Battling drug crisis, Iraq searches for cure
Mohammed has been taking nearly a dozen captagon pills daily for seven years. Now, as Iraq grapples with a major drug crisis, the 23-year-old...
2023-07-31 10:27
UK police say sex assault claim lodged against Russell Brand
Police in London on Monday said they had received a report of alleged sexual assault, after media revelations about the British...
2023-09-18 23:45
Fitch downgrades US debt rating
Fitch Ratings downgraded its US debt rating on Tuesday from the highest AAA rating to AA+.
2023-08-02 05:56
Factbox-Potential candidates as next chief of Australia's central bank
By Wayne Cole SYDNEY The Australian government will announce this month whether it would reappoint Reserve Bank of
2023-07-05 11:28
Padel, a rapidly growing racket game, has designs on becoming an Olympic sport
Padel is the fastest growing racket sport in the world among amateurs and it’s also making big strides at the professional level
2023-07-13 18:10
NATO's reappointed leader, Jens Stoltenberg
(Reuters) -Here are some facts about NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, whose contract will be extended for a further year
2023-07-10 15:15
Oklahoma approves first publicly funded Catholic school in US
By Brad Brooks An Oklahoma school board on Monday approved the Catholic Church's application to create the first
2023-06-06 06:43
Saudi spending won’t compromise owners’ aims for Newcastle, says Mapgies CEO
Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales is convinced eye-watering Saudi Arabian investment in domestic football will not derail their mission on Tyneside. The Gulf state’s Public Investment Fund, which owns an 80 per cent stake in the St James’ Park outfit, bought majority holdings in four of the nation’s biggest clubs – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad – in June, sparking a transfer flurry which has taken some of the game’s biggest names to the Saudi Pro League in return for vast pay packets. Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and French counterpart Karim Benzema are among those to have headed for the Middle East, while the Magpies have themselves benefited – to raised eyebrows in some quarters – with Allan Saint-Maximin’s move to Al-Ahli, having unlocked a Financial Fair Play conundrum with what is understood to have been a £30million cash injection. Asked to explain the difference between that and the more modest approach adopted on Tyneside, where the total transfer spend over the four windows since the new owners took charge currently amounts to around £350million, Eales said: “An investment was made and Financial Fair Play is the regulation, so within those parameters everybody knew what the guard rails are in terms of what you can spend and how you can spend it. “Our job is to try to now grow Newcastle United to where we want it to be within the regulations which every club has to follow.” While Newcastle’s spending has been huge in comparison to that under previous owner Mike Ashley, PIF’s investment in the club, which has prompted repeated accusations of sportswashing, has been relatively modest for a sovereign wealth fund worth in the region of £514billion. However Eales, who admitted the success or otherwise of the Pro League could spark pressure for a change to spending regulations in Europe, insists the owners are not frustrated by their inability to throw money at the Premier League club as they have been able to do at home. He said: “The reality is they came in and it has been incredible, fighting relegation to finishing 11th, then finishing fourth. We have very shrewd operators in our ownership group. “We have got a great skill-set and set of people who have experience in various businesses. They understand it is a long-term plan not short-term.” Summer swoops for Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento had bolstered Eddie Howe’s squad for a campaign in which the club will look to build upon last season’s top-four finish while at the same time renewing their acquaintance with the Champions League after a 20-year absence. However, the arrivals of Barnes and Livramento were eased by Saint-Maximin’s departure amid questions over a PIF-backed club buying from another within the fund’s sporting portfolio. We are trying to build the plane while we are flying it Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales However, sporting director Dan Ashworth, who confirmed there was no other formal bid for the Frenchman despite interest elsewhere, insisted the undisclosed fee represented the player’s market value. Ashworth said: “We are absolutely convinced it is fair market value and without going into the actual price it was, there is plenty evidence of players of similar age, similar position, similar ability, similar CV that are moving for similar amounts outside the Saudi league.” The trajectory since Amanda Staveley’s consortium took up the reins at St James’ in October 2021 has been inexorably upwards, and the plan is to continue that resurgence both on the pitch and off it, where £10million has been invested in the training ground and a feasibility study commissioned to look into ways in which the 52,000-capacity stadium could be expanded. Commercial revenue and global supporter engagement are also major focuses for a club which has high hopes for sustained success. Eales said: “We are trying to build the plane while we are flying it. We won’t always get everything right. For us, it’s about getting Newcastle United rightfully back to where it should be.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Today at the World Cup: Spain and Sweden set up semi-final clash Dewi Lake puts injury troubles behind him to lead out Wales at Twickenham Roberto De Zerbi insists Brighton retain their ‘soul’ despite star departures
2023-08-12 00:00
The White House is selling 'Bidenomics.' Is anyone buying?
President Joe Biden's top economic advisers believe the worst effects of inflation are in the rear-view mirror. They are increasingly confident the economy is heading for a soft-landing, averting a recession. And a growing number of economists are beginning to agree.
2023-06-28 17:01
Is Marco trying to sabotage Destiny? Internet fumes as 'Love Island USA' star tries to 'kick' her out
'Love Island USA' Season 5 star Marco tries to backfire Destiny after she calls him 'macho man' of the villa
2023-07-24 10:45
Chiefs training camp brings great news on key weapon for Patrick Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs opened training camp this week with great news on running back Isiah Pacheco.The Kansas City Chiefs are headline-makers on the highest order, but few players made more improbable waves around the NFL last season than seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco. The Rutgers product sw...
2023-07-21 08:57
Forget HBO's 'The Idol' controversy, 'Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos' was so explicit it was cut while it was airing
The show even featured a man lifting a weight with his penis and had clips featuring animal genitals
2023-06-05 07:33
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