Newcastle beat 10-man Aston Villa 3-1 thanks to a double from Sandro Tonali to reach the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday as Marc Guehi scored his first goal for Manchester City in a 2-0 victory over fourth-tier Salford.
Both Villa and Newcastle have failed to win the competition since the 1950s and another opportunity for Unai Emery’s men to end a 30-year wait for silverware vanished after a first half red card for goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
Tammy Abraham had fired the home side in front with his first goal since returning to Villa last month.
But the game swung in the Magpies’ favour when Bizot charged off his line to wipe out Jacob Murphy and deny a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Newcastle’s fightback saved the officials from an embarrassing moment becoming more controversial when Lucas Digne’s handball, that was clearly inside the box, was given as a free-kick instead of a penalty.
With VAR not in operation at this stage of the competition, the decision could not be reviewed.
But Newcastle levelled from the resulting free-kick anyway as Tonali’s strike deflected past the helpless Emi Martinez.
Tonali has been linked with a move to Arsenal come the end of the season and the Italian showed why he is in-demand with a blistering strike from outside the box to turn the tie around.
Nick Woltemade then netted his first goal in 15 games to take Newcastle, who last lifted the trophy in 1955, into the last 16.
Owned by Manchester United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville, Salford were playing in the fourth round for the first time in their history.
The League Two side were humbled 8-0 when they faced City in the third round last season, but pushed Pep Guardiola’s men far closer on Saturday.
“They defended really well, so tight and we didn’t attack the spaces the way we should. The game was flat until we scored the second goal,” Guardiola said.
City took an early lead through Alfie Dorrington’s own goal, but there were only nine minutes left when England defender Guehi delivered the decisive blow with his maiden goal since signing from Crystal Palace in January.
Third-tier Mansfield produced the upset of the day by winning 2-1 at Premier League Burnley to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1975.
Burnley went into the game bolstered by their first league win since October over Crystal Palace in midweek, but boss Scott Parker made nine changes and the gamble backfired.
Burnley took the lead through Josh Laurent’s 21st-minute goal, but Nigel Clough’s team, who sit in mid-table in League One, staged an impressive fightback in the second half.
Rhys Oates headed in the equaliser in the 53rd minute and Louis Reed capped a fine individual performance with a brilliant free-kick 10 minutes from full-time.
Ten-man West Ham edged through as the in-form Crysencio Summerville clinched a 1-0 win at League One Burton after extra-time.
Freddie Potts was sent off soon after Summerville’s strike in the first period of extra-time, but the Premier League strugglers held on to survive a gruelling fourth round clash.
After eliminating Manchester United in round three, Brighton are aiming to deliver another upset when they visit Liverpool later at Anfield. (JapanToday)
The challenge of leadership dominated deliberations on Thursday as regional leaders and diplomats examined issues confronting the African continent at the Murtala Muhammed International Lecture and Leadership Conference.
The lecture, themed “Has Africa Come of Age?”, drew an array of distinguished personalities, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Ghanaian President John Kufuor; former Malawian President Joyce Banda; and former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Obasanjo observed that one of the enduring legacies of the late General Murtala Muhammed was the emergence of capable successors who sustained his vision and development agenda. He acknowledged that successive administrations, including his own, had not effectively replicated that standard.
According to him, the late leader ensured continuity by leaving behind individuals equipped to advance his ideas and reforms.
“We cannot make progress if we take two steps forward, one step sideways, and three steps back, which is what we have been doing,” Obasanjo said. “The failure of all leaders after Murtala, including myself, is that we have not been able to create successors who could go on after us.”
“I handed over to civilians, and their ideas were completely different from the ideas we handed over to them. I will give you just one example. By the time we left in July 1979, we wanted to be self-sufficient in rice production. We asked that a report be prepared on what was in the fields. The report showed that we would be self-sufficient in rice production that year.
“Based on that, we banned the importation of rice before we left the government. In October 1979, when the civilian administration came in, one of the first things they did was to lift the ban on rice importation so they could allocate import licences to their supporters and political associates.
“One of the barons, who obtained a rice import licence from America, ordered rice and then asked the suppliers to add $5 million to the cost. They did. He then went back to New York and demanded $2.5 million out of the $5 million. They refused and gave him only $1 million. He wanted $2.5 million but had taken no risk. So, they gave him $1 million.
