Saturday, September 27, 2025

Benjamin Sesko channels Man Utd legend with acrobatic training snap as £73.6 million signing searches for first goal

 Sesko shows off skills in Man Utd training

Sesko's arrival from RB Leipzig this summer was supposed to bring with it a flurry of goals to a struggling Manchester United side. However, the same form he displayed in Germany has not been showcased on the field in England.

But fans were given a treat on Thursday when the club shared a picture of Sesko attempting a side-on scissor volley, the type of which Hughes was a master of in his 1980s and 1990s heyday.

Sesko shows sharp form in training

While Sesko's overall form on the field has failed to suggest it, reports from inside the Manchester United camp have suggested that the Slovenian has been doing well behind closed doors since joining the club, described as “very sharp” in front of goal. He has also, at times, drawn “ripples of applause” from teammates marvelling at his finishing.

Sesko's stats so far at Man Utd

Sesko has played five games so far, totalling nearly 300 minutes in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup. However, the striker has only managed to take five shots, with just one of them troubling a goalkeeper. Additionally, the Slovenian has only managed a total of eight touches in the opposition's box and won nine of his 17 aerial duels despite his dominating 6ft 5in stature.

Man Utd to face off against Brentford with Sesko starting

Sesko will likely be a starter in Manchester United's crucial Premier League clash against Brentford on Saturday, as the Red Devils look to string together two wins for the first time this season.

Spain's PM says he will send warship to protect Gaza aid flotilla

 Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday he will join Italy in sending a military warship to protect an international flotilla seeking to deliver aid to Gaza after it was attacked by drones off Greece.

Sanchez told a press conference in New York where he has been attending the UN General Assembly that the citizens of 45 countries were on board to deliver food to the population of Gaza and express solidarity with their suffering.

"The government of Spain insists that international law be respected and that the right of our citizens should be respected to sail through the Mediterranean in safe conditions," he said.

"Tomorrow we will dispatch a naval vessel from Cartagena with all necessary resources in case it was necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out a rescue operation."

The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, with many lawyers and activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The vessels were attacked by 12 drones in international waters 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Greek island of Gavdos, said Marikaiti Stasinou, a spokesperson for March to Gaza Greece, which is part of the flotilla.

Thunberg told Reuters on Monday that they had drones flying over them each night.

"This mission is about Gaza, it isn't about us. And no risks that we could take could even come close to the risks the Palestinians are facing every day," Thunberg said in a video call from the ship.

Israel has repeatedly criticised the flotilla for its implied support for Hamas, but made no comment on whether it was responsible for the drones.

It launched the war in Gaza in response to attacks on October 7, 2023, by Hamas militants which killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, the conflict has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and has spread famine, destroyed most buildings and displaced the population, in many cases multiple times.


Wednesday, September 24, 2025

‘Astounded’ pundit tears into Arsenal man who will cost the Gunners the Premier League title

 Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys thinks Mikel Arteta will “be the reason” if Arsenal don’t win the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners went behind early on against Man City on Sunday with Erling Haaland producing a clinical finish to give the Citizens a ninth-minute lead.

Arsenal did find a way to equalise eventually with Gabriel Martinelli producing a sublime piece of skill to level the match up in the third minute of second-half injury time in a 1-1 draw.

The second-placed Gunners are already five points adrift of leader Liverpool after just five matches with the Reds winning all five of their fixtures.

Arsenal boss Arteta was criticised for starting a midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Declan Rice with Eberechi Eze left on the bench against Man City.

Numerous former players and pundits have insisted that Arteta is being too cautious in his approach to the big games and Keys thinks it could cost them the title.

Keys said on beIN Sports: “I’m astounded. I said to you last week if they don’t win the title he’ll [Arteta] be the reason! You’ve got to start Eze, unless he’s injured, you have to be starting Eze in this game and every game.”

After fellow pundit Andy Gray questioned why Arteta started Leandro Trossard over Eze or Martinelli, Keys added: “When you’re playing at home, you’ve got Eze, who’s a crowd pleaser, set the place on fire. You’ve spent big money on him, and you’re playing Trossard, he’s a sub, he’s not even first on.”

When asked why he started a midfield three, Arteta told reporters; “Because I thought it was the best one to start the game. Nobody asked me about the midfield three in Bilbao.”

On whether squad depth was a factor in his team selection, Arteta continued: “Well, there are a lot of factors, obviously. The first one is their performance level and the emotional state that they are in. That’s one. After that, it’s what we believe is the best thing in relation to the opponent and the type of game that we predict.

US and Kazakhstan reach $4 billion locomotive deal, Lutnick says

 The United States and Kazakhstan have reached a $4 billion locomotive agreement, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Monday.

