.
Emenalo, the former director of football for Chelsea and AS Monaco, emphasises that the era of Saudi clubs making multiple signings in a single transfer window is now behind them.
“Whatever additional improvement that we need to do for any club, with time on our hands and preparation, we believe will be additions of the highest level,” Emenalo said in an interview with the SPL.
“I’m hoping it [January] is not very busy, because I think the job that was done has been quite interesting and aggressive, and most of the clubs, I believe, have what they need.
“Hopefully the attention will now turn to work within the training facilities to improve these players and allow them time to adapt and perform.
“I think we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, which was to get our foot into the market and compete aggressively. But, also, we wanted to do that while giving every singleclub in the league an opportunity to improve. I believe we accomplished that.
“And I believe that what you’re seeing, in terms of the quality of the games and the performance of most of the acquired international players, is a vindication that the transfer market has been relatively well. And we hope that we will continue to perfect our process in the future.”
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona hold divergent expectations regarding the summer deal involving forward João Félix, as reported by Diario Sport.
Félix, 24, has delivered noteworthy performances while on loan with the Blaugrana this season, tallying three goals and four assists in 14 matches across various competitions.
Atleti is firm in its stance that they want the Portuguese international to depart permanently in the summer and is actively seeking discussions with Barca to facilitate an early deal.
Initially seeking €85 million for his transfer, Atletico Madrid is now open to bids around €70 million, having originally acquired Félix from Benfica for €126 million in 2019.
In contrast, Barcelona insists that no decision will be made until the end of the season and is unwilling to meet the €70 million valuation but is open to approving another loan.
There’s a possibility of including a clause for a permanent transfer, albeit at a reduced amount or one that can be discounted when due.
Félix, expressing a strong preference for Barcelona regardless of offers from the Premier League or Saudi Arabia, does not intend to entertain alternative offers.
This situation is expected to linger as an ongoing saga throughout the summer transfer window, with both clubs standing firm on their respective demands.
Lionel Messi responded to an offensive gesture from Manuel Ugarte directed at Rodrigo De Paul by urging certain Uruguayan players to “show respect.”
A tense 2026 World Cup qualification match unfolded between the South American rivals at Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera on Thursday evening.
In this fiercely contested game, Argentina experienced a dramatic 2-0 defeat, marking their first loss since claiming the global title in Qatar in 2022.
The match was marred by several heated incidents, including goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez for the visiting team.
One notable altercation occurred in the first half when Ugarte clashed with De Paul.
The Uruguayan midfielder accused De Paul, a World Cup winner, of being Messi’s “bottle feeder,” and an offensive gesture further fueled tensions, resulting in players from both teams becoming entangled in an unsightly brawl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FZxzwBSKz0
Messi told reporters afterwards, when asked about the incident, “It’s normal. These kinds of games, qualifiers, against Uruguay, it’s always like that. I prefer not to say what I think. Young people have to learn to respect their elders. This classic was always intense and hard, but always with a lot of respect. They have to learn a little.”
Messi went on to say of the game itself, which saw Argentina fall behind late in the first half before conceding a second in the 87th minute: “We never felt comfortable. They’re a physical team that works well and on the counterattack, they were very dangerous. Today it was our turn to lose. It’s a test. We have to get back up and play a great game in Brazil.”
Argentina is set to face arch-rivals Brazil on Tuesday,maintaining their position at the summit of the CONMEBOL qualification table. They hold a two-point lead over Uruguay, while Brazil, experiencing inconsistency, currently occupies the fifth position.
Jeremy Renner is marking 10 months of recovery since hisNew Year’s Day snowplow accident in January.
The actor expressed being “brought to tears of joy, hopefulness, and gratitude” for all the support he received during his recuperation.
The Hawkeye actor took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a video of him skipping and running up and down a driveway at an incline. He wrote in the caption, “(sic) Today marks the day of 10 months of recovery… First attempt at any of this activities (especially at steep grades) brought tears of joy, hopefulness, and gratitude for all your support, along with that of my family and friends. I keep pushing for many reasons, but you are my fuel.”
