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The Home Office said that the P&O agreement with UK Border Force would end "with immediate effect".

The finance director for parent company ABF blames rising costs for its decision to hike some prices.

A new watchdog will prevent sudden large-scale collapses like Carillion and BHS, the government says.

The latest round of EU-wide sanctions excludes pipeline oil imports after Hungary opposed a total ban.

Carbon Market Watch says emissions likely underreported Fifa: ‘Organisers advancing low-carbon solutions in Qatar’ The Qatar World Cup is failing to live up to promises on reducing its carbon footprint, a new report has warned, creating another problem for the tournament. Organisers have claimed that the 32-team showpiece will be the first “carbon neutral” World Cup, meaning any emissions would be limited and offset. However Carbon Market Watch (CMW), a not-for-profit organisation which works closely with the European Union, has examined the organisers’ plans and says projected emissions have likely been underreported, with the footprint created from building seven new stadiums of particular concern. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/31/qatar-world-cup-criticised-for-problematic-carbon-footprint-promises

Forward’s former clubs confirm death of ‘likable young man’ Farrell scored 71 league goals and capped by England under-16s The former Carlisle and York striker Craig Farrell has died aged 39, the clubs have announced. Farrell scored 71 league goals across a career also taking in Rushden and Diamonds, Exeter after coming through Leeds’ youth system. Carlisle chairman Andrew Jenkins told the club’s website : “I am so sorry to hear this news, Craig was such a likable young man. He impressed everybody with his attitude and he settled quickly, scoring some good goals through his first season with us. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/30/craig-farrell-former-carlisle-york-and-england-youth-striker-dies-age-39

Midfielder pulls out of next week’s game citing personal reasons Australia must beat UAE to keep alive qualification hopes Australia have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against United Arab Emirates with key midfielder Tom Rogic withdrawing from Graham Arnold’s squad. With just over a week to go before the Socceroos’ Asian playoff in Doha, Rogic notified Socceroos staff of his decision to pull out citing personal reasons. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/31/socceroos-dealt-world-cup-qualifying-blow-as-tom-rogic-withdraws

Authorities in the commercial hub have also announced new economic support measures for businesses.

Klopp says team will come again after Champions League defeat Real Madrid coach Ancelotti hails ‘unbelievable’ Courtois Jürgen Klopp claimed defeat in the Champions League final should not detract from Liverpool’s “special season” but admitted his team had themselves to blame for the defeat by Real Madrid . Thibaut Courtois produced an outstanding display to deny Liverpool, and Mohamed Salah in particular, as the Anfield club’s dreams of a seventh European crown and cup treble vanished in Paris. Klopp refused to blame a 63rd game of the campaign as the cause but rued Liverpool’s failure to beat the former Chelsea goalkeeper. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/29/jurgen-klopp-proud-of-special-season-and-backs-liverpool-to-bounce-back

Amelie Oudea-Castera repeats French claims of fake tickets Local youths also blamed for chaotic scenes at Stade de France France’s sports minister has reaffirmed the French government view that Liverpool fans without valid tickets were responsible for the initial crowd control problems at the Champions League final, with problems exacerbated later by local youths trying to force their way in to the game. Some French far-right politicians, such as Eric Zemmour, said the crowd trouble at Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Real Madrid was caused principally by local youths from the nearby Saint-Denis Paris suburb. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/30/liverpool-fans-caused-initial-problems-in-paris-says-french-sports-minister

Where other teams are built on systems and philosophies, Madrid mix regal self-assuredness with calculating genius As the world turned a shade of white close to midnight in Paris, dissolving into a familiar frieze – the same shapes and songs, the Champions League trophy waved about with the same sense of dieu et mon droit – there was also a feeling of something revealing itself, of a question being answered. In the build-up to Real Madrid’s narrow but decisive victory at Stade de France on Saturday night there had been a lot of talk in England about claims on greatness and ultimacy, born out of Liverpool’s own thrillingly sustained attempt to chase the sun right to the seasons’s end. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/30/real-madrids-golden-era-sustained-by-myth-epic-and-cold-intelligence

People from Italy, Brazil, Ghana, Thailand and New Zealand discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis.

Authorities in the commercial hub have also announced new economic support measures for businesses.