The deal was made after a call between President Donald Trump and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Lutnick said in a post on X.

"These locomotives will power connectivity across Europe & Asia, linking The Middle Corridor, with American technology at its core," Lutnick said.

He did not mention which U.S. companies were involved in the deal or what their role would be in manufacturing the locomotives.

The central Asian country, which borders Russia and China, has been slapped with a 25% tariff rate by Trump. Tokayev wrote in a letter to Trump in July that he was prepared for constructive dialogue on trade issues.


Saturday, September 20, 2025

Exclusive-UAE could downgrade diplomatic ties if Israel annexes West Bank, sources say

 The United Arab Emirates could downgrade diplomatic ties with Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government annexes part or all of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to three sources briefed on the Gulf Arab state's deliberations.

UAE is one of just a few Arab states with diplomatic relations with Israel and downgrading ties would be a major setback for the Abraham Accords - a signature foreign policy achievement of U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.

Israel's government has recently taken steps that could presage annexation of the West Bank, which was captured along with East Jerusalem in a war in 1967. The United Nations and most countries oppose such a move.

For Netanyahu, whose coalition relies on right-wing nationalist parties, annexation could be seen as a valuable vote winner before an election expected next year.

NOT ALL TIES LIKELY TO BE CUT, SOURCE SAYS

Abu Dhabi warned Netanyahu's right-wing coalition this month that any annexation of the West Bank would be a "red line" for the Gulf state but did not say what measures could follow

The UAE, which established ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, was considering withdrawing its ambassador in any response, the sources told Reuters.

The sources, who all spoke on condition of anonymity, said Abu Dhabi was not considering completely severing ties, although tensions have mounted during the almost two-year-old Gaza War.

A source in Israel said the government believed it could repair its strained ties with the UAE, a major commercial centre seen as the most significant of the Arab states to establish ties with Israel in 2020. The others were Bahrain and Morocco.

No other Arab state has since established formal ties with Israel, which also has diplomatic relations with Egypt and Jordan, and direct contacts with Qatar, though without full diplomatic recognition.

ISRAELI COMPANIES BARRED FROM UAE AIRSHOW

In a sign of growing tension with Israel, the Gulf state last week decided to bar Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow in November, three of the sources said. Two other sources, an Israeli official and an Israeli defence industry executive, confirmed the decision.

Israel's defence ministry said it had been made aware of the decision but did not elaborate. A spokesperson for the UAE embassy in Abu Dhabi said discussions over Israel's participation in the week-long trade show were continuing.

Israel's media were the first to report the move to block the firms from the UAE's flagship aerospace and defence event.

The UAE foreign ministry did not respond to questions on whether it was weighing downgrading diplomatic ties with Israel.

The spokesperson at the Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi said that Israel was committed to the Abraham Accords and that it would continue to work towards strengthening ties with the UAE.

Emirati foreign ministry official Lana Nusseibeh had told Reuters and Israeli media on September 3 that any annexation of the West Bank would jeopardise the Abraham Accords and end the pursuit of regional integration. 

That warning preceded Israel's air strike on Qatar last week, which targeted Hamas leaders, an attack that Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemned as treacherous. 

At an emergency meeting of Muslim nations in Qatar, convened in response to the strike, a communique was issued urging countries to review diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

As part of the Abraham Accords, Netanyahu promised to hold off annexing the West Bank for four years. But that deadline has passed and some Israeli ministers are now pressing for action.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich this month said that maps were being drawn up to annex most of the West Bank, urging Netanyahu to accept the plan. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, also backs annexing the territory.

TIES WITH ISRAEL DETERIORATED AFTER 2023

After establishing ties, the UAE and Israel built a close relationship, focusing on economic, security and intelligence cooperation. This followed years of discreet contacts.

But differences began emerging after Netanyahu returned to power in 2023, leading the most right-wing government in Israel's history. Abu Dhabi has condemned repeated efforts by Ben-Gvir to alter the status quo of Jerusalem's Al Aqsa compound to allow Jews to be able to pray there. The site is sacred to Muslims and Jews and at present non-Muslims can visit but cannot pray.

The UAE has also criticised Israel's policies in the West Bank and its military siege of Gaza, which began in October 2023 after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli soil.

Abu Dhabi has said that an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel was necessary for regional stability. Netanyahu this month declared there will never be a Palestinian state.


How can McLaren win the F1 constructors’ championship in Azerbaijan?

 McLaren have enjoyed a dominant Formula One season and could break a record if they seal the F1 constructors’ title this weekend.

Zak Brown’s team, spearheaded by drivers’ title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, have won 12 of the 16 races so far this season, including five of the last six.

McLaren’s lead, with a third of the 2025 season remaining, is a mammoth 337 points over second-placed Ferrari, with a total of 617 compared to 280 for the Scuderia.

