TIG Post

Author: Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • Pound rallies as Liz Truss announces resignation

    The pound rose against the dollar and government borrowing costs dipped as investors reacted to Prime Minister Liz Truss’s resignation.

    Sterling hit $1.13 as the PM made her announcement, and then rose higher during Thursday afternoon.

    One analyst said investors were “relieved” by the news, despite a lot of uncertainty remaining.

    Business groups said the new prime minister would have to act quickly to restore confidence.

    Government borrowing costs rose sharply last month after the government promised huge tax cuts in its mini-budget without saying how it would pay for them.

    But these costs fell back after the Bank of England stepped in with an emergency support programme, and after Jeremy Hunt reversed nearly all the mini-budget measures when he became chancellor.

    Mr Hunt is due to announce plans for spending and tax on 31 October in his economic plan, which the Treasury confirmed was set to go ahead.

    “Although the resignation of Liz Truss as Prime Minister leaves the UK without a leader when it faces huge economic, fiscal and financial market challenges, the markets appear to be relieved,” said Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics.

    He added that her resignation was “a step that needed to happen for the UK government to move further along the path towards restoring credibility in the eyes of the financial markets”.

    “But more needs to be done and the new prime minister and their chancellor have a big task to navigate the economy through the cost of living crisis, cost of borrowing crisis and the cost of credibility crisis.”

    Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Gordon, said the market reaction had been “fairly muted”, with investors waiting for the “detail of what comes next”.

    Pound dollar graphic

    Ms Truss said her successor would be elected in a Tory leadership contest, to be completed in the next week. Her resignation came after a key minister quit and Tory MPs rebelled in a chaotic parliamentary vote on Wednesday.

    Mr French said the markets could rally “more aggressively” if a clear favourite emerged for PM. “The sooner you get there the more likely the person who has won will have the support to do the difficult stuff.”

    The head of the CBI business lobby group, Tony Danker, said: “The politics of recent weeks have undermined the confidence of people, businesses, markets and global investors in Britain.

    “Stability is key. The next prime minister will need to act to restore confidence from day one.

    “They will need to deliver a credible fiscal plan for the medium term as soon as possible, and a plan for the long-term growth of our economy.”

    Source: BBC

  • PSG boss Galtier wants ‘bigger leads’ to allow for squad rotation

    Christophe Galtier wants his Paris Saint-Germain team to be more ruthless to enable him to rotate his squad and keep players fresh.

    PSG are unbeaten in Galtier’s first season in charge, sitting top of Ligue 1 and their Champions League group.

    However, PSG have not won a game by at least a two-goal margin since the 3-1 away victory over Maccabi Haifa on September 14, meaning Galtier has not had the luxury of being able to substitute key players.

    The head coach would like his side to give him more freedom to rotate by killing matches off earlier, stating ahead of Friday’s clash against Ajaccio: “There are lots of games at the moment.

    “Of course, I would like us to be more comfortable and have bigger leads to be able to make more changes during games, but the reality is down to the goalkeepers we are facing and the run of fixtures, which can mean we are not quite on target.

    “There could be some fresh legs brought in [against Ajaccio]. I am still thinking about that and the number of games we are playing.

    “We need to get the result. Of course, people might think this will be an easy game for Paris Saint-Germain, but we went to Reims [0-0 draw] and found it very difficult. We have to get the win.”


    Galtier says players who have not had as many minutes on the field as they would like must be ready when called upon.

    “Our working method is to be focused on recovery, but not let them be inactive,” Galtier added.

    “We want the players always to be active to reduce fatigue from matches and also work on tactics, because it’s important for every player to be ready and fully aware of what to do against each opposition if there are changes in the set-up.

    “We are doing a lot of work on that. Those who are not playing much have exactly what they need if they are called on to start or come off the bench.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Allegri calls for patience as Pogba and Chiesa near Juventus returns

    Massimiliano Allegri ruled out Paul Pogba from his Juventus plans for Friday’s clash with Empoli, saying it would be “pure madness” to rush the midfielder’s recovery.

    Juventus have been unable to field Pogba or Federico Chiesa this season, with the France midfielder undergoing knee surgery last month and Italy forward Chiesa suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January.

    Pogba was initially a doubt for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, although France coach Didier Deschamps was upbeat regarding his recovery earlier this week.

    Speaking at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, Deschamps said: “His programme is going well. The important thing is that he is cured, I think he will be, and this is already a good thing.”

    Despite both Pogba and Chiesa being pictured in team training recently, head coach Allegri said Juventus must treat their returns with caution.

    “Let’s see the real things, the reality today is that Chiesa and Pogba don’t have them,” Allegri told a pre-match news conference on Thursday.

    “Chiesa did two training sessions with the team, Pogba trained temporarily, but very partially with the team. Avoid writing all that stuff there, you have a fantasy.

    “Players have not even trained with the team [and you] write that after two days they are available. Fantasy is a power and it is very beautiful. Tomorrow they will not be there.

    “I, too, would like everyone available, especially to make changes. With those we have, we will have a great match tomorrow, and we will prepare well for Benfica.

    “Chiesa has already made progress. On Saturday morning there will be a friendly for Federico, to see how he moves on the whole field.

    “Paul has done some partial work with the team, but we are on Thursday and until Tuesday there are four days. Damaging his work is pure madness.”

    After their meeting with Empoli, Juventus will have just three days to recover ahead of the decisive Champions League clash with Benfica, but Allegri would not be drawn on whether striker Dusan Vlahovic would be rested on Friday.

    “Dusan, regardless of his goal, played one of the best games on a technical level [against Torino last week],” Allegri said.

    “[Moise] Kean also did well, I’m happy with Moise because he’s growing, he’s physically better, and he makes himself available for the team above all.

    “To obtain results, everyone must be available, and there seem to be good signs of this. Tomorrow will not be easy; among other things, they beat us last year.”

    Vlahovic has scored three goals in three Serie A appearances against Empoli, including his first league double for Juventus in February. The Serbian has also hit the net five times in five home league games this season.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Liverpool striker Nunez is ‘a goal machine’ and so important to Reds, says Tsimikas

    Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is a “goal machine” and will only improve as he grows in confidence, according to team-mate Kostas Tsimikas.

    Nunez scored his second goal in his last two Premier League starts to guide Liverpool to a 1-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday, a result which moved Jurgen Klopp’s men to within four points of the top four.

    The Uruguay striker was criticised by some for starting slowly following his big-money move from Benfica, but he has now hit five goals for Liverpool in all competitions this season.

    That tally has only been bettered by two of his team-mates: Mohamed Salah (nine) and Roberto Firmino (eight).

    Asked about Nunez’s qualities, Tsimikas said: “He’s always there. He can score with the left, with the right, with the head – he’s a goal machine.

    “He needs confidence, [which] is coming, and I hope for him all the best [to] score more and more goals to help the team, to give us more wins. For us, he is a very, very important player.”

    Tsimikas teed up Nunez’s headed winner with a pinpoint delivery from the left flank, and has now provided five assists in all competitions this season – a tally only matched by Diogo Jota among fellow Liverpool players.

    The Greece international was particularly pleased to have laid on a goal for Nunez, adding: “It’s a very good moment for me. Especially because it was a cross for Darwin, because I wanted to assist him.”

    Tsimikas, quoted on Liverpool’s website, said: “I’m very, very happy for him because I know he wanted to score also. Obviously he would [want] to score more goals but hopefully he keeps his energy and his goals for the next games.

    “I’m very, very happy for that. Every day, I work to make better crosses and to have better performances. So, I’m very happy for that.”

    Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 29 Premier League games at Anfield (W22 D7), and have scored 100 goals against West Ham in the competition, making the Irons the fourth side they have reached a century of goals against, after Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham.

    Source: Livescore

  • ‘Special’ Haaland can win the Ballon d’Or, Gundogan says

    Ilkay Gundogan says his “special” Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland can be a future contender to win the Ballon d’Or.

    Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in June, Haaland has scored 20 goals in 13 appearances and become the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three consecutive home games, the last of which came against rivals Manchester United in a 6-3 thrashing.

    The 22-year-old was 10th in the 2022 Ballon d’Or rankings as Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema was named the best player in the world for the first time on Monday.

    Gundogan believes Norway international Haaland has all the attributes to land the prestigious award.

    “There is quality, everyone can see it,” Gundogan told City’s official website. “There is a lot of quality that he already brings, into our team, into his game.

    “But also, the way he is dealing with things that are important to him and the mentality, the determination he has on a match day and also in the training sessions in the locker room. I think that is something special.

    “On top of that he is humble. He knows he has to work hard to get where he is right now and to even get to better places.

    “I’m sure that all this together will just improve him more and more, not just this season but in the next few years.

    “It will make him an incredible player. He is already one, but he will just get better and I think this will increase his chances to win the Ballon d’Or.”


    Source: Livescore

  • Xavi accepts pressure but amused by reaction to Clasico loss

    Xavi knows he must deliver success at Barcelona to keep his job but insists: “I’m not going to hide.”

    The Blaugrana have endured a miserable week, drawing 3-3 with Inter in the Champions League and then losing 3-1 at Real Madrid in the Clasico.

    Barca are now relying on favours to advance in Europe and have been knocked off top spot in LaLiga.

    Still, coach Xavi is not changing his outlook, reiterating on Wednesday “the goal is to win titles”.

    That is the expectation within the club, and Xavi knows the consequences for failure – although he was amused by the number of messages he received after Sunday’s result.

    “I think we’ve made a team to win titles,” he said ahead of Thursday’s game against Villarreal.

    “I am excited, people give me encouragement. I have a mobile with so many messages that it seems like a family member has died.

    “The transition was in the last half season. If we don’t succeed, as the president said, there will be consequences, especially for me.

    “I’m here to solve problems, and if we don’t win, another coach will come. I’m not going to hide.”

    Asked when he might lose his job, Xavi replied: “Anytime, tomorrow. On the street, people raise their fists at me. But I am positive.

    “We have lost at Madrid, and we can be knocked out in Europe. Well, I will keep fighting.”

    There was at least success on an individual level on Monday, as Gavi scooped the Kopa Trophy, Robert Lewandowski the Muller Trophy and Alexia Putellas the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

    But Xavi wants to build on those “exciting” triumphs by repeating them as a team.

    “For me, [Gavi’s] award is more than deserved,” the coach said. “I take this opportunity to congratulate Alexia and Robert Lewandowski.

    “These awards mean that Barca is more alive than ever. It’s exciting to see our players win individual prizes. Now the collective prizes are missing.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Kofi Koomson, Nyaho-Tamakloe warned against Akufo-Addo but voters didn’t listen – Fred Agbenyo

    A member of the Communications team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fred Agbenyo has said he is not surprised by President Akufo-Addo’s comment that he is unperturbed by the threats to vote against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections.

