The US government has begun to inform workers of an impending shutdown that could see millions of federal employees and military personnel sent home or working without pay...

Almost four months after his unexpected departure as Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, Julen Lopetegui is still living in the city where, for many fans, he worked a miracle. In just nine months, he pulled a team back from the brink of the abyss, bottom of the table when he took over, to 13th place at the end of the season. However, disagreements with ownership over a lack of investment grew last summer. The club, under financial pressure, sold some of its best players as Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves, Conor Coady, Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez all departed, prompting Lopetegui to stick to his guns and follow them out the exit door. "Wolves is part of the past,” the Spaniard exclusively told The Independent. “A recent and beautiful past of which above all I have fond memories of the fans. They made me feel at home. From there I can only wish them the best because they will always be in my heart. Without the pressure of full-time management – temporarily at least – Lopetegui now takes the opportunity to squeeze the good things out of living a quieter life: "I don't miss many things about the routine. I had been working for many years and it was healthy to do a reset. “Now I have more time to spend with my family and we are enjoying England, its culture and all its corners. I really liked the south of the country and I was also pleasantly surprised by Scotland.” For a manager, however, it is impossible to completely disconnect. Lopetegui met Howard Webb, head of referees, a few weeks ago and has also recently shared some experiences with people at an LMA Masterclass and with the PFA. And, of course, he also travels often to watch matches and to meet other managers. Friends, as he likes to say. With Guardiola? "I'm not going to say any names," he adds with a smile. In the four months he has been out of the circuit, he has received several offers from different leagues, but none has convinced him to return to the sideline. Yet... "You always prefer to start from scratch, with a pre-season to prepare everything, but sometimes those circumstances don't work out. I know how this world works," he argues. A few weeks ago, after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked by Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, The Independent understands that Lopetegui received a call to take charge of the team – which includes players such as Karim Benzema. He refused to be tempted however, instead content to view the way the Saudi market is growing from afar. “Saudi Arabia is a league that is here to stay and to continue growing because the potential is unquestionable,” explained Lopetegui. “A lot of interesting things are happening and its commitment has to do not only with the present but also with the future because on the horizon, although still distant, is the 2034 World Cup. “There is a passion, a fervour and a chance to do important things and I can see the proof because top footballers and managers are going there. In any case, I have always expressed my interest in continuing to work in the Premier League.” That's the point: Lopetegui is still keen to return to coaching in England. That is his current dream, convinced that there is no other place in the world more attractive for his profession. Despite how much he has won in Spain, his face lights up when he talks about the Premier League and its prestige. "The competition creates an almost addictive demand on clubs, players and managers,” he said. “The fact that six games are played at the same time on a Saturday speaks well of an organisation that encourages attendance at the stadiums and that has a direct impact on the atmosphere. “The value of going to the stadium is tremendous because it generates a special energy and I think we all feel that way. I've really enjoyed the Premier League and I hope to continue to do so.” Although Lopetegui does not like to flaunt it, he knows that his name is on the potential manager list of a number of sporting directors at English clubs. "I aspire to take charge of a club where I can be happy and where I can lead a project that I feel I can develop,” he added. “I consider it fundamental that I can have a direct impact on the improvement of a dressing room with my ideas and my work. We all like to be at the top, to occupy the benches of the best clubs, but what I really want to see is that I can contribute and make a step up in level. The former Real Madrid manager, a perfectionist by nature, knows that in England he has all the ingredients to grow: "The Premier League has been nourished for years by the best and the league is the one that comes out of it all stronger. “It's a win-win situation for everyone. The more competitive you are, the more you learn. England forces us not to relax and to always look for nuances. England makes us all better.” Read More VAR costing ‘livelihoods and reputations’ fumes Wolves boss after latest problems FPL Gameweek 13: James Ward-Prowse, Luca Koleosho and five players to consider for transfers Gary O’Neil unpacks Wolves secrets on MNF to show the future of football punditry

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2023--

Kyle Schwarber homered on the game’s first pitch, Taijuan Walker won his fifth straight start and the surging Philadelphia Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1

Wes Anderson's 'Asteroid City', releasing today, June 16, boasts an elite cast including Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Jeff Goldblum, and Adrien Brody