“Since the lifting of the rice import ban in 1979, we have not recovered from it. That is why we are still importing rice today. These are the kinds of things that go wrong.”
The former president said what is needed right now is reform and building the capacity to produce for both local consumption and export.
“When I became elected president, cocoa production in Nigeria was 150,000 metric tons. We introduced a new system to boost production, and within four to five years, we were producing 450,000 metric tons; we tripled output.
“Today, I understand we are producing no more than 300,000 metric tons. That is not how Africa will come of age. We must grow at nine to 10 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually to come of age”, he said.
On his part, Former President Goodluck Jonathan said, “While Murtala symbolised decisive leadership, our democratic future depends on strong institutions. These include credible electoral management bodies, independence of the judiciary, well-trained security officers, and accountable governance systems. Democracy requires vision rather than decree, persuasion instead of command, and it depends on institutions, not individuals.”
Jonathan, however, pointed out that Africa’s current challenge is the absence of a lasting democratic culture built on credible and transparent elections.
He said, “Such a culture must respect term limits, protect the independence of the judiciary, press freedom, and credible elections.”
Jonathan also added, “More importantly, it is essential to emphasize the transformative power of vision in leadership. General Murtala assumed office as Head of State at the very young age of 38. Despite a tenure of only 200 days, his achievements were profound because he was driven by a clear, unyielding vision for a greater and more prosperous Nigeria.
“The President we are celebrating today was Head of State at the age of 38. If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look at the age within 30 and 40 years. That is the way you can be very vibrant, physically strong, and mentally sound. If they need to stay awake for 24 hours, they can, but if you subject an older person to that kind of stress, the person will spend 50 per cent of the time in the hospital.”
Jonathan urged African countries to lower age barriers and strengthen institutions that allow youth participation in governance.
Describing Africa as a predominantly young continent.
Jonathan said growing frustration among youths should not be mistaken for a rejection of democracy.
He said it reflects a demand that democracy must deliver opportunities, dignity, and justice, adding that where justice is absent, “there are fractures within democracy.
He anchored his argument on the legacy of the late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, who assumed office at the age of 38 and governed with what he described as clarity of purpose and selfless national vision.
According to Jonathan, Murtala’s brief but impactful leadership showed that age is not a barrier to effective governance when leaders are driven by patriotism and discipline.
“General Murtala Muhammed assumed office as Head of State at a very young age. Despite a tenure of only 200 days, his achievements were profound because he was driven by a clear, unyielding vision for a greater Nigeria,” he said.
He lamented the future of democracy in Africa, saying the continent cannot sustain democracy while excluding its most vibrant population.
He therefore called for a deliberate inclusion of the young people in decision-making and leadership positions, reinforcing support for the Not Too Young to Run movement.
He argued that leadership in the modern era requires physical strength, mental alertness, and stamina often found among younger leaders.
“If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look at the age within our day and age. That is how you can be vibrant, physically strong, and mentally sound,” Jonathan said.
If Africa has come of age, Jonathan wondered why leaders spend 50 per cent of their time outside the country, stressing that in countries such as America, some governors do not leave the country throughout their tenure in office.
But the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said leadership was not about physical age but about ideas.
Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the occasion, commended the ideals of late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, saying, “He was not just a Nigerian but he loved the country and did so much to restore its glory. Nigerians will continue to remember him for his fight against corruption. He believed in Africa and fought for its liberation. He devoted lots of resources and there were results”
He also commended the late Murtala for putting in place a programme to return the country to democracy before his assassination.
He also pleaded with Nigerians not to despair, noting that the government is working towards implementing its set goals.
In her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer, MMF and daughter of Mohammed, Dr. Aisha Mohammed-Oyebode, said, “It was about who controls your resources, who shapes your policies, and whose interests define your future. Today, as we look across our continent, that question still challenges us.
“We are politically independent, yet we are still negotiating economic dependence. We are rich in talent and resources, yet still confronting inequality and fragility. We are young, dynamic, and globally connected, yet we are often uncertain about the leadership structures that are meant to serve our people”, she said.
The Keynote Speaker and former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, eulogized Muhammad for capturing the imagination of the nation through the sheer clarity of his reforms, adding that he purged the civil service to confront corruption and inertia, probed military governors, and seized illicitly acquired properties.
“Yet it was his declaration that Africa had come of age that immortalized him, the speech that he made 34 days before he was assassinated”, he said.
