News

Newcastle United are now the richest sports club in the world

Published

4 years ago

October 8, 2021

A Saudi Arabian led consortium has completed a £300 million takeover of Newcastle United, 18 months after it was proposed to the Premier League

Saudi Arabia now owns an 80% stake in Newcastle United. David and Simon Reuben, British property developers, and PCP Capital Partners, based in Dubai, each own 10%.

“All parties have agreed the settlement is necessary to end the long uncertainty for fans over the club’s ownership,” a Premier League statement said.

“The Premier League has now received legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle United Football Club.”

Yasir al-Rumayyan, Governor of the 500 billion USD Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), will be a director, and The Guardian has reported Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi played a key role in securing the takeover.

Amanda Stavely, a British businesswoman and partner in PCP Capital Partners, will also be on the board of directors.

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s CEO, released a statement saying the takeover must prompt changes to the ownership rules in English football to stop ‘sportswashing’ by foreign governments.

“The closed-door trial of Jamal Khashoggi’s alleged killers was widely perceived to be a part of a wider whitewash by the authorities, and Saudi Arabia is accused of a catalogue of crimes under international humanitarian law during the long-running conflict in Yemen,” Deshmukh said.

“Instead of allowing those implicated in serious human rights violations to walk into English football simply because they have deep pockets, we’ve urged the Premier League to change their owners’ and directors’ test to address human rights issues.”

Hatice Cengiz, the widow of Slain Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has called the takeover “horrifying”.

Khashoggi was a fierce critic of the Saudi government and Crown Price Mohammed Bin Salman before his 2018 murder in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Turkey.

Mike Ashley bought Newcastle United for £137 million in 2007 from Freddy Shepherd and Sir John Hall.

News

Albanese rejects super tax push amid political tensions

Albanese distances from Chalmers’ tax proposal on superannuation, amid rising concerns over voter sentiment and retirement savings.

Published

14 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Albanese distances from Chalmers’ tax proposal on superannuation, amid rising concerns over voter sentiment and retirement savings.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has moved to distance himself from Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ proposal to increase taxes on high-balance superannuation accounts, signalling internal caution as cost-of-living pressures remain front of mind for voters.

The rejection highlights growing sensitivity around retirement savings, with critics warning that changes to super could undermine confidence in the system and spark broader political fallout ahead of future budget negotiations.

As debate continues inside government, questions remain over how Australia balances revenue needs without alienating voters or destabilising long-term savings policy.

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#AustralianPolitics #Superannuation #Albanese #JimChalmers #TaxPolicy #FederalBudget #RetirementSavings #TickerNews

News

AI surges in 2025: Key insights

AI surged in 2025, evolving into a strategic force with autonomous agents and global investments reshaping industries.

Published

17 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Harvey Vargas

AI surged in 2025, evolving into a strategic force with autonomous agents and global investments reshaping industries.

AI exploded in 2025, transforming from a productivity tool into a strategic force, with more powerful models, autonomous agents, and massive global investment reshaping industries worldwide. Governments are racing to keep pace with the rapid developments and manage emerging risks.

In this exclusive interview, Oz Sultan from Sultan Interactive Group explains why AI capabilities have leaped forward this year and how autonomous agents are changing the way people work.

We also explore where AI adoption is having the biggest real-world impact, why investment in AI infrastructure and chips is booming globally, and what regulatory hurdles lie ahead.

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#ArtificialIntelligence #AI2025 #AutonomousAgents #TechTrends #FutureOfWork #AIInvestment #Innovation #AITech

News

U.S. offers security guarantees to Ukraine as Berlin talks show progress

U.S. vows to defend Ukraine, seeks Senate approval; Berlin talks advance peace while weighing sovereignty against conflict resolution.

Published

18 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Harvey Vargas

U.S. vows to defend Ukraine, seeks Senate approval; Berlin talks advance peace while weighing sovereignty against conflict resolution.

The United States has pledged to protect Ukraine from future Russian attacks, signaling strong support for European security. Washington will also seek Senate approval for its proposed role in the region, highlighting its commitment to defending allies and deterring further aggression.

In Berlin, talks between U.S., Ukrainian, and European leaders have reportedly made significant progress, with discussions focusing on security guarantees and potential frameworks for a peace deal with Russia. Territorial concessions remain a major sticking point, with negotiators carefully weighing Ukraine’s sovereignty against the urgency of ending the conflict.

U.S. officials emphasize that while they hope for a resolution by year-end, they are not applying undue pressure on Ukraine. Proposed security guarantees could include weapons provisions and monitoring mechanisms, echoing NATO’s collective defense commitments, in an effort to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position.

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#UkraineConflict #USSupport #BerlinTalks #EuropeanSecurity #PeaceNegotiations #NATO #RussiaUkraine #GlobalPolitics