Microsoft subsidiary in Russia set to file for bankruptcy, database shows
Spectrum Life, the digital health platform, is expanding to the Middle East after...
Francisco Blanch of Bank of America predicted Trump's tariffs would disrupt commodities...
A subsidiary of Microsoft based in Russia is preparing to file for bankruptcy, according...
The owners of four Eddie Rockets franchises who have alleged their bookkeeper wrongly...
Duties paid on imports rose by C$546 million (€349.6 million) to C$1.95 billion...
German inflation eased in May, bringing it closer to the 2 per cent target set by...
Donald Trump has accused China of violating its two-week-old tariff truce with the...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
World's largest car maker confirms it WILL build hot hatch in UK and invest £40million in a new assembly line
THE world's biggest car maker has confirmed it will build a popular hot hatch in the UK from next year as demand soars. Toyota says it will manufacture the GR Corolla from Burnaston, Derbyshire in a bid to ramp up production. Advertisement 3 The GR Corolla is currently only available in Japan Credit: Toyota 3 Camry vehicles move down the assembly line at the Toyota Motor Corp. manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky Credit: Getty 3 Toyota's car plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire Credit: PA:Press Association It follows reports that the car maker Toyota has denied that the move is related to Trump's tariffs, which place a 25% import tax on cars from Japan compared to just 10% from the UK. The announcement has further fulled speculation that the popular model, which is currently only available in specific markets, could soon be launched in Europe. The GR Corolla is currently only available in Japan - and is exported to North America and certain other markets. Advertisement read more in motors Prototypes were spotted being tested at Germany's Nürburgring last year, leading to speculation of a launch according to Autocar. However, a spokesperson suggested it was standard to test global products there - but did not deny the prospect of a European launch. Toyota currently sells the GR Yaris and the GR Supra in Europe . Yoshihiro Nakata, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, said: "We are proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has also been selected as the first overseas Toyota plant to produce GR vehicles, securing this expansion project for TGR worldwide. Advertisement Most read in Motors "We very much appreciate the historical support and recognition of the United Kingdom and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a 'Best in Town' company." The Burnaston plant currently produces Toyota's Corolla hatchback and estate for British and European markets. Popular car brand to launch new EV as company teases 'hammerhead' design to rival the Volvo EC40 But the proposed new investment could see production rates significantly boosted. Previous Reuters reports suggest that it could give the plant a capacity of 10,000 cars per year. Advertisement The reports add that Toyota's Motomachi plant in Japan , which handles GR output, is currently at full capacity. Burnaston built its five millionth car since opening in 1992 last year. Toyota invested a staggering £240million to upgrade the Burnaston plant back in 2017. Then Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said at the time: 'Our automotive sector is one of the most productive in the world and Toyota's decision to invest £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK auto sector. Advertisement "I also welcome the prospect of investment to take Toyota New Global Architecture into the supply chain. "Toyota is one of the world's largest car producers and this inward investment underlines the company's faith in its employees and will help ensure the plant is well positioned for future Toyota models to be made in the UK. "As we prepare to leave the EU, this Government is committed through our Industrial Strategy to ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business and we are able to help businesses seize on economic opportunities.'
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Barcelona ‘don't want to pay for Marcus Rashford' in blow to Man Utd with two other Prem wingers on their shortlist
MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow after Barcelona reportedly declared they do NOT want to pay for Marcus Rashford. The England forward's future is in the spotlight following a half-season loan at Aston Villa. Advertisement 4 Barcelona do not want to pay to sign Marcus Rashford this summer Credit: Getty Rashford scored two goals in 14 outings under Unai Emery while helping Villa reach the Champions League quarters. But their failure to qualify for next season's competition means they are unlikely to sign Rashford permanently for an already-agreed £40million. SunSport exclusively revealed the And he has now set his sights Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Hansi Flick's men are indeed interested in Rashford. However, German outlet It leaves United in a precarious position, with the Red Devils hoping to cash in on Rashford to fund new signings. It's believed they would give the OK to one more loan move for Rashford. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS But it requires Barcelona to cover the entirety of his £315,000-a-week wages while also paying a loan fee between £5m and £10m. United also want to agree an option fee for a permanent deal in the summer of 2026. Marcus Rashford sells Lamborghini supercar for £450,000 and buys incredibly rare £177,000 Audi 4 Advertisement However, Barcelona's reluctance to hand over any money for Rashford could see them look elsewhere. If they are to spend hard cash, the Catalans would reportedly prefer to Arsenal's While Flick remains a fan of Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman. Advertisement 4 4
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How Florian Wirtz will bring a new dimension to Liverpool and why the German star could be a £109million bargain
LIVERPOOL are ready to spend a huge £109million on Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz. They moved quickly to try to acquire the services of the 22-year-old, who has snubbed German giants 11 The Reds have bid £109m for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Credit: GETTY 11 Florian Wirtz is said to be keen on joining Liverpool after a productive chat with Kop chief Arne Slot Credit: AP It will be a statement signing by The Reds have already made The Liverpool for £29.5m to replace outing who is joining . The moves come on the back of extra investment in the squad with the new deals completed for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Wirtz is considered a generational talent in And he will bring a touch of the unpredictable to Liverpool 's attack next season. Tactics expert Lee Scott believes the arrival of Wirtz will help prolong the career of one of their biggest stars. Goal threat Last season saw Wirtz contribute an impressive 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 games across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen . Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK His ability to create space for himself and to be decisive in the final third really stood out as key for Leverkusen as they attempted to retain their Bundesliga title. He is dangerous in 1v1 situations when picking up possession wide or in the inside channel, or even centrally. And when he is moving at pace he is a threat with his shooting from distance with the ability to generate power and accuracy. Positionally when he is in the attacking third he does not really stick to one area and instead likes to drift to find himself pockets of space. Jamie Carragher reveals why PSG's Luis Enrique is refusing to speak to him and CBS Sports before Champions League final 11 Wirtz had 10 goals in the Bundesliga last season Looking at the current Liverpool squad it is likely that Slot will want to use him from the left of the three-man attack with Salah on the right. This will effectively give Liverpool true gamebreakers on either side of the attacking three. In the example below, Wirtz takes possession with the opposition, who are leading, in a deep defensive block. The thing that makes Wirtz different to most young attackers as this defensive block is not a barrier for him. He takes the ball and drives through the centre of the defensive block before scoring from the edge of the area. 11 Wirtz receives the ball wide on the left wing but has the ability to drive to goal from an unlikely starting point 11 Wirtz drifts into space but prefers the left side Increasingly we have seen teams have to worry about the performances of Salah on the right-side for Liverpool. This means that teams tend to slide their defensive blocks slightly over to that side of the pitch. They want more protection against the Egyptian international and try to stop him going 1v1 against a single defender. Now, with Wirtz on the other side of the flank, opposition teams cannot overload their defence to either side. Next season Liverpool will have one of the most balanced and dangerous attacks in football . Wirtz is also very comfortable in the inside channels when receiving the ball. With rumours that Liverpool are also looking to add an attacking left back, they could be heavily reinforced on the left-side of the pitch to help to break down deep and stubborn defensive blocks. In this second example, Wirtz is holding the width and playing on the outside of the deepest opposition defender. As he receives the ball in these positions he generates real threat with his ability to drive inside and finish. 11 Wirtz is a genuine goal threat and is able to play on the wing or in the middle Adding a player of Wirtz's quality to their attacking options will increase the output from Liverpool in front of goal. But it will also make it far more difficult for opposition teams and coaches to figure out how to defend against them. Creativity in the final third As we have already mentioned above, Wirtz finished with an impressive 15 assists in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen last season. While his goal output will be important for Liverpool in terms of adding direct threat to their attack, his creativity in and around the final third will also bring value for Slot's team. Wirtz takes intelligent positions on the pitch to receive the ball and often finds himself in a pocket of space. The fact that he is then a threat to turn and drive at teams through the centre of the pitch makes defenders less likely to want to get tight to defend against him aggressively as they run the risk of being quickly outplayed. The fact that they will then tend to sit off against him though just gives him the time and space to find passes to outplay the defensive line. 11 Wirtz has the ability to read the game, and here picks out the run of Garcia and pulls the ball back to the edge of the penalty area Wirtz doesn't always play the obvious pass. Here, he goes out wide and gets his head up and instead of firing across goal as many other players would he identifies that the better ball is a deep cut back to the edge of the area to the incoming Aleix Garcia, who then scores. One of the things that makes Wirtz such a dangerous player around the final third of the pitch is that he seems to be able to slow the game down and find time to get his head up to identify the best option. 11 Wirtz is one of the best passers in Europe He is rarely rushed, even when under pressure, and he has the technical ability to stay on the ball and then find the correct option at the correct time. Having a player who is a creative passer in their forward options will bring another dimension for Liverpool in their attack. While they have the likes of In the example below, Wirtz is in possession with a solid defensive block ahead of him. He sees the angle to bypass the entire opposition defence with a low driven through ball to release his striker in behind. 11 Wirtz hits the killer pass to put the striker clean through on goal Liverpool are obviously looking for ways to make themselves less predictable in the attack. Signing a player who is as creative and dangerous as Wirtz will go a long way to making that happen for them. Intelligence in the opposition half We touched on the fact that Wirtz is the kind of attacking player who is able to slow the game down when under pressure and in tight spaces. This is a mark of his game intelligence and the fact that he has the technical level to be able to trust himself and his touch when under pressure. He has an innate ability to be able to take the ball and make positive decisions with the ability to hurt the opposition defence. He can get on the ball and either drive forward into the heart of the penalty area or he can play on the half-turn and combine quickly or play the final pass to break through the opposition defensive line. In the example below, he gets on the ball in the No10 position and immediately drives forward into the heart of the opposition defensive block. 11 Wirtz makes a driving run into the Dortmund defence While this may not always lead to a shooting opportunity for himself it will pull defenders towards him and create space for teammates. He scans and checks his shoulder often in the final third and this means that he will find himself in space with time to receive the ball whether that is wide or in more central areas of the pitch. This will allow Liverpool to quickly progress the ball forward and into more dangerous areas of the pitch. This time we see Wirtz occupying intelligent spaces in the final third and between the lines. As he receives the ball he has no defenders in a position to immediately get touch-tight to him and he can take the ball and turn towards goal 11 Wirtz here has found space and can turn and run at the defence With Salah perhaps being best as a front facing threat who likes to get on the ball when facing the opposition goal, it is interesting that Liverpool are adding a player in Wirtz who is more creative with his positioning. Again, this signing will make planning for matches against Liverpool a very difficult experience for opposition coaches. Conclusion While the expected fee for Wirtz will be extremely high there is a sense that Liverpool will still be getting a bargain when they sign the 22-year-old German international. They will be signing a player who can extend the effective career of Salah straight away and when they do eventually move on from the Egyptian they will have their next attacking talisman in the building already.