It means the papaya could, and most likely will, seal their second-straight constructors’ crown this weekend, after winning their first in 26 years a year ago, with victory at the season-finale in Abu Dhabi.

TOP-4 - CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP

1. McLaren - 617 points

2. Ferrari - 280 points

3. Mercedes - 260 points

4. Red Bull - 239 points

Following round 17 this weekend in Azerbaijan, there will be just 346 points left to play for in the seven subsequent races and three sprint races. McLaren’s lead currently stands at 337 points.

Therefore, McLaren will seal the title this weekend if they have a lead of 346 points over the second-placed team in the standings by Sunday night.

As such, McLaren will win the constructors’ championship if Piastri and Norris’ combined total:

Outscores Ferrari by nine points or more

Not outscored by Mercedes by 12 points or more

Not outscored by Red Bull by 33 points or more

A McLaren one-two finish, therefore, would guarantee the title, as would second and third place if Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton did not win the race.

One McLaren driver finishing first and the other finishing third would also seal the title, regardless of other finishing positions.

What record is set to be broken?

If McLaren seal the constructors’ crown this weekend, they would win the teams’ title with seven races remaining – a feat unmatched in F1 history.

In Red Bull’s record-setting run in 2023, when they won every race bar one, Red Bull sealed the title with six races remaining.

Another potential record to take from Red Bull would be their total points tally. Courtesy of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s combined 20 victories in 2023, Red Bull finished on 860. McLaren are currently on 617 and so on track to beat that total.

It’s an inevitability that the constructors’ trophy will stay at McLaren HQ in Woking, but there will be an extra cherry on the cake if McLaren can seal the deal on the streets of Baku.

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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Prabowo's cinema broadcast part of public communication: Ministry

 The Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs stated that the recent broadcasting of a government video highlighting President Prabowo Subianto’s achievements in national cinemas is part of a broader effort to enhance public communication.

In a statement issued on Monday, Director General of Public Communication and Media Fifi Aleyda Yahya explained that public communication in the digital era is no longer limited to a single medium.

The government is using various platforms—including movie theaters—to deliver official information to the public.

“The government has a responsibility to ensure that important information is delivered to the public widely and effectively, and aligns with current trends, as long as it does not violate cinema regulations. This makes it a legitimate and appropriate medium of choice,” she said.

Yahya noted that, similar to social media, television, radio, and billboards, cinemas are one of many channels used to communicate government programs and policies.

The choice to use cinemas, she added, was made because they offer a more immersive visual and audio experience, which is expected to help audiences better absorb the messages conveyed.

“The context here is about how the state presents accurate, measured information. This is part of the government's public communication to the people,” Yahya explained.

The screening of a short video featuring President Prabowo outlining government achievements before movie showings has sparked public discussion on social media.

The video includes information such as national rice production reaching 21.76 million tons as of August 2025, the launch of 80,000 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, and the establishment of 100 community-based schools, known as Sekolah Rakyat.

It also highlights progress in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which has reached 20 million beneficiaries since its launch on January 6, 2025.

Indonesia gears up for China-ASEAN Esports Competition

 The Indonesian national esports teams for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) and Valorant are set to compete in the China–ASEAN Esports Competition 2025 (CAEC), scheduled for September 17–19 in Nanning, China.

“Indonesia’s participation in CAEC 2025 will bring positive energy and provide a vital opportunity to gain experience, while proving that our esports athletes are ready to compete at regional and global levels,” said Deputy Chairperson of the Competition Division of the Indonesian Esports Executive Board (PB ESI), Glorya Famiella, in a written statement received in Jakarta

“We fully support the team and hope they deliver their best performance, uphold sportsmanship, and achieve results that make the nation proud,” she added.

The CAEC 2025, initiated by the Asia Electronic Sports Federation (AESF), aims to foster community, strengthen friendships, and celebrate sportsmanship among young players across Asia. Eleven national teams will take part: Brunei Darussalam, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, divided into four groups.

In the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang event, Indonesia will field Zulfikar, Kenley Nathaniel Zefanya, Kenneth Marcello, Muhammad Nur Efandy Yusuf, and Sultan Muhammad, coached by Muhammad Farizudin. They will compete in Group A against Timor-Leste, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand.

For Valorant, the roster features Rayhan Filardhi Azhar, Thomas Alfiantino, Lingardi Putra, Davin, and Alehandro Fabain, coached by Baskoro Dwi Putra, facing Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia in Group A.

Indonesia enters CAEC 2025 with confidence built on impressive international results. The Indonesian eFootball Mobile team won three gold medals and the overall championship at the 2025 ASEAN Youth Esports Championship (AYESC).