“He was speaking of the awakening of responsibility, identity, and self-determination, and his context was the generational obligation of African leadership of his era to fight the viciousness of neocolonialism as those before them had fought colonialism. He was summoning the high values of integrity, dignity, and individual autonomy, by virtue of which African people, like others, had a right and an obligation to determine their own destinies and who they chose to undertake that journey with”, Osinbajo said.
Also speaking on whether Africa has come of age, former President of Ghana, John Kufuor, said the real question should be whether Africa today stands in the world with a settled sense of identity, responsibility, and purpose, not only as a political space but as a moral presence within humanity. (Nation)
The governing party of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a two-thirds supermajority in a key parliamentary election Sunday, Japanese media reported citing preliminary results, earning a landslide victory thanks to her popularity.
Takaichi, in a televised interview with public television network NHK following her sweeping victory, said she is now ready to pursue policies to make Japan strong and prosperous.
NHK, citing results of vote counts, said Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, alone secured 316 seats by early Monday, comfortably surpassing a 261-seat absolute majority in the 465-member lower house, the more powerful of Japan’s two-chamber parliament. That marks a record since the party’s foundation in 1955 and surpasses the previous record of 300 seats won in 1986 by late Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone.
With 36 seats won by its new ally, Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi’s ruling coalition has won 352 seats.
Voter turnout was 56.23 percent, according to an estimate by Kyodo News as of 3 a.m. Monday.
A smiling Takaichi placed a big red ribbon above each winner’s name on a signboard at the LDP’s headquarters, as accompanying party executives applauded.
Despite the lack of a majority in the other chamber, the upper house, the huge jump from the preelection share in the superior lower house would allow Takaichi to make progress on a right-wing agenda that aims to boost Japan’s economy and military capabilities as tensions grow with China and she tries to nurture ties with the United States.
Takaichi said she would try to gain support from the opposition while firmly pushing forward her policy goals.
“I will be flexible,” she said.
Takaichi is hugely popular, but the governing LDP, which has ruled Japan for most of the last seven decades, has struggled with funding and religious scandals in recent years. She called Sunday’s early election only after three months in office, hoping to turn that around while her popularity is high.
The ultraconservative Takaichi, who took office as Japan’s first female leader in October, pledged to “work, work, work,” and her style, which is seen as both playful and tough, has resonated with younger fans who say they weren’t previously interested in politics.
The opposition, despite the formation of a new centrist alliance and a rising far-right, was too splintered to be a real challenger. The new opposition alliance of LDP’s former coalition partner, Buddhist-backed dovish Komeito, and the liberal-leaning Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, is projected to sink to half of their combined preelection share of 167 seats.
Takaichi was betting with this election that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority.
Trump in a post on his Truth Social platform Sunday congratulated Takaichi “on a LANDSLIDE Victory in today’s very important Vote. She is a highly respected and very popular Leader. Sanae’s bold and wise decision to call for an Election paid off big time.”
Akihito Iwatake, a 53-year-old office worker, said he welcomed the big win by the LDP because he felt the party went too liberal in the past few years. “With Takaichi shifting things more toward the conservative side, I think that brought this positive result,” he said.
The prime minister wants to push forward a significant shift to the right in Japan’s security, immigration and other policies. The LDP’s right-wing partner, JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura, has said his party will serve as an “accelerator” for this push.
Japan has recently seen far-right populists gain ground, such as the anti-globalist and surging nationalist party Sanseito. Exit polls projected a big gain for Sanseito.
The first major task for Takaichi when the lower house reconvenes in mid-February is to work on a budget bill, delayed by the election, to fund economic measures that address rising costs and sluggish wages.
Takaichi has pledged to revise security and defense policies by December to bolster Japan’s offensive military capabilities, lifting a ban on weapons exports and moving further away from the country’s postwar pacifist principles.
She has been pushing for tougher policies on foreigners, anti-espionage and other measures that resonate with a far-right audience, but ones that experts say could undermine civil rights.
Takaichi also wants to increase defense spending in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure for Japan to loosen its purse strings.
She now has time to work on these policies, without an election until 2028. (JapanToday)
Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, Byron Murphy and the rest of Mike Macdonald’s ferocious unit pummeled Drake Maye, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl.
Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass to AJ Barner, Kenneth Walker III ran for 135 yards and Jason Myers set a Super Bowl record by making all five of his field-goal tries.
