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Mbappe stays with PSG as Ronaldo completes United switch

Published

4 years ago

September 1, 2021

BY SIMON EVANS

Real Madrid failed in their attempt to sign France striker Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint Germain on the final day of the transfer window as Cristiano Ronaldo completed his move from Juventus to Manchester United.

After a window which saw Lionel Messi’s shock move from Barcelona to PSG, Real had hoped to create another upset by luring the most exciting young talent in the game to Madrid.

Multiple media reports in Spain said Real offered transfer fees ranging from 150 million euros ($177.14 million) to 200 million euros ($236.18 million) for the World Cup-winning forward who is out of contract in June.

A source close to PSG said the club had no intention of selling one of their key players in a year in which they are targeting Champions League success and said there was scepticism about whether Real were in a position to pay such a fee.

“It’s been bemusing to see some take Real Madrid’s supposedly credible bids at face value,” said the source.

United announced last week that they had reached agreement with Juve to sign their former player, 36-year-old Ronaldo, a five-times Ballon d’Or winner.

Having passed a medical, secured a visa and agreed personal terms, Ronaldo said he was ready to recreate the glory years he enjoyed under former United boss Alex Ferguson.

“I’m back where I belong. Let’s make it happen once again… Sir Alex, this one is for you,” he said in an Instagram post.

Real did manage to bring in one Frenchman — teenage midfielder Eduardo Camavinga joining on a six-year contract from French side Stade Rennes.

Local media reported that the fee for the 18-year-old France international was about 30 million euros ($35.41 million).

GRIEZMANN DEAL

Despite the absence of another blockbuster deal there was plenty of movement elsewhere.

The most eye-catching deal saw Mbappe’s France team mate Antoine Griezmann leave Barcelona to rejoin Atletico Madrid — initially on loan.

Griezmann left Atleti for the Nou Camp two years ago and his new club said there was an option to extend the loan by a further year, while Barca said there was an obligation to make the move a permanent one.

Spain midfielder Saul Niguez departed Atletico to join Thomas Tuchel’s European champions Chelsea — also on an initial loan basis.

Premier League club West Ham United signed Croatia attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic from Russian side CSKA Moscow on a five-year contract and Czech midfielder Alex Kral on loan from Spartak Moscow.

Tottenham Hotspur, who held on to England forward Harry Kane in the window despite interest from Manchester City, signed right back Emerson Royal from Barcelona on a five-year deal for 25 million euros ($29.51 million).

Ronaldo’s arrival had the knock-on effect of seeing United’s Wales winger Dan James leave for Leeds United for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.

Juventus filled the gap in their attack left by Ronaldo by bringing Italy striker Moise Kean, 21, back to the club on a two-year loan worth seven million euros from Everton.

Arsenal signed Japanese full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu from Serie A club Bologna to replace Spanish right-back Hector Bellerin who has moved to Real Betis on a season-long loan.- Reuters

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Zimparks launches elephant culling program

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to address the growing elephant population in Save Valley Conservancy, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits for a controlled elephant management exercise.

The exercise, slated to commence shortly, aims to cull an initial 50 elephants from the conservancy, which is currently home to 2,550 elephants – more than three times the ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants.

According to ZimParks, the conservancy has been struggling to cope with the swelling elephant population, which has put a strain on the wildlife habitat and resources. Over the past five years, the conservancy has translocated 200 elephants to other areas, including Hurungwe and Sapi, in an effort to manage the population.

Zimparks says the controlled culling exercise is expected to provide relief to the conservancy’s ecosystem, while also benefiting local communities.

Elephant meat from the exercise will be distributed to local communities while the ivory will be kept by the State.

In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo emphasized the authority’s commitment to responsible and sustainable wildlife management.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our wildlife resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

3 weeks ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.