Recovering from the incident where he was run over by a 14,300-pound snowcat at his Reno, Nevada, home, Jeremy Renner has reached a significant milestone after spending the year relearning how to walk.
The actor had attempted to prevent the machine from hitting his nephew, resulting in him being pulled underneath the PistenBully and sustaining 30 broken bones.
Following the incident, he was airlifted to a hospital and underwent surgery for “blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries.” Renner has been sharing video updates on his recovery journey and revealed in April, during an interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, that he had undergone procedures to rebuild his rib cage with metal, place metal plates in his face to support his eye socket, and insert titanium rods in one of his legs.
Earlier this month,Renner said that while he has been “exploring EVERY type of therapy” to help with his recovery, his “greatest therapy has been my mind and the will to be here and push to recover and be better… Be exceptional.”
He added at the time, “I feel it’s my duty to do so. Not to squander my life being spared, but to give back to my family, friends, and all of you who have empowered me to endure. I thank you all.”
The actor also bonded with co-star Tony Todd while making the game: “it was like the President was there.”
For Nadji Jeter, stepping back into the role of Miles Morales in Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 was a chance to learn some new skills—outside the realm of webswinging. Among them was studying American Sign Language, which Miles uses to communicate with street artist Hailey Cooper in the game, which has been praised for its deaf representation.
“We had great teachers on set. I’ve always embraced it because I feel like we’re touching a lot of communities,” Jeter tells The Hollywood Reporter. “A lot of people out there that can sometimes feel like they get excluded. But in Spider-Man 2, everyone is connected with this game.”
In Spider-Man 2, Jeter also formed a relationship with genre legend Tony Todd, who plays Venom in the game.
“That’s my uncle, man! Uncle Tony,” says Jeter. “The day when he was on the motion capture set, it was like the president was there.
Nadji’s previous release, “Spider-Man: Miles Morales,” garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, selling over 6.5 million copies. He has also lent his voice to the characters in “Spider-Man” on Disney XD and “Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.” His latest project, “Spider-Man 2,” has achieved record-breaking success, emerging as the fastest-selling PlayStation game in the company’s history, with an impressive 2.5 million copies sold within the first 24 hours.
In an interview with THR, Jeter delves into his fondness for attending comic cons and shares his personal belief that Miles’ Spider-Man journey resonates with a broad audience.
When Spider-Man: Miles Morales first came out, we were in the middle of a global pandemic. What’s the reception for Spider-Man 2 been like for younow that you can be out at conventions to enjoy it?
I was waiting for this opportunity to redeem what we kind of missed because Spider-Man: Miles Morales dropped in the middle of a pandemic. I’m redeeming that time that we lost because I definitely wanted to go out there. I wanted to do so many interviews. I wanted to reach out to the world. But we were getting told no, because everything was just completely shut down.
I’ve definitely earned some cool points with my nieces, nephews and cousins. You know, my uncle kind of finally told me that he was proud of me. (Laughs.) I started Miles when I was 17 or 18 years old, playing him as a 13 year old on (Disney XD’s) Spider-Man. So, I grew up with Miles, but ended up being in the games because PlayStation called me over there, because they knew I was connected with Naughty Dog (Nadji voiced Sam The Last of Us). I didn’t know that it was going to just take off, but when they scanned my face, I was like, “This is going to be some big shoes to fill.”
What’s your favorite thing about playing the character in this game?
Getting to play Miles and being on the mocap set, you get to just have fun… you get to be a big kid again. Honestly, you get to use that imagination you had as a kid when it comes to playing hide and seek or any of those creative things we did as kids.
What was your relationship like with Peter Parker actor Yuri Lowenthal while doing this latest game? He’s mentioned how much he’s enjoyed your friendship over the years.
Yuri and I have a bond on and off the camera. He’s taught me a lot, industry-wise, when it comes to the effects of what we put out there, to giving me about comic cons. He’s a great, great guy. When we’re on stage, we’re definitely feeding off each other. You know, we actually met years ago, on Disney XD (where Yuri voiced Curt Conners on Spider-Man).
