Messi on why he snubbed Saudi petrodollars: I wanted to leave Europe, get out of spotlight and think more about my family
Lionel Messi had wanted to go to a club where he could eventually have an ownership stake, a source with knowledge of the negotiations revealed this week, and his contract is expected to pave the way for him to do so after he retires.
Football’s big stars’ scramble for petrodollar in ME is part of Saudi Arabia’s soft power tactic to control world opinion – expert
PIF is Saudi Arabia’s version, worth some $620 billion (£514 billion), making it the seventh largest such fund in the world. It holds stakes in some of the western world’s best-known companies, including Disney, Uber and Boeing.
Climate change fuels human-wildlife conflict in Kenya as Maasai herders spear lions that feasted on their livestock
Last month, one of Kenya’s oldest lions, Loonkiito, was speared to death as it wandered out of the Amboseli National Park in search for food. The Kenya Wildlife Service said it is working on lasting solutions that would address the conflict while protecting both humans and wildlife.
Premier League’s most polished midfielder N’Golo Kante on verge of exiting Chelsea for Saudi’s Al Ittihad
A number of current stars are anticipated to be leaving, including the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta. Should Kante leave, the Blues would be left with few players capable of playing in a deeper midfield role, with Kovacic linked with a switch to treble-chasers Manchester City.
Man City’s stock soars above Real Madrid as English clubs dominate Brand Finance ranking
Arsenal’s brand value had risen 16 per cent to £782 million following their strong challenge for the Premier League title. Chelsea’s had risen by two per cent to £742 million off the back of a disappointing campaign and lower half finish, making them only the sixth-highest English club. Spurs’ value rose five per cent to £774 million.
Coups become common feature in Africa as Sudan takes lead in power grab between 1945 and 2021
Coups are not unique to African nations. They have happened in Asia, Europe and South America over the years. A look at coup attempts in Africa since 1950 shows a period of relative calm until about 1963, which could be described as the continent’s post-independence period. From 1960 through 1999, coup attempts averaged just over 40 per decade.
US warns China’s growing military aggressiveness raises the risk of error in which ‘somebody gets hurt’
Washington’s sharply worded warning followed the US Navy’s release on Sunday of a video of what it called an “unsafe interaction” in the Taiwan Strait in which a Chinese warship crossed in front of a US destroyer in the sensitive waterway.
Uganda gay law: Homosexuality mutating into new tool of imperialism West is using to cast Africa as uncivilised, backward, savage and homophobic
It is clear that the Global Homosexuality Movement is determined not only to stay afloat but to penetrate Africa by hook or crook but using highly educated Africans, many trained in the West. Now that Uganda has got a law to fight homosexuality, it needs to open up to confront the movement using national debates especially among the youth and at our universities. It will be necessary to take stock of our masters and doctorate graduates who got their education in the West and acquaint the country with their topics of research.
World Cup winner Lionel Messi ignores Barcelona interest, sets eyes on Arabia’s Al Hilal FC in $1.28 billion deal
PSG suspended Messi for two weeks without pay (although he returned a week earlier than planned) after he missed training earlier this month because of a trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia was officially explained as being for commercial reasons.
How Kenya’s gritty Kipyegon kept the Faith to obliterate a strong field to set 1,500m world record in Italy
“We have really come along as 1500 women,” Kipyegon said. “They are really special. We come along together, cheer one another. This is sport, we have to love each other and celebrate one another at our lowest moments and highest moments, and I really thank the ladies for coming along and running together and celebrating this world record together. We were part of this together.”
