Meyer Burger shuts down US solar panel factory in Arizona
May 29 (Reuters) - Switzerland's Meyer Burger (MBTN.S), opens new tab shut down a U.S. solar panel factory in Arizona, cutting all 282 employees, the company said on Thursday.
The company said it was in talks with a group of bondholders about restructuring, but that the future of the Goodyear, Arizona site was uncertain.
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BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Very good week' for England or 'back to the drawing board'?
Big-name retirements, an impressive display against Portugal but dominated by Spain days later. Has it been a positive week for England or a reality check?Sarina Wiegman's side are preparing to defend their European title in Switzerland next month but had two testing matches in the Women's Nations League to navigate first.A 6-0 victory over Portugal afforded the opportunity for returning stars to build their fitness after injuries, but Tuesday's game in Spain against the world champions was the ultimate litmus test to assess the level of the Lionesses going into the tournament. Key players back and new tests Manager Wiegman had her hands full going into the camp after goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her shock international retirement and key defender Millie Bright withdrew from the squad to focus on her mental and physical St-Germain stopper Earps had fallen down the pecking order, with Hannah Hampton increasingly looking more likely to secure the number one Wiegman admitted Earps would have been a valuable member of the Euros squad - and it had been "hard" to deal with her decision. That news was a major distraction as England prepared to face Portugal, piling pressure on Hampton and raising questions about the morale in the response was emphatic and admirable as they produced an immense display, thrashing Portugal in front of an entertained crowd at Beever-Jones demonstrated England's attacking depth with a brilliant hat-trick, while Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway all got minutes after returning from knee positive signs cannot be forgotten, although their week did not end on a high as an elite Spain side fought back in style for a 2-1 success that took them into the Nations League England defender Anita Asante told ITV: "The most important thing is the right players are getting the right minutes to feel prepared going into the Euros."Karen Carney, a former Lionesses midfielder, added: "It's great we got fitness for Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood. "If we get them back fighting - it's a good position for them. I'm confident for England going into the group stages."Carney admitted England had to "suffer" against Spain because they rotated in the second half as Wiegman looked to expose some of her fringe players to the experience against world-class names her Euros squad on Thursday and handed a senior debut to Missy Bo Kearns, just hours before midfielder Fran Kirby announced her international retirement, capping off a rollercoaster week for the Dutchwoman."Sometimes you have to go through these moments because the bigger picture for the summer is giving players the minutes that they need," added Carney."The changes in the second half really hampered England and we felt disconnected. It is a positive because Wiegman has got a lot to learn."The England boss echoed that sentiment, saying she was not concerned and could use the Spain loss as another "learning moment"."We had a very good week - players coming back from injuries, players fighting for positions, or minutes, or selection, and that is very positive." 'I would rather have a lesson now' But while there were certainly positives - most notably the Portugal performance after such a disruptive build-up - the second-half display in their defeat by Spain showed they clearly have work to France, the Netherlands and Wales awaiting them in the group stages at the Euros, they do not have time to get up to are tipped by many to be the tournament favourites and will undoubtedly be one of England's biggest obstacles if they want to defend their would have been unsettling, then, to see how easily Montse Tome's side dominated possession in the second half and put the visitors under relentless pressure and should have scored more goals than the two from substitute Claudia Pina."It's back to the drawing board against our old rival Spain," said former England international Lindsay Johnson on BBC Radio 5 Live. "In the first half, England looked confident in that low block, and they hit Spain on the transition. "In the second half, England really dropped off, Spain upped their game and England couldn't get anywhere near Spain. They were chasing shadows."Captain Leah Williamson admitted her side's performances away from home recently have been "difficult".It has been an inconsistent Women's Nations League campaign for the were held to a 1-1 draw in Portugal, then beat Spain at Wembley days later in February. In April, they thrashed Belgium 5-0 at home, then lost 3-2 in Leuven."What we have been saying the whole time is that 'it's the new England'. So we wanted to try different things as well," Williamson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "There was more inconsistency than we like, but you have seen very good sides of us. They are the levels we need to keep pushing for and hopefully we will be ready [for the Euros]."We would have liked to pick up a win [against Spain]. That would have done wonders for our confidence, how we feel and how we look ahead."But we can't forget all the work we have done. As we always say, I would rather have a lesson now than in a month's time."England will have another opportunity to piece things together when they face Jamaica in a friendly on 29 June - their final match before the Euros. Head here to get involved
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Crystal Palace bigwigs rush to UEFA's lakeside lair to plead their case, writes MIKE KEEGAN - and the stakes couldn't be higher in battle to play in Europe