Player gave ticket to a friend, who was told at ground it was fake ‘The force used by certain authorities should not be happening’ The Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has said Uefa “messed up” its organisation of the Champions League final and condemned the heavy-handed response of French police who teargassed fans trapped outside the Stade de France. Liverpool have demanded Uefa conduct a formal investigation into the shambolic and dangerous scenes that occurred before, during and after the final against Real Madrid in Paris on Saturday. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/29/liverpool-andy-robertson-challenges-official-accounts-of-paris-final-chaos-champions-league

Home fans stormed the pitch at St Étienne’s ground Ronaldo’s Valladolid promoted, as are Berlusconi’s Monza Auxerre returned to Ligue 1 after 10 years away, winning a playoff with St Étienne that ended in rancorous, violent scenes when fans of the relegated team stormed the field. After a draw in the first leg, Auxerre won on penalties at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium before a cauldron-like atmosphere gave way to chaos. Following a goalless first half, Hamza Sakhi opened the scoring for Auxerre with a header. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/29/european-roundup-fans-storm-pitch-after-auxerre-win-promotion-playoff

The RAC estimates 19.5 million road trips over the break with traffic likely to be worst on Friday.

If job-sharing mums can lead GCHQ why isn't this way of working more common?

The Costa Rican striker on how salsa helped him score a wonder-goal, still having Raúl’s shin pad and his favourite English atmosphere Jim Smith, salsa music and a very bad night’s sleep formed the backdrop to the day that would change Paulo Wanchope’s life. Signed by Derby, the unknown Costa Rican was on his way to Old Trafford in April 1997 to make his Premier League debut against Manchester United. The striker, not long out of his teens, was nervous. “I was very anxious before the game,” says the 45-year-old. “The previous night I woke up every hour and a half. I didn’t sleep well. [Smith] understood that I wanted to be relaxed at that time. He understood that music might help me. He asked me on the team bus what sort of music I liked. So I put on some salsa.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/29/paulo-wanchope-i-woke-every-hour-and-a-half-before-my-derby-debut

The right-back switching off let Real Madrid in during the Champions League final but his style of play is vital to his side As the final whistle blew at the Stade de France Trent Alexander-Arnold was closest to the Madrid bench, swaying to one side as the white shirts came haring on, gripped with an entirely familiar delirium. At which point Alexander-Arnold just stopped. For the next five minutes, in the middle of the smoke, the pounding noise, the crackle of static across this vast craning bowl, he stood completely still at the edge of the centre circle, bent forward slightly as though in physical pain. Jürgen Klopp came across to offer a hug. A phalanx of photographers skirted past tactfully. Eventually, as the Uefa plinth was rigged into place, he just lay down alone on the turf and held his head. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/29/trent-alexander-arnolds-error-costs-liverpool-but-he-remains-essential

Klopp says team will come again after Champions League defeat Real Madrid coach Ancelotti hails ‘unbelievable’ Courtois Jürgen Klopp claimed defeat in the Champions League final should not detract from Liverpool’s “special season” but admitted his team had themselves to blame for the defeat by Real Madrid . Thibaut Courtois produced an outstanding display to deny Liverpool, and Mohamed Salah in particular, as the Anfield club’s dreams of a seventh European crown and cup treble vanished in Paris. Klopp refused to blame a 63rd game of the campaign as the cause but rued Liverpool’s failure to beat the former Chelsea goalkeeper. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/29/jurgen-klopp-proud-of-special-season-and-backs-liverpool-to-bounce-back

Thibaut Courtois is the Real Madrid hero as Mohamed Salah and Liverpool are left frustrated in Paris Alisson Becker Had no chance of stopping the decisive goal. An unconvincing moment for the Benzema ‘goal’ went unpunished but, in truth, he was rarely called upon otherwise. 6 Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/28/liverpool-0-1-real-madrid-champions-league-final-player-ratings

Our pick of the best images from Paris after Real Madrid beat Liverpool to win their 14th European Cup Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2022/may/28/champions-league-final-2022-liverpool-0-1-real-madrid-in-pictures

As prices rise, oil and gas firms in the US want to capitalise - but the industry has changed.

Spence, Garner, Zinckernagel and Davis have provided value for money by leading Steve Cooper’s side to Wembley At Wembley on Sunday Nottingham Forest’s starting XI for the Championship playoff final against Huddersfield will almost certainly include four players they do not own. Playing the loan system is about short-term gain, something Forest have become adept at, but if they go up they will require a precise plan to ensure it was not all for nothing. In the Championship, where money to buy players is scarcer than it once was, the loan market is a great place to find undervalued talent of greater quality than a team can afford on a permanent basis. There is little point in signing players on loan who are not good enough to start, something appreciated at Forest. As much research is put into those arriving for a season or six months as into permanent signings. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/28/nottingham-forests-shre

Visitors from 98 countries will be allowed to enter, but some restrictions still remain.