    Mr Agbenyo said the President’s conduct is not surprising because Ghanaians were warned by persons including Mr Kofi Koomson who used to be Mr Akufo-Addo’s friend, against voting for him.

    Similarly, he recounted that a founding member of the NPP, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe said Ghanaians would experience bitter leadership under Mr Akufo-Addo.

    Speaking on the New Day show with Roland Walker on TV3 Wednesday October 19, he said “I am not surprised
 people like Kofi Koomson who knew Nana Addo very well told us that it was so dangerous and risky to entrust the destiny of this great nation in the hands of Nana Addo. Now the chickens have come home to roost. Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe told us we are going to experience bitter leadership with Nana Addo.”

    President Akufo-Addo said he understands the duty he has to develop the country.

    When his attention was drawn to the fact that some people have threatened to vote against the NPP because the government has not developed parts of the country as expected, Mr Akufo-Addo said on Kumasi-based Otec FM on Monday October 17 that “If you decide to vote for the NDC in the general election, it is your choice and that is not my problem. No one will force you to vote for someone.

    “No problem. I am saying people make those kinds of threats; me they don’t frighten me.”

    “Of course I understand the responsibility, we will deal with it, I will do the work” he stressed.

    The President further said he takes full responsibility for the current economic difficulty but stated one cannot gloss over the external factors.

    This is the first time the president has publicly owned up, as the country’s micro-economy continues to be challenged.

    “I am the leader and I take responsibility,” Mr Akufo-Addo said.

    The president was, however, optimistic, the economy will recover before he finishes his term “I hope the IMF support is concluded in the middle of November so we can feed it into our budget” he said.

    Source: 3news.com via MyInfo.com

  • Akuapem Traditional Council hands over authority to Okuapehene after Gazette

    The Akuapem Traditional Council has handed over authority to Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III to assume the role of President of the council after a successful gazette by the National House of Chiefs.

    A traditional ceremony has been performed to hand over power and authority of President of Akuapem Traditional Council to Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, Okuapehene following his gazette by the National House of Chiefs on October 5,2022.

    Aburihene also the Adontenhene of Okuapeman Otoobour Djan Kwesi acted as President of the Council for the past seven years during the protracted Chieftaincy dispute.

    Otoobour Djan Kwesi (iii) assured that efforts are underway to ensure reconciliation and unity with the feuding faction led by the Queenmother Nana Obuo Nketiaa by the end of this year.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Oseadeeyo expressed gratitude to the Aburihene for holding forth the mantle for the Traditional Council over the years.

    Oseadeeyo also called for unity to stimulate development.

    The Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong urged the traditional Council to facilitate unity and maintain peace to boost the tourism potential of Okuapeman for development.

    Some division chiefs present also reiterated the need for peace to prevail in the area.

    Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III and Akwamuhene Odeneho Kwarfo Akoto are expected to be sworn into the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs on Thursday, October 20, 2022.

    Source: MyInfo.com via Starrfm.com

  • No one can dim Bawumia’s light, it is his time – Kpemka

    Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana has been likened to a shining star that cannot be stopped.

    According to former Member of Parliament for Tempane constituency Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, Dr Bawumia has spotted his time to lead the New Patriotic Party into the next election I’m 2024.

    “Dr Bawumia is going to get a massive endorsement because it is his star that is shining and nobody can stop it. God has destined him. Anybody who had attempted in the past to support others are now backtracking because they have all seen that this is the man to lead us to the promised land. When he cane to this region, you saw those who were with him. Some of them very close to other aspirant. They have said they were very close to others but now they are with him [Bawumia] because they have seen that he can give the NPP power,” he said.

    The former Deputy Attorney General intimated that the Vice President has distinguished himself and served the party well, hence it will land the party a bad image and loss if Dr Bawumia fails to be elected flag bearer.

    “For a man who has served us well from election petition through to now, delivered several lectures that gave us power and the party throws hinn away? What will be our message to Ghanaians? We need him and the NDC themselves know. Everyday when they go on radio and TV, they are on one man,” he added.

    Lawyer Kpemka disclosed that he will personally embark on a rigorous campaign including door to door campaign to get the Vice President elected as President.

    Source: MyInfo.com via MyNewsGH.com

  • I take responsibility for IMF bailout – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he takes the blame for his government’s u-turn on Ghana seeking an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

    President Akufo-Addo indicated that the move was necessary because it was what the country needed.

    Speaking during his tour of the Ashanti Region on Otech FM, on October 18, Akufo-Addo added that he hopes the IMF bailout will help get Ghana out of the current economic hardships.

    “I take full responsibility for it. But I’m hoping very strongly that by the middle of November, a month from now, these negotiations will be over. We are going to come to a budget for the country in the middle of November.

    “I’m hoping that the IMF negotiations will be over at least substantially so we will have a clear idea of the elements of the agreement with the Fund, which hopefully will be able to feed into the budget and have that drive our budgetary projection for next year and the year ahead.

    “For me, my hope is that we will have a programme of fiscal adjustment. It will take us through most of the immediate budget but then will put us in a position in 2024 to begin the recovery and the growth,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is reported to be pushing for the speedy completion of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for an economic support programme.

    Ghana is targeting an amount of $3 billion from the Fund once an agreement can be reached with funds likely to be accessed in 2023.

    According to Joy News, a team of government officials have been in the United States of America and met with the Director for the Africa Department of the IMF, Abebe Aemro Selassie, at the ongoing Annual IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings.

    It is expected that the second round of negotiations will continue after the annual meetings between the Government of Ghana team led by Minister for Finance, Ofori-Atta, and the IMF team, led by the IMF Mission Chief, Stéphane Roudet.

    The negotiations will focus on the implementation of policies that create conditions for a stable macroeconomic environment, sustainable growth and debt sustainability.

    Source: MyInfo.com via Ghanaweb

  • Market on edge amid uncertainties

    The market is still struggling with a great deal of uncertainty surrounding probable restructuring, as well as elevated price pressures, a weaker cedi and tighter liquidity.

    The outcome of the debt sustainability analysis and a choice about future debt treatment have to a significant extent put investors on edge.

    As illustrated in investors’ demand for Treasury bills, auctions have been undersubscribed for the second time in 18 weeks amid tightened cedi liquidity conditions on the money market, while the secondary market remains net-offered across the yield curve.

    On the money market – involving trading in short-term debt securities such as 91-day T-bills – liquidity constraints, as well as growing concerns of potential domestic debt restructuring, led to a 10.43 percent under-subscription of the sale. Total bids of approximately GH±974million were tendered and allotted between the 91 to 364-day tenors, against a target of about GH±1.09billion.

    Accordingly, money market yields climbed higher at the latest auction – largely influenced by red-hot inflation, which stands at 37.2 percent for September 2022.

    The average yield on 91-day bills was 31.39 percent (+43 basis points (bps) week-on-week (w/w)). Similarly, the 182-day and the 364-day bills cleared around 32.24 percent (+30bpsw/w) and 32.07 percent (+52bps), respectively.

    Market-watcher Constant Capital, in its weekly monitoring of the market, anticipates a further upside to yields at the next auction on Friday, October 21, 2022 in order to induce demand.

    “We think bids around the upper 31 percent levels will be successful for the 91-day tenor and mid-32 percent for the 182-day bills.”

    The Treasury is facing a sizeable refinancing obligation in the week ahead, with an aggregate face value worth GHÂą1.45billion maturing on October 24, 2022; thus, targetting a gross issuance of GHÂą1.56billion across the 91-day and 182-day bills to refinance upcoming maturities.

    An analyst with GCB Capital, Courage Boti, in his analysis also stated that with the tightening cedi liquidity levels amid the prevailing market uncertainty and relentless inflationary run, demand for T-bills could be depressed
 sustaining the upward pressure on yields.

    “The market remains uncertain, with investors on edge awaiting the Debt Sustainability Report’s outcome and a decision on a potential debt treatment. However, we believe notes and bonds with residual maturities of less than a year potentially hold value as the deep discounts on offer could compensate for any potential haircut,” Mr. Boti said.

    Secondary Market

    Yields increased all across the local currency (LCY) curve, as the secondary market continued to be heavily net-offered.

    “The cumulative face value traded for last week increased by about a quarter from the previous week – signaling a strengthening of the selling pressure as demand for T-bills could be depressed, sustaining the upward pressure on yields,” Constant Capital observed.

    Commenting on trading dynamics at play on the Ghana fixed-income market (GFIM), Mr. Boti with GCB Capital noted that, generally, the market is net-offered across the curve; with the selling interest emanating from domestic and offshore investors.

    The aggregate volume of GoG bonds traded on the GFIM increased to GHÂą2.76billion. Investors traded an aggregate volume of 2.43 billion on the secondary bonds market last week, 13.43 percent w/w.

    He indicated that the medium-term maturities are now offered firmly above the 40 percent level, with the 2022 and early 2023 tenors trading a touch below 40 percent at close of the week.

    “The 2022-2027 tenors accounted for about 55 percent of aggregate turnover, with the remaining 45 percent spread across the mid portions and back end of the LCY curve.”

    Source: MyInfo.com via thebftonline.com

  • Illegal thatch ‘motels’ sprawl in Ada estuary enclave

    The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has called on hospitality patrons to be wary of illegal and unsuitable thatch-accommodations in the Ada estuary enclave within the Tema operational region of the Authority.

    These facilities, numbering more than 10 – particularly at Azizanya, Kewunor and other adjourning communities in the estuary – according to the GTA have not been licenced to operate as accommodation units for tourists.

    More of such accommodations are reportedly scattered along coastal parts of the country.

    The Tema Regional Director of the GTA, Charles Buabin, told the B&FT that this canker is becoming pervasive as some tourists – predominantly from the Caribbean and others from Europe – prefer the weird experience of lodging in such thatch and dilapidated straw facilities.

    In a recent periodical enforcement exercise in the region, he disclosed that these facilities just like some other unbefitting structures are not registered or licenced, and are operating below the acceptable standard and minimum requirements set out for accommodation units.

    The Regional Director said some other facilities across the region have registered but refused to renew their licences, an act which contravenes the Tourism Act, Act 817.

    Revenue loss

    With most of these illegal thatch structures being in operation for more than 20 years, the GTA has admitted that a substantial amount of revenue has been lost in registration and licencing fees over the years.

    “These edifices began as NGOs and prayer-camps when tourism was not at the forefront. It was a strategic location between the river and the sea, which connotes a certain form of spirituality for people.

    “These facilities have however been changed to accommodation units for tourists, operating for more than two decades as visitor numbers increased to the area. Unfortunately, most tourists want this weird experience of lodging in this kind of building,” Mr. Buabin noted.

    Even though these thatch houses are declared not fit for purpose, some grand modern hotels are also contravening the law, Mr. Buabin disclosed.

    Security

    The GTA said all thatch structures have been designated as security risk zones because they do not display police reports, which is a document needed to obtain a licence from the Authority.

