China’s Xi Meets Top Russian Lawmaker in Sign of Tight Ties
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met a top Russian lawmaker, underscoring the warm relations the nations have forged following
1970-01-01 08:00
China Parliament Pressures Banks To Step Up Property Finance
China’s banks should step up funding for property developers to reduce the risk of additional defaults and ensure
1970-01-01 08:00
Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia a slap in the face for Jake Daniels
Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has said it was a slap in the face when Jordan Henderson moved to play in Saudi Arabia. Daniels last year became the first openly gay active British male professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990. Former Liverpool captain Henderson had been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community before his decision to join Saudi club Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool in the summer. Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state, leading some to accuse the England midfielder of turning his back on the community. Speaking to the BBC’s Newsbeat, Daniels said: “He (Henderson) messaged me when I came out. He was backing me and said: ‘We’re proud of what you’ve done.’ And seeing him move to Saudi, it kind of like, slaps me in my face really. “Obviously it was frustrating. But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people.” Henderson’s former Liverpool and England team-mate Steven Gerrard is currently his manager in the Saudi Pro League. Daniels, who made his senior debut for Blackpool in May 2022, said Gerrard had personally reached out out to him following his decision to come out. He added: “I met him in person and he said: ‘If you ever want to get in contact then message me’. But he moved over (to Saudi Arabia). It was frustrating” Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, 12 years after Qatar – where homosexuality is also illegal – staged the global tournament. Daniels said he “wouldn’t feel safe” travelling to such places. He said: “The World Cup that happened in Qatar, the one that is going to happen in Saudi Arabia, for me if I was there I wouldn’t feel safe, so that’s just putting your football in jeopardy.” Daniels believes his decision to come out 18 months ago has helped his career. “It has been crazy since coming out,” he added. “I didn’t think it would blow up as much as it did. The reception I’ve had, the people I’ve met, it’s been a crazy experience. “Coming out was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m playing better now.” Read More New sponsor to help 460 clubs in Women’s FA Cup market themselves with AI app Stephen Kenny believes he leaves behind a ‘great job’ for Ireland successor Stephen Kenny leaves role as Ireland manager after contract is not renewed Owen Farrell not planning to end his England career any time soon Lionel Messi condemns treatment of Argentina fans during clash with Brazil Everton have extra motivation following points deduction – director of football
1970-01-01 08:00
Far-Right Won the Dutch Election: Here’s What You Need to Know
Geert Wilders was the surprise victor in Wednesday’s Dutch elections, after a late surge that catapulted his anti-EU
1970-01-01 08:00
New sponsor to help 460 clubs in Women’s FA Cup market themselves with AI app
Teams at every step of the pyramid will be encouraged to embrace AI as part of a new partnership the Football Association’s director of women’s football hopes will help boost attendances at overlooked local clubs. On Thursday the FA announced a new three-year deal which will see tech company Adobe take over as title sponsor for the Women’s FA Cup, which this year boasts a doubled prize pot from £3million to £6m. But while the women’s game has witnessed unprecedented recent growth, particularly following the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 triumph, Baroness Sue Campbell admits clubs below the top tiers have not equally benefitted from the boost. The FA’s director of women’s football told the PA news agency: “If you’re talking about Newcastle in tier three, they’re getting 20,000 people through the gates already, but you could also be talking about another club at tier three who are lucky if they get two people at a game. “So we’ve got a long way to go still to get people to commit to come. There are a lot of lessons to learn by looking around, we’ve really done some good looks across at the United States where they get massive audiences for relatively low-tier games, but I think there’s a different culture in the way Americans either play sport or watch it. “So we are having to build that culture of attending women’s games. The volume of interest is just growing and growing (but) people aren’t used to going and looking at their local women’s team. “I think that’s what part of this (partnership) is about, using the FA Cup to connect clubs with their local population, their local community, looking at how they generate content which excites people to want to come, which gives them an interest in the individuals that are playing.” Marketing is key to drawing those audiences, but, like ticket sales, staffing and resources across the lower tiers of English women’s football vary wildly. Part of the new partnership will see Adobe give access to and train all 460 clubs in the competition on what it describes as an “AI-first” content creation app the FA hopes will allow teams to better market and promote themselves to boost interest and attendances, without putting undue strain on already-stretched staff. Campbell, who in September announced she will retire from her role at the FA in 2024 after eight years, appreciates a one-size-fits all approach will not work but is optimistic about the technology’s potential. She said: “We’ll have to think about how we support those clubs that perhaps are the one-person club, where they are trying to organise the post, send out the kit and also do the marketing. “I hope we can actually enable these people to do things they perhaps don’t even know right now they are capable of doing. I think we will have to tailor it according to what is there, but we’ve got really good intelligence from the FA’s point of view about where every club in that structure is, and I’m sure we can adapt.” Beyond the practical and potential financial advantage there is, at least for Campbell, also a more philosophical benefit in putting the latest tech in the hands of hundreds of clubs. She added: “I think women and girls often haven’t had a voice, and certainly not in football. We’re gradually giving them one, and I think therefore the potential is just enormous.” Read More Stephen Kenny believes he leaves behind a ‘great job’ for Ireland successor Stephen Kenny leaves role as Ireland manager after contract is not renewed Owen Farrell not planning to end his England career any time soon Lionel Messi condemns treatment of Argentina fans during clash with Brazil Everton have extra motivation following points deduction – director of football What happens next for Wales as they look to book a place at Euro 2024?
1970-01-01 08:00
Fed Pivot Hopes to Turbocharge Southeast Asia’s Curve Flattening
Southeast Asia’s longer-dated bonds have been the winning trade as the region’s yield curve flattened, and there are
1970-01-01 08:00
Australia to Significantly Bolster Green Energy Investment
Australia plans to dramatically expand its policy to lure renewable energy investment to the country, Climate and Energy
1970-01-01 08:00
Gulf of Mexico oil spill shuts in around 3% of daily output
Around 61,165 barrels of daily oil output from at least six producers, making up about 3% of crude
1970-01-01 08:00
Altman Is Back at OpenAI, But Questions Remain as to Why He Was Fired in First Place
Sam Altman is returning to lead OpenAI less than five days after his surprise dismissal, which kicked off
1970-01-01 08:00
Oil Extends Drop as OPEC+ Discord Delays Critical Supply Meeting
Oil declined for a second day as US inventories expanded and discord within OPEC+ forced the group to
1970-01-01 08:00
NFL Rumors: Eagles have chance to deal Cowboys massive blow with this signing
Shaq Leonard is a free agent after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are two potential suitors.
1970-01-01 08:00
Dutch Far-Right Leader Wilders Scores Shock Election Victory
Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders won the Dutch elections and said he plans to lead the country’s next government,
1970-01-01 08:00