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Leicester City to Host Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League Opener

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Leicester City to Host Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League Opener

LEICESTER, England — Leicester City will host Tottenham Hotspur at the King Power Stadium on Monday in the opening match of their 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with both sides looking to start strong amid injury concerns and the integration of new signings.

The match, scheduled for 20:00 BST, marks Tottenham’s second season under manager Ange Postecoglou, who led the team to a near-Champions League qualification in his debut year. Spurs will be eager to improve on that performance and secure a top-four finish this season.

Tottenham’s record signing Dominic Solanke, acquired from Bournemouth after scoring 19 Premier League goals last season, is nursing a minor foot injury. However, Postecoglou has hinted at the possibility of Solanke starting. If unavailable, Dejan Kulusevski may feature as a false nine, a role he has played in pre-season matches.

James Maddison is expected to face his former club for the first time since joining Tottenham, while new signing Archie Gray could make his debut. Yves Bissouma has been suspended by the club for this match following an off-field incident.

Leicester City, returning to the top flight after winning the Championship title, face their own challenges. The Foxes have replaced manager Enzo Maresca with Steve Cooper and could potentially face a points deduction. They enter the season following underwhelming pre-season performances.

Cooper’s side will likely be without four players, including forwards Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka, both doubtful with minor injuries. This could lead to a surprise start for Tom Cannon. Goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk is out long-term after surgery, and center-back Conor Coady will miss at least the next three to four weeks.

New signings Caleb Okoli, Bobby Decordova-Reid, and Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, may make their competitive debuts for Leicester.

Recent history favors Tottenham, who have won four of the last five meetings between the teams. However, Leicester won their most recent encounter at the King Power Stadium 4-1 in February 2023.

The match will be officiated by referee Chris Kavanagh, with David Coote serving as VAR.

As both teams navigate early-season challenges and integrate new personnel, this opener could set the tone for their respective campaigns in what promises to be another competitive Premier League season.

Ghana’s Ruling Party Launches Manifesto, Emphasizing Job Creation

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Ghana’s Ruling Party Launches Manifesto, Emphasizing Job Creation

TAKORADI, Ghana — Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) launched its manifesto for the December elections on Sunday, emphasizing job creation and economic development in a bid to secure an unprecedented third consecutive term in office.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s presidential candidate, unveiled the document at a large gathering in Takoradi, attended by party officials, diplomats, and outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.

“Our vision is clear,” Bawumia told supporters. “We will create jobs, empower the youth, provide tax amnesty, and unleash the potential of the private sector to drive Ghana’s economic transformation.”

The NPP’s manifesto highlights several key initiatives, including a job creation program aimed at addressing unemployment, particularly among youth. It also proposes a tax amnesty program to encourage businesses to comply with regulations without facing penalties, as well as plans for expanding access to education and improving infrastructure.

Bawumia stressed the party’s commitment to tackling unemployment, a pressing issue in Ghana. “We know the challenges our youth face, and we are committed to tackling unemployment head-on,” he said.

The manifesto launch comes as Ghana faces significant economic challenges. The country entered a $3 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund after an economic downturn in 2022 resulted in record-high 54% inflation.

The NPP faces a strong challenge from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by former President John Mahama. Both Bawumia and Mahama hail from northern Ghana, adding a regional dimension to the contest.

Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, cautioned about the gap between campaign promises and governance realities. “Political parties tend to promise the moon during campaigns, but the reality of governance often limits what can actually be delivered,” he told AFP.

The December elections are seen as a critical test for Ghana, often considered one of West Africa’s most stable democracies. The NPP’s bid for a third term comes amid economic difficulties and growing public discontent over living costs.

President Akufo-Addo, who attended the manifesto launch, is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms in office.

As the campaign intensifies, both the NPP and NDC are expected to focus on economic issues, with job creation and inflation likely to be key battlegrounds in the run-up to the December vote.

Ethiopia Faces Challenges in $1 Billion Bond Restructuring Effort

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Ethiopia Faces Challenges in $1 Billion Bond Restructuring Effort

Ethiopia is intensifying efforts to restructure its $1 billion international bond as part of a broader debt overhaul, facing resistance from investors over potential write-downs, government officials and financial analysts report.

The East African nation, home to 120 million people, initiated its debt restructuring process in early 2021 under the G20 Common Framework initiative. The move came in response to acute foreign currency shortages and sluggish government revenues, exacerbated by a civil war in the northern Tigray region that ended in late 2022.