Walker became the first running back to win the Super Bowl MVP award since Terrell Davis 28 years ago.
Uchenna Nwosu punctuated a punishing defensive performance by snagging Maye’s pass in the air after Witherspoon hit his arm and ran it back 45 yards for a pick-6.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind feeling, bro,” Witherspoon said. “You talk about a group of guys who battle every day, who believe in each other and believe in their coach, you can’t describe this group no better. It’s just a one-of-a-kind feeling. I was just so happy to battle with these guys. We went through a lot, but we believed. All of you all doubters out there who said all that other stuff, you all don’t know what’s going on in this building. We’re one of one over here.”
Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense helped Darnold become the first quarterback in the 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl, ahead of Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald hold the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
“To do this with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. “So proud of our guys, our defense. I mean, I can’t say enough great things about our defense, our special teams.”
Labeled a bust, dumped by two teams and considered expendable by two others, Darnold proved his doubters wrong while helping the Seahawks go 17-3.
After leading the NFL with 20 turnovers in the regular season, Darnold didn’t have any in three playoff games. He wasn’t particularly sharp against a solid Patriots defense but protected the ball and made enough plays, finishing 19 of 38 for 202 yards.
“I know we won the Super Bowl, but we could have been a little bit better on offense, but I don’t care about that right now,” Darnold said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling, man. I’m just so happy for the guys in the locker room and the coaches that put in so much effort throughout the whole season.”
The Seahawks sacked Maye six times, including two apiece by Hall and Murphy. Hall’s strip-sack late in the third quarter set up a short field and Darnold connected with Barner on 16-yard scoring toss to make it 19-0.
Julian Love’s interception set up another field goal that made it 22-7 with 5:35 left.
The Patriots (17-4) punted on the first eight drives, excluding a kneel-down to end the first half.
“We had a really good year, one that I’m proud of,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said. “But this game wasn’t a reflection of that. We were outcoached and outplayed.”
Down 19-0, Maye and the Patriots’ offense finally got going. He hit Mack Hollins over the middle in traffic for 24 yards and then lofted a perfect 35-yard TD pass to Hollins down the left side to cut the deficit to 19-7.
Tom Brady once led Bill Belichick’s Patriots to the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, when New England rallied from a 28-3 deficit against Atlanta for a 34-28 overtime victory. (JapanToday)
Donald Trump threatened legal action on Monday against the host of the 68th Grammy Awards over the comedian’s comment on the U.S. president and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
After congratulating Billie Eilish for winning the Grammy for Song of the Year for her track “Wildflower,” host Trevor Noah brought up Trump and Epstein.
“Wow. That’s a Grammy that every artist wants — almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” he quipped, referring to the president’s threats to seize the autonomous Arctic territory.
Noah then added: “Which makes sense because, since Epstein’s gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
Noah, who announced that this will be his final year hosting the Grammys after six turns as emcee, has been light on political commentary in previous years.
His comments drew the ire of the president, who took to his Truth Social platform first saying that the “Grammy Awards are the WORST and virtually unwatchable,” before criticizing Noah.
“I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory, statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media,” Trump asserted.
The Republican then branded South African Noah a “total loser” who needs to “get his facts straight.”
“I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C. … Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!” Trump added.
Trump, who moved in the same social circles as Epstein in Florida and New York, has fought for months to prevent the release of a vast trove of documents about the disgraced financier and has given varying accounts of why he eventually fell out with Epstein.
More than three million documents were released on Friday that included mention of numerous powerful figures, including the 79-year-old president, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton and former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. (JapanToday)
Ebo Taylor, the iconic Ghanaian guitarist and composer whose work helped define the highlife genre, has passed away at the age of 90.
His family announced the news on Sunday via his Instagram page, although the cause of death was not revealed.
Taylor died at the Saltpond Hospital, according to a statement from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).
His death came just one day after he launched the inaugural Ebo Taylor Music Festival, and exactly one month after celebrating his 90th birthday.
“The world has lost a giant. A colossus of African music,” the post reads.
“Ebo Taylor passed away yesterday; a day after the launch of Ebo Taylor Music Festival and exactly a month after his 90th birthday, leaving behind an unmatched artistry legacy. @ebo.taylor your light will never fade.”
Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast on January 6, 1936, he rose to prominence in the late 1950s and 1960s, an era when highlife was Ghana’s dominant musical form. Playing with leading bands like the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band, he gained a reputation for his distinctive guitar style and intricate arrangements.