Jürgen Klopp’s side have the opportunity to show the world how good they are in a clash with illustrious opponents May really is the cruellest month. For Liverpool Football Club and Jürgen Klopp there is something brutal, and even darkly comic, in the current run of finals and final days, those razor-thin margins at the end of a glorious, gruelling year. Liverpool have played 62 games this season and lost only three. They have one left now, a bravura Champions League final against Real Madrid in Saint-Denis on Saturday night, a fixture that has already been relocated twice, shunted around on a kind of Bourne-franchise tour of Uefa-zone glamour spots, through Munich, St Petersburg and finally on to Paris. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/28/liverpool-chase-defining-high-in-blue-chip-final-against-real-madrid

From a first Paris meeting to a bizarre Covid spectacle via some big nights at Anfield, here are half a dozen memorable matches For clubs with such rich history in Europe it seems strange now that this was the first time they met. Preparation for the Paris final wasn’t the best, with wrangling over shirt advertising affecting the buildup and, remarkably, both sides having to contend with a dreadful Parc des Princes pitch that had been torn up by a rugby match two weeks beforehand. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/28/the-joy-of-six-liverpool-v-real-madrid

United eager to strengthen midfield after poor season Chelsea reluctant to sell favourite of Thomas Tuchel Manchester United are interested in signing N’Golo Kanté from Chelsea. Kanté’s contract expires next year and United, desperate to strengthen their midfield after underperforming last season, are keen to find out whether the France international could be sold this summer. At the moment it seems unlikely Chelsea would be willing to sell. Kanté has been a crucial player for Thomas Tuchel and although there are concerns over the 31-year-old’s injury record he remains one of the best players in the Premier League when 100% fit. He was outstanding when Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021 and the club’s new owners would have to think long and hard before deciding to sell to United. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/28/manchester-united-consider-bid-for-chelseas-ngolo-kante

Gene drive development makes a genetically modified gene that spreads widely within populations.

Colombian’s form, pace and freshness mean he deserves to start Liverpool’s Champions League final with Salah and Mané Liverpool v Real Madrid will be decided by the finest margins, so it is good news that Jürgen Klopp has one of the finest forward lines in Europe available to him. Whichever combination he picks would be top-class but I think he will select a front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Luis Díaz. Salah has unfinished business after being forced off early on with a shoulder injury the last time these teams met in a Champions League final in 2018. That will be a powerful influence on a player who, after a long season, needs to find a last bit of energy in the hope of securing another trophy. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/27/luis-diaz-start-liverpool-real-madrid-champions-league-final-jurgen-klopp-salah-mane

The lawsuit alleges the multi-billionaire's "wrongful conduct" has caused Twitter shares to plunge.

The government will face pressure to give more support if oil and gas prices do not fall, the think tank says.

As the Queen's Platinum Jubilee approaches, memorabilia and flags are flying off the shelves.

Energy prices are soaring, but electric car charging is still much cheaper than petrol, says RAC.

Firms face problems with supply chains, energy bills and skill shortages, says Alison Rose.

David Malpass also said coronavirus lockdowns in China are contributing to a global slowdown.

A mother explains how she can't make ends meet as data suggests more people are struggling.

Micheál Martin says he is hopeful he will not have to contemplate tariffs against UK exports.

The company is setting up a major robotics research centre in the UK.

The UK government says it will make a national security assessment of the sale of Newport Wafer Fab.

Judging by his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boehly will sanction big spending as long as he sees even bigger returns A billionaire completes a spectacular takeover of one of the world’s most cherished sporting institutions and immediately goes on a lavish, jawbone-loosening spending spree. New signings pile up like presents under the Christmas tree. Debts spiral into the hundreds of millions, piquing the ire and envy of their rivals. But on its own terms, it works: success is duly bought, the people placated, the sport gently bent to its will. This is the story of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team under Todd Boehly and his business partners and, for all the sense of cataclysm and upheaval surrounding Chelsea of late, what is most striking of all is what hasn’t changed. Results on the pitch have largely been maintained: the same players and the same coach playing roughly the same level of football in front of roughly the same people. Third place and Champions League footba

Government satisfied no proceeds will go to Abramovich Consortium led by Todd Boehly seals £4.25m takeover The £4.25bn takeover of Chelsea football club has been completed after Roman Abramovich agreed to the UK government’s terms for the sale, ending a tumultuous period that raised fears over the club’s existence. Nadine Dorrie, the culture secretary, said the UK government issued a licence on Tuesday night that permits the sale of Chelsea. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/25/chelsea-sale-completed-after-roman-abramovich-agrees-to-government-terms

The retail giant previously said complex franchise agreements prevented it from leaving completely.