Conor Gallagher rose up through the international ranks alongside Bukayo Saka and has backed England’s latest hat-trick hero to get even better. Saka took home the match ball after hitting three in Monday’s 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday night, a result which leaves England on the cusp of securing Euro 2024 qualification. The 21-year-old’s second strike was the pick of the bunch as a brace for captain Harry Kane, a Marcus Rashford finish and Kalvin Phillips’ first England goal wrapped up a fine win in the last game of a long season. It was a campaign which also saw Saka score three goals at the World Cup, with the progression of the Arsenal ace coming as no shock to Gallagher. “I played with Bukayo since, I think, the Under-19s,” the Chelsea midfielder said. “Even then you could see that he would become a top player and to see how he has progressed until now has been amazing and I am sure he is going to get even better. “He is a special player and to get a hat-trick was amazing for him. He had an amazing performance. He is right up there (with the best) and he is only getting better. “I think he is a very exciting talent with an exciting future and we are looking forward to seeing where it takes him.” While Saka flourished over the course of a season in which he starred for club and country, Gallagher endured a difficult year at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old featured in all-but three of Chelsea’s Premier League games but it was a season to forget for the Blues as they finished a lowly 12th. Gallagher – who has been linked with a move away with the likes of Brighton reportedly interested – insists he is looking forward to working under new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino and retaining his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. “I love Chelsea,” he added. “It has been a tough season for me and the whole team so I think we will just be working hard to get us back to where we belong. “I am always grateful to be here and for Gareth to have that trust in me despite it being a tough season for both me and Chelsea. I am really happy he has shown that trust in me still and Ithink he knows I will work as hard as I can no matter what to give my best. “I just need to keep working hard and get a bit of my confidence back in a way, I didn’t lose it but I need to get a rhythm of playing more games, score more goals and I am trying to reach that stage. “(Pochettino) is a top manager, everyone at Chelsea is happy he’s here and we’re looking forward to working with him.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live FIFA urged to ensure equality with qualification for Women’s World Cup Chelsea complete signing of France forward Christopher Nkunku for reported £63m Khaldoon Al Mubarak insists Manchester City will not stop growing

By Vladyslav Smilianets ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine A Russian missile attack killed two people and blew out apartment windows in

The Shapeshifters promo arrived in FIFA 22 on Friday, June 18. Recently, leaks have shown new Shapeshifters expected to come soon, adding a new dimension to the FUT Hero cards newly added to FIFA this year. Here's what we know about Shapeshifter Heroes.

Organisers of the Las Vegas Grand Prix are facing a class action lawsuit following the farcical start to this weekend’s race on the strip. Formula One sold the sport’s Sin City comeback after four decades away as the greatest show on Earth. But fans witnessed just eight minutes of practice on Thursday after a drain cover broke free and tore a hole into the underbelly of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. The second running was delayed by two-and-a-half hours, and took place in front of vacant grandstands as furious fans were ejected to comply with local employment laws. Practice finished at 4am on Friday morning. Spectators who held a 200 US dollar (£160) general admission ticket for Thursday’s two practice sessions have since been offered a voucher for the same amount to be redeemed on merchandise. But those in attendance on a three-day pass – the cheapest of which is 500 US dollars (£400) – will not receive any compensation. On Friday, Nevada-based Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting filed a lawsuit with the Nevada District Court seeking damages for the 35,000 paying spectators. “We will vindicate the rights of the fans that travelled great distances and paid small fortunes to attend, but were deprived of the experience,” said Dimopoulos Law Firm owner Steve Dimopoulos in a statement. A spokesperson for Las Vegas Grand Prix said: “We cannot comment on the litigation. “Our focus is on ensuring that our fans have an entertaining experience in a safe and secure environment which is always our top priority.” Earlier, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali stopped short of issuing an apology in a 650-word joint statement with CEO of the Las Vegas race, Renee Wilm. “We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula One races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues,” they said. “It happens, and we hope people will understand.” The maiden race on the Las Vegas strip gets underway at 10pm local time on Saturday (6am GMT on Sunday). Read More Toto Wolff fuelled by ‘personal anger’ to help Lewis Hamilton win eighth title On this day in 2010: Sebastian Vettel becomes youngest ever F1 world champion What Charles Leclerc needs to claim victory from pole in first Las Vegas Grand Prix What Charles Leclerc needs to claim victory from pole in first Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 2023 season race schedule: When is the Las Vegas Grand Prix? Verstappen criticises Vegas GP: ‘Monaco is Champions League, this is National League’

ALAMEDA, Calif. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 1, 2023--

MADRID The European Central Bank still needs to raise its interest rates further and then leave them in

It's official. Just days after Joe Manganiello and Sofía Vergara announced they were parting ways, the "Magic Mike" actor filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court.