    “We can only ask patrons to be cautious and ask for the right documents – GTA licence, police report and environmental protection reports in such circumstances before patronising such structures.

    Lack of 24-hour presence at the location

    The Tema Regional Office of the GTA has called on the District Assembly in Ada to deepen surveillance on the area and ensure that such structures do not pose threats to visitors.

    “We have appealed to the district to ensure that such facilities are monitored and given facelift by the owners to create a befitting experience. Failure to do this risks the area being prone to delinquencies” Mr. Buabin added.

    Source: MyInfogh via thebftonline.com

  • Russians start leaving Ukraine’s Kherson city

    Tens of thousands of civilians and Russian-appointed officials are being moved out of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region ahead of a Ukrainian offensive, says the Russia-installed local leader.

    Vladimir Saldo said all Russian-appointed departments and ministries would cross the Dnieper river.

    Some 50-60,000 civilians would also leave in an “organised, gradual displacement”, he said earlier.

    Ukraine has called on residents to ignore the Russian move.

    The head of Kherson’s regional administration said Russia wanted to take civilians hostage and use them as human shields. The transfer or deportation of civilians by an occupying power from occupied territory is considered a war crime.

    In a separate development, Russia’s Vladimir Putin said he had signed a decree imposing martial law on four Ukrainian regions, including Kherson, which Moscow annexed last month in a move rejected as illegal by the international community.

    He told Russia’s Security Council that it would give regional leaders additional powers to maintain social order and safeguard important facilities.

    Russian TV footage on Wednesday showed a number of people gathering near the west bank of the Dnieper. As they queued for boats, it was not clear how many were leaving.

    One Kherson resident told the BBC’s World Service that she was not going anywhere until Kherson was liberated by Ukrainian troops: “People are not panicking, nobody wants to be evacuated.”

    She said that Russian soldiers were now worried how they could survive in the city. “There are plenty of them here; they are dressed as civilians. We can see them – they are different to Kherson people. They walk in groups, their hair is cut short, they are dressed mainly in black.”

    Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak pointed out it was less than a month since Russia had held a ceremony to annex Kherson: “Reality can hurt if you live in a fictional fantasy world.”

    Late on Monday, Russia’s new military commander in Ukraine, Gen Sergei Surovikin, had described the situation in Kherson city, the regional capital, as difficult.

    A Russian-installed official, Kirill Stremousov, warned Kherson residents that Ukrainian forces would launch an assault on the city “in the very near future”. “No-one is going to retreat, but we also want to save your life. Please move as quickly as possible to the left bank,” he added.

    Ukrainian soldiers patrol around the site amid Ukraine's counterattack against Russian forces in the southern Kherson regionGETTY IMAGES
    Ukraine said recently it had recaptured more than 400 sq km of territory in less than a week

    Mr Saldo, who was appointed governor of the region by Moscow, told Russian TV that no-one was about to surrender, but it was “undesirable” for residents to remain in a city facing military action. “In the past two days, more than 5,000 people have left Kherson,” he was quoted as saying.

    The head of Ukraine’s presidential office said Moscow was trying to intimidate residents with fake news that Ukraine’s military was shelling their city. “It is a fairly primitive tactic, taking into account that the AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] do not shell cities,” Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram.

    Earlier this month, Kherson’s exiled deputy mayor said only 100,000 residents remained in Kherson city of the pre-war population of 320,000, with many fleeing Russia’s occupation.

    The mayor of Russian-occupied Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, warned that Kherson’s civilians were facing enforced deportation and being deprived of their homes so that Russia could populate the city with “soldiers and traitors”. Last month, Ukraine said 2.5 million people had been forcibly deported from Ukraine to Russia.

    The Russian-appointed governor accused Ukraine of building up for a large-scale offensive and planning to destroy the Kakhovka dam on the River Dnieper, flooding the area.

    Kherson was the first major city to fall to Russian forces when they invaded Ukraine in February. However, in just a few weeks, the Ukrainian military has recaptured territory in the north of the region and pushed as far as 30km (19 miles) south along the Dnieper, threatening to trap Russian troops.

    Ukrainian officials said last week that 400 sq km (155 sq miles) of territory had been regained in less than a week. Russian forces have also been hit by damage to the bridge linking annexed Crimea to Russia. An explosion earlier this month has severely affected Russia’s ability to resupply its troops.

    Map showing a close-up of the Kherson region in Ukraine
    Source: BBC

  • Stop comparing our achievements with NDC; we’re in hard times – Otchere-Darko to NPP members

    A prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere-Darko, has called on his colleagues in the party to stop comparing the party’s achievements with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    According to him, the ‘politics of equalisation’ is not prudent amidst the economic hardship being experienced by Ghanaians.

    In a series of tweets on Tuesday, he stated that there is the need for the party to focus more on highlighting government’s relief programmes instead of bantering with the NDC.

    This he said, should be the posture of the party in the wake of the Cedi’s depreciation and other economic difficulties.

    “NPP shouldn’t play the politics of equalization with the NDC on inflation, interest rates & cedi depreciation. The world is facing an economic crisis like never before in peace time. Ghana has been hit very hard because our economic recovery was being delicately managed pre-COVID”, he tweeted.

    The NPP stalwart later continued, “This is not election year, so don’t treat Ghanaians like voters but citizens. Politics of comparisons works when elections are before us. Right now people just care about how to make ends meet. Use your energy in showing what is being done to bring relief”.

    The admonition by Mr Otchere-Darko comes in the wake of the renewed exchanges between the NDC and NPP on who has performed better.

    Across both traditional and social media, communicators of the two parties have been seen making spirited arguments about which of the two parties has been the better managers of Ghana’s economy.

    In recent times, these comparisons have been triggered by the depreciation of the local currency and other challenges facing the economy.

    But the private legal practitioner believes that these engagements do not augur well for the party, hence the need for the NPP to draw the attention of Ghanaians to what government is doing to alleviate the plight of Ghanaians.

    Ghana is currently reeling under intense economic pressure due to the consistent increment in the rate of inflation as well as the depreciation of the Cedi and increasing debt stock.

    Unemployment is also on the high with the cost of living still rising by the day.

    The worsening conditions have therefore thrown many citizens into a state of despair and lamentations.

    The latest group of citizens to express their grievances is the Ghana Union of Traders of Association (GUTA).

    Members of the Association have therefore closed down their shops from today, over the hardship in the country.

    Meanwhile, government says it is at the verge of concluding negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on interventions that can transform the country’s economic fortunes.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • New European Super League plot underway as supremo says fans ‘will have sympathy’

    A new proposal for a European Super League is being worked on, with the breakaway competition’s management company promising “even fans will have a lot of sympathy for the idea”.

    The Super League’s launch last year failed spectacularly, with nine of the 12 founder clubs promptly withdrawing due to fan, media and player pressure.

    However, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have stood by the plans.

    Eighteen months on, A22 Sports Management – a company representing the Super League clubs – are now planning to revive the proposals.

    Bernd Reichart, a media executive, has been appointed to head up the plans.

    He told the Financial Times: “We want to reach out to stakeholders in the European football community and broaden this vision.

    “Even fans will have a lot of sympathy for the idea. It is a blank slate. Format will never be an obstacle.”

    Reichart promised there will be changes made to the initial proposal, which was for 12 teams to be permanent members of the Super League, with other clubs invited on merit.

    “There is a reassessment – there is a clearly stated move towards an open format and that permanent membership is off the table,” Reichart said, echoing the sentiment of Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who called for the Super League not to be a closed shop.

    “We want to see whether or not there is broader consensus about the problems facing European football.”

    Reichart is targeting a launch in the 2024-25 season, as he added: “If fundamental change is to come, we want to be prepared.”

    Source: Livescore

  • The ‘Franckistes’ shaking up Cameroonian politics

    In just a few weeks, Paul Biya will celebrate 40 years as president of Cameroon.

    The 89-year-old has shown no sign of wanting to give up the role, though critics claim he spends much of his time abroad, even as conflict in the English-speaking part of the country rages.

    There is, however, a huge political debate in Cameroon about who should eventually replace Paul Biya.

    Among the apparent contenders in the presidential elections scheduled for 2025 is one Franck Biya, the president’s son.

    The man himself has not spoken much about his ambitions but several groups of ‘Franckistes’ – or supporters of Franck – have sprung up.

    The vice-president of one of the groups, Shimenyi Amidou, said the movement was not about retaining political power in one family.

    “Franck Biya is a Cameroonian and has all the right to be a president. We are not looking at the position of the father. It’s not an issue of family,” he told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

    He also rejected claims that the president’s son was sponsoring the movement.

    “If you are a Franckistes in Cameroon it means you are having that zeal for a new Cameroon, for making Cameroon better than before,” he said.

    Source: BBC

  • Dozens of militants killed in Mali air strikes

    Malian forces say they killed 50 militants in air strikes conducted in Tessalit area in northern Kidal region, the state broadcaster ORTM reported.

    The strikes were directed at positions held by militant groups.

    “We had a successful aerial operation and the toll was as follows: 50 terrorists killed, five armoured vehicles burnt and 35 motorcycles belonging to the terrorists destroyed. I urge the residents in the area to resume normal activities,” Col Ibrahim Samassa, the commander in charge of the Gao zone, told the state broadcaster.

    The air strikes come a day after two improvised explosive devices hit a UN peacekeeping convoy killing four Chadian soldiers and injuring two others.

    The army, supported by Russian mercenaries and local militia groups, has been battling jihadist groups in central and northern Mali.

    Militants from Islamic State’s so-called Sahel Province have increased their presence in northern Mali since French forces withdrew in August.

    The Malian military has increased operations since last December when Russian mercenaries were deployed to the country.

    Source: BBC

  • Spurs star Hojbjerg is the ultimate midfield general

    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a manager’s dream when it comes to consistency and following orders.

    The Danish destroyer has been an ever-present in Tottenham’s midfield since his arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2020 and has taken his game to a new level under Antonio Conte.

    Hojbjerg, 27, has featured in every Premier League game for the North Londoners this season and has only been withdrawn prior to the final whistle once.

    Ahead of Spurs’ blockbuster clash with Manchester United tonight, we turn the spotlight on the 60-cap international.

    Engine power

    Midfield maestro Hojbjerg is a workaholic and will pop up in every area of the pitch during any given contest.

    Hojbjerg has provided some crucial contributions for Spurs in the final third this season, netting three league goals alongside one assist.

    But when the former Saints man is not combining with Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son in attack, he is helping protect Hugo Lloris in goal with last-gasp clearances and blocks.

    In his first 10 Premier League games of this campaign, Hojbjerg has made 16 tackles, 13 interceptions and 17 clearances.

    This is testament to his fantastic work-rate as he follows his passes and looks to drive through midfield on the counter-attack.