Ethiopia’s external debt stood at $28.9 billion in March, according to government figures. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified a $3.5 billion financing gap during its recent lending program to the country.

Ethiopian officials have indicated they will seek a 20% write-down on the principal of the $1 billion bond to achieve comparability of treatment with official creditors. This proposal has met with strong opposition from bondholders, who argue it doesn’t reflect Ethiopia’s economic fundamentals.

Kevin Daly, portfolio manager at abrdn, which holds the bond, suggested a potential solution might lie between the government’s proposed haircut and extending the repayment period.

The restructuring process was delayed by the Tigray conflict and slow progress in meeting IMF requirements, including abandoning the currency peg and introducing an interest rate-based monetary policy framework.

On July 29, Ethiopia floated its birr currency, helping secure a $3.4 billion four-year IMF loan program. The birr has since nearly halved in value this year, trading at 103.97 per dollar according to data from Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the country’s largest lender.

The currency devaluation has led to price hikes on basic commodities. In response, authorities have closed thousands of businesses deemed to have raised prices unjustifiably and increased imports of essential goods.

The IMF has scheduled an unusually rapid series of reviews to monitor the impact of reforms. The first review, focusing on foreign exchange reserves and external debt, is already underway. Subsequent reviews are set for the end of September and December, by which time both the IMF and the Ethiopian government expect to have sealed a restructuring deal.

Ethiopia hopes the restructuring will achieve $4.9 billion in debt relief, citing official creditor proposals, though without specifying a timeframe.

The dispute between Ethiopia and its bondholders centers on whether the country faces a short-term liquidity problem or a longer-term solvency crisis. The IMF’s debt sustainability analysis shows Ethiopia has experienced protracted breaches of several indicators typically used to identify a solvency crunch.

As negotiations continue, the bondholder group has warned that “unduly conservative assumptions, coupled with unambitious fiscal efforts, may lead to protracted restructuring negotiations.”

Ethiopia’s debt restructuring process is being closely watched by international investors and financial institutions, as it could set precedents for other developing nations seeking debt relief under the G20 Common Framework.

Reuters

Kenyan Ride-Hail Drivers Set Own Fares, Defying Companies’ Algorithms

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Kenyan Ride-Hail Drivers Set Own Fares, Defying Companies’ Algorithms

NAIROBI, Kenya  — Kenyan taxi drivers are increasingly setting their own fares, defying the pricing algorithms of ride-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt, amid economic pressures and a fierce price war in the country’s transportation sector.

Judith Chepkwony, an eight-year veteran taxi driver in Nairobi, told The Associated Press, “Most of us have these cars on loan and the cost of living has risen. I try to convince the customers to agree to the higher rates. If they can’t pay, we cancel and let them find another driver.”

Drivers report that about half of their passengers eventually agree to pay more than the app-generated fare. This practice, however, violates the guidelines set by ride-hailing companies.

Uber’s Head of East Africa, Imran Manji, said the company is reviewing reports of customers being overcharged. “We encourage all riders to report such instances,” Manji stated.

Linda Ndung’u, Bolt’s manager for Kenya, indicated they are discouraging fare-hiking while the industry seeks a solution to balance driver and customer needs.

The fare dispute comes as Kenya faces economic challenges, including recent deadly protests against tax hikes, high prices of basic commodities, and elevated interest rates, all contributing to lower disposable incomes.

Drivers have organized strikes in Kenya twice this year and at least once last year over low commissions. To coordinate their efforts, many use the walkie-talkie app Zello to collectively agree on higher prices.

Some drivers have produced laminated fare guides, posted inside their vehicles, setting minimum fares above those of the ride-hailing companies. One such guide seen by AP set the minimum fare at 300 shillings ($2.33), compared to the 200 shillings set by Uber and Bolt.

Erick Nyamweya, a Nairobi-based driver, explained their strategy: “We first ask the client where they are going and how much is shown on the app. Then we propose a rate based on our chart which can also be done by quickly multiplying by 1.5.”

The situation has led to frustration among some customers. Lameck Owesi, a rider, told AP, “The negotiations end up taking so much time that it ends up beating the logic of trying to save time by taking a cab. It is frustrating.”

