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Antonio Conte Assures Tottenham Board Understand Need for January Signings

Antonio Conte Assures Tottenham Board Understand Need for January Signings

Tottenham Manager Confident in Club’s Commitment to Strengthen Squad During Winter Transfer Window

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is confident that the club’s hierarchy understands the importance of reinforcing the squad in January. Following a disappointing defeat to Newcastle, Conte acknowledged that his team lacks the depth required to compete effectively in both the Premier League and the Champions League this season.

Conte had previously stated that the club needs “two to three” more transfer windows to become serious title contenders, but he believes that the board, including managing director Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy, are fully aware of the need to bring in key players this winter.

Speaking ahead of Spurs’ Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon, Conte reiterated that he does not need to convince the club of the urgency to strengthen the squad. “The club understands the importance of bringing in good players in January,” he said. “I don’t need to explain this to them.”

Conte added that, while the focus now is on securing qualification for the next round of the Champions League, Spurs’ ambitions remain high. “We need to finish as strong as possible before the World Cup,” he said, underlining that his current priority is the immediate challenges ahead.

Despite the club’s plans for January, Tottenham will first need to offload players such as Bryan Gil, Japhet Tanganga, and Pape Matar Sarr on loan or permanently to make room for new signings.

In the meantime, Spurs will be without Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski for the match against Sporting Lisbon due to calf and hamstring injuries, respectively. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cristian Romero, who missed the loss to Newcastle, will be assessed ahead of the fixture.

Wrexham Striker’s Controversial Football Boots Banned by Club

Wrexham Striker’s Controversial Football Boots Banned by Club

Paul Mullin’s ‘F** the Tories’ Message on Boots Sparks Backlash from Wrexham*

Wrexham Football Club has banned striker Paul Mullin from wearing his custom football boots, which were emblazoned with the message “f*** the Tories”. The 27-year-old had shared photos of the boots, designed by Zebra Customs, on social media ahead of the team’s match against Halifax Town on Tuesday.

Mullin, who was Wrexham’s top scorer last season with 32 goals, now faces the task of finding alternative footwear after the club expressed disapproval. A statement from Wrexham clarified that the photos would not have been authorised if the club had been aware of them beforehand. The club also made clear that it maintains a neutral stance on political matters and emphasised that an individual’s views should not be attributed to the club or its supporters as a whole.

Wrexham, who gained international attention last year after being taken over by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, noted that the club’s position was to remain impartial on political issues. The town’s Conservative MP, Sarah Atherton, also highlighted that Mullin’s message represented his personal opinion, not that of the club.

The club’s statement continued: “After this distraction, we hope attention will refocus on our goal of promotion and the community impact we aim to create, where Paul Mullin will continue to play an important role.”

Mullin, who hails from Liverpool and previously played for Cambridge United, has not publicly responded to the club’s statement but has left the tweet featuring the boots’ photos on his timeline. On the other side of the boots, in addition to the political message, there is an engraving that references the Liverpool skyline and a tribute to musician Jamie Webster.

Reactions on social media were divided. Some fans supported Mullin’s stance, while others criticised the message, with one user suggesting that as a role model, Mullin should refrain from encouraging political division or offensive language.

London Zoo Names Critically Endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs

London Zoo Names Critically Endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs

Three Cubs, Born in July, Receive Their Names After Four Months

ZSL London Zoo has unveiled the names of three Sumatran tiger cubs, born in July to their mother Gaysha, a 10-year-old tiger. The cubs, who celebrated their four-month milestone, have been named Inca, Zac, and Crispin.

Martin O’Sullivan, the zoo’s tiger keeper, shared that the cubs’ personalities are as distinct as their names. “Inca is very protective over her food, especially chicken, and will defend it fiercely from her brothers. Crispin, on the other hand, is quieter, often snuggling with Gaysha in the sun, while Zac is the largest of the three, enjoying playfights with his sister, which helps them hone their hunting instincts.”

The cubs’ unique stripe patterns, which are distinct on each tiger, allow the zookeepers to easily tell them apart. The names were chosen following a public auction at the zoo’s Safari in the City Gala in September, after a three-month wait to confirm their sexes.

These cubs are part of a vital global conservation project to protect the critically endangered Sumatran tiger. With fewer than 300 of these tigers left in the wild, the zoo’s new arrivals are an important step in the European breeding programme aimed at ensuring the survival of the species.