    Spurs’ No5 also ranks in the division’s top 10 for passes completed, meaning when he is not chasing after the ball, he is dictating the play.

    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been a midfield general for Tottenham this season
    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been a midfield general for Tottenham this season

    Natural leader

    Nicknamed ‘The Viking’ by Spurs fans, Hojbjerg is a likeable character who is hugely respected by his peers.

    His partnership with Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle of the park is the perfect match, with the Uruguayan often pulling out the fancy flicks and turns while his Scandinavian colleague steadies the ship in the face of any mistakes.

    The former Bayern Munich star is also very vocal on the pitch and is not shy when it comes to expressing his delight or frustration.

    He can often be seen celebrating a last-ditch tackle or congratulating his team-mates when they score.

    Hojbjerg’s goal against Everton last Saturday was a perfect example of both his intelligence and determination to make an impact.

    After seeing the ball won back by Kane, he recognised the absence of the striker in the final third and darted forward, eventually latching on to Bentancur’s cross to steer home.

    Under the radar

    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has taken on many shooting opportunities this season
    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has taken on many shooting opportunities this season

    Much like Kane, Hojbjerg is not the most naturally gifted player in the world, but his hard work is what separates him from the regular crop.

    He has been quietly consistent for the best part of two years at Spurs and only now is he beginning to receive the recognition that he deserves.

    His performances have drawn praise from many pundits, including former Spurs player Garth Crooks.

    On Hojbjerg’s performance against the Toffees, Crooks said: “I don’t know why I was so surprised.

    “Hojbjerg has been a brilliant addition to the team and quietly consistent for some considerable time.”

    Another ex-Spurs player, Jamie O’Hara, has also been lavishing compliments, saying: “I watch him play a lot, and I think he is fantastic.

    “He gets in Liverpool’s midfield, he gets in Manchester United’s midfield. For me, he is one of the best midfielders in the country. I think he is underrated.”

    Sharing the wealth

    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have formed a solid partnership at Tottenham
    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have formed a solid partnership at Tottenham

    In the past, Spurs have been reliant on Kane and Son to score the majority of their goals — but under the guidance of Conte, Hojbjerg is now thriving in a more attacking role.

    The use of three central defenders gives license for the midfield pivot to get forward and the 6ft 2in talent has translated his fine international form into domestic prowess.

    Having provided three assists for Denmark in their impressive run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, it is clear that Hojbjerg can be utilised further up the pitch too.

    This is something Conte agrees with and the former Inter Milan coach believes his first-choice midfielder has what it takes to reach the top.

    He said: “Pierre’s a really good prospect to become a really top midfielder.

    “For sure he has to continue to work in the way he is doing. I am absolutely satisfied about his performance.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Medics and patients kidnapped in Nigeria hospital attack

    Gunmen have carried out a deadly attack on a hospital in central Nigeria, abducting a number of staff, as well as patients and relatives.

    The governor of Niger state, Sani Bello, condemned the raid on Gulu general hospital in the Lapai area as callous and inhuman.

    There’s no official word on the number of people involved in the attack staged in the early hours of Tuesday, but a resident told the BBC that three people had died and about 20 had been kidnapped.

    Niger is one of the states badly affected by a sustained wave of abductions and killings by armed gangs.

    A map of Nigeria
    Source: BBC

  • Magnificent Mo can drag Reds back to the top

    After an underwhelming start to the campaign, Mohamed Salah has been red hot in Liverpool’s last two games.

    The Egyptian, 30, followed up a stunning six-minute hat-trick in a 7-1 dismantling of Rangers last Wednesday by scoring the winner against Manchester City in Sunday’s Premier League clash.

    With Diogo Jota joining fellow forward Luis Diaz on Jurgen Klopp’s ever-growing injury list, Salah is set to take on a large share of the goalscoring burden in the coming weeks.

    As he looks to continue his fine form against West Ham tonight, we turn the spotlight on the Reds’ main man.

    Mood changer

    A difficult couple of months saw Salah net just twice in his first eight Premier League games this term, looking a shadow of the player who managed 31 goals in all competitions last season.

    Add that to the loss of partner in crime Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich over the summer and Klopp’s men had looked worryingly blunt going forward.

    But those issues were nowhere to be seen as Liverpool hit seven in an extraordinary attacking display at Ibrox last week, with Salah claiming a treble off the bench.

    Having stuttered up to that point, Klopp hailed the performance as potentially pivotal for their campaign.

    He said: “It changes the mood, definitely. It is completely different.

    “Mo Salah? Special. Very important, the whole thing was. I can’t think of one player who didn’t have a good game.

    “We all know when it is running for Mo he is absolutely exceptional. I hope for him everything works from now on, like I hope it does for us.”

    Following that up with an exceptional finish on the counter-attack against champions City, initial evidence suggests that Salah and his team-mates may be getting back to their best.

    Mohamed Salah scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool beat Manchester City
    Mohamed Salah scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool beat Manchester City

    New central role

    The upturn in form is a result of Klopp trialling a slightly more central role for his No11.

    The Reds started in a 4-2-3-1 formation at Anfield last Sunday, with Salah the focal point and Harvey Elliott, Roberto Firmino and Jota tucked in behind him in a fluid system.

    A major criticism of Liverpool this term has been that the dazzling Egyptian was not receiving the ball close enough to goal while featuring in his usual wide-right position.

    Against City, Salah was able to start from out wide but also had license to move in field and bear down on goal.

    And it was from exactly that position where he brought down Alisson’s long punt upfield, turned past Joao Cancelo and finished off his 76th-minute winner in confident style.

    Darwin evolution

    Of course, Salah’s new role may not be ideal for £64million summer signing Darwin Nunez.

    It has not quite happened for the Uruguayan centre forward since his switch from Benfica, with his on-field relationship with Salah still in its infancy.

    Former Premier League midfielder Paul Merson noted the lack of chemistry between the pair after Nunez replaced Firmino in the 72nd minute against Pep Guardiola’s men.

    Merson said: “When Darwin Nunez came on, the worrying thing was that he didn’t pass the ball to Salah.

    “It’s even more worrying that he didn’t even spot Salah’s run. They might play [Fabio] Carvalho or Harvey Elliott further up the pitch this week.

    “With West Ham’s injuries at the back, this might be a good time to help Nunez with his game. With him on the pitch, however, you won’t get the best out of Salah.”

    A positional change for Mohamed Salah allowed him to get more touches in the box against Manchester City
    A positional change for Mohamed Salah allowed him to get more touches in the box against Manchester City

    Centre stage

    Putting together a consistent run of results is surely the priority for Klopp, meaning the German boss may have to continue to sacrifice Nunez’s development in order to get the best out of Salah.

    A calf injury will now see fellow forward Jota ruled out until after the World Cup, suffering the same fate as Colombian star Diaz, who sustained a knee injury in the defeat to Arsenal.

    That means Salah will have to take centre stage as the Reds look to keep the positive momentum going in the eight games before the club season pauses for the global showpiece in Qatar.

    And with Egypt not qualifying for the event, a refreshed and confident Salah for the second half of the season could be bad news for the rest of the Premier League.

    Source: Livescore

  • Tunisians demand truth after alleged burials without DNA analysis of migrant shipwreck victims

    In the south-eastern Tunisian city of Zarzis, shops and government offices were closed, along with health services, except for emergency cases, on Tuesday (Oct 18).

    Protesters demanded a renewed search for relatives who went missing in a failed migration attempt.

    Chanting, slogans like the “people want the truth”, thousands once again took to the streets.

    The pressure piling on authorities prompted the president to ask his Justice Minister to open an investigation.

    “I assure you that this is a historic strike (in the city of Zarzis, ed)”, local activist Ezzedine Msalem, said.

    “The state must reveal the truth. Today, we want to know the truth. It is a state crime that was perpetrated against the inhabitants of Zarzis with the burial (of bodies found at sea — believed to be passengers from the boat — in a cemetery for foreign migrants, ed) without identifying them before, nor having done any DNA analysis.”

    Alleged burial without identification

    Four weeks ago, 18 Tunisians boarded a boat headed for Italy, before it sank.

    Four people, suspected of being missing Tunisians, were buried in a nearby cemetery for foreign migrants — allegedly without efforts to identify them.

    Those bodies have since been exhumed for identification, while another two bodies believed to be Tunisians were found.

    One of the country’s largest unions, the UGTT trade union federation voiced support for the strike and demanded an inquiry into the rescue effort and how the bodies were buried.

    The Tunisian Human Rights League said authorities had “not devoted the necessary resources to search and rescue operations in a timely way” and called for an inquiry into the burials.

    Tunisian authorities intercepted nearly 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe over the weekend, the defense ministry said Tuesday.

    According to official figures, more than 22,500 migrants have been intercepted since the start of the year, around half of them from sub-Saharan Africa.

    Source: Africanews

  • Transfer Talk: Premier League midfield trio on Barca’s radar

    Barcelona want to bolster their midfield in January — with the Premier League trio of Ruben Neves, Youri Tielemans and Jorginho topping their shortlist.

    The Catalan giants spent big in the summer but find themselves on the verge of a Champions League group stage exit, having won just one of their opening four clashes.

    And though Xavi’s men have been much improved in LaLiga, a 3-1 defeat at the Bernabeu last Sunday saw them slip three points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid in the title race.

    Club chiefs are ready to back their 42-year-old coach with further reinforcements in the winter window and Mundo Deportivo suggest a deep-lying midfielder is his priority position.

    Neves, 25, was expected to leave Wolves last summer and remains keen to test himself at one of Europe’s elite clubs.

    Though his contract runs until 2024, his agent Jorge Mendes has supposedly told Barca a January deal is plausible, prompting the Blaugrana to assess the Portuguese international’s suitability.

    Alternatively, Tielemans and Jorginho are both out of contract at the end of the current campaign, meaning cut-price deals could be on the cards.

    Belgian international Tielemans, 25, scored the winning goal to help Leicester lift a maiden FA Cup in May 2021 but has become unsettled amid the Foxes’ recent struggles.

    Meanwhile, experienced Italian Jorginho, 30, is struggling to agree an extension with Chelsea and could prove a perfect fit for Xavi’s possession-based approach.

    Youri Tielemans and Jorginho are both being monitored by Barcelona
    Youri Tielemans and Jorginho are both being monitored by Barcelona

    In other news

    Chelsea are set to cut short the loan of Swiss international midfielder Denis Zakaria according to The Express, with the 25-year-old yet to play a single minute for the Blues since his summer move.

    Erik ten Hag admits he has still not made a decision over the future of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, report The Mirror.

    Italian media say Juventus are ready to secure a loan move for Atletico Madrid’s Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, 28, in January.

    Source: Livescore

  • Liz Truss admits budget mistakes and apologises

    The UK’s prime minister apologised as she admitted her government had made mistakes over the mini-budget last month that spooked the financial markets.