The MLBB Women’s National Team, strengthened by Team Vitality, captured the MLBB Women’s Invitational title at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025. Leading squads such as EVOS, RRQ Kazu, Vitality, and ONIC Esports dominated the Free Fire category at the same event.


The INA 2 Free Fire National Team, powered by ONIC Esports, claimed the Free Fire World Series (FFWS) SEA Spring 2025 trophy.

PB ESI views Indonesia’s participation in CAEC 2025 as a key step toward enhancing the nation’s esports ecosystem.

More than a tournament, the event supports PB ESI’s vision of esports as an inclusive, highly competitive sport and a means of strengthening Indonesia’s international ties.

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘there will be no Palestinian state’

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially moved forward with a settlement expansion plan in the occupied West Bank that would make any future Palestinian state virtually impossible.

The Israeli leader signed an agreement on Thursday to move ahead with the project, which would bisect the West Bank.

“We are going to fulfil our promise that there will be no Palestinian state. This place belongs to us,” Netanyahu said at the event in Maale Adumim, an Israeli settlement just east of Jerusalem.

“We are going to double the city’s population.”

The settlement, on a 12sq-km (4.6sq-mile) tract of land east of Jerusalem, is known as “East 1” or “E1”.

The development plan, which includes 3,400 new homes for Israeli settlers, would cut off much of the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem while linking up thousands of Israeli settlements in the area.

East Jerusalem carries particular significance to Palestinians as their choice for the capital of a future Palestinian state.

All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law, regardless of whether they have Israeli planning permission.

Reporting for Al Jazeera from Amman, Jordan, because Israel has banned Al Jazeera from the West Bank and Israel, Hamdah Salhut explained that this expansion is controversial because it destroys any territorial continuity from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, further dismantling any possibility that there could be a Palestinian state in the future.

Palestinian leaders push back

Palestinian Authority presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh on Thursday insisted that a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital is the key to peace in the region. He called it and the two-state solution “inevitable” despite Netanyahu’s move.

Rudeineh condemned Israeli settlements as illegal under international law and accused Netanyahu of “pushing the entire region towards the abyss”.

He noted that 149 United Nations member states have already recognised Palestine and called on all countries that have not yet done so to recognise a Palestinian state immediately.

How did we get here?

Netanyahu has long championed settlements in occupied Palestinian territory and fought any efforts towards peace between Israel and Palestine. He railed against the signing of the Oslo Accords, two agreements in the 1990s between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization that many hoped would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.

“I de facto put an end to the Oslo Accords,” Netanyahu was caught on video boasting in 2001.

In 1997 during his first term as prime minister, Netanyahu helped establish the settlement of Har Homa in East Jerusalem, CNN reported. He added in an interview with the Israeli news site NRG that a Palestinian state would never be formed while he was in office.

More recently, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said settlements such as E1 will help erase Palestine from the map, even as Palestinian statehood gains increasing recognition from UN member states.

“This reality finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state because there is nothing to recognise and no one to recognise,” Smotrich said.

The international community’s response

The UN General Assembly demanded in September 2024 that Israel end its presence in the West Bank by withdrawing its military, immediately stopping work on new settlements and evacuating settlers from occupied land.

More than 100 nations voted for the resolution. Fourteen voted against.

The vote followed an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July 2024 that said Israel’s continued presence in occupied territory was unlawful and Israel was “under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian Territory”.

Netanyahu called the opinion a “decision of lies”.

More recently, 21 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan, condemned Israel’s plan to build its new settlement.

Germany announced on Thursday that it will back a France-led proposal for a two-state solution, the Bloomberg news agency reported. Berlin is planning to support a UN resolution this week to adopt the New York Declaration, led by France and Saudi Arabia and calling for the creation of a Palestinian state and a right to return for refugees.

Belgium, France and Malta have pledged to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly session this month. Other countries, including Australia, Canada and the UK, have announced conditional recognitions, but it has remained unclear whether they will do so at the gathering.

The situation in the West Bank and Gaza

The settlement expansion news comes amid escalating violence.

On Monday, six people were killed in a shooting attack in Jerusalem when two Palestinian gunmen attacked a bus stop at the Ramot Junction. Several others were wounded.

Israeli forces responded by storming towns and demolishing the homes of the Palestinian suspects in the West Bank.

Al Jazeera reported on Thursday that nearly 100 men were arrested in Tulkarem in the West Bank. The arrests came after an attack that “lightly wounded two soldiers,” Haaretz reported, quoting the Israeli army.

In Gaza, where Israel’s war has killed at least 64,656 people and wounded 163,503 since it began in October 2023, Netanyahu is continuing to push “voluntary migration“, a euphemism for forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.

