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Cardiff sack Riza as Wales’ Ramsey takes charge

Picture agency for Huw Evans
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After the Bluebirds parted ways with Omer Riza, Wales captain Aaron Ramsey will remain in charge of Cardiff City for the rest of the championship season.

After falling to Sheffield United, the Bluebirds were just one point off safety in the Championship relegation spots, Riza was informed of the decision on Saturday.

For the first time on Monday, Ramsey, 34, will take the place of the team’s opener against Oxford United at Cardiff City Stadium (15:00 BST).

Former Wales team-mate Chris Gunter, current Wales Under-19s manager, and Bluebirds midfielder Joe Ralls will assist him.

Ramsey has no prior managerial experience, but he has had coaching ambitions for some time and is being considered by Wales boss Craig Bellamy as a high-level player at the end of his professional career.

The 86-cap international will be the third player in the Cardiff dugout this season, which started with Erol Bulut as the club’s manager before being fired after only collecting one point from their first six games as the club endured its worst ever season.

Riza, a former Watford coach, was initially hired as a caretaker before being signed until the end of the season in December after returning from a successful summer.

However, Cardiff has become more and more under pressure as a result of his inability to get out of trouble. According to some in the club’s hierarchy, some members suggested a change last month, with former manager Neil Warnock being chosen as a replacement only for Riza to win the support of owner Vincent Tan.

The club have started playing in a late bid to avoid falling into the third tier for the first time since 2002 as a result of fans’ calls for Riza to be axed after Friday’s 2-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.

Cardiff will hope that supporters will be swayed by Ramsey’s appointment ahead of the final games against Oxford, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City. Ramsey is one of the club’s most decorated youth players.

After joining the club’s first team at the age of 16 in 2007, the midfielder moved to Premier League Arsenal, where he twice won the FA Cup, to become the club’s youngest ever player.

Following stints at Juventus and Nice, he made his return to his youth club in 2023, though his impact on the field was limited due to injury.

After having surgery on a hamstring injury suffered in the Championship match defeat against Luton Town last month, Ramsey was ruled out of all play.

related subjects

  • Cardiff City
  • Men’s football teams from Wales
  • Championship
  • Football

David Beckham devastated as family ‘rift’ could ruin extravagant 50th birthday celebrations

The feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his younger brother Romeo caused such a strain on the family, David’s 50th birthday looks set to be anything but a family affair

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz may be absent from David’s 50th birthday amid feud with Romeo

The Beckhams have always prided themselves on their enviable close relationship with their children and the tight bond shared among the siblings. But now, with David Beckham’s 50th birthday looming, it looks as though the fall out between Brooklyn and Romeo remains unresolved, leaving many to assume the eldest son of David and Victoria, will be absent from the celebration.

The rift is believed to be centred around Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turnbull, who reportedly dated Brooklyn nearly nine years ago.

According to media outlets across the pond, Brooklyn and Nicola allegedly believe Kim does not have the right intentions when it comes to dating Romeo. However, Victoria is said to adore Kim and Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel.

And this is why the couple who tied the knot in lavish ceremony in 2022, have been noticeably absent from family gatherings and David’s landmark birthday may be another family occasion to add to the list.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz may be absent from David's 50th birthday amid feud with Romeo
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz may be absent from David’s 50th birthday amid feud with Romeo(Image: brooklynpeltzbeckham/Instagram)
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Adding insult to injury, neither Brooklyn or Nicola publicly wished Victoria a happy 51st birthday last Thursday, which is highly unusual when compared to previous years.

Instead, only Romeo and Cruz took to social media to wish their mum a happy day. According to those close to the family, David is said to be left upset over the strained relationship among his sons.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, a source said: “David adores his sons and he is so, so proud of how close they are. He loves having a happy family that loves spending time together. “

They added: “Family is everything to him. He is a working class boy who grew up with strong connections to his grandparents and parents, and he loves nothing more than to see his boys, and Harper, being so close. While the location will be perfect and stunning, what he wants most is for his family to be around him, happily getting along.

They then went on to say: “Right now, though, things aren’t great. All everyone around them hopes is that they can mend any issues in time for the big day – for David. “

Deepening the rift, Nicola and Brooklyn failed to attend David’s pre-birthday bash in Miami last month, which included guests such as football legend Lionel Messi and former supermodel Cindy Crawford.

At the star-studded party, Romeo took on the role to give a speech, which nearly brought David to tears. Friends close to the Beckhams told the publication that Brooklyn and Nicola plan to attend the party in a couple of weeks time.