    Liz Truss was speaking after new finance minister Jeremy Hunt ripped up her economic plans.

    He dramatically reversed most of the tax cuts and spending proposals that his predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng announced less than a month ago.

    “Now I recognise we have made mistakes,” Truss, who has only been in office a little more than a month, told the BBC. “I’m sorry for those mistakes, but I fixed the mistakes. I’ve appointed a new chancellor. We have restored economic stability and fiscal discipline.”

    Hunt’s swift U-turn on Truss’ mini-budget has undermined the PM’s authority and some have questioned how much longer she can remain in office.

    Responding to questions about her future, Truss said she wanted to focus on “delivering for the British public”.

    “We are in difficult economic times, we are in difficult international times with the war being perpetrated in Ukraine,” she added. “And now is the time to focus on delivering.”

    Hunt said almost all the previous tax measures are to be reversed in a move aimed at raising £32 billion (€37 billion) a year.

    A planned 1% cut in the basic rate of income tax for next April is being cancelled.

    He also said the massive energy support package will not be continued beyond next April. Instead, a Treasury-led review into how best to support homes and businesses with energy bills will be launched.

    The former health and foreign affairs minister has been racing to overhaul the government’s financial plans since he replaced Kwarteng, who was sacked on Friday.

    Kwarteng’s unfunded tax cuts announced on 23 September sent the pound tumbling, borrowing costs soaring, and sparked a collapse in support for the ruling party.

    On Sunday, Hunt and Truss held a crisis meeting at her country residence to prepare a new budget plan. Defending the government’s new direction, he acknowledged his predecessor’s mistakes and warned of “difficult decisions” to come.

    Opinion polling shows Truss’ Conservatives trailing the UK’s main opposition party, Labour.

    Its leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said Truss was “clinging onto power” and that her government “no longer have a mandate from the British people”.

    Source: Euronews

  • Celtics ‘all in this together’, says Tatum after Mazzulla’s winning debut

    The Boston Celtics left a tumultuous offseason behind them on opening night to deliver a first win for interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, as Jayson Tatum said: “We’re all in this together.”

    Mazzulla was making his coaching bow against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday having replaced Ime Udoka for this NBA season.

    Udoka, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first year as coach in 2021-22, was suspended by the team for the entire campaign for “violations of team policies” following an “improper” consensual relationship with a female staff member.

    Assistant Mazzulla has temporarily stepped up to the top job, but there was no sign of the saga impacting the Celtics’ play in their 126-117 victory over the highly fancied 76ers.

    Tatum had 35 points and 12 rebounds in 39 minutes, as team-mate Jaylen Brown – reportedly part of trade talks for Kevin Durant earlier this year – also scored 35 points in 39 minutes.

    Tatum and Brown became the first pair of team-mates to each score at least 35 points in a season opener since Los Angeles Lakers duo Wilt Chamberlain (35) and Jerry West (39) in 1969-70 – likewise against the 76ers.

    Keeping both performing at a high level will be key to Mazzulla’s hopes this year.

    “He wouldn’t have took any of the credit for tonight,” Tatum said of Mazzulla. “But the thing that I like about Joe and admire about him is that he’s very honest that he doesn’t know everything.

    “He wants us to help him out as much as he’s helping us out. It’s like we’re in a relationship, and we’re all on the same page and trying to accomplish the same thing. We’re all in this together.”

    Mazzulla added: “I’m grateful for the relationship we have. These guys have been through a lot together, and they’re great players, so it’s just a matter of working together.

    “So, I appreciate their trust and buy-in, but they come up with a lot of good stuff as well, and we kind of just figure it out.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Smart accuses Embiid of trying to break his arm

    Marcus Smart credited his own “maturity” for not escalating an altercation with Joel Embiid in which he claimed the Philadelphia 76ers center tried to break his arm.

    Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Smart has had a long-standing rivalry with Embiid.

    The Boston Celtics guard has been ejected eight times in his NBA career, with one of those coming against the 76ers in 2019 after he shoved Embiid to the ground when his back was turned.

    Smart stayed on the court on Tuesday, although he was whistled for a technical foul – the third against the 76ers of his career – following another tussle with Embiid in a 126-117 Celtics win.

    The players’ arms became tangled as they battled for a rebound, before Smart angrily grabbed the ankle of Embiid, who dropped to the floor.

    Embiid, who has only once been ejected from an NBA game and never against the Celtics, avoided punishment.

    “I went for a rebound. Basketball play,” Smart said. “I went for the steal. Basketball play. The referee blows his whistle, calls a foul.

    “I stop playing, my arm’s still stuck in there, and [Embiid] tries to break it. And then I’m the only one who gets a tech. Everybody saw it.”

    He added: “I don’t have to keep talking about it. If I did that, I’m probably ejected, suspended three games, four games, fined.

    “But the fact that I was the only one that got something out of that is beyond me. Especially as defending DPOY, and that’s how he gets treated. It’s tough.

    “It’s maturity. I could have cracked his head open, but I didn’t. And that’s the maturity we have.

    “So, we move on from it. It is what it is, and we control what we can control.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • LeBron ‘expected’ Lakers loss to Warriors

    LeBron James revealed the Los Angeles Lakers performed as he expected on opening night despite a disappointing defeat to the Golden State Warriors.

    Tuesday’s game was always likely to be a tough one for the Lakers, who missed the playoffs last season as the Warriors won the title.

    And so it proved, with a dominant third quarter seeing the Warriors ease to a 123-109 victory.

    James, entering his 20th season, led the Lakers with 31 points but acknowledged the team will need time at the start of the year working with new coach Darvin Ham.

    “For us, I think we are what I expected from tonight,” James said.

    “Some great moments, some not so good moments, and that just comes from a team that’s coming together for the first time. There’s a lot of new pieces, a whole new system, coaching staff.

    “But I loved the way we competed. Obviously with the turnovers, we’re not going to win ball games like that, but once we start getting on the same page and know where guys are going to be, start going through in our system how we want to perform, that will get better with time.

    “It was what I expected. We had some good times, and some other times were not as good as we would like.”

    The Lakers had 21 turnovers to the Warriors‘ 18, including 12 from their ‘big three’ of James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, which the four-time MVP said was “not acceptable”.

    That was not the only area in which the Lakers struggled, however, as they were a miserable 25.0 per cent from three-point range, making just 10 of 40 attempts.

    The Lakers ranked 22nd in the NBA in three-point shooting last year (34.7 per cent), and James suggested the Warriors – 35.6 per cent on Tuesday and 36.4 per cent in 2021-22 – were letting their opponents shoot.

    “We’re getting great looks, but it also could be teams giving us great looks,” James said.

    “To be completely honest, we’re not a team that’s constructed of great shooting. That’s just the truth of the matter. It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team.

    “That doesn’t deter us from trying to get great shots, and when we get those opportunities, we take them. But we’re not sitting here with a load of 40-plus career three-point shooting guys.”

    The Lakers have still not won on opening night since 2016.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Warriors ‘not where we need to be’ but Kerr thrilled to begin with a win

    Steve Kerr was “thrilled” with the Golden State Warriors’ opening night win over the Los Angeles Lakers as the coach recognised his defending champions are “not where we need to be”.

    The Warriors received their championship rings and unveiled their seventh banner on Tuesday following last season’s NBA Finals defeat of the Boston Celtics.

    A night of celebration was then capped with a first victory of the new campaign as the Warriors defeated the Lakers 123-109.

    With so much else going on outside the game, coach Kerr was wary of the potential for an upset.

    But even with the Warriors still looking to improve over the course of the season, he said, they “took care of business”.

    “I’m thrilled with the win,” said Kerr. “Ring night is never an easy game, and the first game of the season is usually filled with some nerves early on.

    “We’re not where we need to be, but we took care of business.”

    Reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry led the Warriors in scoring 33 points and was already thinking of a title defence.

    “After tonight, the journey really begins in terms of everybody’s best shot,” Curry said. “You’ve got some really talented teams that are going to be gunning for you. You have to be ready for it all.

    “It’s going to be a really long journey, but this is why we play. We’re competitive. This is why we work as hard as we do. We can’t just sit there and look at that ring.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • British-Nigerian singer Little Simz wins Mercury Music Prize

    Simbiatu “Simbi” Abisola Abiola Ajikawo was born in Islington, London, to Nigerian parents.

    She is a British rapper, singer and actress. She rose to prominence with the independent release of her first three albums, namely A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons (2015), Stillness in Wonderland (2016) and Grey Area (2019).

    Her fourth album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021)[3] received widespread critical acclaim, with several publications deeming it the best album of 2021.[4] It won the Mercury Prize 2022 on 18th October 2022. [5] It also earned her the 2022 Brit Award for Best New Artist

    Simz’ acting career began with the role of Vicky in the BBC children’s series Spirit Warriors, originally broadcast in 2010,[15] and as Meleka in the E4 television series, Youngers.[16] She was narrator for the television series, Afrofuturism,[17] and played Shelley in Netflix’s revival and third series of Top Boy which premiered in autumn 2019.[18] She appeared as herself in the Sony/Marvel film Venom – Let There Be Carnage, singing her song Venom in a nightclub

    She describes her music as rap and experimental.[19] Whilst she is closely affiliated with the grime genre, she has also pulled inspiration from other genres including reggae, blues, synth-rock and jazzy R&B.[8]

    Simz has performed at Rising Tide, iluvlive, Industry Takeover (Urban Development) Hackney Empire,[20] Somerset House and the House of Lords.[21] She also performed at the BBC 1Xtra Prom 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside a full orchestra led by Jules Buckley.[22] Simz can be heard on the Leave to Remain film soundtrack, performing the song “Leave It As That”.[16] In early 2013, she appeared on BBC Radio 1Xtra to discuss her performance at the Hackney Weekend.[23] Simz then went on to do a Maida Vale session for Huw Stephens. She also has received praise from Kendrick Lamar.[24]

    On 16 December 2016 she released her second studio album Stillness in Wonderland.[25] It was inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and supported by a comic book, art exhibition and festival.[26] In 2017, she performed as the opening act for Gorillaz during their Humanz Tour, and was the vocalist for the song “Garage Palace”, featured on the Super Deluxe edition of their album Humanz.

    Simz releases her music on her own Age 101 Music record label with an exclusive distribution licencing arrangement with AWAL Recordings.[8] On 6 September 2018, Simz and her label AGE 101 signed a worldwide deal with AWAL Recordings,[27] after AWAL had distributed her debut album “A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons” in 2015. This deal was renewed on 18 June 2020.[28]

    Her 2019 studio album Grey Area was released to critical success and was nominated for the Mercury Prize,[29] and IMPALA’s European Independent Album of the Year Award (2019).[30]

    On 3 September 2021, she released her fourth studio album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert debuting at number 4 on the UK album charts and winning BBC 6’s Album of the Year.