Chelsea urged to give forgotten ex-Liverpool man another chance - 'Still a good player'

 It has now been more than a decade since Raheem Sterling left Liverpool to join Manchester City.

Four Premier League titles and 12 trophies in total later, his career has not gone badly. However, in the last couple of seasons, Sterling, now 30, has gone off the boil. He played 17 times in the Premier League last season on loan at Arsenal, but only for a total of under 500 minutes, and has since failed to get a move elsewhere.

Sterling is Chelsea's top earner, taking home around $440K (£325K) per week. Fulham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham were among the London clubs sounded out during the summer, but nothing came off — which means staying put. He is under contract for another two years, even if he found himself in Enzo Maresca's "bomb squad".

Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda says Sterling could still work his way back into Chelsea's plans, however. "The first thing about Sterling is that he earned this contract through his performances," he told Boyle Sports.

"So I believe at this moment, he is not part of the plan, but he's still a good player. We will mention injuries; it's not like there was an issue where you'd say, 'OK, let's cross this player. We don't want him anymore.'

"I don't like the topic of his wages or the money involved. He earned his contract and everybody was fine with it. Now it's more about how, as a club, you consider your players and how you bring them back to full confidence.

"I'm sure Raheem Sterling, in full confidence, without injury problems, terminating his contract wouldn’t be an option. The perspective must change. That comes with conversations — honest conversations — because you need players like him, but at his best level.

"While he's still a Chelsea player, we should do everything as a club for him to feel at home. I think that's the best way to get the best out of a player like Sterling."

"It doesn’t look like Sterling will still be at Chelsea by the time he turns 31 in December," Dennis Wise, speaking to Sky Bet, said. "He’s been out on loan, and the message from the club seems clear: if you can find somewhere else, you can go.

"From his point of view, he’s got to think carefully about what’s best for him. Chelsea have gone down a very young route now, bringing in players mostly between 18 and 25, and Raheem doesn’t fit that category anymore. At 31, he needs to think about his next move.

"I’m sure he’ll work hard between now and January, but it comes down to circumstances — whether a club wants him permanently or just on loan. I don’t think he’ll want to keep moving around on loan. At this stage of his career, he’ll want a permanent home, somewhere he feels valued.

"At 31, he’s probably got one more big contract left, so he has to make sure it’s the right fit for him. But it does look clear now that the writing’s on the wall — Raheem isn’t going to play much of a part in Chelsea’s future."

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Elon Musk Just Secured a $1 Trillion Tesla Deal — Traders Are Losing It

 Tesla just dropped a headline the markets can’t ignore: a $1 trillion pay package for Elon Musk. The deal is wired to sci-fi goals — 20 million cars, a million robotaxis, and humanoid robots rolling off the line.

The shockwave was instant. TSLA ripped higher Friday, and traders are already betting how this mega-package could bleed into Musk-linked coins, meme assets, and the wider crypto market.

⚔️ Titans Collide

The clash is impossible to miss. Musk’s trillion-dollar jackpot lands just as Trump-driven market moves heat up, with both men bending sentiment across stocks and crypto.

Tesla’s rally shows the momentum, but traders are watching how Musk’s hype could spill into coins, memes, and side markets — where the real fireworks usually hit.

💥 Crypto in Play

We’ve seen this movie before: Dogecoin, Floki, Trump coins. Musk’s name alone can light up entire sectors overnight. Now, with a $1T incentive package, the speculation machine is cranked to max.

For traders, it’s another boom-or-bust setup — Musk-linked tokens could moon or implode just as fast. The only certainty is volatility.

🎢 The Risk Factor

Musk’s track record is full of big promises and late timelines. That makes this trillion-dollar deal high-risk. If milestones stall, the headline fades, and TSLA could retrace.

But momentum traders see upside. Tesla’s chart looks stronger, and crypto markets move quickly on Musk headlines. The volatility here is the trade.

🔭 Market Signals to Watch

Tesla’s breakout above $350 has eyes locked on $367. If momentum sticks, bulls will press harder — especially with a high-stakes shareholder vote coming in November.

On the crypto side, Musk-linked tokens stay hypersensitive to xAI reveals, Optimus robot teasers, or even a midnight Musk tweet. Expect violent swings and narrow windows to catch them. For traders, the crossover is clear: Musk hype often bleeds into the broader AI-crypto trade.

🚨 Closing Take

Musk’s $1 trillion Tesla deal isn’t just corporate news — it’s a volatility engine. If the milestones hit, TSLA and Musk-linked tokens could rip. If they stall, the unwind will be brutal. Either way, traders can’t sit this one out.

🔥 Join 20,000 traders in our official Telegram channel — breaking down Musk plays, meme coin ripples, and market shocks in real time.