The cubs have been enjoying their time in the zoo’s Tiger Territory, playing games like hide-and-seek with their mother and father, developing their camouflage skills. Their presence provides a significant boost to conservation efforts, as the zoo continues its role in protecting this endangered species.

Police Assist Students in Escaping Deadly Shooting at St Louis High School

Police Assist Students in Escaping Deadly Shooting at St Louis High School

At Least Two Dead as Gunman Engages with Officers During Attack at Central VPA High

Shocking footage from a high school shooting in St Louis shows police officers helping students flee the violence that erupted at Central VPA High School. The incident occurred just after 9 am, leaving at least six injured, according to reports. Among the victims, a female student and an adult woman were confirmed dead following the attack.

The shooter, a 20-year-old male, was fatally wounded after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement and later died in hospital, as confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Sack, the interim chief of the St Louis Police Department.

Disturbing videos from the scene show the police helping terrified students escape the school, with images of desperate parents rushing to the location to find their children.

A student, speaking to KMOV-TV, recalled how a male gunman with a “long gun” burst into their dance class and coldly asked, “Are you ready to die?” Many students initially mistook the incident for a drill until they heard the principal announce the code for an active shooter.

Once the severity of the situation became clear, some students took drastic action, jumping out of windows or barricading themselves in classrooms. Michael De Filippo, a teacher, described the moment, saying, “Once you heard the boom, all the chuckling and laughing in the back of the room stopped.”

Another student, Taniya Gholston, recalled, “All I heard was two shots and he came in there with a gun… I was trying to run but I couldn’t. We made eye contact, but I made it out because his gun jammed. We saw blood on the floor.”

David Williams, a math teacher at the school, heard multiple gunshots from outside his classroom, with one window on the door shattered. He recalled hearing a voice shouting, “You are all going to f***ing die.”

Following the attack, students were taken to Gateway STEM High School, where they were safely reunited with their families. In response to the violence, all schools in the St Louis public school district were placed on “hard lockdown,” and counsellors were made available to support students at every school.

Robyn Fans React to Phillies Using Tiësto’s Cover of ‘Dancing On My Own’

Robyn Fans React to Phillies Using Tiësto’s Cover of ‘Dancing On My Own’

The Baseball Team’s Anthem Choices Spark Debate Among Music Lovers

The Philadelphia Phillies’ choice of anthem has caused an unexpected stir among music fans. While the team celebrates its first World Series appearance since 2009, having won the NL Championship, one group is notably displeased: followers of Swedish pop sensation Robyn.

The Phillies have adopted the 2010 hit “Dancing on My Own” as a celebratory track, but instead of using Robyn’s original, they have been playing a 2016 Tiësto remix of an acoustic cover by Calum Scott. This has led to a wave of criticism from Robyn’s fans, who are calling for the return of the original version. One fan took to social media to express their frustration, stating that the Phillies were engaging in “Robyn erasure,” while another commented, “Can we all agree there’s only one version of ‘Dancing on My Own’ and it’s Robyn?”

Despite the backlash, some fans of the singer are still happy with the Phillies’ choice of song. One tweeted: “The #Phillies celebration song being ‘Dancing On My Own’ by Robyn is incredible. You’ve got 40-year-old straight guys driving around blasting a Swedish gay disco anthem and I’m obsessed.”

Garrett Stubbs, the Phillies’ catcher, shared with MLB.com that there’s no hidden meaning behind the team’s love for the track. “It’s an absolute banger, and we love singing it in the locker room,” he explained. “After a win, we play ‘Dancing on My Own’ along with other tracks. It’s just become a tradition since the start of the season.”

The song’s infectious nature has also been adopted by other teams in the past. Last year, the Boston Red Sox also played the Tiësto remix in their locker room celebrations.

Calum Scott’s version of the song gained significant attention in 2015 after his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, with the Tiësto remix following shortly thereafter.

Aside from the controversy surrounding the anthem, the Phillies’ postseason has garnered attention for other reasons. This World Series run marks an opportunity for the team to secure only its third-ever championship in 140 years. Additionally, the playoffs are the first under Major League Baseball’s newly expanded format.

Meanwhile, Phillies star Bryce Harper, who clinched the game with a home run, is poised to play out a major contract, having signed a 13-year, $330 million deal—the largest in baseball history for a free agent.