    Source: Africanews

  • Klopp refutes claim his comments on Man City’s ownership were xenophobic

    Jurgen Klopp has insisted his comments about Manchester City’s ownership were not in any way xenophobic.

    Last week, ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with the reigning Premier League champions at Anfield – which finished 1-0 to the Reds – Klopp claimed his side were unable to compete with City due to the financial might of their owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, which bought the club in 2008.

    City have gone from Premier League also-rans to a dominant force in English football, having won the title six times since 2012.

    Indeed, four of the last five Premier League titles have gone City’s way, with Liverpool pushing them hard in two of those seasons as well as winning the top flight themselves in 2020.

    Klopp said: “There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially.”

    This was thought to be aimed at City, Paris Saint-Germain – owned by Qatar Sports Investments – and Newcastle United, who are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

    When it was put to Klopp in a press conference that his comments were seen by some as xenophobic, the Liverpool manager replied: “I know myself. And you cannot hit with something which is miles away from my personality.

    “If I was – I cannot remember the word – like this I would hate it. I would hate myself for being like this.

    “I have said a lot of times things that were a little bit open for misunderstanding. I know that.

    “It was not intentional, just sometimes you say things and you think, ‘Oh my God, it can be interpreted like this’, but this is not one of these moments. Absolutely.

    “It started with a question [about how to compete with City] and I answered it and all the rest was made of it.

    “I know what I thought and put it in perspective and said how much I respect what they are doing, and it was still not right for some.”

    It has been reported City’s hierarchy believe Klopp’s pre-match comments increased tensions ahead of Sunday’s game on Merseyside, during which visiting fans sang chants referencing stadium disasters – later condemned by Liverpool – while Pep Guardiola claimed to have had coins thrown at him as his club said he was targeted by missiles from home supporters.

    Klopp was sent off after furiously confronting an official and is now facing a Football Association charge for his behaviour on the touchline.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • NBA: Warriors and Celtics shine in season opener

    Stephen Curry and his Golden State teammates are ready to defend their NBA title.

    The Warriors received their championship rings in a ceremony Tuesday (Oct 18).

    Among the players honoured during the evening was Congolese Jonathan Kuminga, who is one of 16 Africans (around 30 when counting binationals) to take part in the prestigious professional basketball league in North America, this year.

    During the season opener, the Warriors enjoyed an extra celebration time as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109 with 33 points scored by shooter Stephen Curry.

    In Boston, the Celtics paid tribute to the mythical N6 of the franchise Bill Russell, who died in July.

    “Bill Russell was a great man for what and who he stood for”, Jaylen Brown noted.

    “During the peak of racial tension in our society, he represented a type of nobility and honour that transcended sports”, the Celtics Guard concluded.

    Against the Sixers of Joel Embiid and James Harden, the defending Eastern Conference champions, started their season on the right foot, thanks to Jaylen Brown/Jayson Tatum duo, each scoring 35 points.

    Boston finally won 126-117 against one of its main contenders in the race for the Eastern Conference’s top 4.

    Source: Africanews

  • Platini says Benzema must ‘justify his status’ as Ballon d’Or winner at World Cup

    Karim Benzema will need to perform well for France at the upcoming World Cup to “justify his status” as Ballon d’Or winner, claims Michel Platini.

    Benzema finished a career-best 2021-22 season with 44 goals, while adding 15 assists as he helped fire Real Madrid to a LaLiga and Champions League double.

    The 34-year-old’s stunning campaign was enough to see off the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane to win his first Ballon d’Or, having previously been nominated 10 times without taking home the trophy.

    But Platini, who won Ballon d’Or awards in three consecutive years between 1983 and 1985, believes there is now more pressure on Benzema to perform at the World Cup in Qatar, starting next month.

    “He reached the grail with the Ballon d’Or,” Platini told RMC Sport. “He has a big responsibility being the best player in the world and the World Cup is coming up.

    “He will have to be on top to justify his status.”

    Benzema returned from a six-year exodus with the national team for Euro 2020, scoring four goals in four appearances as France crashed out at the round of 16 stage.

    He will hope to help Les Blues defend their World Cup crown, beginning with their opening group match against Australia on November 22, though Platini believes Benzema is already well on his way to becoming a France footballing icon.

    “Benzema is becoming a legend of French football,” Platini added. “Winning a Ballon d’Or brings you into the ranks of great footballers.”

    Source: Livescore

     

     

  • Simeone: Atletico not ‘forceful’ enough as Falcao penalty denies them victory

    Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone felt his side paid the price for “not being forceful” enough as a 92nd-minute Radamel Falcao penalty earned Rayo Vallecano a late 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

    Alvaro Morata’s first-half strike looked to be enough to give Atletico their fourth straight LaLiga win, despite missing a number of chances to add a second goal.

    They were left to rue not taking those opportunities, as the referee awarded a penalty after Jose Gimenez handled in the box from Randy Nteka’s header, before Falcao fired home the penalty to deny his former side the win.

    Simeone was frustrated over his side’s inability to kill the game off, telling reporters: “We had good goal situations to score the second and close out the match.

    “The second was not scored and we remain in a situation in which they can equalise.

    “In the second half we had a lot of counter-attacks to finish the game, we didn’t convert the much-needed second goal and we lost two important points.”

    The two dropped points Simeone referenced would have put Atletico just three points behind leaders Real Madrid, and the 52-year-old feels his players must be more ruthless in future.

    When asked what his team did wrong against Rayo, Simeone replied: “Not being forceful.

    “If you come up against the goalkeeper several times, it has to be a goal.

    “You have to improve the forcefulness and train it and when that situation appears, there is the mettle to finish.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Stonewall calls on players and fans to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights at World Cup

    Stonewall is urging the global sporting community to “stand up and call out the criminalisation and persecution” of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar at the upcoming World Cup.

    The leading LGBTQ+ charity has made the plea at the launch of its ninth annual ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign.

    Same-sex relationships are criminalised in Qatar and Stonewall hopes issues can be highlighted while the spotlight is on the Gulf state for the World Cup, which begins next month.

    Liz Ward, director of programmes at Stonewall, said: “As we approach the 2022 Men’s World Cup, we must remember that Qatar is a country where LGBTQ+ people are persecuted simply for being themselves. Sadly, this year’s tournament is not safe for everyone, which is why it’s so important to see players and fans stand up to be counted.

    “The World Cup is a vital moment for the global sporting community to stand up and call out the criminalisation and persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar.”

    This year’s Rainbow Laces ‘season’ runs from October 19-31 with a Rainbow Laces Day, when sports participants are urged to wear rainbow laces in their footwear to promote greater inclusion, on October 26.

    Stonewall feels the campaign has led to good progress in recent years but believes much more still needs to be done.

    One of the successes is highlighted in new statistics which show that the proportion of sport fans who think homophobic remarks in sport are acceptable has fallen from 25 per cent in 2017 to 14 per cent in 2022.

    However, the research conducted by Stonewall in partnership with ICM/Walnut also suggests that fans are not confident that competitive sport is a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ sport personalities.

    Just 40 per cent think it is welcoming for gay and bi men, 43 per cent think it welcoming for lesbian and bi women and just 29 per cent think it welcoming for trans sport personalities.

    Ms Ward added: “Since the beginning of the Rainbow Laces campaign, we’ve seen awareness grow and grow, with more than one million laces modelled in boots across the world’s pitches and, as a result, we’ve seen attitudes fundamentally shift – the majority of Britons are now supportive of LGBTQ+ athletes.

    “However, we cannot become complacent. This new research shows that the public recognise that there is more work to do to create a world where LGBTQ+ people are free to be themselves both on and off the pitch.”

    Source: Livescore

     

     

  • Morocco and EU to boost cooperation on renewable energy with green partnership deal

    Morocco signed a “green partnership” deal with the European Union in Rabat, Tuesday (Oct 18). The two parties hope the agreement will bolster cooperation on renewable energy.

    Morocco’s top diplomat Nasser Bourita welcomed Tuesday the EU Commission deputy head Frans Timmermans. The statesmen officially launched in Rabat, the European Union and Moroccan “green partnership” deal aimed at bolstering cooperation on renewable energy.

    The sun-baked North African country is seeking to offer alternatives for European nations trying to wean themselves off fossil fuels.

    “Why a green partnership?”, the Moroccan Foreign affairs minister asked.

    “First of all, the context shows that we are on the eve of COP27 and this is an important moment to show that the discussion on climate change is first and foremost a question of will and vision, but it is also a question of action”.

    “Actions to transform commitments into reality and what Morocco is trying to do through this green partnership”, Nasser Bourita concluded.

    The memorandum of understanding, is the “first of its kind” according to Frans Timmermans.

    It is also set to boost cooperation in the fight against climate change, with private sector involvement.

    “It aims to foster the transition to a decarbonised industry through investment in green technology, renewable energy production, sustainable mobility and clean production in industry,” it reads.

    In 2009, Morocco adopted an energy strategy aimed at increasing the share of renewables in electricity production to over 52 percent of the country’s energy mix — up from around a fifth today.

    The COP27 also known as the 27th session of UN Climate Change Conference will take place in Sharm el—Sheikh Egypt, in November.

    Source: Africanews

  • Neymar hails ‘deserved’ Benzema victory in Ballon d’Or but slams low Vincius ranking

    Neymar hailed the “deserved” choice of Karim Benzema as Ballon d’Or winner, after the Real Madrid star claimed the prestigious honour for the first time on Monday.

    But the Paris Saint-Germain attacker criticised the eighth-place finish for Benzema’s Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior, with the Brazil international declaring his fellow Selecao star should have finished in the top three at a “minimum”.

    Benzema was crowned the world’s greatest player for the 2021-22 season at a ceremony earlier this week, succeeding Neymar’s PSG club-mate Lionel Messi while beating out Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane to top spot.

    It came after a campaign that saw him lead Carlo Ancelotti’s side to success in LaLiga and the Champions League, scoring 44 goals and adding 15 assists.

    Neymar, who was not nominated this year, took to social media a day after the presentation to hail Benzema’s victory, but added that Vinicius, another key Madrid star last term, deserved greater recognition.

    “Benzema deserved [it – he’s the] crack!” the attacker wrote on Twitter. “Now, for Vini Jr to be eighth – it’s not possible! Minimum top three!”

    After arguably the toughest domestic season of his career to date last term, Neymar looks to be back to his best this season, with nine goals and seven assists in Ligue 1 so far.

    Benzema meanwhile has struggled with fitness issues, restricting the 34-year-old to just four goals and one assist in LaLiga.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Kante out of World Cup with hamstring injury, Chelsea confirm

    N’Golo Kante will miss France’s World Cup campaign after undergoing an operation on his hamstring, Chelsea have confirmed.

    Kante suffered the injury in his Chelsea’s 2-2 home draw with Tottenham in August and has not featured for club or country since.