📩 Subscribe here to our weekly newsletter — sharp crypto + politics insights, zero fluff. Get the signals before the next Musk headline hits your feed.

Phil Jones names player Man Utd should not have binned

 Phil Jones has issued a warning to new Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens and claimed former star David de Gea would still be ‘top drawer’ at Old Trafford.

Lammens will compete with Altay Bayindir for a place in the United team following his £18m deadline-day move from Royal Antwerp.

Andre Onana was Ruben Amorim’s number one last year but he sat out of United’s first three Premier League games of the season.


Manchester United became open to offers for Onana once Lammens arrived through the doors and have now agreed a deal with Trabzonspor to send the Cameroon international on loan.

It remains to be seen whether Amorim immediately promotes Lammens to his first-choice goalkeeper, with Gary Neville of the opinion that he will initially be back-up.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

Ex-Manchester United defender Jones doubts Lammens has the ‘capacity’ or the ‘experience’ to be the No. 1 at this stage of his career.

Lammens made 63 appearances for Belgian side Antwerp before being brought to Old Trafford on deadline day.

‘The interesting one in the last few days for Manchester United was obviously the goalkeeper situation,’ Jones told Ladbrokes.

‘I think we all thought that the Emiliano Martinez deal was going to happen, but obviously that wasn’t the case, and in the end the club brought in Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

‘What I would say about that move though, is that I always think a number one at United has to be able to deal with the pressure of wearing that shirt, because it can be a pretty heavy one to wear.

‘Don’t get me wrong; it can be a rewarding one at the same time, but I think you’ve got to come in and deal with that pressure straight away.

Reaction to Senne Lammens transfer

New Manchester United signing Senne Lammens

‘I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United. It is a real dream come true. The past few years have been an amazing journey, it’s now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special.’

Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox

‘Senne is an excellent young goalkeeper with great potential. We are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United after significant interest from a number of clubs.’

‘I don’t know too much about his journey to Antwerp’s first-team, but I don’t think he has the capacity – or experience – right now to deal with being the number one at Old Trafford, playing in front of 90,000 people.

‘He’ll realise as soon as he comes in just how big the club is. Listen, hopefully it goes swimmingly for him and we’ve found ourselves the new number one.

‘He might not be number one at first, we don’t know… but I just think it’s such an important position to get right.’

Manchester United paid £47m to sign Onana from Inter Milan in 2023 after releasing club legend De Gea.

Before United signed Lammens, there were rumours the Red Devils were considering a shock move to bring De Gea back to the Theatre of Dreams.

De Gea is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history but appeared to be on the decline towards the end of his spell at Old Trafford.

But Jones believes his former United teammate would still be ‘top drawer’ for the Red Devils.

‘David de Gea had a really tough first season at the club when he first came in – really tough,’ he added.

‘There were a few mistakes in there, but after that, he was just terrific for the club… everything about him, from his performances to his charisma, was just through the roof.

‘He was such a pivotal player for us during my time with the club. To be honest, I still think he’d be top drawer for United today.

‘He wouldn’t look out of place at all. He’s the kind of player who – in a nice way – just didn’t care about all the noise around him. When you’re playing for Man United, or any of those top clubs, you have to have a bit of that about you.

‘He’d make mistakes, and they’d hit the headlines because of the size of the club, but it never affected him.

‘You know, he’d just go on and make save after save in the next game, and pull something special out of nowhere.

‘There aren’t many players like that; he’s up there with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham in that respect; all of those top players have this ability to just not care about all of the noise.’

Lammens was Manchester United’s fifth and final signing of the summer following Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon and Benjamin Sesko.

Amorim’s side resume their Premier League campaign after the international break against local rivals Manchester City.

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Netanyahu's "I Just Did" Moment—Performance Without Real Recognition

 When confronted in a podcast interview with Armenian Assyrian American host Patrick Bet-David, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked whether he would recognize the mass killings of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks in 1915–1917 as genocide, a question Israel's leaders have consistently sought to dodge. His answer was startlingly brief: "I just did. Here you go." At first glance, this seemed like a historic moment. Yet the recognition was shallow, symbolic, and misleading.

First, it was a surprising and awkward exchange, because everyone expected to hear a clear and factual formulation of what exactly he was recognizing, as is customary when heads of state or parliaments issue such recognition, where the facts and terminology are explicitly spelled out.

When confronted in a podcast interview with Armenian Assyrian American host Patrick Bet-David, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked whether he would recognize the mass killings of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks in 1915–1917 as genocide, a question Israel's leaders have consistently sought to dodge. His answer was startlingly brief: "I just did. Here you go."At first glance, this seemed like a historic moment. Yet the recognition was shallow, symbolic, and misleading.