In response to driver demands, local start-up Faras Cabs has raised its fares by up to a fifth this month, according to Chief Commercial Officer Osman Abdi.

Kenya, along with Nigeria and Tanzania, represents one of Uber’s most important markets in Africa, according to company executives. The current dispute highlights the challenges faced by international ride-hailing companies in adapting to local economic conditions in developing markets.

As the standoff continues, both drivers and passengers in Nairobi find themselves navigating an increasingly complex and unpredictable transportation landscape.

Cholera Outbreak Kills at Least 22 in Sudan, Health Minister Reports

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Cholera Outbreak Kills at Least 22 in Sudan, Health Minister Reports

KHARTOUM, Sudan  — Sudan’s Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim announced Sunday that a cholera outbreak has killed at least 22 people and infected 354 others across the country, adding to the nation’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The outbreak comes as Sudan grapples with a 16-month-long conflict and recent devastating floods, further straining its already battered health care system.

While the health minister did not specify a timeframe for these deaths and infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 78 cholera-related deaths and over 2,400 cases in Sudan between January 1 and July 28 this year.

Tarik Jašarević, a WHO spokesman, told The Associated Press that the outbreak began in the eastern province of Kassala before spreading to nine localities in five provinces. He noted that data showed most detected cases were unvaccinated, prompting WHO to work with Sudanese health authorities on implementing a vaccination campaign.

Cholera, a highly contagious infection transmitted through contaminated food or water, can cause severe dehydration and death within hours if left untreated, according to WHO.

The outbreak exacerbates Sudan’s already dire humanitarian situation. Fighting between the military and a powerful paramilitary group since April 2022 has turned urban areas into battlefields, damaging civilian infrastructure and the health care system.

The International Organization for Migration reports that over 10.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began, with more than 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

Recent seasonal floods have killed dozens and displaced about 118,000 people in 12 of Sudan’s 18 provinces, according to U.N. figures. The conflict has pushed many into starvation, with famine confirmed in a camp for displaced people in the Darfur region.

Sudan has a history of cholera outbreaks, with a previous major incident in 2017 resulting in at least 700 deaths and about 22,000 infections in less than two months.

As the health crisis unfolds, diplomatic efforts continue. Sudan’s military-controlled sovereign council announced plans to send a government delegation to meet with American officials in Cairo. The meeting aims to discuss the implementation of a deal requiring paramilitary groups to withdraw from civilian areas.

Meanwhile, peace talks continue in Switzerland, involving diplomats from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union, and the United Nations. The talks, which began on August 14, aim to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

One Dead, Six Missing After Luxury Superyacht Sinks Off Sicily Coast

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One Dead, Six Missing After Luxury Superyacht Sinks Off Sicily Coast

A luxury superyacht carrying foreign tourists capsized and sank off the coast of Sicily early Monday during severe weather, leaving one person dead and six others missing, Italian authorities reported.

The British-flagged “Bayesian,” a 56-meter (184-foot) vessel, was carrying 22 people, including 10 crew members and 12 passengers of British, American, and Canadian nationalities, according to the Italian coast guard.

Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service, confirmed that 15 people were initially rescued and taken to shore at Porticello. Eight of the survivors were hospitalized. One body was recovered near the wreck site, while search efforts continue for the six unaccounted individuals.

The yacht capsized around 5 a.m. local time off the port of Porticello. Rescue teams have located the wreck at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet).

A multi-agency rescue operation is underway, involving helicopters and boats from the coast guard, carabinieri, fire rescue, and civil protection service. Experienced deep-water divers are being deployed to attempt entry into the hull, Cari said.

According to the coast guard, those still missing include one crew member and six passengers.

Local media reported that a fierce storm, including waterspouts, had battered the area overnight. However, by Monday morning, skies had cleared and seas were calm.

The “Bayesian,” built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, had been moored off the port at Porticello, according to the ANSA news agency.

Italian authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the yacht’s sinking. The incident has raised questions about maritime safety during severe weather conditions in the Mediterranean.

As the search and rescue operation continues, families of the missing passengers and crew await news. International consular officials are working with Italian authorities to provide support to those affected by the incident.

The sinking of the “Bayesian” marks one of the most significant maritime accidents involving a luxury yacht in recent years in the Mediterranean region.