Taylor’s six-decade career was marked by prolific innovation. He masterfully fused Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, soul, and early Afrobeat, influencing generations of musicians both within Africa and beyond.
A pivotal moment came in the 1960s when he took his Black Star Highlife Band to London, leading to a historic collaboration with the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.
He later led renowned groups such as the Ghana Black Star Band and the Uhuru Dance Band in Ghana, and collaborated with greats like the Apagya Show Band, CK Mann, and Pat Thomas throughout the 1970s.
While a celebrated figure in West Africa for decades, Taylor gained broader international recognition in 2010 with the release of ‘Love and Death’ on Strut Records.
This was followed by acclaimed albums including ‘Appia Kwa Bridge’ (2012) and ‘Yen Ara’ (2018). His vast catalogue of influential songs includes ‘Heaven’, ‘Atwer Abroba’, ‘Life Stories’, ‘Ayesama’, ‘Saana’, and ‘You Need Love’.
Taylor is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Ghanaian music history. (TheCable)
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, has condemned the recent killings in parts of Kwara state, describing the attacks as “unacceptable and deeply troubling”.
On Tuesday, at least 75 residents were killed and several houses set ablaze when suspected terrorists attacked the Nuku and Woro communities in the Kaiama LGA of Kwara state.
On Wednesday, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, said residents of the communities were killed for refusing to bow to extremists.
In a statement on Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was saddened by the loss of innocent lives and extended condolences to the families and communities affected by the attack.
She warned that the continued bloodshed poses a serious threat to national peace and stability, urging governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action.
“The persistent killings of innocent Nigerians are unacceptable and deeply troubling. My heart goes out to the families who have been plunged into grief by these senseless acts,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said protecting lives and ensuring justice must remain a core responsibility of government.
“Protecting lives and ensuring justice must be non-negotiable. The safety of our citizens should always be the highest priority of government,” she said.
The senator called on federal and state authorities to move beyond rhetoric and implement coordinated measures to curb the rising insecurity.
She said swift and transparent investigations into the Kwara attacks are essential to ensure accountability and restore public confidence.
“Those responsible for these attacks must be identified and brought to justice without delay,” she said.
The senator called on federal and state authorities to move beyond rhetoric and implement coordinated measures to curb the rising insecurity.
She said swift and transparent investigations into the Kwara attacks are essential to ensure accountability and restore public confidence.
“Those responsible for these attacks must be identified and brought to justice without delay,” she said.
“Impunity only emboldens criminal elements and deepens the suffering of our people.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said political leaders and security agencies have both a constitutional and moral duty to act decisively to prevent further bloodshed.
She stressed the need for proactive intelligence gathering, community engagement, and strengthened security operations.
“These killings underscore the urgent need for a more effective and people-centred security architecture,” she said. (TheCable)
Ademola Lookman has opened his goalscoring account on his debut as new Atletico Madrid player on Thursday.
The winger scored in the 37th-minute for his new Spanish La Liga club in its 5-0 drubbing of Real Betis in their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash. Lookman also provided an assist in the match.
The 28-year-old sealed a €35 million transfer to Atletico from Atalanta on Monday, was thrown into the fire by coach Diego Simeone, and immediately repaid the faith with the best goal of the night.
Lookman collected a cross-field pass in the box following a counter attack, expertly took out two defenders with his dribbling, and tucked in a shot at the goalkeeper’s near post to hand Atletico a 3-0 lead at halftime in Betis.
The goal is Lookman’s 100th career goal on the night he made his first appearance for his seventh club as a professional. He also scored on his debut for his third consecutive club, following on from his fast start at RB Salzurg and Atalanta.
Lookman and Atletico Madrid advanced into the semi-final of a competition the club has not won in 12 years. The capital club will know its opponent on Friday. (TheCable)
Manchester City completed a 5-1 aggregate win over holders Newcastle to set up a Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
Omar Marmoush scored twice early on before Tijjani Reijnders put the outcome beyond the doubt before the first half was through. Newcastle made a better fist of it after the interval, Anthony Elanga pulling one goal back, but the tie was a lost cause by then.
The Magpies were always up against it following their two-goal defeat last month and, though they were hoping for a fast start, any prospect of that was gone once Dan Burn’s clearance ricocheted off Marmoush and looped over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
James Trafford did have to come off his line twice to smother chances for Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon but Marmoush soon made them pay with his second of the night, nodding in from Antoine Semenyo’s centre after Reijnders’ powerful run from deep.
