Author: David Great

Everton Football Club has reported a financial loss of £53 million ($68.44 million) for the 2023-24 season, marking the seventh straight year of operating in deficit. However, the Premier League club confirmed that it remains compliant with the league’s Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR). The latest figures show an improvement from the previous year’s £89.1 million loss, though Everton’s cumulative losses over the past seven years now stand at £570 million. Last season, the club faced an eight-point deduction for breaching PSR regulations across the rolling three-year periods that included the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns. However, in January, the Premier…

United Kingdom Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has urged global collaboration to combat organised immigration crime, emphasizing that people-smuggling gangs should be treated similarly to terrorist organisations. Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit in London on Monday, Starmer highlighted the need for an international approach to dismantle criminal networks involved in smuggling migrants. The event brought together representatives from over 40 countries, along with technology companies such as Meta and TikTok, to discuss strategies for tackling the issue. Drawing from his tenure as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Starmer recalled how international cooperation helped prevent terrorist attacks and save…

The United States has imposed sanctions on Hong Kong’s police chief, justice secretary, and other officials over human rights concerns, following China’s intensified crackdown in the financial hub. The sanctions, which target Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee and other key figures, will freeze any assets they hold in the U.S. and prohibit financial transactions with them under American law. In a rare move emphasizing human rights, the administration of President Donald Trump enforced these measures despite generally aligning with authoritarian leaders. “The sanctions demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to hold to account those responsible for depriving people in Hong Kong…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is optimistic that his team’s 2-1 comeback victory over Bournemouth in the FA Cup will help them regain the “soul” they have lacked in recent months. City, who had suffered a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth in November, secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for a record seventh consecutive season with second-half goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush. That league loss at Bournemouth marked the start of a challenging period for the defending champions, ending their 32-game unbeaten run in the competition and leading to four straight league defeats. City struggled…

President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he nearly withdrew from the presidential race but was encouraged to continue by his former placeholder, Aminu Masari, and a few close allies. Speaking at a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday night, Tinubu recounted a moment of doubt during his campaign. His comments were captured in a statement signed by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga. The president described the obstacles he faced in his bid for office, sharing a particular encounter that nearly made him reconsider his ambition. “Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During…

Hamas has agreed to release five Israeli hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, according to Egyptian officials cited by the Qatari New Arab news outlet. “The ball is now in the Israeli government and Americans’ court,” the officials stated, highlighting the intensive involvement of the United States and Qatar in the ongoing negotiations. The proposed ceasefire would last approximately 50 days. In addition to the release of the five hostages, Hamas is also demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners. The agreement includes provisions for aid delivery, ensuring food, medical supplies, and other essential items…

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has explained why he did not select former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as his running mate. According to Atiku, Wike was not suitable for a ticket aimed at fostering unity. In a statement issued by his media office on Saturday, Atiku emphasized that his choice of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, was based on “a combination of intellect, composure, and statesmanship.” Atiku, in a recent interview, reaffirmed that he had no regrets about overlooking Wike for the vice-presidential slot in the 2023 election.…

Crystal Palace secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with an impressive 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, extending their winning streak to six consecutive away matches without conceding. The Eagles welcomed striker Jean-Philippe Mateta back into the starting lineup following his injury in the previous round. However, it was Fulham who dominated the early exchanges, with Rodrigo Muniz nearly opening the scoring within two minutes, only to see his curled effort miss the target. Marco Silva’s side maintained control but struggled to beat Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Andreas Pereira came close after an excellent run from Calvin…

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has urged his team to show greater consistency as they prepare for their FA Cup clash against Preston North End. Speaking in a press conference ahead of the fixture, Emery highlighted the club’s historical struggles in the tournament, noting that while Villa last lifted the trophy in 1957, they have frequently fallen short in the latter stages, including four runner-up finishes. With Villa aiming for their eighth FA Cup title, Emery was asked how the current squad compares to previous seasons. “Two years ago, we finished the season strong. We drew against Liverpool and won…

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has declared his intention to “finish off” Ukraine, reinforcing his aggressive stance on the ongoing war. Speaking aboard a newly commissioned Russian nuclear submarine during a visit to an Arctic naval base, Putin addressed the crew, stating: “Not long ago, I said we’d grind [Ukraine] down—now it looks like we’ll finish them off.” The Russian leader also took a swipe at the UK, ridiculing its economic position and military strength. His remarks were in response to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of an Anglo-French “reassurance force” to Ukraine following a…