The source said: “Both have very much been invited as much-loved members the family. But you never know, Brooklyn and Nicola will do what they want to do. “

Another friend revealed: “It would absolutely destroy David if any fall-outs carry on and become big deals. It would be the best birthday present ever for David to have all of his children and their partners happily having a wonderful time together. That’s what really puts a smile on his face. “

Highlighting the tension within the family came after neither Victoria, who is known for using social media to praise her children and celebrate milestones, or David, commented on Brooklyn and Nicola’s third wedding anniversary.

And according to reports, neither Cruz or Romeo congratulated the couple. Instead, Brooklyn shared a picture of a bouquet of flowers sent to them from his in-laws. At first, it was unknown who had sent them as he failed to tag anyone in on his post.

He soon deleted his original message and re-posted the same image but this time mentioned that their gift had come from his in-laws Nelson Peltz and Claudia Heffner.

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Brooklyn also posted a throwback picture of the couple’s wedding day. He captioned the post saying: “Happy 3 year anniversary baby x I love you with all my heart x I’m so lucky I get to spend every day with you and wake up to your beautiful face every day you are my world x I love you so much Nicola xxxxxxx.”

READ MORE: Top Tech: Deals writer shares two ways to get free Samsung earbuds in Sky’s rare Easter sale

Herder-farmer clashes in Nigeria kill at least 17

In central Nigeria’s Benue State, two suspected nomadic cattle herders allegedly carried out twin attacks on at least 17 people, according to reports of at least 17 fatalities.

A large number of suspected militia had invaded a region of Benue State overnight, according to police spokesperson Anene Sewuese Catherine in a statement released on Friday. In response to the deadly clashes between farmers and herders, which has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years, the attack occurred.

Five farmers were killed in Benue’s Ukum area when security forces were deployed and the assailants “were being repelled in the early hours of today,” according to the report.

About 70 kilometers from the site of the first attack, according to police, a second attack occurred in Logo.

Unfortunately, a simultaneous attack was carried out in a nearby town, where 12 people were killed before police arrived, according to the police spokesperson.

Just two days prior to the attacks, 11 people were killed in the Benue Otukpo region and just one week after gunmen attacked villages and killed more than 50 people in Plateau State.

More than 500 people have been killed and 2.2 million have been forced to leave their homes in the region as a result of clashes between nomadic cattle herders and farming communities, according to research firm SBM Intelligence.

The clashes between Christian farmers of the Berom and Irigwe ethnic groups and Muslim Fulani herders are frequently depicted as ethnoreligious.

Regardless of their faith, analysts claim that farmers and herders are being pitted against one another by climate change and the lack of pastoral land.

Ecuador accuses ‘bad losers’ of assassination plot against President Noboa

An assassination plot against President Daniel Noboa has caused Ecuador to declare “maximum alert.”

The Ministry of Government stated in a statement titled “The revenge of the bad losers” that “all security protocols have been activated” as a result of the threat coming from “criminal organizations, in collusion with political groups defeated at the polls.”

Noboa was elected again earlier this month and pledged to fight back against ferocious cartel violence in Ecuador. Luisa Gonzalez, his opponent, has vowed to win the election despite his repeated accusations.

A military intelligence report that claimed assassins from Mexico and other nations planned to carry out “terrorist attacks” against Noboa was leaked earlier this week.

In a bid to destabilize the government, the government claims that “bad losers” from the most recent April 13 election hired sicarios (hitmen) from Mexico and other nations.

“The state is on high alert,” he declared. The armed forces, the National Police, and intelligence agencies are all working together, according to the statement.

According to a source with information, it describes “the plotting of an assassination, terrorist attacks, and street riots through violent demonstrations.”

According to the plot, “the life of the President of the Republic, state authorities, and public officials” is at stake.

The statement appears to accuse the Citizen Revolution Movement (RC5), which is led by Gonzalez and has connections to former president Rafael Correa, of planning the attack, despite not giving names.

Additionally, reports in Ecuadorian media suggested that foreign leaders, including Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, may have supported the initiative.

Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that noboa’s administration would not resume diplomatic relations with Ecuador as long as Noboa was in office despite a diplomatic resumption that began last year.

Gonzalez was backed by the Mexican leader in a public way.

The plot for the assassination comes in the wake of the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, which has become a pattern in Ecuador.