First, it was a surprising and awkward exchange, because everyone expected to hear a clear and factual formulation of what exactly he was recognizing, as is customary when heads of state or parliaments issue such recognition, where the facts and terminology are explicitly spelled out.

Even more strikingly, Netanyahu falsely claimed that the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, had already passed a bill recognizing the Armenian genocide—a statement that is entirely untrue. In fact, such bills have been introduced repeatedly over the past three decades, only to be blocked time and again by Netanyahu and others. While Netanyahu is ageing, his memory is not at fault here. Rather, this was a deliberate rhetorical maneuver: dropping a plainly false claim in a casual tone that makes it sound plausible, when in fact it never happened, distracting from what came next—the "I just did" moment.

This is not the first time Netanyahu has revised history.

In 2015, he said that the Palestinian Grand Mufti had inspired Hitler's decision to carry out the Holocaust, prompting widespread criticism following his remarks at the World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem. Yad Vashem's chief historian, Professor Dina Porat, dismissed the claim outright: "You cannot say that it was the mufti who gave Hitler the idea to kill or burn Jews. It's not true."

Netanyahu's recent revision of history, claiming that the Knesset had already recognized the Armenian genocide, shows how little importance he attaches to the topic. Some observers view this awkward remark as a sign that Israel may eventually shift its position. In reality, for decades Netanyahu has upheld Israel's policy of ambiguity. As deputy foreign minister and in other Washington-based roles during the 1980s, he was one of the key figures linking the deepening of Ankara–Jerusalem ties to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs' efforts to support Turkey's denial of the 1915 Armenian genocide.

So why now? As Bet-David recounted in a follow-up interview a day later, he was eager to extract a recognition from Netanyahu. That context is important for understanding why it happened now.

But another explanation lies in Netanyahu's calculated use of social media and podcasts to serve his legacy. With elections scheduled for October 2026, Netanyahu remains focused on staying in power, but also on shaping how history will remember him. By offering a passing recognition on a podcast—not in the Knesset and not in an official capacity—he reaps the benefit of headlines declaring that he "recognized" the Armenian genocide, without paying the political price at home or abroad.

Crucially, Netanyahu also left himself an escape hatch for his domestic audience. He never actually said the word "genocide"—not in English, and not in any formal Israeli political context. That word is not only deeply contested; today it carries an explosive charge, as Israel itself is repeatedly accused of committing genocide in Gaza.

But this episode also speaks to a larger trend: Podcasts and social media have become the new brokers of political legacy, allowing leaders to shape history on their own terms. Unlike formal speeches or parliamentary votes, a podcast answer can be easily downplayed or disowned. Netanyahu can tell international audiences that he "just did" recognize the Armenian-Assyrian-Greek genocide, while reassuring his domestic base that it was only an offhand remark in a long interview, not an official act of state.

As a medium of legacy politics, the podcast created a win-win for both Netanyahu and Bet-David. Bet-David can present himself as having extracted a long-sought recognition, while Netanyahu can claim to have jabbed Turkey—one of Hamas' strongest backers—in a sensitive spot. Turkey responded predictably with formal condemnation and symbolic restrictions, which did little to alter the already strained reality of its relations with Israel.

For Armenians worldwide, it is certainly not a moment of glory either. The crumbs of Netanyahu's so-called recognition cannot erase Israel's record of supplying arms to Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and the ethnic cleansing of 2023 that followed. These events ensured Azerbaijan's victory and were formalized in the peace accord signed in Washington last month.

Netanyahu's "I just did" moment was never about justice for the past; it was about performance in the present. It shows how, in contemporary politics, recognition can generate headlines without accountability.






The players your club could still sign beyond the transfer window

 A record-breaking £3.1bn transfer window may have drawn to a close, yet some talent is still available without having to spend a penny.

Premier League clubs have certainly invested big this summer, but here are some of the best players that your club can sign for free.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

The Japanese full-back made his name as one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League, but two injury-hit seasons meant Arsenal were unable to rely on him. Tomiyasu had his contract with the north London club mutually terminated earlier this summer, but at 26, he still has a lot to offer.

He is still nursing a knee injury, so supporters may have to be patient, but there are plenty of clubs who could use his tenacity and defensive intelligence.

Josh Brownhill

The Englishman enjoyed a stellar season last campaign, helping Burnley secure promotion to the Premier League with 18 goals and six assists from midfield.

The 29-year-old is not short of suitors, and a move to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards amid reports of a deal being agreed.

Hakim Ziyech

It does not seem long ago that Ziyech was one of Europe’s most exciting attacking midfielders, lighting up the Champions League with Ajax with that famous cross-field pass still appearing on social media feeds.