Crystal Palace’s Eze Claims Referee Admitted Error Over Disallowed Goal

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Crystal Palace’s Eze Claims Referee Admitted Error Over Disallowed Goal

Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze said the referee admitted to making a mistake after disallowing what could have been a crucial goal in Palace’s 2-1 loss to Brentford on Sunday.

Eze scored directly from a wide free-kick while the match was scoreless, but referee Sam Barrott had already whistled for a foul after a clash between Palace’s Will Hughes and Brentford’s Nathan Collins.

“I was told [by the referee] that he blew too early and made the mistake,” Eze told BBC Match of the Day. “It could have changed the game but we have to deal with it.”

Because the whistle was blown before the ball entered the goal, the video assistant referee (VAR) was unable to intervene and review Hughes’ challenge.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner commented on Barrott’s admission, saying, “He showed he is a great man” by acknowledging the error.

The Premier League match center’s official account on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) explained the situation: “The referee awards a free-kick to Brentford for a foul by Hughes on Collins. The whistle was blown before the ball entered the goal so VAR cannot intervene and the referee’s call stands.”

Shortly after the disallowed goal, Brentford took the lead and went on to win the match 2-1.

The incident has sparked debate among pundits and former players. Sky Sports analysts Jamie Redknapp and Micah Richards both criticized the decision. Redknapp, a former England midfielder, described it as a “monumental mistake,” saying Barrott “had a nightmare” by blowing his whistle too early.

Richards, a former Manchester City defender, agreed, stating the referee “had a stinker.” However, he also cautioned against being too harsh on Barrott, acknowledging that mistakes can happen.

The controversy highlights ongoing discussions about the role of VAR in Premier League matches and the challenges referees face in making split-second decisions.

This incident is likely to fuel further debate about potential reforms to the VAR system and referee protocols in the Premier League.

As of Sunday evening, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees officiating in English professional football, had not issued a statement regarding the incident.

Algeria to Supply Lebanon with Fuel for Power Stations Amid Nationwide Outage

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Algeria to Supply Lebanon with Fuel for Power Stations Amid Nationwide Outage

ALGIERS, Algeria — Algeria will immediately begin supplying Lebanon with fuel for its power plants, Algerian state radio announced Sunday, following a complete nationwide power outage in Lebanon.

The announcement comes a day after Lebanon’s state electricity company, Electricité du Liban (EDL), reported that its fuel supplies were exhausted, leading to a total blackout across the country, including at critical facilities such as the airport.

While the Algerian state radio statement did not provide specific details about the fuel supply arrangement, it marks a significant development in addressing Lebanon’s ongoing energy crisis.

Lebanon has struggled with consistent power supply since the 1990s. The chronic shortages have led to substantial financial transfers to EDL to cover losses, contributing significantly to Lebanon’s massive public debt.

On Saturday, EDL announced that power supply would resume gradually once new fuel supplies were secured. The company mentioned potential sources including a swap agreement with Iraq or other alternatives.

The Lebanese energy sector’s challenges are deeply rooted in years of mismanagement and inadequate infrastructure investment. The country’s economic crisis, which began in 2019, has further exacerbated the situation, making it increasingly difficult for the government to secure fuel imports.

Lebanon’s reliance on fuel imports for power generation has made it vulnerable to supply disruptions and price fluctuations in the global market. The country has been exploring various options to stabilize its energy supply, including deals with neighboring countries and potential reforms to its power sector.

The Algerian intervention comes at a critical time for Lebanon, as the country grapples with multiple crises, including economic instability, political deadlock, and the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

International organizations and Lebanon’s allies have been calling for comprehensive reforms in the country’s energy sector as part of broader economic restructuring efforts. The fuel supply from Algeria may provide temporary relief, but long-term solutions to Lebanon’s power problems remain a significant challenge.

Lebanese officials have not yet commented on the Algerian announcement. It remains to be seen how quickly the fuel supply can be delivered and what impact it will have on restoring power across the country.

The situation continues to evolve, with many Lebanese citizens and businesses relying on private generators for electricity during the frequent power cuts, adding to the economic burden on the population.

Prosecutors Receive Extensive Files in Tupac Shakur Murder Case  Implicating Big Stars of the 1990s

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Prosecutors Receive Extensive Files in Tupac Shakur Murder Case  Implicating Big Stars of the 1990s

Prosecutors in the Tupac Shakur murder case have received thousands of pages of files from Los Angeles police investigations, including evidence that may implicate major music industry figures from the 1990s, according to sources close to the investigation.