You also got to work with Tony Todd. What was that like for you?
That’s my uncle, man! Uncle Tony! I heard that he was given the role and we were all just ecstatic – nobody else can better play this role. His cadence, the voice, everything. The day when he was on the motion capture set, it was like the president was there.We met in the dressing rooms, I think he was just getting done for the day and I was starting my day, so we crossed paths. We both just embraced each other. I was like, “Man, I’m a huge fan!” Then, we had our San Diego Comic-Con trip and that’s where we just bonded from there. He’s taken me under his wing — I love Tony to death.
I got a chance to talk to the creative team about the different journeys of Peter and Miles, and the human side behind the mask. How did you connect with that on a personal level?
You know, with a lot of communities I come from, we grew up fatherless. Miles also has a great loss in his life with his father. So, just growing up with that and then being a mixed race coming from that background and having those challenges of finding your identity in both communities, you know, is definitely a very unique thing.
My mom is Jamaican and my dad is African-American, but he wasn’t in my life. So, walking in those shoes and being connected with Miles … it kind of shows all these things that we go through. The challenges and trials and tribulations that we all face, with family dysfunction or even just different family backgrounds — how we all come together as one is the main message that’s portrayed in Miles and Peter’s story.
Dex Carvey, the son of Dana Carvey, passed away at home due to an “accidental drug overdose,” as revealed by the former Saturday Night Live star and his wife in an announcement on Wednesday night.
He was 32.
“Dex packed a lot into those 32 years,” Carvey and his wife of 40 years, Paula Zwagerman, wrote in a signed post on X (formerly Twitter). “He was extremely talented at so many things—music, art, filmmaking, comedy—and pursued all of them passionately.
Dex Carvey was pronounced dead at home, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. TMZ reported that his girlfriend, Kaylee, called paramedics when he seemingly locked himself in the bathroom. The official cause of death has yet to be determined.
In the vein of Wayne’s world-famous father, Dex pursued a career in comedy.
He not only opened for his father’s 2016 Netflix special, “Straight White Male,” but also made appearances in the 2013 miniseries “The Funster” and “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser” (2015).
Surviving Dex is his youngerbrother, Thomas, and the grieving family awaits conclusive findings on the cause of his untimely demise.
An X (formerly Twitter) user has shared a picture of a billboard with images of about 20 Israeli children who are reported to have gone missing as the Israeli-Hamas war wages on.
The missing children in the Israeli-Hamas war are a tragic consequence of the conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attackon Israel, killing and abducting hundreds of civilians.
Among the 242 hostages, 37 are children aged 18 or under, according to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a group set up to demand the return of those kidnapped on October 7.
This is currently in Accra, Ghana. How the fuck are we gonna find these “missing kids” ? pic.twitter.com/VyKlR3x2em
Adopting several means of urging the release of their children, such as posting their photos and names on social media platforms and using hashtags like #BringBackOurChildren, #FreeTheHostages, and #StopHamasTerror, one of these billboards displaying images of the alleged abducted children has been spottedin a part of Accra and this has garnered several reactions where netizens have attacked Ghana as “hypocritical”.
The cost of graves in Accra has observeda significant rise over the past five years, creating variations in pricing across different cemeteries in the capital, as reported by asaaseradio.com.
At the Osu Cemetery in Accra, the cost of a grave, including the service for digging, has seen a notable increase.
In 2018, the price was GH¢830, but it surged to between GH¢2,500 and GH¢3,500 last year and now stands at GH¢4,900.
Responding to social media claims supported by a receipt indicating a GH¢14,000 payment for a grave, the cemetery official dismissed the allegations as false.
He clarified that the standard cost is GH4,900, covering the site, digging, and other related services.
The Osu Cemetery worker emphasised the importance of a medical doctor providing the cause of death for obtaining a death certificate, a requirement for obtaining a burial permit.
He stated that the entire process costs GH4,900.
While the Awudome Cemetery has lower grave prices compared to Osu, it also experienced an increase. Those opting not to erect a tombstone pay GH¢1,100, while those desiring a well-laid tomb contribute GH¢2,600.