    Chelsea have now established Kante will play no part in France’s defence of their World Cup crown, which starts with their opening group game against Australia on November 22.

    In a statement on the club website, Chelsea said: “N’Golo Kante has undergone an operation on his hamstring injury.

    “The midfielder visited a specialist with the club’s medical department to explore the options for his rehabilitation approach and it was mutually agreed for N’Golo to have surgery to repair the damage.

    “Following a successful operation, N’Golo is now expected to be sidelined for four months.”

    Kante was a key member of the France side that won the 2018 World Cup, playing a part in all seven games as Les Bleus lifted the biggest prize in international football for the second time.

    Reece James, Kante’s Chelsea team-mate, faces a race against time to make England’s squad for the tournament after suffering a knee injury against Milan.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Ugandan general defiant on president’s Twitter ban

    Ugandan General Muhoozi Kainerugaba says “no one will ban him from anything” a day after his father, President Yoweri Museveni, directed that he stops commenting on government affairs on Twitter.

    The president’s intervention followed Gen Kainerugaba’s controversial tweets a fortnight ago where he threatened to invade neighbouring Kenya, prompting a public apology and diplomatic meetings to reaffirm ties.

    On Monday, the president said the general would stay clear of “talking about other countries and partisan politics of Uganda” on Twitter.

    But in a riposte hours later, Gen Kainerugaba wondered whether such a gag was “some kind of joke”.

    Gen Kainerugaba is known for his controversial tweets, including expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Tigrayan rebels fighting the Ethiopian government.

    Source: BBC

  • Pogba back in training with Juventus

    Paul Pogba returned to training with Juventus on Tuesday just over a month before France’s first World Cup game.

    The midfielder’s second spell with Juve got off to a nightmare start when he suffered a lesion to the lateral meniscus in his right knee.

    That injury blow has prevented Pogba from making a competitive appearance for the Bianconeri following his Manchester United exit.

    Pogba was back training with his Juve team-mates on Tuesday, however, with the club revealing he worked “partially” with the squad as he was pictured in action.

    That is good news for both the Serie A giants and France five weeks before the holders start their defence of the World Cup against Australia in Qatar.

    Confirmation of Pogba’s return came after Les Bleus head coach Didier Deschamps stated he would need to be sure the 29-year-old is fully fit before naming him in his squad.

    Speaking after attending Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Deschamps told Sport Mediaset: “His programme is going well. The important thing is that he is cured, I think he will be, and this is already a good thing.

    “Then there will be the question of whether he looks athletic, since he hasn’t played for a long time.

    “But I repeat, before thinking about whether I call him up, he must be healed.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Courtois has Casillas backing after Ballon d’Or snub

    Thibaut Courtois suggested the Yashin Trophy had been “invented” to appease goalkeepers as he struggled to understand his seventh-placed Ballon d’Or finish – scepticism that was shared by Iker Casillas.

    Keeper Courtois’ Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema took the top award in Monday’s Paris ceremony, named the best player in the world by France Football.

    Benzema was a deserving winner, as Courtois himself acknowledged, having scored 44 goals in 46 games as Madrid won LaLiga and the Champions League in 2021-22. He netted two hat-tricks among a record-equalling 10 goals in the Champions League knockout stage.

    But Courtois was also a part of those two triumphs and had an equally vital role in the European success, making nine saves in the final against Liverpool – a record since Opta data was first gathered in 2003-04 and worth 2.5 prevented goals, according to expected goals on target data.

    The Belgium international beat Liverpool’s Alisson to the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper, yet he felt he should have fared better in the overall ranking.

    “First of all, I want to say that I am very happy for Karim Benzema,” Courtois told Cadena SER.

    “It seems that it is better to score a goal than to stop one. It is a battle that remains to be won. Seeing the logic of the vote, I had no chance of finishing very high, nor of winning it of course.

    “I’m not saying I had to win it! But you win La Liga, the Champions League, your team wins thanks to your saves… and you only finish seventh. You’re not even on the podium.

    “In the top 10, there wasn’t even a defender. At least this year they invented the trophy for the best goalkeeper.”

    Meanwhile, on Twitter, Courtois shared a post from former Madrid keeper Casillas, which read: “I’m happy for Thibaut Courtois! By far he is the best goalkeeper in the world.

    “What I’m not happy about is not having put him on the final podium for the Ballon d’Or. I still don’t understand what those who choose this award are based on.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Potter: No talks over cutting short Zakaria’s Chelsea loan spell

    Chelsea boss Graham Potter has rubbished reports that Denis Zakaria’s loan spell could be cut short in January.

    Zakaria was signed by previous head coach Thomas Tuchel from Juventus on a season-long loan deal just before the transfer window closed at the start of September.

    The midfielder is yet to make his debut for the London club and has only been a substitute on one occasion in the Premier League.

    It has been reported that the Switzerland international could be on his way back to Juve when the next transfer window opens, but that is news to Potter.

    He said: “There’s no decision been made at all on that. Denis has been in the group, he’s been training well.

    “He’s ready to help the team, obviously there’s competition for places in that area, but there’s no talk of anything.

    “He’s an important member of the team, he’s been patient and he’s trying to help the team from the side at the moment and waiting for his chance.”

    Chelsea will make the short trip for a derby at Brentford on Wednesday in search of a sixth consecutive victory and looking for a fifth clean sheet in a row.

    It has been a great start to head coach Potter’s tenure, with his side fourth in the Premier League and on course to qualify for the Champions League round of 16.

    Mason Mount’s double secured a 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday and Potter says he is bemused over why there appears to be mixed opinions on the England midfielder’s credentials.

    He said: “It’s a joy [to work with Mount], he’s a fantastic person. He loves to play football, loves the club here. It’s surprising I get some questions like there’s some sort of mixed opinion on Mason, I find that strange.

    “Especially from the outside and then when you start to work with him, you just think he’s got everything you need to be a top, top player. He’s got a great attitude, understands spaces, connects, can execute, assists, scores goals. He’s a top player.”

    Potter revealed Chelsea have no new injuries to contend with ahead of their clash with the Bees, allaying concerns Thiago Silva could be sidelined with a hamstring injury.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Deschamps hopeful Pogba will make World Cup amid reports of training return

    Didier Deschamps is optimistic Paul Pogba will be fit to feature at the World Cup next month, amid reports the midfielder is set to return to training with Juventus.

    Pogba has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Bianconeri since returning from Manchester United in July, and is a doubt for the tournament in Qatar after undergoing surgery to solve a lesion to the lateral meniscus in his right knee.

    The 2018 World Cup winner initially opted to treat the injury with conservative therapy, which his doctor Roberto Rossi subsequently said had worsened his condition.

    On Tuesday, with little over a month to go before France’s Group D opener against Australia, Italian media reports suggested Pogba’s return to Juventus training was imminent.

    Speaking after attending Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Deschamps told Sport Mediaset he was upbeat concerning the midfielder’s progress, saying: “His programme is going well.

    “The important thing is that he is cured, I think he will be, and this is already a good thing.

    “Then there will be the question whether he looks athletic, since he hasn’t played for a long time.

    “But I repeat, before thinking about whether I call him up, he must be healed.”

    Pogba has won 91 caps and hit 11 goals for France since making his international debut in 2013, and scored Les Bleus’ third goal in their 4-2 win over Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final.

    Meanwhile, Deschamps saw another of his France stars crowned the best player in the world on Monday, as Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career.

    Asked about Benzema’s triumph, Deschamps added: “He deserves it. It is an important thing for all of French football, that of the national team and the clubs.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Jota ruled out of the World Cup with calf injury

    Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup after suffering a “pretty serious” calf muscle injury in Liverpool’s win over Manchester City.

    The Portugal forward was carried off on a stretcher in stoppage time at Anfield on Sunday.

    He appeared to overstretch and was clearly fearing the worst in the immediate aftermath.

    The news is bad for Jota, Portugal and Liverpool, whose forthcoming games he will also inevitably miss.

    “It’s really not good news. Yes, he will miss the World Cup,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said in a press conference on Tuesday.

    “It’s a pretty serious injury, calf muscle. Now we have to recover. The process starts like this. That’s the first diagnosis which was pretty clear.

    “It’s very sad news for the boy, for us, and for Portugal.”

    Klopp said Jota would not require surgery on the injury but that “we’re talking about months” in terms of his lay-off.

    “I don’t want to put a number on it. Yes, it will be long,” Klopp said.

    He explained Jota had taken the news phlegmatically.

    “It’s Diogo and he’s surprisingly OK, so far. He’s an incredibly smart boy and very reflective. I think he knew it when we carried him off the pitch,” Klopp added.

    “When I came out we passed each other after the game and he expected what happened. I think in that moment he knew it was a serious one and could be pretty impactful on his World Cup dreams.”

    Jota’s injury also leaves Liverpool short of another key attacking player, with Luis Diaz already sidelined until after the World Cup.

    Source: Livescore

  • Klopp ready to face Moyes on Anfield touchline as Liverpool boss finds support

    Jurgen Klopp expects to be on the Liverpool bench for the visit of West Ham on Wednesday, which is just where David Moyes wants him.

    Hammers boss Moyes said he would want a fair fight at Anfield by being pitched head to head against the Liverpool boss, who is facing a touchline ban.

    Klopp raged so hard at assistant referee Gary Beswick in Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday that he was sent off by Anthony Taylor.

    He had been furious when no foul was given against Bernardo Silva for a challenge on Mohamed Salah, after finding fault with a number of earlier decisions.

    According to Moyes, a former Everton boss, referees would do well to understand that managers “sometimes lose our heads here or there”.

    Moyes also said that Klopp had a strong argument in this case, adding: “I think if you look at the incident why he got angry, he was correct, wasn’t he?”

    Klopp indicated the disciplinary process had barely begun when he spoke in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

    For that reason, he cannot see why he would not be at pitchside for the Premier League game.

    “I think I will be there because there’s nothing really happened yet,” Klopp said. “But I don’t think something will happen…a few hours before the game.

    “I know where David is coming from. I still think I shou”This was then for me like, in Germany we would say one drop will let the bucket overflow. Does that make sense somehow? I’m not happy with my reaction, but that’s the way it was. Everybody saw it.

    “I was sitting after the game in the office of Anthony Taylor and spoke completely calm about the situations, how he saw the game and how I saw the game. It was a fair and calm discussion, but anyway that’s the situation. I got the red card, and now we wait for the process pretty much.”

    Klopp compared the rising tensions in Sunday’s game to the fiery London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham in August that finished 2-2 and ended with red cards for bosses Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.

    “No excuses,” he added. “I don’t use that as an excuse for me.”

    ld have dealt differently with the situation, which I actually do usually.

    “The whole game led to that maybe a little bit, the way it went. It was a very intense game with a lot of decisions the managers didn’t understand, on both sides.