Marc DiGiacomo, Chief Deputy District Attorney for Clark County, revealed in a recent court hearing that his team had been given “thousands and thousands of pages” from various Los Angeles police probes, primarily related to the murder of Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G.

The files, which include testimony dating back to late 1997, were crucial in building a case against Duane “Keefe D” Davis, who is charged with Shakur’s 1996 murder in Las Vegas.

A Las Vegas law enforcement source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation, told The Associated Press that the files contain accusations against some of the “biggest names in music” from the 1990s.

“Without the help of the ex-Los Angeles cops, the case against Keefe would be less concrete,” the source said. “Their knowledge of evidence, witness statements, and Keefe’s criminal past have prosecutors confident that ‘Keefe has almost no defense.'”

The source added that prosecutors have assembled the most comprehensive evidence file relating to Shakur’s murder to date, including documents that may never become public.

Legal insiders revealed that California law enforcement had extensive insight into the actions of the criminal gang allegedly involved in Shakur’s death as early as 1997. However, these discoveries never led to a full-scale multi-state criminal prosecution at the time.

Davis, who has previously confessed in interviews to being the “shot caller” in Shakur’s assassination, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

The prosecution’s case reportedly includes evidence from retired officers from both the Los Angeles Police Department and the now-disbanded Compton police force. These officers have been collaborating with Las Vegas prosecutors for over three years to build the case against Davis.

An unearthed audio recording from November 1997, obtained by the YouTube channel Murder Rap’s Deep Dive series, reveals that Los Angeles detectives were aware of the involvement of Davis’s criminal associates in Shakur’s murder within a year of the shooting.

The recording captures a detective confronting Deandre “Big Dre” Smith, an alleged accomplice who was in the car used in Shakur’s shooting. The detective states that multiple informants had identified Smith as the shooter.

Mike Dorsey, a long-term investigator of the Shakur case, commented on the significance of this recording: “It’s incredible that LA detectives investigating Biggie’s homicide in 1997 already knew who was involved in Tupac’s murder, thanks to a ton of informants who came forward.”

As the case proceeds, prosecutors are preparing a witness list that is expected to include former officers from Los Angeles police and specialist divisions. These witnesses are anticipated to provide insight into Davis’s criminal past, which he has discussed in interviews and his memoir but now denies following the murder charge.

The trial date has not yet been set, and representatives for Davis have not commented on the new developments.

Source: the-sun.com

Belarus Deploys Troops Along Ukraine Border, Lukashenko Warns of WW3 Nuclear Conflict

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Belarus Deploys Troops Along Ukraine Border, Lukashenko Warns of WW3 Nuclear Conflict

MINSK, Belarus  — Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has warned of the potential for nuclear conflict and announced the deployment of troops along the country’s entire border with Ukraine, state media reported Sunday.

Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said in an interview that approximately one-third of Belarus’ 60,000-strong armed forces are now stationed along what he described as a “heavily mined” southern frontier with Ukraine.

The Belarusian leader issued a stark warning to NATO, suggesting that any deployment of troops to support Ukraine could trigger a global conflict. “If they send NATO troops [to Ukraine], this will start World War III,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the state news agency.

Lukashenko added that such a move would likely result in the use of both tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, with “instant and terrible” consequences.

The Belarusian president also claimed that NATO harbors ambitions to attack Belarus from Poland, asserting that the alliance seeks to expand its borders. “In this case…it would be almost impossible to defend ourselves in such a situation. This [would mean] mobilization and a real war,” he said.

Lukashenko’s statements come as Ukraine continues its military operations in Russia’s Kursk region. The Belarusian leader suggested that Ukraine would be unable to defeat Russia militarily, implying that any escalation would necessarily involve Western powers.

However, Ukrainian officials have disputed Lukashenko’s claims about troop numbers. Ukraine’s military said Sunday that there has been no significant change in the number of Belarusian troops near the border, according to Ukrainska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet.

Lukashenko’s warnings and troop deployments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine showing no signs of resolution.

International observers and diplomats continue to monitor the situation closely, as statements from leaders in the region have the potential to impact global security dynamics.

The deployment of Belarusian troops and Lukashenko’s inflammatory rhetoric underscore the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict, with implications extending far beyond the immediate region.

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