At Gethsemane Memorial Park in East Legon, the administrator, Albert Eyeson, stated that the cost of a burial plot is GH¢47,000. This amount includes a 20-year lease, grave digging, and tombstone construction. The recent GH¢2,000 increase was attributed to the government’s VAT increment.
For the government-run Madina Public Cemetery, caretaker Kofi Dampare revealed that the burial plot cost GH¢450, with additional fees for digging and customization. The prices, he added, have seen a rise over the past two years, mainly due to inflation rates.
The report highlights the varying costs of graves in different cemeteries, prompting concerns and discussions about the affordability and accessibility of burial spaces in Accra.
Renowned rapper, Snoop Dogg, known for his affinity for marijuana, reportedly consumes up to 150 joints daily, as revealed by his personal blunt roller, Renegade Piranha.
Since joining Snoop Dogg’s team in 2016, she claims to have rolled over 450,000 joints for him.
In return for her services, Snoop Dogg pays his blunt roller a yearly salary ranging from $40,000 to $50,000, along with providing free weed and additional perks.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Snoop Dogg announced on November 16, 2023, that he is giving up smoking. He shared a message on Instagram stating, “After much consideration with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke.
“Please respect my privacy at this time.” He also accused his blunt roller of lying about his daily consumption, displaying a pile of roaches (remains of smoked joints) as evidence.
This announcement sparked disbelief, shock, and humour among fans and celebrities. Some speculated that it might be a joke, trolling, or a promotional strategy for a new project.
Others praised his decision and wished him well, while some even offered to take his excess weed. Snoop Dogg has not provided further clarification on his decision to quit smoking, leaving uncertainty about whether he will adhere to this resolution.
The blogger is in police detention for allegedly uploading sexually explicit content and illegally using photos of Cyber Security Authority (CSA) staff, according to a statement released by the CSA on November 16, 2023.
“Reference is made to a publication on some social media platforms containing sexually explicit material and unlawful use of the images of Cyber Security Authority (CSA) officials by Samuel Dortey Kumah, owner of Sammykaymedia.
He has since been arrested and handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service,” parts of the statement available to GhanaWeb read.
The statement further cautioned the general public on the publication of obscene materials, saying, “We wish to categorically state that the tagging of the images to this explicit material is a misrepresentation and of criminal attribution.
“The CSA dissociates itself from the same and admonishes the general public to disregard any such potential criminal misrepresentation.”
CSA, in conclusion, affirmed its dedication to fulfilling its mission, working in conjunction with various security sector agencies to protect the digital ecosystem and guarantee the digital safety of the Ghanaian populace.
It said: “The CSA will continue to deliver on its mandate in collaboration with other security sector agencies to protect the digital ecosystem and the digital safety of Ghanaians.”
What exactly did Sammy Kay circulate?
While the statement did not explicitly describe the images Sammy Kay shared, checks on his social media platforms revealed that the blogger had issued an apology, which was accompanied by a photo of a gentleman in a white T-shirt with the inscription “National Cyber Security Awareness Programme.”
His apology shared on November 15, 2023, at 9.42 am read: “Upon further investigations, we found out this picture above is not the same person in the video circulating yesterday on Twitter.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the post we initially made and we deeply regret our actions in pairing this picture with Abena Korkor’s picture.”
The Abena Korkor factor
On November 15, a sexually explicit video circulated online, gaining traction on Twitter. The video featured a naked man engaging in explicit activities, accompanied by an unidentified woman in the top right corner also participating, suggesting a remote engagement in intimate activities.
Some Twitter users, lacking concrete evidence, speculated that Abena Korkor was responsible for the video’s release, referencing a previous threat she made after her own intimate video surfaced. Abena had vowed to release adult content involving two individuals whom she accused of leaking her video.
In response to the controversy and condemnation surrounding the featured individual and the related image, musician, satirist, and politician Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus) vehemently denied the claim that the two individuals were the same person.