After leaving Chelsea, the Morocco international has since had short stints with Galatasaray and Qatari club Al-Duhail. Now at the age of 32, Ziyech could be an asset for a team that needs more creativity.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain remains one of the Premier League’s biggest “what ifs”, a player whose unique physical and technical abilities were disrupted by constant injuries. Once a wonderkid at Southampton, the Englishman enjoyed successful periods at Arsenal and Liverpool, albeit with long spells on the sidelines.

Most recently at Besiktas, he had his contract terminated by the Turkish club earlier this summer. Amid interest from Birmingham earlier in the window, Oxlade-Chamberlain may want to return to England to be closer to his young family.

Christian Eriksen

After three seasons at Manchester United, the Danish midfielder found himself among the players released by the club at the end of the last season.

The midfield maestro was notably omitted from Denmark’s squad for their forthcoming qualifiers against Scotland and Greece, and with the World Cup looming, the Dane will surely be eager to find a new club and force his way back into the national team.


Wednesday, September 3, 2025

House of Representatives to Revoke Allowances and Moratorium on Overseas Working Visits: President

  President Prabowo Subianto met with House of Representatives (DPR) leaders and political party chairmen at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The meeting concluded with the President stating that the DPR would revoke policies that were not in favour of the people.

"The DPR leaders conveyed that several DPR policies will be revoked, including the allowances for DPR members and the moratorium on overseas working visits," the President said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

The President stated that the DPR leaders had spoken, and the political party chairmen had conveyed through their respective faction chairs that DPR members must be more sensitive and side with the interests of the people.

The President stated that the political party chairs had also terminated the membership of legislators who made controversial statements that sparked demonstrations.

"The firm action taken by the political party chairmen was to revoke their membership in the DPR," the President said.

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his respect for all genuine aspirations from the people. Prabowo acknowledge that the right to peaceful assembly must be respected and protected.

Prabowo ensured that he would continue to monitor developments in Jakarta and several other cities in Indonesia. Prabowo emphasized that the state respects and is open to the freedom of expression of genuine opinions and aspirations from the people.

The Head of State has ordered the police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to take the strongest possible action in accordance with applicable law, particularly against those who damage public facilities, loot individual homes, and economic centers.

"To all the people, please convey your genuine aspirations peacefully. We assure you that they will be heard, recorded, and followed up," Prabowo stated.

Prabowo held a dialogue with the chairmen of political parties regarding the current situation in the country. The meeting was also attended by the Speakers of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House of Representatives (DPR), and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). Several ministers were also summoned to the Palace.


President Prabowo Instructs Staff to Strengthen National Stability

  President Prabowo Subianto led a Plenary Cabinet Session with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming in the Cabinet Meeting Room, Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Sunday, August 31, 2025. The session discussed the government's strategic steps to maintain national stability amidst the dynamic and evolving situation in the country.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who was tasked with delivering the meeting's results, emphasized that President Prabowo continues to monitor developments in the national situation. In his directive, President Prabowo emphasized the importance of solidarity between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in maintaining security.

"Regarding national stability, the President emphasized that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) must remain united and cooperative, working together to carry out their duties to ensure security and well-being for the Indonesian people as a whole," said Minister Sjafrie in a press statement to the media after the meeting.

Furthermore, President Prabowo instructed the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) not to hesitate to take firm and measured action against violations of the law. The Head of State also emphasized that criminal acts such as the destruction of public facilities and looting must be prosecuted according to the law.

"If incidents occur that concern the safety of individuals or homeowners, or officials who experience looting, officers will not hesitate to take firm action against perpetrators of rioting and looting who enter private areas or state institutions that have been ensured to be secure," said Minister Sjafrie.

In addition to the TNI and Polri, President Prabowo also instructed other institutions to strengthen coordination in maintaining national stability. One such institution is the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), which is tasked with continuously monitoring the intelligence situation and reporting to President Prabowo at the first opportunity if any dynamics arise on the ground.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Home Affairs is tasked with ensuring smooth coordination between the central and regional governments. "We also closely monitor economic developments that meet the needs of the people. Therefore, this is a shared need, the solidarity of all central and regional government officials," said Minister Sjafrie.

Furthermore, President Prabowo also tasked the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander and the Chiefs of Staff to maintain regional security and prevent the misuse of natural resources. Meanwhile, the National Police Chief was asked to collaborate with the Attorney General to expedite law enforcement against all violations in the country.

"The President will always be with the people and will always stand with the people in fighting for their interests, with the support of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and all community organizations in our region," added Minister Sjafrie.

Concluding his press statement, Minister Sjafrie conveyed President Prabowo's message that national stability is key to the nation's economic revival. "Let us maintain national unity and strive to continue to improve our economic revival with the national stability that we achieve together," he concluded.