Stamp Duty Cut for First-Time Buyers Passes Initial Parliamentary Vote

Stamp Duty Cut for First-Time Buyers Passes Initial Parliamentary Vote

Tax Relief Proposal Faces Doubts Over Future Progress Amid Political Uncertainty

A proposal to reduce stamp duty for first-time homebuyers has successfully passed its first hurdle in the House of Commons. MPs voted 288 to 152, a majority of 136, to approve the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Reduction) Bill for a second reading.

While the Bill has gained initial support, its future remains uncertain, with some MPs questioning whether it will withstand potential changes in government direction following Rishi Sunak’s ascension as Conservative leader. Opposition parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, have suggested that the legislation might be subject to a reversal in the near future.

This Bill is one of the few measures from Liz Truss’s controversial mini-budget to survive the economic turmoil caused by her premiership, alongside the reversal of the national insurance hike. The key proposal is to increase the threshold for stamp duty exemption from properties valued at £125,000 to £250,000.

Felicity Buchan, the Treasury minister, explained that the Bill also aims to extend the “generosity” seen during the stamp duty holiday introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. She noted that first-time buyers would pay no stamp duty on properties up to £425,000, with the maximum value for which they can claim relief increasing from £500,000 to £625,000.

She also revealed that the changes would result in an estimated 43% of transactions each year being exempt from stamp duty, up from 25% before the Bill’s introduction. However, those purchasing additional properties, such as second homes or buy-to-let investments, would still be required to pay the 3% surcharge on these purchases.

Buchan argued that the Bill would facilitate more homeownership, benefiting industries such as moving companies, decorators, and tradespeople reliant on a vibrant housing market.

However, the delay of the Bill’s remaining stages, initially scheduled for Monday evening, has raised concerns. Shadow Treasury Minister James Murray criticised the delay, accusing the government of adding further uncertainty to the already volatile housing market. He argued that it was not the right time to implement a £1.7 billion annual tax cut when the economy is struggling, and mortgage costs are rising.

Murray also pointed out that the failure to release the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts further exacerbates the lack of clarity on the government’s financial situation.

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron also expressed skepticism, calling the Bill the “last survivor” of a failed mini-budget and questioning its potential effectiveness. He suggested that the government is clinging to a proposal that would do little to benefit those it intends to help and could cause harm to others.

Farron urged the government to reconsider the Bill and “think again” before moving forward.

Tyson Fury to Face Derek Chisora in December, Usyk Clash Likely in February

Tyson Fury to Face Derek Chisora in December, Usyk Clash Likely in February

Frank Warren Announces Trilogy Fight with Chisora and Teases Usyk Showdown

Tyson Fury is set to fight Derek Chisora once again in December, after a potential bout with Anthony Joshua fell through. The heavyweight champion will meet Chisora on December 3, with promoter Frank Warren confirming plans for a trilogy bout between the two British fighters, following their previous encounters in 2011 and 2014.

Fury triumphed in their first meeting in London, handing Chisora his first professional defeat via a points decision. In their rematch three years later, Fury’s superior height and reach allowed him to dominate Chisora.

If Fury emerges victorious in December, Warren expects the long-anticipated unification fight with Oleksandr Usyk to take place in February next year. Warren shared his thoughts in an interview with iFL TV, stating that finding an opponent had been a challenge.

“We’ve been struggling to find someone, but Chisora is the highest-ranked opponent we could get,” Warren explained. “That’s where we’ll be heading, and the fight is scheduled for December 3.”

Warren went on to clarify that although they had initially hoped to arrange a fight with Usyk in December, the Ukrainian boxer was unavailable. “Tyson will have only had one fight this year, and we originally planned for that to be against Usyk. Now, we’re aiming for February,” he said.

He added: “While I’m not underestimating Chisora, the ultimate goal is the Usyk fight, which is what we’ve been working towards all year.”

Chelsea Manager’s Alleged Dislike for Pulisic, Claims Former US International

Chelsea Manager’s Alleged Dislike for Pulisic, Claims Former US International

Eric Wynalda Suggests Tension Between Graham Potter and Christian Pulisic

Eric Wynalda, a former United States international, has claimed that Chelsea manager Graham Potter “just doesn’t like” Christian Pulisic. The assertion comes amidst ongoing discussions about the American forward’s role at the club under Potter’s management.

Pulisic had previously expressed optimism about the change in management, hoping that replacing Thomas Tuchel with Potter would mark the beginning of a new chapter. However, despite his enthusiasm, Pulisic has had limited game time, with just one start under the new manager so far.