“I don’t know if he has undergone cosmetic surgery recently because the person in the viral video and my friend are two totally different people,” his post read.
The Vatican has officially affirmed the prohibition of Catholics joining the Freemasons, a centuries-old clandestine society that the Catholic Church has historically regarded with suspicion.
The Freemasons, with an estimated global membership of up to six million, have faced longstanding opposition from the Catholic Church.
“Active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is prohibited because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry,” the Vatican’s doctrinal office said in a letter published by Vatican media on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
The Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, a department within the Vatican, has issued its stance, dated November 13 and endorsed by Pope Francis, in response to a concerned bishop from the Philippines regarding the increasing presence of Freemasons in the country.
This comes shortly after the same office announced that transgender individuals are permitted to be baptised, serve as godparents, and act as witnesses at Catholic weddings.
The letter on Freemasons cited a 1983 declaration, signed by the late Pope Benedict XVI, at the time the Vatican’s doctrine chief, stating that Catholics “in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion”.
Masonic lodges are normally male-only societies associated with arcane symbols and rituals. They have also sometimes been linked to conspiracy theories alleging undue influence on world affairs.
According to the United Grand Lodge of England, modern Freemasonry “is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world”, rooted in the traditions of mediaeval stonemasons.
The group says it has 180,000 male members, with two parallel female lodges in England having another 5,000 members, and estimates global Freemasonry membership at around six million.
It lists the lateQueen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip, former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the late actor Peter Sellers, former England soccer manager Alf Ramsey and authors Rudyard Kipling and Arthur Conan Doyle as famous Freemasons from the past.
Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is allegedly going to step down in the coming days, according to Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament.
Dr. Forson says this information is coming from deep-throat sources within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“The Minister of Finance is going to resign after presenting this budget; well, so be it. Their own people, the NPP, NPP MPs and everyone else, are saying so.
“They are saying it to all of us, and I am sure you have heard it that the finance minister. Go and find out because I am hearing he is going to go,” he told TV3 in a post-budget reading interview on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
Dr. Ato Forson asserted that Ken Ofori-Atta, should he decide to step down from his position, will be remembered for his shortcomings and lack of competence in overseeing Ghana’s economy for the past seven years, without providing additional details.
“Let me tell you, he will be remembered as the one who borrowed to benefit his businesses and his cronies. “This Minister of Finance will certainly be remembered as the one who destroyed Ghanaian business and the economy. “He is the same minister who has brought our financial sector to its knees,” the Minority Leader said.
In 2022, more than eighty NPP lawmakers called for the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta from his position.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, however, rejected this demand and suggested that the discussion be deferred until the conclusion of Ghana’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout.
Despite questions about Ken Ofori-Atta’s competence,President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has consistently expressed confidence in the finance minister on multiple occasions.
Paul Pogba’s agent has revealed that the French midfielder is focused on returning to competitive action and is diligently training during his suspension at Juventus.
The World Cup winner is currently serving a ban due to a failed drugs test, where he recorded elevated levels of testosterone after a Serie A match against Udinese on August 20.
The B sample confirmed the presence of the testosterone-boosting hormone DHEA. Pogba’s suspension in Turin has been extended indefinitely, and there’s a possibility of contract termination if he is found guilty of doping offenses at a sporting trial.
Despite the challenges, the 30-year-old is determined to fight for his return to the pitch.
Pogba’s representative, Rafaela Pimenta, has told Relevo of plans for her client: “We see the future one day after the other. We are doing everything we must to try to explain what is happening with Paul.
“But this explanation has to happen in front of a judge. I think that to enable a judge to have independence and to reach his conclusions as he has to reach, we cannot influence him with public comments.
“We have our arguments, very serious and very important, and I have to offer the judge to endorse these arguments without trying to influence him. We are doing everything we have to do.
“Those who know Paul know what has happened. They know that Paul is an honest, correct person and that he always does things with integrity. He is living it with confidence and professionalism. He trains all the time and only thinks about getting through these difficult moments to come back.”