Caroline Dennett's post on the professional networking platform LinkedIn has been liked more than 10,000.

Two thirds of women of colour in UK workplaces say they change themselves to fit in, a report says.

The champion boxer brothers visit World Economic Forum in Davos to urge support for Ukraine.

Workers in the UK continue to look for better pay and conditions as bosses struggle to recruit.

We follow a chicken from farm to supermarket shelf to see how costs are building up at every stage.

Fans of the show could buy more second hand after seeing stars in eBay outfits, fashion experts say.

Stays in China made up only 1% of Airbnb's revenue for the last few years, a source said.

A man says he lost millions, and then was arrested for trying to talk to crypto boss Do Kwon.

Striker says he endured ‘most difficult times of my life’ Calvert-Lewin: ‘No shame in finding someone to talk to’ The Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has revealed he “endured some of the most difficult times” of his career and life this season and said “talking saved my life”. Calvert-Lewin struggled with injuries in the 2021-22 campaign and his club narrowly avoided Premier League relegation. The England international opened up on social media, urging young people not to suppress emotions. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/23/evertons-dominic-calvert-lewin-reveals-talking-saved-my-life

Average waiting times can range from 16 seconds to over 30 minutes - depending on the bank, says Which?.

The legendary Italian filmmakers had fallen out but a football match between their respective projects Salò and Novecento in 1975 brought them back together Like any Sunday match worthy of the name, played in the park before a crowd that barely reached double figures including the dogs, on that March morning a couple of ringers had been drafted in last minute. But this was different: a special match and some ringer. Although no one knew who he was then and didn’t find out for 46 years, the kid called up that day, standing arms crossed at the edge of a forgotten photograph, now stands 90 rather more followed minutes from joining Paco Gento as the most successful man in European Cup history. It was Parma, the spring of 1975, and two films were being shot just a few miles apart: Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Salò, or the 120 days of Sodom , and Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1900 ( Novecento in Italian), starring Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu. Bertolucci had been Pasolini’s protege but he took e

Manchester City have finished top of the Premier League for the second consecutive year after a dramatic final day that saw them beat Aston Villa 3-2. Their successful season saw them earn 29 victories in 38 matches. City manager, Pep Guardiola , was determined throughout the entire campaign that they would fight to retain the title and set out to earn 'an incredible amount of points', something they achieved again. This is Guardiola's fourth Premier League title with City Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2022/may/22/manchester-city-premier-league-title-pep-guardiola-video

Companies supplying major manufacturers fail to meet promises to share land, joint BBC investigation finds.

Jürgen Klopp said he is proud of his squad for the season they played, but disappointed they couldn't usurp Manchester City to the Premier League title on the final day. Liverpool needed a win and for City to lose to secure the trophy, however with both clubs winning, it slipped through their hands. City defeated Aston Villa 3-2 at Etihad Stadium and Klopp said he thought the visitors had equalised late in the match, only to realise it was false hope. Liverpool denied title but Paris can provide final flourish to superb season Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2022/may/22/klopp-proud-of-liverpool-after-premier-league-title-bid-falls-short-video

The rising cost of energy, transport and childcare is forcing families to make tough choices.

The High Pay Centre says pay gaps were the greatest in the retail sector in the early months of 2022.

Fans review the season with one game to play: the stars, the flops and the moments that made them smile Part two: Liverpool to Wolves It’s hard to criticise Arteta given he’s overseen some of the best football since Wengerball peaked – and we’d have bitten your hand off for fifth place when we were rock bottom in September. But there’s a bitter taste about how we’re now on the edge of throwing away the Champions League spot that looked like being gifted to us by rivals’ inconsistency. Will Mikel be left kicking himself for failing to bring in a couple more bodies to bolster our squad and offset his merciless January clearout? 7/10 Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/22/premier-league-2021-22-fans-verdicts-part-one-arsenal-to-leicester

Chief executive Michael Lewis has called for government intervention to help struggling households.

