Fascism: While voters did not stop pro-Trump true believers from office, democracy remains on trial in US
Just in case you didn’t notice, authoritarianism was on the ballot in the 2022 midterm elections. An unprecedented majority of candidates from one of the nation’s two major political parties were committed to undemocratic policies and outcomes. You would have to go back to the Democratic Party-dominated segregationist South of...
World Cup break did not help Spurs recharge, they’re still the imponderables they’ve been in past six years
Spurs at home, you say? On Boxing Day? A lunchtime kick-off? And eight days after the end of the World Cup? With Hugo Lloris and Cristian Romero rested and Fraser Forster making his first appearance in goal for them and Richarlison injured? You can only imagine the extent to which...
Strength of a father: Brazil football legend Pele’s children shower him with love on Christmas Day in hospital
Pele’s daughter took to social media Christmas Day night to thank the hospital for looking after her father. The Brazil legend’s family have gathered in hospital as his condition worsened – with his daughter vowing to stick by his side as the 82-year-old receives care after his cancer progressed. Kely...
14 Iranian fishermen set free by Somali insurgents Al Shabaab after over 8 years
Fourteen Iranian fishermen have returned home after years in captivity by al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. They were freed after “lengthy negotiations with government officials, tribal chiefs and Somali elders,” Iranian news agency ISNA reports. They were flown back to Iran late on Saturday before being taken to their hometown of...
Premier League’s back! Arsenal and their surprise emergence as title contenders offers the most interest
The show must always go on. The celebrations in Argentina were still at fever pitch when the Carabao Cup returned two days on from the World Cup final, as if it was a parallel universe away from Qatar or Buenos Aires. “Spectacular,” Jurgen Klopp enthused despite Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to...
New table based on expected goals predicts Man City will retain Premier League title
An alternative Premier League table based on expected goals has been revealed – and it’s not good news for Chelsea or Arsenal. The English top-flight is back with a bang after Christmas with all 20 sides in action between Boxing Day and December 28. It’s not going well for Chelsea...
Paul Pogba’s brother Mathias freed after four months in prison, but warned to keep off family
Paul Pogba’s brother Mathias has been released from prison after being arrested and charged over an alleged extortion plot against the former Manchester United star. The 32-year-old footballer had been in pre-trial custody since his arrest in September. French newspaper Le Parisien revealed Mathias had been freed, before his lawyer...
Omani MP offers Messi $1 million for special robe the World Cup winner wore while receiving trophy
A lawyer has offered Lionel Messi $1 million for the bisht he wore while lifting the World Cup. Ahmed Al Barwani, a lawyer and member of parliament in Oman, made the huge offer in the hope of keeping the historic clothing in the Middle East. Taking to Twitter, he said:...
In a surprise move, Qatar World Cup flops Brazil plan to replace manager Tite with Jose Mourinho
Brazil are keen to replace Tite with AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho after Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti rejected the opportunity to take over. Tite left his role as Brazil manager after six years in charge following their disappointing quarter-final exit at the World Cup. Selecao were knocked out of the...
DR Congo’s M23 rebels agree to cede occupied positions near Goma city to EAC military
DR Congo’s M23 rebels, who have seized swathes of territory in the east of the country, have agreed to retreat from a strategic frontline position near the city of Goma. A Tutsi-led group, the M23 rebel group re-emerged from dormancy late last year and has since advanced across the country’s...