Pressed on whether Pogba could be cleared to resumehis career immediately once his case has been heard, Pimenta added: “We are working for this. I have confidence in the system. I have the tendency to trust until proven otherwise. I only have signs that it is a system that works. I hope you can understand our position.”
The France international is tied to a contract at Juventus through to 2026.
Monalisa Abigail Semeha, popularly known in the entertainment industryas “Mona Gucci,” has been put before an Accra Circuit Court over an alleged visa fraud.
The accused allegedly took GH¢103,400 from a trader under the pretext of securing her a United States of America visa.
Mona Gucci allegedly failed to deliver the said USA visa.
Charged with defrauding by false pretence, Mona Gucci, a travel consultant, pleaded not guilty.
The court presided over by Isaac Addo has admitted her to GH¢200,000.00 bail with one surety, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) reports.
Mona Gucci is expected to reappear on December 11, 2023.
The facts of case, as presented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Seth Frimpong, are that the complainant, Comfort Obiri, was a trader and resident of Ofankor, while Mona Gucci is a resident of Odorkor in Accra.
The prosecution said in February 2019, the complainant was introduced to the accused person by one Esther as a person who could secure a United States of America visa for her.
It said the complainant met the accused person in Accra and she assured her that she could secure a USA visa for her at a cost of GH¢40,000.
The prosecution said the complainant introduced three other people to the accused person for her to secure visas for them as well.
It said the accused person collected GH¢103,400 from them under the pretext of securing the visas but failed.
During the recent court session, he had planned to call former Health Minister Alex Segbefia as his third witness, but Mr. Segbefia was not present.
“The first accused wishes to inform the court that we’re calling no further witnesses and we’re closing our case,” Dr. Ato Forson’s lawyer, Edudzi Tameklo, informed the court.
The second accused, Dr. Sylvester Anemana, who is the former Chief Director of the Health Ministry, has commenced presenting his defense in the Financial and Economic Court 2.
The judge stated, “A1 has closed his case; hence, A2 has been directed to open his defence.”
Attorneys representing the first and third accused did not raise objections to the witness statement provided by A2. This has cleared the path for state attorneys to proceed with the cross-examination.
In his witness statement, Dr. Anemana mentioned that he was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and, therefore, was not informed about the processes involved in the ambulance purchase after his departure from the health ministry.
He told the court that he retired from the Environment ministry. “I retired from the service in September 2015 when some ambulances were purchased. I do not see any financial loss to the state in a contract that hasn’t materialised even until today,” Dr. Anemana stated.
Dr. Anemana informed the court that Dr. Ato Forson was not the Deputy Minister for Finance at the time he wrote the contract letters for sole sourcing. This response came during the cross-examination by Dr. Ato Forson’s lawyers regarding the deputy finance minister’s role in signing the contract letters.
The lawyers for the first accused concluded their cross-examination, suggesting that Dr. Ato Forson had no involvement in the contract.
Lawyers for the third accused clarified that the 15.8 million euros was a loan secured from Stanbic for 200 ambulances. Dr. Anemana affirmed this statement.
Dr. Anemana asserted that the process of securing the loan began during his tenure at the health ministry.
The third accused stated that no money was directly paid to his client, Dzakpa, until directed by a high court.
Lawyers for the second accused applied for an amendment of bail terms to allow Dr. Anemana access to medical treatment in India.
The judge questioned the merit of the application, rejected it, and Mr. Owuradu, the lawyer, withdrew it with the intention of resubmitting later.
The judge struck out the application seeking the release of A2’s passport.
Ghanaian actress and musician Adomaa, born Joy Onyinyechukwu Adomaa Serwaa Adjeman, has expressed her preference for cremation upon her death.
In response to reports highlighting the rising cost of graves, Adomaa stated that she believes her deceased body would be more beneficial as fertiliser for a tree than occupying space and being buried in a casket with no purpose after her passing.