After 22 years, 560 games, 2,000 yellow cards and 114 reds, it’s time for the controversial man in black to step down That most insistent of matchday questions, touching on mysteries of identity and masculinity – “who’s the wanker in the black?” – has rarely felt a more pointed psychological inquiry than when directed by 25,000 partisan voices toward Mike Dean. Football referees have always been lightning rods for more general frustration with authority figures, but the Premier League era, with its overpaid pundits and its multiple camera angles, has amplified that discontent. Dean, the elite league’s most visible man in the middle for 22 years, has refereed 560 matches, dished out more than 2,000 yellow cards and a record 114 reds (at a significantly higher rate than any of his peers). He has also invited – and enjoyed – the attention that goes with that decision-making more than most. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/

Fans review the season with one game to play: the stars, the flops and the moments that made them smile Part one: Arsenal to Leicester What a season this has been. And still is. We go into the last day with a chance of the title, the Carabao and FA Cups already in the cupboard, and the Champions League final to come. Even if City do seal it today, from being written off and 14 points behind in January we’ve had a blast getting here. Our European adventure saw us sail through the group stage and move on to make it to the final. Again. Then there’s Wembley, two finals, two trophies. It’s been the best. Klopp is the best. These are the days. Whatever happens today, it’s 10/10 . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/22/premier-league-2021-22-fans-verdicts-part-two-liverpool-to-wolves

The season’s climax has seen emotion turn to disorder and talks have begun into how to deal with the rise in violence The end of the season is the most emotional time in the footballing year. It’s when teams lift trophies and escape the drop and when fans give a salute to their heroes, with the Premier League promising to come to a spectacular conclusion in the last round of fixtures on Sunday. But in 2022 the season’s climax has seen emotion turn to disorder, once more causing disquiet at all levels of the game. Pitch invasions by supporters have caused trouble at Nottingham Forest, Northampton, Everton and Port Vale this week, as playoff fixtures and relegation matches ended with players being targeted by fans. On Thursday Robert Biggs, a 30-year-old Forest season-ticket holder, was jailed for 24 weeks for running on to the pitch and head-butting Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/20/aut

Kristalina Georgieva says government subsidies can help with the cost of living crisis.

Pitch invasions could be joyous eruptions of glee if not for idiots who reflect a Them and Us world of rising violent crime Roker Park, the final game of 1989-90. Sunderland were sure of their place in the playoffs; Oldham knew they would miss out, largely because of the strains of an extraordinary season in which they had reached the League Cup final and the FA Cup semi-finals. Oldham won 3-2 and, as the final whistle went, home fans invaded the pitch. Slowly they made for the corner of the Roker End where the away fans were housed. I was on the terrace a few yards away and remember clearly the sense of sudden anxiety as my dad gripped my arm and started to make for the exit. But then something remarkable happened. The invaders stopped a few yards from the corner flag, raised their hands above their heads and clapped, a salute for Oldham’s extraordinary season that would end with nothing. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/m

West Ham missed a great chance when they lost to Eintracht Frankfurt and Moyes knows he must strengthen his squad West Ham would have spent the past week in Seville had everything gone to plan. Instead they were thinking about what might have been when the Europa League final took place without them at the Sánchez-Pizjuán on Wednesday, the regret gnawing away at them as Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers slogged it out for 120 minutes before the Bundesliga side won the trophy on penalties . It will go down as a huge missed opportunity for West Ham. The final was a memorable event, with victory a wonderful achievement by Eintracht, but by common consensus the standard was not high. West Ham had seen better during their European run. Sevilla had offered more quality when they lost to David Moyes’s side in the last 16 . Lyon, who were well beaten by West Ham in the quarter-finals, had looked more refined than Oliver Glasner’s awkward Eintracht side. Continue reading... from Football |

Supremely composed midfielder has made a real difference with his controlled passing game since arriving at Anfield There was a good Jürgen Klopp moment during Liverpool’s win at Southampton on Tuesday night. Nathan Redmond had just opened the scoring. The goal had come after a collision with a Liverpool player, drawing a minor wave of protest from the bench. Klopp has a standard move in these touchline moments: a bark of rage, a sudden pirouette, a flurry of air-punches like a man whirling around to fend off a late night pickpocket. This time he did something new and much more haunting, standing totally still on the touchline and simply pointing at the referee with a long bony finger – and then carrying on pointing for what felt like ages, eyes ablaze, coat tails billowing, like some terrifying medieval woodcut called The Guilt of Man. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/21/thiago-alcantara-liverpool