It was almost symbolic that the major trophies that usually take pride of place inside UEFA's House of European Football were missing. The glass presentation cases, proudly perched at reception in front of the huge windows offering a stunning vista over Lake Geneva at HQ, stood empty, with the recently-acquired silverware currently on tour elsewhere. Meanwhile, in a wood-panelled meeting room directly downstairs in this luxurious, lakeside lair, Crystal Palace powerbrokers were attempting to stop their continental dream from vanishing. Ahead of this Swiss summit, revealed on Monday by Mail Sport, Palace insiders were confident that their majority shareholder's ownership of Lyon would not stop them from participating in this season's Europa League for a historic first time under competition rules following their stunning FA Cup triumph. However, the results of what transpired over a high-stakes two hours with UEFA officials and lawyers in the shadows of Mont Blanc remain to be seen. What can be said is that two of the key players involved cut very different figures. What can also now be said is that one of them is now actively trying to find a way out with the clock ticking towards the draw for qualifying rounds on June 17. John Textor, the US businessman whose interest in the French side appears to have put the Eagles' big adventure in danger of collapse thanks to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules, fronted it up. When asked by Mail Sport how the talks had gone he was initially guarded, before dropping a comment that highlighted the graveness of the situation. 'You want me to comment on this whole thing?' he responded, 'I can't really say anything.' However, when pressed, it turned out he did have something to say. 'Look, all of the UK knows that I don't have decisive influence over Palace,' he said. 'It was a good meeting. They listened and we'll see what happens.' As a parting shot, he added: 'I wouldn't be trying to sell if I did (have decisive influence).' Reports as recently as last month had claimed that Textor, frustrated that his 43 per cent share in Palace only comes with just 25 per cent of the voting rights, was actively seeking to complete a takeover at Selhurst Park and that he was in talks with fellow American shareholders David Blitzer and Josh Harris about buying their shares - which constitute about 36 per cent of the club. But when quizzed about that he was unequivocal that the direction of travel had changed dramatically. 'Look, we are trying to help separate it and sell,' he added. 'We wanted to buy but it's become clear that isn't going to happen and so we're trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA. That's about all I can say.' Textor and Steve Parish are believed to have fallen out when the American increased his stake. Perhaps the Englishman had seen this one coming. Either way, he was not in the mood for talking when he appeared from an opposite direction. Wearing a blue suit and carrying a black suitcase on wheels, he thanked reception staff before refusing to answer questions or even acknowledging Mail Sport. When asked how the hearing had gone, or whether he would like to comment, Parish did not offer a single word in return, nor make eye contact. Instead, he passed his bag to the driver of a waiting, black Mercedes 4x4, and sat motionless in the back seat. The driver smiled apologetically before whisking his passenger away from the scene. Without wishing to speculate, the fact that Parish was here and not at the Premier League's annual general meeting would seem to hint at the seriousness of the situation. The Palace chairman is a regular at such events and is often one of the more active participants. UEFA declined to comment on proceedings and what happens over the coming weeks will be key. Should Textor manage to find a buyer at an acceptable price then the problem, like those trophies, goes away. That is by no means a given. Palace are an incredibly attractive proposition. A stable Premier League club with a respected manager and European football. However, the fact that this is in effect a forced sale may do little to get him the price he feels he deserves. Neither too, will be the prospect of someone else coming in and being subject to the same portion of input that has left him seeking the exit door. Getting a deal done in such a short space of time, with the draw for the early stages of European competition to take place on June 17, may also prove to be a tough ask. This is a complex situation with no precedent. UEFA's rules state that clubs with the same ownership groups cannot play in the same competition. They say: 'No club can hold or deal in the securities or shares or any other club, be a member of any other club participating in a competition, be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and or sporting performance of any other club, have any other power in the management, administration or sporting performance of another club'. They add: 'No individual can hold a majority of shareholder voting rights, being able to exercise a decisive influence on the decision making of more than one club'. Clear much? To further complicate matters Danish outfit Brondby, who just happen to be owned by Palace shareholder David Blitzer's investment vehicle, may be in line to take the spot in the Europa Conference League, should Palace be told they cannot play in the Europa League and effectively take 'relegation'. It is messy. One of the matters Mail Sport understands is being explored is whether Palace's qualification to a higher-ranked competition places them above the Danes. If that transpires, then it would not go down well in Brondby. Palace will hope that it does not come to that. They remain of the view that the fact Textor only holds 25 per cent of the rights along with Parish, Harris and Blitzer, means they satisfy the criteria – essentially in that Textor is an owner without being an owner.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Premium Bond holders typically wait at least three-and-a-half years to win a prize
Premium Bond holders typically wait at least three-and-a-half years to win a prize – and, even then, nine in ten take home less than £1,000, figures reveal. Each £1 bond purchased from the Treasury-owned bank National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has only a 22,000-to-one chance of winning, with the average return 3.8 per cent a year. This is less than in a high-interest instant access savings account that can pay out more than 4 per cent. The long waiting times, revealed through a freedom of information request by the wealth manager Octopus Money, are more likely to be experienced by savers with a low number of bonds. The prize fund lottery pays out tax-free prizes of between £25 and £1 million every month. Some £131.4 billion is deposited by 22.5 million bond savers. And about 440,000 holders won a prize for the first time last year after waiting three years, six months on average. This will come as a blow to the third of people who expect to pick up prizes within six months, according to an Octopus Money survey. Since the minimum prize is £25, it's impossible to get a return of 3.8 pc on small amounts such as £100 – each month you would either win nothing and get a return of 0 per cent, or win £25 or more and get a return of 25 per cent or higher. Last month 5.9 million prizes were given out, meaning 131.39 billion bonds won nothing. In the past five years, 94 per cent of Premium Bond jackpot winners held more than £10,000 in their account, while 75 per cent held more than £25,000. The main reason for investing in Premium Bonds is the perceived lack of risk in losing the initial investment, according to Octopus Money, followed by the tax-free status of prizes and the possibility of a large return. Ruth Handcock, chief executive of Octopus Money, says: 'Premium Bonds work well for some, but others are missing out on alternative strategies that could grow their wealth and hopefully deliver stronger returns over time. 'Premium Bonds are unlikely to outpace inflation, so your money may seem safe but it's shrinking in value over time.'