Honestly, I do not want to be buried in this way. Give my useful organs and parts to people who need them, then plant a seed with the rest of me (cremated or any inexpensive way) and let me exist as a tree. Y’all can have a picnic, play music, laugh and dance under the shade. I’d… https://t.co/JMHjEwF6PX
“Honestly, I do not want to be buried in this way. Give my useful organs and parts to people who need them, then plant a seed with the rest of me (cremated or in any inexpensive way) and let me exist as a tree.
Y’all can have a picnic, play music, laugh and dance under the shade. I’d like that very much,” she said.
Rising Afrobeats artist Divine Ikubor, widely known as Rema, has addressed accusations regarding “demonic” masks worn during his performances, stating that they are replicas of the bronzes worn by his ancestors.
Following his show at London’s 02 Arena, Rema faced criticism and Illuminati rumours.
A supporter from Benin City defended Rema, asserting that the mask belonged to Queen Idia, a symbol of the Benin Kingdom.
“Rema is trying to lure his fans into his demonic rituals”
He emphasised that he aims to redefine Edo State and showcase it globally.
In his words, “RAVAGE UPRISING/My Ancestorsbronzes sit in the museum of this very city so I remade mine. Hence, Edo is redefined, the map reshaped, your minds awakened & the mask reborn. Thank you, London!????????”
This is intended to urge Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta to release an alleged GHS 8.6 billion bailout sanctioned by Parliament.
The planned demonstration is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. and continue until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
The protesters plan to assemble at Obra Spot, Circle Interchange in Accra, at 8 a.m., with transportation arranged to take them to the Finance Ministry at 10:30 a.m.
They assert that the time has come to assert their rights as citizens.
Aggrieved Gold Coast Customer
Background
The Gold Coast Investment Fund Management Company is part of the fifty-three (53) Fund Management Companies (FMCs) whose licences were revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 8, 2019.
This action was taken in accordance with Section 122 (2) (b) of the Securities Industry Act 2016 (Act 929) (SIA).
The revocation was prompted by numerous regulatory violations, including the failure to reimburse clients’ funds, estimated at eight billion cedis (GHS 8 billion), and substantial breaches of applicable rules posing risks to financial stability.
In 2021, Parliament approved GH¢5.5 billion for the settlement of owed customers of fund management companies, though the funds are yet to be distributed to the customers.
Member of Parliament for theOdododiodio constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has disclosed the factors influencing his decision to step down from parliament, citing frustration as a major element.
During an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, Vanderpuye expressed his discontent with the difficulties encountered by Members of Parliament (MPs) in carrying out their responsibilities.
He emphasised the absence of support from political parties, leading to increasing pressure and a decline in interest over time.
“I am leaving parliament because I am frustrated; the [political] parties really do not protect the people they have [in parliament]. So, you are subjected to so much pressure that, after a time, you lose interest because you don’t get the sort of environment to be able to harmonise the talents and competence you have,” he explained.
Lamenting the high attrition rate in parliament, he said that many MPs from both sides of the House face similar frustrations, resulting in valuable contributors leaving the legislative body.
“The attrition rate in parliament is too high, and as such, people do not get the sort of experience they require to advance the work of parliament,” Vanderpuye remarked.
He additionally commended seasoned MPs for their valuable contributions to the House, citing figures like Dr. Osei Assibey and the late Dr. Akoto Osei.
Vanderpuye underscored the significance of parliamentary experience, emphasising that Speaker Alban Bagbin’s achievements are rooted in his extensive tenure as a Member of Parliament.
Newcastle United is reportedly considering a January move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to sources close to ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
City is anticipating offers for England midfielder Phillips in the upcoming January transfer window, as he has only started one game for the club this season.
Newcastle, looking to reinforce their midfield after the suspension of Sandro Tonali, is among the interested clubs, with Juventus and Bayern Munich also in the mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgRMuQE6Bk4
Phillips, a £43 million ($53.6 million) acquisition from Leeds United in 2022, is eager for regular playing time before the Euros in Germany next summer.
Despite his competition, he has struggled to secure a spot in Pep Guardiola’s lineup, starting just four games last season and one this season in the Carabao Cup.
If he remains at City into the new year, he will face increased competition with the return of Kevin De Bruyne from a hamstring injury.
