Latest news with #Madrid
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano Reveals Liverpool's Stance on Ibou Konate's Future
Liverpool's Konate Conundrum: Contract Talks Heat Up Amid Madrid Interest Liverpool are not just making moves in the transfer market, they are also trying to hold onto one of their most prized assets. As reported by renowned transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are continuing negotiations with Ibrahima Konate over a new contract, amid significant interest from Real Madrid. Romano revealed: 'I can tell you guys that they [Liverpool] are still not opening the doors for this summer for Ibrahima Konate to go to Real Madrid.' That much is clear. The club are actively trying to secure the 26-year-old's future, even while on pre-season duty in Hong Kong. The French international has become a key figure under Arne Slot, especially after a title-winning debut campaign for the Dutch manager. Real Madrid's Silent Pressure Despite no formal bid being submitted, the threat from Real Madrid feels real. Romano added: 'Real Madrid really like the player, he's really appreciated internally… but at the moment there is no bid to Liverpool because they are not opening the doors to an exit.' This is a familiar tactic from Madrid. They often apply indirect pressure before launching formal moves, particularly when a player is nearing the final stages of their contract. With Konate's deal set to expire next year, Liverpool's urgency is understandable. Back in late 2024, talks between Liverpool and Konate's representatives seemed promising. Romano recalls: 'They were close around October, November, then the story changed with Konate and his agents.' Now the mood has shifted again, with Liverpool reportedly making a fresh offer on 'better terms' according to French outlet Footmercato. Key Timing Ahead of New Campaign The timing of this latest development is vital. With the Premier League season just weeks away, Liverpool want clarity — and ideally commitment — from Konate. His importance cannot be overstated. As one of the few senior centre-backs available, especially one with Premier League, Champions League and international experience, losing him on a free would be a significant blow to Liverpool's squad building. For now, 'Liverpool still hope to try and reach an agreement with Konate in the next months,' said Romano. But if the player refuses to commit soon, the club may face a tough decision: sell now or risk losing him for nothing next summer. Ekitike Link Adds More Context In a curious subplot, Konate's French teammate Hugo Ekitike has just joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 22-year-old forward is expected to settle in quickly and will lean on Konate to help him acclimate. Keeping Konate may not just be a footballing decision, but also one that supports broader squad harmony. His influence in the dressing room and ability to help integrate new players like Ekitike only adds weight to Liverpool's efforts to retain him. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis As Liverpool supporters, we're hopeful this all points to the club doubling down on keeping Konate long-term. His injury record has raised eyebrows in the past, but when fit, he's a dominant force — pace, power, technical quality, and a natural leader emerging with every season. Letting him leave, especially to Real Madrid, would feel like a step backward. We've already seen murmurs around Trent Alexander-Arnold being a long-term target for them, and the idea of another key player heading to the Bernabeu is a troubling prospect. With Arne Slot already proving himself by winning the Premier League in his first season, the next evolution of this team must be about continuity and commitment. Players like Konate should form the spine of the squad moving forward. Rewarding him with a contract that reflects his value would send a clear message about Liverpool's ambitions. There's still time, but these next few weeks will be pivotal. If the offer is fair, we believe Konate will stay. Let's hope the club's persistence pays off — because losing him now would be both avoidable and unnecessary.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MoreThan Films Acquires Gabriel Azorín's Venice-Bound ‘Last Night I Conquered the City of Thebes' (EXCLUSIVE)
MoreThan Films has acquired international sales rights to Gabriel Azorín's 'Last Night I Conquered the City of Thebes' ('Anoche Conquiste Tebas') ahead of its world premiere as part of the Giornate degli Autori section at the Venice Film Festival, also known as Venice Days. 'Last Night I Conquered the City of Thebes' is Azorín's directorial feature debut following works in short ('El Buen Amor,' 'Tomorrow the Bullet') and medium-length form ('Los Mutantes') that have played at major festivals such as San Sebastián and Lille. 'Thebes' was one of the buzziest titles at Locarno's prestigious Match Me! networking platform in 2021, as has had the distinction of being put through two of Spain's most prestigious development programs, San Sebastián's Ikusmira Berriak and Madrid's ECAM Incubator. More from Variety M-Appeal Picks Up Rights to David Pablos' 'On the Road' Ahead of Venice World Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal's Pushing Buttons Studios Boards Venice-Bound 'Secrets of a Mountain Serpent' (EXCLUSIVE) Egypt's Film Clinic Headed to Venice Film Festival With Trio of Titles Hailing From Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Algeria (EXCLUSIVE) In the film, co-written by Azorín and Celso Giménez, António and Jota return from the front with their friends looking for an ancient Roman thermal bath. The baths have reappeared after years under the water of a reservoir to great attention — and curious visitors. But there is something mysterious about these thermal waters – as if the baths influence the mood of the men, giving them the courage to say things they have never told anyone. As day turns to night, they confess their feelings and their fears of losing their best friend forever, the synopsis ends. Key cast includes Santiago Mateus as Antònio, Antònio Gouveia as Jotas, Oussama Asfaraah as Aurelius and Pavle Čemerikić as Pompei. Azorín told Variety he is 'thrilled' to collaborate with MoreThan Films. 