    Source: Livescore

  • Liverpool boss Klopp gives verdict on Man City tension

    Jurgen Klopp says there is no reason for Liverpool and Manchester City to be “best friends” after tensions ignited at the weekend.

    Liverpool manager Klopp insisted he did not mean to inflame the rivalry between the clubs by referencing the wealth of Premier League champions City ahead of their game on Sunday, in which his team snatched a 1-0 win.

    “There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially,” Klopp said, two days ahead of the City clash.

    That has been widely taken as a reference to City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain, each with wealthy Middle East owners.

    City were reported to have considered the comments from Klopp to be almost xenophobic, and the Anfield tussle between the teams became an explosive affair, with Klopp sent off after snapping at assistant referee Gary Beswick.

    There was trouble in the stands, too, with Pep Guardiola pelted with coins, while a number of City fans sang offensive songs about the Hillsborough and Heysel stadium disasters.

    “I’m not sure we have to be best friends with other clubs, to be honest,” Klopp said in a press conference on Tuesday.

    “I don’t think anybody wants to be best friends with us. I never heard about that at least. It’s a completely normal competition.

    “But apart from that, it started here with a question and I answered it, and all the rest was made of it.

    “I know what I thought when I said it. I thought I had put it all in perspective and said how much I respect all that they are doing, and obviously it was still not right for some.

    “But the most important thing, as a club and as a team together with our supporters, we showed an incredible performance on Sunday.”

    Klopp added: “It’s not the first time I’ve been misunderstood.”

    He said supporters would be held to account if they stepped out of line. As well as incidents in the stadium, City complained their team bus was attacked as it left Anfield.

    “If something happens, if one guy throws a coin, it’s one fan and it’s a massive mistake, definitely, and will get punished,” Klopp said. “And after the game, if something happens, it’s one supporter or maybe two supporters and not all of them.”

    Liverpool host David Moyes’ West Ham on Wednesday, looking to back up what Klopp called a “massive” win over City, which came after a rocky start to the season for the Reds.

    They remain 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, so Klopp says the Hammers clash is another huge fixture.

    “We’re at the moment in the season when you realise from now on they’re all finals,” Klopp said. “I’m not sure you can give games more importance than we already put in. It’s very important absolutely.

    “We respect them a lot. They’ve caused us a lot of problems here and there as well. David is doing an incredible job.”

    Source: Livescore

  • U.K, Germany and France pledge economic support to Ghana

    The prospect of an expedited programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was given another boost this week as the United Kingdom, Germany and France pledged to support the Ghanaian economy to overcome the current crisis.

    These financing commitments, came on the back of closed-door bilateral meetings hosted by the government of Ghana delegation in Washington, DC.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta told the Ghanaian media that “Ghana still has great strengths to build on, as our productive sectors are still growing, expenditures are being contained, and the formal conclusion of IMF negotiations should support our balance of payments position. Consequently, our bilateral partners are demonstrating increased support for our recovery plan.”

    Negotiations with the IMF are set to continue over the coming week as the Ghanaian delegation outlines the broad policy anchors for the Government’s flagship “Post-Covid Programme for Economic Growth” (PC-PEG).

    The PC-PEG referred to in the 2022 Mid-Year Budget Statement as the Enhanced Domestic Programme (EDP), contains a set of time-bound structural reforms and fiscal consolidation measures to place Ghana’s debt levels and fiscal accounts on a sustainable path over the medium term.

    A combination of IMF assistance, structural reform programmes, and increased bilateral support are expected to ease existing macroeconomic imbalances over the next few months.

    Like many other countries, Ghana is operating amid a confluence of adverse shocks heightened by debt vulnerabilities.

    Consequently, the completion of IMF negotiations in a timely manner continues to dominate the government’s agenda.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • India snatch victory from Australia after sensational Shami show

    Mohammed Shami made a sensational return to the India set up as his blistering final over helped secure a six-run win over Australia in a pulsating T20 World Cup warm-up fixture.

    Shami replaced the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the tournament Down Under and four wickets fell from the final four deliveries with defending champions Australia requiring 11 to win.

    That was Shami’s only over of the game at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, a match where Aaron Finch (76) found form but only three other Australia batsmen made double figures as they were bowled for 180 – losing six wickets for just nine runs from the final two overs.

    Earlier, KL Rahul (57 off 33) and Suryakumar Yadav (50 off 33) had guided India to 186-7, a total that had looked under-par until Shami’s heroics.

    Shami steals the show

    Shami was overlooked by India originally in favour of rising stars Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel but Bumrah’s misfortune provided him an opportunity, and boy did he take it in a brilliant final over that had started with Pat Cummins taking a couple of twos, before the Australia paceman came unstuck by a scarcely believable one-handed catch by Virat Kohli on the boundary.

    More great work by Shami saw Ashton Agar run out when trying to sneak a bye, which preceded a couple of stunning Yorkers, uprooting the wickets of Josh Inglis and Kane Richardson, who had been the pick of Australia’s bowlers with figures of 4-30.

    Finch finds his wings again

    Australia may have lost the unlosable but a massive takeaway for the hosts was captain Finch finding form on the eve of the World Cup.

    Finch had managed only one half-century in his past 10 T20I knocks, and amassed just 25 runs across three innings in the series loss to England. The Australia skipper not only scored runs against India, but did so with a strike rate of 140.74.


    Source: Livescore

  • T20 World Cup: West Indies join Sri Lanka in suffering shock defeat

    Scotland, spearheaded by the superb bowling of Mark Watt and Michael Leask, claimed a shock win over West Indies to get off to a flyer at the T20 World Cup.

    Having seen Namibia stun Sri Lanka on Sunday, Scotland sealed a famous 42-run triumph against the two-time T20 world champions at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Monday.

    It was the first T20I meeting between the teams and brought up Scotland’s first win in the format this year. For the Windies, 2022 is now their worst year on record in terms of T20I defeats (14).

    “Obviously it is a special win for us,” said Scotland captain Richard Berrington, whose side snapped a seven-game losing run in T20Is. “It took a lot of work and has given us belief.”

    While the credit will go to Scotland’s brilliant bowlers, opening batter George Munsey set the tone with an unbeaten 66.

    Munsey struck nine boundaries as he stayed at the crease throughout Scotland’s innings, guiding them to 160-5 as the Windies bowlers failed to get going.

    Jason Holder was the pick of the bunch with 2-14 from three overs, moving him onto 48 T20I wickets, but Odean Smith (1-31) and Akeal Hosein (0-31) struggled to make the same impact.

    Holder was the only Windies batter to step up and be counted, too, with his 38 the only score above 20 for Nicholas Pooran’s team.

    Watt was fantastic, claiming 3-12 – his first wicket, when he bowled the dangerous Brandon King, sparking a collapse as the Windies lost six for just 21 runs to fall from 58-2 to 79-7.

    Leask claimed his two wickets – Pooran and Rovman Powell – as part of that run, and West Indies’ defeat was confirmed when Chris Greaves plucked Holder’s stray shot.

    “Tough loss for us, obviously disappointed,” said Pooran, who must rally the Windies for matches against Zimbabwe and Ireland.

    “We have to work hard and win two games. We have to take accountability and responsibility.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Koepka recovers from last-nine slip-up to clinch LIV Golf Jeddah title

    Brooks Koepka edged out Peter Uihlein in a play-off to clinch the final individual prize of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series on Sunday.

    Two birdies on Koepka’s front nine in Jeddah set him up well to push on for glory, but the American slipped up after the turn at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

    A birdie on the 10th was followed by three successive bogeys, and though Koepka recovered to birdie on the 15th and the last to finish at 12 under par, he had provided his rivals with an opportunity to catch up.

    Overnight leader Uihlein was one of those to take advantage, with a clean back nine seeing the 33-year-old bounce back from carding two double bogeys earlier on in his round, with his final score of 70 enough to force a play-off with Smash GC team-mate Koepka.

    While it was good news for Smash GC, who secured a six-shot win to boost their form ahead of the Team Championship in Miami later this month, there had to be a loser, and after three holes with no give, Uihlein found a bunker.

    Having rescued himself from a similar situation on the previous play-off hole, this time Uihlein could only clip a shot into the water, handing four-time major winner Koepka the chance to putt for victory.

    “The last two years – they haven’t been fun,” an emotional Koepka said.

    “So it’s been a long road, I’m super excited. My whole team, we got the band back together a couple of months ago, this is for them.

    “I didn’t know if my career was over, for a half-second. I wasn’t sure when I was going to play. It’s nice to come back and win.”

    Joaquin Niemann went round in 65 to finish one shot behind the leading pair, tied with Sergio Garcia.

    Inaugural LIV Golf champion Dustin Johnson came in at 10 under, alongside Matthew Wolff, while Bernd Wiesberger joined Niemann in recording 65.

    Source: Livescore

  • Otaegui sets course record to win Andalucia Masters

    Adrian Otaegui claimed his fourth DP World Tour title after a six-shot victory at the Andalucia Masters on Sunday.

    The Spaniard went into the final round at Real Club Valderrama with a six-stroke cushion – a lead he never looked like relinquishing as he finished on 19 under par, setting a new course record.

    Joakim Lagergren posted a final-round 68 to finish second, while Australia’s Lee Min Woo was three shots back in third.

    A two-over 73 saw Angel Hidalgo take fourth, with Rasmus Hojgaard in fifth on a score of six under for the week.

    Otaegui, who hit four birdies and a single bogey in a closing round of 68, described it as the “perfect” week on his favourite course in Spain.

    “I’m very, very proud. I feel so happy to have my first win in Spain, in front of these crowds, on my favourite golf course in Spain,” he told Sky Sports.

    “It’s just unbelievable. I’m very, very happy with everything, the week went perfect.

    “I’m very happy with the way I managed today because it was my first time with such a big shot difference.

    “The plan was just to start strong, forget the shot difference I had and try to beat the others today.

    “I played very well until the end. I tried to follow the plan and think I did well.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Russian tower block in flames as aircraft crashes

    A military aircraft has crashed in a residential area of the southern Russian town of Yeysk.

    Unconfirmed footage of the aftermath of the incident showed a huge fireball engulfing a tower block.

    Russia’s Defence Ministry said the plane, a Su-34 bomber, was on a training flight when one of its engines caught fire.

    There is no word yet of casualties, but ambulances and fire engines were seen at the scene.

    The fighter pilots in the aircraft were able to eject before the crash, the ministry said.

    “According to a report from the pilots, who jettisoned from the plane, the reason for the crash was a fire in one of the engines during take-off,” its statement said.

    In a telegram post (in Russian), the governor of the Krasnodar territory, which Yeysk is part of, said he was on his way to the town and all regional and local fire services were battling the blaze.

    Local media report the fire engulfed five floors of the multi-storey building and a number of apartment blocks have been damaged.

    Source: BBC