From fears over human rights to concerns over how many fans will attend, Fifa and the host nation have a lot to address With six months until Senegal take on the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium in the opening game, uncertainty hangs over the World Cup in Qatar. It extends beyond fears over human rights to practical concerns: how many fans will attend the tournament? And what kind of experience will they have there? The first question is the most pressing and the answer not definitive. Signs do seem to be pointing in a clear direction, however, and a carnival of global football fans in the Gulf looks unlikely. At the time of writing, Fifa has sold 800,000 match tickets to fans. This, from a capacity of 3.1m seats, is just over a quarter of the total. In Russia four years ago, 2.5m tickets were sold to fans from a capacity of slightly more than 3m. There is some way to go if organisers hope to match, or even get close to, that total. Continue reading... from Football | The Gua

Aston Villa striker on England ambitions, working with Coutinho and Gerrard and facing Manchester City with the title on the line As another scintillating Premier League season draws to a climax Ollie Watkins, ever the perfectionist, already has one eye on the next, the striker determined to scale new heights to help elevate Aston Villa into jostling for a European berth. “I know I can get up to around 20 goals in this league and hopefully I can do that next year,” Watkins says. “Scoring that amount puts you into a different category. You start to be seen as one of the ‘killers’ in front of goal. People always talk about Harry Kane – he’s a very good finisher and that’s why his goal record is so good. There are a lot of players over the years that have been like that and that’s what I want to be known for.” This week the Villa manager, Steven Gerrard, said the selfless Watkins was his own worst critic – “sometimes he can overanalyse” – but the 26-year-old is learning to be kinder to

Do you relish scanning your own groceries or are you missing the human cashiers?

Alcohol and tobacco drive a surprise rise in sales, though the longer term trend is still down.

The growth of "smart" farm machinery is increasing the risk of hacking of food and farming systems.

The UK, US, Australia and New Zealand have also barred the Chinese telecoms equipment makers.

Port Vale won a nerve-jangling penalty shootout 6-5 to beat Swindon and secure their place in the League Two playoff final, where they will play Mansfield. After the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate, Aidan Stone was the home side’s hero in the shootout in front of a bumper crowd of 11,669 at Vale Park. Vale’s victory was marred by some unseemly scenes amid a post-game pitch invasion, as the visiting players appeared to be confronted by a group of fans in the centre circle. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/19/port-vale-swindon-town-league-two-playoff-match-report

In video clip, Vieira appears to aim kick after fan taunts him Palace manager did not comment on incident after the game The Crystal Palace manager, Patrick Vieira, was involved in a confrontation with a fan on the pitch after his side’s 3-2 defeat at Everton. In footage widely shared on social media, Vieira appears to aim a kick at the man taunting him. Vieira did not comment on the incident, which came to light after his post-match press conference. The video clip shows Vieira, unaccompanied by staff or security, making his way across the pitch towards the away dressing room which is currently housed in the Park End car park. He is then confronted by a fan who appears to gesture in his face. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/20/patrick-vieira-altercation-with-fan-everton-crystal-palace

Veteran referees Mike Dean, Jonathan Moss and Martin Atkinson are hanging up their boots – here, Big Brother style, are their best and worst bits As another nailbiting, squeaky‑bum Premier League season nears its end, the veteran referees Mike Dean, Jon Moss and Martin Atkinson are hanging up their boots. Here, Big Brother-style, are their best and worst bits. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/19/the-highs-the-lows-the-reds-and-yellows-farewell-mike-martin-and-mossy

If interest rates keep rising 300,000 Australians may default on mortgage repayments.

Chinese social media users say they are shocked the 11,100 yuan ($1,642; £1,329) item will not stop rain.