'I know their commitment to films that take narrative risks, while also serving as a special kind of shelter for the audience.' MoreThan Films managing partner Queralt Pons Serra emphasized how the film 'had that special spark' at labs, markets and works-in-progress showcases over the last years. 'We're genuinely excited to team up with talented filmmaker Gabriel Azorín and a fearless group of producers who've already positioned the film on the international map,' she added. 'That early buzz gives us a strong head start as we prepare for the festival premiere and global launch,' continued Serra. 'At its core, this is a story about friendship and the quiet fear of losing someone you love. We love that the film offers a fresh and honest take on masculinity and intimacy – a tender, vulnerable bond between men that's rarely explored on screen with such sensitivity. It brings a perspective we don't often see in cinema, and that makes it all the more powerful.' 'Last Night I Conquered the City of Thebes' is a co-production between Madrid's Dvein Films, La Coruña's Filmika Galaika and Lisbon's Bando à Parte. In late 2020, the project won an RTP Award, consisting of the pre-buy of rights from the Portuguese public broadcaster at the Seville European Film Festival. MoreThan Films is an international film sales agency based between Barcelona, Berlín and São Paulo. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Emirates introduces retrofitted Boeing 777 to Madrid
Emirates has announced it will deploy its newly refurbished Boeing 777 aircraft to/from Madrid starting from September 16. Customers can look forward to an enhanced travel experience with upgraded interiors and premium signature travel touches across all cabins. Madrid is Emirates' first destination in Spain to operate with the airline's next-generation interiors. Emirates' four-class Boeing 777 will operate as flight EK143/EK144. Emirates flight EK143 will depart Dubai at 14:30hrs and arrive in Madrid at 20:20hrs local time. The return flight, EK144 will depart Madrid at 22:05hrs and arrive in Dubai at 7:10hrs local time, the following day. The deployment of Emirates' retrofitted Boeing 777 to Madrid marks a new era of premium travel to the Spanish city - offering customers the airline's award-winning Premium Economy service, newly configured Business Class cabin, and a 'better' travel experience to/from the country. Emirates' newest Boeing 777 cabin interiors include: A refurbished First-Class cabin with upgraded interiors. New Business Class cabin that provides more privacy and comfort for customers with fully lie-flat seats in an updated 1-2-1 seating configuration. Latest Premium Economy cabin which combines accessible luxury with comfort; offering cream leather seats, increased legroom, adjustable headrests, deeper seat recline and raised cushioned leg rests. Spacious Economy Class seats with new design elements. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Fast Company
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Fast Company
This sleek new bike helmet protects your head and your lungs
Motorbike helmets can protect your head against fatal injury, but they leave you to breathe the noxious fumes of traffic. A Spanish startup called Zyon claims that its helmet addresses this problem by combining medical grade filtration with the most advanced shock-protection technology available, transforming every breath into clean air while keeping your coconut in one piece. Premium helmet models like the $900 Shoei Neotec 3 look cool and offer ECE 22.06 P/J certification—the latest European standard for motorcycle helmet safety, which includes more stringent testing procedures and impact points than any other certification in the world—but leave riders completely exposed to pollutants. One budget option—the $56 Indian Shellios Puros—provides basic HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration for but fails both European and U.S. safety standards. Only the $850 Zyon— available now for preorder and delivery later in the year—offers both medical grade air purification and top-tier impact protection in a single system. 'There is currently no approved helmet on the market that includes an integrated filtration system,' Tanguy Uzel, founder of the Madrid-based Zyon Helmets, tells me via email. 