The Netherlands international midfielder regularly found space in behind the Newcastle midfield – City outnumbering their opponents in the centre of the pitch – and it led to the third goal as well. Reijnders finished this chance himself after being fed by Semenyo.
Eddie Howe lost Anthony Gordon to injury late in the first half and made three further substitutions at the break, changing the flow of the game somewhat, albeit too late. Yoane Wissa missed a clear chance before fellow arrival Anthony Elanga fired into the bottom corner.
There were chants of, ‘We’re going to win 6-5,’ from the vocal travelling support and though Harvey Barnes had an effort rightly ruled out for offside, Elanga then missed an even better chance after his goal, a reminder of City’s own vulnerabilities at the back.
But Newcastle’s grip on the trophy that ended their 70-year wait for major domestic silverware last season has been relinquished. It is Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who will contest the final against Premier League leaders Arsenal on March 22 at Wembley.
This was Marmoush’s third start for City since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations and the third time that his team have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes of those games. Two of those goals have been scored by the livewire Egyptian himself.
He scored twice in this victory over Newcastle, this time without Erling Haaland on the pitch. That Marmoush looks a viable alternative to the big Norwegian could prove very important for Guardiola as City continue to compete on four fronts this season. (SkySports)
Walt Disney has named Josh D’Amaro, the head of its amusement park business, as its new chief executive.
D’Amaro, a 28-year veteran of the company, will replace current boss Bob Iger. He is due to start in the new role on 18 March.
In selecting D’Amaro, Disney has turned to the leader of the part of its business that has delivered the most reliable profits in recent years, as the company works to find its way in the world of streaming.
The decision ends a succession puzzle for the entertainment giant, which Iger has led for roughly two decades, except for a brief interlude that ended in 2022 when the board ousted his successor and asked Iger to return.
Iger quickly set about restructuring the firm, aiming to tackle ballooning expenses in the streaming, television and film business, regain momentum for sports-focused ESPN and expand its parks and cruise lines.
In the announcement, Iger said he was “proud to step away at a moment when Disney’s future has never been brighter”.
D’Amaro joined the company in 1998 at Disneyland Resort, before rising to his current position as chairman of the Disney Experiences division, which has 185,000 employees and generated $36bn in revenue last year.
In the role, the 54-year-old oversees 12 theme parks and 54 resorts globally.
He has handled projects such as World of Frozen and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, as well as managing digital ventures such as Disney’s collaboration with the firm behind Fortnite.
In an interview on CNBC, Disney board chair James Gorman said D’Amaro brought not just financial skills but “great creative touch”.
As chief executive, D’Amaro will be taking on the top role at a moment when media companies in the US are facing increased political pressure.
Disney itself has been a prime target, blasted in recent years by Republicans such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for promoting “woke” values.
The company most recently drew headlines when it temporarily suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel, a decision linked to comments over the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Disney’s parks business in the US has also drawn attention for rising costs faced by visitors, while investors have been frustrated with its share price, which has lagged that of other publicly listed firms.
Shares dipped 1% in early trading after the announcement.
D’Amaro will receive a $2.5m base salary, as well as Disney shares worth at least $26.3m annually, according to company filings. The firm has also granted him a bonus award worth $9.7m this year for the new role.
Disney also named Dana Walden, currently co-chair of its entertainment business, to a new role as chief creative officer, reporting to D’Amaro.
Walden, who is known outside of work for her friendship with former Vice President Kamala Harris, had been seen as D’Amaro’s chief rival for the top job.
Disney is trying to avoid a repeat of 2020’s botched hand-off.
That year, it also elevated the successful head of the theme parks business, Bob Chapek, to chief executive. But within weeks, the Covid-19 pandemic had forced the company to shut its doors.
His tenure was marked by strains on the content side of the business, which saw costs rise, as well as the brand’s involvement in several high-profile public clashes, including with actress Scarlett Johansson.
Analyst Paolo Pescatore warned that, despite the profits delivered by parks, the key to Disney’s success lies in its content.
“Disney can ill afford another messy handover,” he said. “While it is a strong endorsement of D’Amaro’s abilities to elevate Experiences to the fore…. he should not lose sight of Disney’s core capabilities.” (BBC)
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