England and Gareth Southgate asked to join ‘innovative scheme’ Amnesty CEO: ‘Football can easily afford to do the right thing’ Fifa should pay reparations of at least $440m (£356m) to migrant workers whose human rights have been compromised by the Qatar World Cup, a group of non-governmental organisations has said. England and Gareth Southgate have been asked to support the initiative, described as an “innovative scheme” that would “provide some real redress” for workers, as attempts to leave a positive legacy for the tournament come into focus six months before the opening World Cup fixture in Doha. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/19/ngo-group-says-fifa-should-pay-356m-reparations-to-qatar-migrant-workers

Europa League final evoked showpieces of old and marked the moment Frankfurt’s goalkeeper became a hero Glory comes in many forms and it came for Kevin Trapp in the form of an astonishing save in the final minute of extra time. When Kemar Roofe’s cross was deflected into the path of Ryan Kent six yards out, a late winner seemed certain. But Trapp scuttled across his goal, spread himself and the ball cannoned away off his outstretched right leg, a block rooted in hour upon hour on the training ground, honing reflexes and response times, getting the angles right. He had four years at Paris Saint-Germain, but that save, even more than keeping out Aaron Ramsey’s penalty in the shootout , is what will define his career. In his second spell at Frankfurt, he became the man who won them their second European trophy. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/18/kevin-trapp-career-defining-save-lights-up-europa-league-final-nostalgis

Big increases are due next April but charities say soaring prices mean people need the money now.

Marks & Spencer says extra tax for online shops will mean lower investment in High Street stores.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns developing countries face disaster due to rising prices.

Chain Trevor Sorbie says they are now spending thousands more each month.

The US streaming giant is forced to lay off staff to minimise cost of viewers quitting the service.

The court said the law, which forced boards to have up to three women directors, was discriminatory.

Sheffield United striker attacked during pitch invasion Paul Heckingbottom: ‘There’s a prison sentence there for sure’ Nottinghamshire police have launched an investigation after Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp appeared to be head-butted by a fan at the end of the Championship playoff semi-final. Video emerged online of the celebrations following Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 penalty shootout win apparently showing a fan running at Sharp, who was on loan at Forest during the 2012-13 season, during the pitch invasion and knocking him to the ground. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/18/billy-sharp-headbutted-fan-pitch-invasion-nottingham-forest-playoff-win-sheffield-united

General-in-reserve never looked like a man losing a football match – as the club continue chase for the quadruple Well, it was always going that way wasn’t it? At St Mary’s, Jürgen Klopp picked a fever dream of a Liverpool first XI for the penultimate game of the Premier League season, then saw his team fall behind after 13 minutes needing to win to take this pursuit of the sun, the chase for the quadruple, to the final day. And still, somehow, it never really seemed in doubt. This Liverpool team has too much energy to stop now. And while it seems only right to point out the pursuit of the league title is still heavily asterisked, that it isn’t in Liverpool’s hands, Manchester City will be all too aware of the pressure at their backs. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/17/james-milner-liverpool-southampton-premier-league

Pat McCarthy says there are not enough staffed tills for those who struggle with self-service machines.

A growing number of young people are getting into crypto trading - despite the risks.

They may have lost the battle but they still won the war. Nottingham Forest, defeated at home for only the second time this year, booked their first visit to Wembley since 1992 after Brice Samba saved three penalties in the shootout to secure a Championship play-off final date with Huddersfield Town on 29 May. Sheffield United may have joined Liverpool as the only other team to have beaten Steve Cooper’s side in a game at the City Ground in 2022 but ultimately Forest’s remarkable rise from the foot of the Championship to the cusp of promotion to the Premier League is still on. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/17/nottingham-forest-sheffield-united-championship-playoffs-match-report

The remote workers allegedly aim to help fund Pyongyang's advanced weapons programmes.

Ranil Wickremesinghe also said the country's central bank will print money to pay government wages.

Juventus fans said goodbye to their captain, Giorgio Chiellini, and forward Paolo Dybala during Monday night’s game against Lazio – but the visitors’ last-gasp equaliser spoiled the farewell party in Turin. Chiellini had recently announced he was leaving Juve this summer after 17 seasons at the club – with MLS in the United States a likely destination. The centre-back was substituted in the 17th minute, taking off the captain’s armband and giving it to Dybala before being replaced by Matthijs de Ligt. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/16/juventus-lazio-match-report-chiellini-dybala

Fuel poverty charity warns that low income households will wait longest for £150 council tax rebate.

Defeat at St James’ Park leaves top-four hopes slipping away Xhaka: ‘If you’re not ready for this game, stay at home’ A seething Granit Xhaka laid into his Arsenal teammates after their disastrous defeat at Newcastle and said they did not “have the balls to play” as their Champions League hopes all but disappeared. Arsenal must beat Everton on Sunday and hope Tottenham lose at relegated Norwich if they are to make the top four; they were soundly beaten at St James’ Park by a Ben White own goal and a late clincher from Bruno Guimarães, and Xhaka’s extraordinary intervention was almost certainly born of frustration at letting a golden opportunity slip. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/16/granit-xhaka-rages-at-arsenal-teammates-for-disaster-performance

As tensions build over Northern Ireland, concerns of a trade war between the EU and UK have surfaced.