The 24-year-old had already been unsettled during Tuchel’s tenure, and he seriously considered leaving Chelsea after receiving interest from Manchester United. With the World Cup approaching, Pulisic sought more consistent first-team opportunities, something he believed was crucial for his international ambitions.

In contrast, Potter has made it clear that his focus is not on preparing players specifically for the World Cup, as his primary concern is building a well-balanced team for Chelsea’s broader objectives. The manager has a variety of attacking options at his disposal, making Pulisic’s position in the squad uncertain.

Wynalda, speaking to VegasInsider, shared his perspective on the situation: “Graham Potter has made many positive comments about Pulisic, saying he’s a good player and a great guy. However, the reality is that Potter just doesn’t seem to like him. If Pulisic is coming down the hallway, Potter reportedly looks for the nearest exit to avoid him, refusing to engage with him.”

This comment adds fuel to growing speculation about the strained relationship between Pulisic and Potter, with many questioning how much of an impact this could have on the player’s future at Chelsea.

January 6 Committee Issues Formal Subpoena to Donald Trump for Testimony and Documents

January 6 Committee Issues Formal Subpoena to Donald Trump for Testimony and Documents

The committee seeks answers from the former president about his role in the Capitol riot, demanding records and sworn testimony.

The committee investigating the January 6 US Capitol riot has officially subpoenaed former President Donald Trump, demanding both testimony and documents as part of their inquiry into the events surrounding the attack. The panel claims that Mr Trump was directly responsible for orchestrating an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

In a formal letter sent on Friday, the committee accused Mr Trump of playing a central role in inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the Capitol. The attack, which saw rioters clash with police using weapons like batons, sledgehammers, and metal pipes, aimed to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory.

The subpoena, signed by Chairman Bennie Thompson and Vice Chair Liz Cheney, requires Mr Trump to provide testimony under oath by November 14. It also demands a series of documents, including communications with members of Congress and extremist groups.

“We recognise that a subpoena to a former president is an unprecedented action,” the committee leaders wrote, acknowledging the gravity of their decision. “We do not take this step lightly.”

As of now, Trump’s legal team has yet to respond to the subpoena. The committee asserts that it has gathered “overwhelming evidence” suggesting that Mr Trump personally sought to undo his electoral defeat. This allegedly involved spreading false claims of voter fraud, pressuring the Justice Department, and attempting to convince state officials, Congress members, and even his vice president to alter the election outcome.

Despite this evidence, critical information about Mr Trump’s actions and statements during the riot remains unclear, and the committee insists that only Mr Trump can provide the missing details. The bipartisan panel, consisting of seven Democrats and two Republicans, unanimously voted in favour of issuing the subpoena.

The subpoena follows a recent development involving Steve Bannon, a former advisor to Mr Trump, who was sentenced to four months in prison after refusing to cooperate with the committee’s investigation. Bannon, a key figure in Trump’s 2016 campaign, has been closely involved with the rise of nationalist populism in Europe, endorsing leaders like Marine Le Pen and Matteo Salvini.

Balenciaga Ends Collaboration with Kanye West Amid Antisemitic Remarks

Balenciaga Ends Collaboration with Kanye West Amid Antisemitic Remarks

The luxury fashion brand cuts ties with the rapper after his controversial comments spark backlash.

Luxury fashion label Balenciaga has officially severed ties with Kanye West following his recent series of antisemitic comments. The move makes Balenciaga the latest high-profile company to distance itself from the rapper and fashion mogul.

A spokesperson for Kering, Balenciaga’s parent company, confirmed the brand would no longer be working with West, who now goes by the name Ye. “Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” the statement issued on Thursday read.

Earlier this year, West collaborated with Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna Gvasalia, on the Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga collection. He also made an appearance at the brand’s Paris Fashion Week show, but images of the 45-year-old rapper walking the runway have since been removed from Balenciaga’s website.

The decision follows increasing pressure from organisations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), who addressed Adidas in an open letter on Thursday, urging the company to end its partnership with West’s Yeezy footwear line. The ADL condemned West’s comments as hateful and called on Adidas to make a public statement rejecting antisemitism.

Earlier this month, Adidas had already stated that its collaboration with West’s Yeezy brand was “under review” prior to the emergence of his controversial remarks. Since then, the retailer has remained silent on the matter.