'The only exception is a model developed by an Indian brand, which does not have homologation or European and American safety standards.' The core of the Zyon is its Breath Safe System, which the company claims processes every molecule of air before it enters your body. How much do you need this? Motorcyclists suffer PM2.5 exposures of 75 micrograms per cubic meter, 5 times more than pedestrians and 15 times more than car occupants. This pollution penetrates lung alveoli and enters the bloodstream, causing chronic inflammation that has been linked to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. HEPA filters have demonstrated 48% to 60% reductions in allergic symptoms, outperforming many pharmaceutical treatments. Activated carbon neutralizes gases like carbon monoxide, whose exposure above 9 parts per million significantly reduces lung function in commercial drivers. While no portable system completely eliminates gas exposure, partial reduction provides significant health benefits during chronic urban exposure. Multilayer filtering The Zyon has three layers located inside the chin guard, where you can see its honeycomb openings and a mechanism to change the air-intake according to your speed. The first hydrophobic barrier blocks water and insects. The second layer employs H13 HEPA filters that capture 99.95% of particles down to 0.3 microns, including the dangerous PM2.5 particles that penetrate deep into the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream, causing chronic inflammation. A third layer uses activated carbon to absorb poisonous gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides that escape from exhaust pipes, the company says. A final layer protects the assembly and maintains filter integrity for one to three months of use, depending on the quality of the air during easy rides. This multi-layer filter design eliminates 99% of the pollution that motorcyclists would normally inhale in a city, where concentrations of toxic particles reach levels that would trigger health warnings if they occurred indoors. That's for your lungs. For your cranium, the helmet uses the Swedish multidirectional impact protection system (MIPS), which reduces rotational forces during a crash. A low-friction layer allows the helmet to move 10 to 15 millimeters relative to the head during impact, deflecting energy that could damage the brain. This technology functions without interfering with the filtration system or the neck sealing necessary to maintain clean air, the company points out. The ECE 22.06 P/J certification (introduced in the EU in 2022) triples the number of impact points tested compared to previous regulations and includes oblique impacts that simulate real accidents. The U.S. uses the Department of Transportation's FMVSS 218 standard, which is legally required but is considered a Mickey Mouse-level protection that provides ' minimum helmet performance ' rather than optimal protection. Three-mode ventilation The company claims its helmet maintains effective ventilation, even when stopped at traffic lights, through three modes without the need for electric fans. It offers Urban for slow traffic, Road for medium speeds, and Touring for highway use. A single mechanism switches between modes according to riding conditions. The company says that air enters through the front intake, filters through the four layers, circulates through internal channels, and exits through rear vents. This continuous current maintains positive pressure inside the helmet, preventing dirty air from entering through small leaks in the sealing—a critical detail that makes the filtration effective. 'Our filter acts by electrostatic attraction to capture fine particles and by chemical reaction with a layer of active carbon to neutralize toxic gases. Unlike mechanical filters (such as those of masks), this system allows better breathability, but also requires regular replacement,' Uzel tells me. The Zyon's shell combines fiberglass with organic materials in an integrated matrix. The materials are chemically bonded together during manufacturing to create a single, unified composite material rather than separate layers glued together. The glass fibers provide strength and prevent cracking, while the organic resin allows controlled flexibility that absorbs crash energy by deforming slightly instead of transmitting all the impact force directly to your head, which your brain will be happy about. The helmet is loaded with some clever electronics too, including integrated air quality sensors that can talk to a mobile app that monitors what goes through the filtering system and warns when the filter needs changing. 'The duration of the filter depends on the environment, but it is recommended to change it every one to three months. Once opened, even without use, it begins to lose properties due to exposure to air,' Uzel says. 'The helmet detects flights and air conditions in real time. From that data, the app generates custom statistics on the filtered contamination level and filter performance, and notifies the user when to replace it.' The helmet also has aviation-class accelerometers, which will identify accident patterns and automatically alert emergency services in your phone—a potentially lifesaving technology for riders who crash in remote areas. The rear light activates when braking through the same motion sensors whenever they detect deceleration, improving visibility especially in low-light conditions or high pollution. The battery provides 18 hours of autonomy and charges via USB-C. It looks like a great design, if it works like they say. The combination of medical filtration, MIPS protection, and smart electronics should protect you against the two main threats that motorcyclists face: accidents and pollution. For riders who spend hours daily breathing toxic urban air, this could be the solution. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is this Friday, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Bloomberg
6 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Spain's Indra Takes Aim at Drone Deal to Expand Weapons Division
Indra Sistemas SA is eying a potential acquisition to develop a defense-focused drone business, its chief executive said. The Madrid-based firm is working on a deal to grow the weapons and ammunition division it launched last month, chief executive officer José Vicente de los Mozos told Bloomberg News on Wednesday.