World wheat prices have soared this year, pushing up the cost of everything from bread to noodles.

Evidence of China's economic slowdown came as authorities unveiled plans to lift Shanghai's lockdown.

Youngest player to win all six major trophies at English club ‘The motivation is to win them all again and keep winning’ Trent Alexander-Arnold has said his appetite for silverware has only increased after becoming the youngest player to win all six major trophies available to an English club. Liverpool’s FA Cup victory on Saturday ensured that, at the age of 23 years and 219 days, Alexander-Arnold has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/15/alexander-arnold-hungry-for-more-liverpool-silverware-after-historic-feat

Double from Martínez gives Internazionale 3-1 win Sevilla earn Champions League spot with draw A double from Argentina striker Lautaro Martínez earned Internazionale a 3-1 win at Cagliari , a victory that ensured the Serie A title race will go to the final weekend. With the leaders, Milan , having beaten Atalanta 2-0 at the San Siro earlier on Sunday, Inter had to win in Sardinia to keep the title race alive, edging in front in the 25th minute through Matteo Darmian. Martínez added a second six minutes after the break for Inter and they appeared on course for a comfortable ninth win in 10 matches in all competitions, before Charalampos Lykogiannis arrowed in a strike out of nowhere to get Cagliari back in it. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/15/european-roundup-milan-inter-serie-a

Not a single Leeds supporter would have picked Pascal Struijk as the star of the penultimate act of the incredible rollercoaster ride that is the Premier League survival race. Leeds have shown little respect for the script to this point, though, so it is perhaps no surprise that a defender thrown on with seven minutes remaining scored the goal that could yet be key to keeping them in the Premier League. There are still more twists and turns to come but the scenes as Struijk frantically headed home Joe Gelhardt’s chipped cross in added time told you everything you needed to know. Elland Road came together as one at the culmination of an absorbing afternoon that left several of the home players sinking to the turf at full time, emotionally and physically spent. A few minutes earlier, the mood could not have been more different. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/15/leeds-brighton-premier-league-match-report

One firm tells of its struggles as a survey suggests lending to small businesses has hit an all-time low.

FA Cup was decided by the width of a post but Chelsea were beaten by a side that ensures tiny margins make the difference Imagine, for a moment, you’re the goalframe at the east end of Wembley. Last summer, you watched as Marcus Rashford, at the climax of that sulphurous July night , took a straight run-up, stuttered, and then, as Gianluigi Donnarumma fell to your left, dragged his penalty to your right. You like the young man, his obvious decency, his stance on various social issues – and you are an English goalframe after all. You wanted him to score. You tried to just stretch a bit further, to widen your stance, but your feet were rooted and the ball cannoned off the base of your post and away. If only he had struck it three inches more centrally you probably could have helped it in, and if you had, England would probably be European champions and Rashford might not have had such a miserable season; Manchester United might not feel like quite such a faded force in need of despera

Minute-by-minute updates on the action in north London Tottenham v Burnley: match preview Any comments? You can email Rob Pre-match reading Lucas Moura replaces Dejan Kulusevski in the only Spurs change from the defenestration of Arsenal. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/may/15/tottenham-v-burnley-premier-league-live

With the Europa League final just days away, Robin McKie recalls the Scottish side’s magical Cup Winners’ Cup run Rangers take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final on Wednesday, an extraordinary achievement for a club in administration 10 years ago. This chance of glory is particularly remarkable given Rangers have triumphed in Europe on one previous occasion. Fifty years ago this month, they lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in Barcelona after the most torrid, draining – and violent – football match I have attended. I fervently hope victory can be repeated but not, I pray, in similar circumstances. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/15/camp-nou-glory-remembering-rangers-1972-european-triumph

Alisson gave a towering performance which culminated in a decisive save, while Romelu Lukaku had a day to forget Edouard Mendy His kicking has been shaky this season and Liverpool were quick to pressure him. But Mendy responded with a crucial save from Luis Díaz. 6 Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/14/chelsea-0-0-liverpool-5-6-pen-fa-cup-final-player-ratings-from-wembley

The state-owned Saudi Aramco is currently the world's most valuable company due to soaring oil prices.