The nation has also been plagued by rampant violence by criminal gangs operating in neighboring Peru and Colombia, two of the biggest cocaine producers in the world.

At least 12 people were killed on Friday in a shooting incident in the coastal province of Manabi when gunmen dressed as military officers opened fire on a cockfight.

In line with Noboa’s ongoing fight against organized crime, the country declared an “internal armed conflict” to combat drug gangs in January of last year.

Along with a promise to boost the nation’s sluggish economy, which was viewed as crucial in his re-election victory earlier this month.

Oasis fans convinced Gallagher brothers could play extra show for one reason

Oasis fans are convinced that the Gallagher brothers will play a ‘pre-tour show’ before a spate of sold-out gigs around the world this summer, and it’s all down to one thing

Oasis are to kick off their hotly anticipated world tour on July 4 (file)(Image: Paul Bergen, Redfernsvia Getty Images)

Oasis fans are hopeful of the possibility of a “pre-tour show” before the band’s sold-out global tour kicks off. The Gallagher brothers are readying themselves for an Oasis revival with a series of concerts from July to November this year, and fans are desperate for their reunion – given that Noel and Liam last shared a stage back in 2009.

The idea of a warm-up gig has been floated around by fans on Reddit’s r/Oasis subreddit, with some suggesting it could be the perfect opportunity for the band, their followers, and the crew to get geared up for their first performance in Cardiff. One hopeful fan posed the question on the forum: “Does anyone [reckon] the band will have a pre tour show before Cardiff possibly in May?

“I only thought this because Blur had a few ‘warm up’ shows before their actual tour began. ” Blur hosted four small gigs ahead of their massive Wembley Stadium performances in 2023.

Despite this, the band and their representatives have not given any indication there will be a pre-show performance — and even if such a rehearsal gig were to happen, sceptics doubt it would be as accessible as their official tour dates.

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A Reddit user said: “I think there is a fair chance they do a small warm up similar to how The Stones Roses played Warrington Town Hall before they kicked off their reunion tour in 2012.

“It gives not just the band an opportunity to warm up and possibly fine tune the setlist, but also allows the production crew to battle test things like lighting/video queues and changes in the mix prior to taking the show on the road.

“If this happens I imagine it’ll be lottery type deal on tickets and it will be announced very early on the day of the show. “

Another fan expressed their hopers that Oasis “do something similar to this. “

The original poster chimed in: “I guess it does make sense from the production side of things. It would also be a great sneak peak of what’s to come and to finally see the two of them on stage together publicly. “

Another fan floated the idea of using a ballot system for tickets if a warm-up gig were to happen, claiming it was ‘almost certain’ despite no official word from the band.

A commenter speculated: “Almost certainly they will. It will be friends and smiley and maybe a few lucky if fans I guess. No chance they play their first gig in 16 years in front of 80,000 people in the mobile phone era. “

Some supporters are crossing their fingers that the band will avoid any performances until the Cardiff gig on July 4.

One shared their hopes: “I hope they don’t. I like the mystique that’s been surrounding the reunion. I want to see them walk on stage for the very 1st time together since 2009. The crowd is going to go completely insane! I think they secretly want that feeling as well. “

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Another added: “No they will not, no chance. “

Despite the divided reactions among fans, some have pointed out that it would be absolutely “mental” to dive into a sold-out gig without any warm-up performances.

BREAKING: Clodagh Rodgers dead: Eurovision icon dies after health battle

Clodagh Rodgers, the legend of Eurovision, passed away along with her son Jack In The Box in 1971. She represented the UK for Ireland for Ireland in 1971.

The singer, who is best known for her hits Come Back, Shake Me, and Lady Love Bug, passed away peacefully on Friday after a brief illness. Today, her son Sam Sorbie revealed the news in a depressing Facebook post. My dear dear beautiful mother Clodagh has sadly passed away after battling a condition for the past three years, he wrote on the social media site. She passed away peacefully in Cobham yesterday, surrounded by her family. Mom has led a wonderful, joyful life. Her amazing career included performing, traveling the world, giving her two sons their lives, and supporting this family. She will eventually be at peace with her parents, nanny, and pappa, but things won’t be the same without her. We are deeply in love with and miss her.

Clodagh placed fourth in 1971, trailing only Monaco, who scored 128 points with their winning song, “Un banc, un arbre, une rue,” which Séverine sang and was sung by.

Clodagh Rodgers, a singer from Northern Ireland, passed away. She won the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest as Ireland’s representative (Getty Images).

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