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Times
2 days ago
- General
- Times
Heat tests? The World Cup winners will be coolest on the ball
The best laid plans and all that. Back in 1993, England were playing Norway in Oslo. The World Cup qualification process was in a perilous state but Graham Taylor, the manager, had a trick up his sleeve. He was going to play three at the back, with Gary Pallister picking up Norway's tall striker Jostein Flo. The problem was that he feared this plan would get out. Specifically, he was worried that the employee detailed by the Norwegian federation to act as liaison officer for England's trip would leak it to the hosts. So he came up with another ruse. Secretly, Taylor switched the time and place of the intended pre-match training location, and the team bus left without the Norwegian official. Brilliant. The action now switches to the home of the chief sports correspondent of VG, at the time Norway's biggest-selling newspaper, which looked on to the sports facility of a large military base. Hello, is that the England team bus pulling on to the complex? Indeed it is. And is that the England team running out to begin training? Indeed they are. Can we get a photographer here to capture it all in detail? Indeed we can. That is how the specifics of Taylor's intended strategy came to be plastered all over the first few pages of VG on the morning of the match, complete with images of training taken through barbed-wire fences, making England's mission appear ever more ludicrous. Egil Olsen, the Norway manager, moved Flo wide, effectively turning Pallister into a left back, Norway won 2-0 and England were staring at a premature World Cup exit. I was reminded of this when reading that England are undergoing specialist heat testing and training at a secret location in Girona this week. 'The FA is not sharing the precise location,' The Times reported at 6.45pm on Monday night. 'They are staying at the Camiral Golf and Wellness Resort,' reader Patrick Doherty posted in the comments section within minutes of publication. I can't confirm whether this is true. I really don't care. I haven't made a phone call to check because I would hate the FA to think I was being nosy, or was even interested. I've looked at the Camiral Golf and Wellness Resort online, however, and if they're not staying there, someone has slipped up. It looks exactly the sort of place England usually reside. Fabulously appointed, voted the No1 golf resort in Spain, two courses, amazing facilities; to think the FA imagined Thomas Tuchel was going to hang around St George's Park to do this job. The squad enjoyed what was described as a bonding session at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday and then headed roughly an hour north to the finest golf resort in Spain to acclimatise to warm weather. 'Suffering is one of the headlines for this World Cup,' Tuchel said. Sounds hellish. And that's how easy it is for a cunning plan to go up in smoke. If the team are at the Camiral Golf and Wellness Resort, I'm guessing so is Mr Doherty; he lives there, or he's staying there or he played there, and he saw them. And so would hundreds of others because that's the modern world. Back in 1993, the man from VG had to call his photographer from a landline and hope he picked up. These days, he would be snapping away on his phone in high definition the moment the bus arrived. He could take a video; maybe even live stream it. And, by the way, I'd wager the reporters covering England right now all know where this heat testing is taking place but, out of goodwill, are abiding by the FA's omertà. The point is this: learn to pass, learn to keep the ball, learn to dictate the game, learn to dictate the pace of the play. That's what wins the World Cup. That's why England lose. They don't control the game. And, in heat, in cold, in any climate in which football is played, ultimately, as standards rise deeper into the competition, that's unsustainable. Look, no harm in trying. If Tuchel is armed with reams of data revealing who suffers most in the heat, it cannot do any damage. Yet what if the tests show that Harry Kane struggles most. Will Tuchel not start him, based on that; or is he going to hope that, before fatigue sets in, his captain and talisman does enough to put England in a winning position? Ivan Toney, after all, has been playing in Saudi Arabia all season. If heat training actually gets players used to extreme temperatures, making them comfortable, surely he is streets ahead already? Does it work like that? Barry McGuigan trained in the desert before his featherweight title fight with Steve Cruz in 1986, but it still didn't prepare him for 15 rounds in a Las Vegas car park in mid-afternoon. Cruz was a Texan of Mexican descent — real name Estevan — McGuigan from Belfast, where the highest recorded temperature was 29.7C in 1983. With a canvas sheet over the ring, which trapped heat more than kept the sun off, McGuigan fought Cruz in 43C. Somehow, he was ahead on points going into the final round, but almost delirious with dehydration and heat-related exhaustion. As early as the tenth, he can be heard asking his corner to say a prayer 'that we'll be all right' such is the physical toll. McGuigan was knocked down three times in the final round and lost the fight. Rising from his stool, he remembers being broken and confused, and Cruz did not even land clean punches to take him down. McGuigan was unable to stand for the judges' scorecards and left the scene in an ambulance, accompanied by his priest, Father Brian D'Arcy. He admitted fearing for his life. McGuigan was a great fighter, but Cruz was born into that heat, and no training could prepare for it. And you may think this a cynical view, but we have been here before. 'No team will be better prepared than us,' Ray Lewington, England's assistant coach, said before the squad left for Miami in 2014, prior to the World Cup in Brazil. 'Roy Hodgson is a stickler for detail. It has to be perfect. We've gone up to a new level for this World Cup and I'd be very surprised if anyone was doing something we are not covering.' Then the 77-strong group of staff and players touched down in Florida and had their preparations impacted by something called hurricane season. Training sessions were washed out, and the final warm-up game with Honduras was delayed for 41 minutes by a spectacular electrical thunderstorm, with the referee Ricardo Salazar taking the players off. From this utterly unforeseeable annual event, the best prepared team at the World Cup then headed to Brazil, where they failed to win a game and were eliminated after two matches. Tuchel's England should fare better than that, not least because with 48 teams involved in next year's tournament it will be considerably harder to land in an old-fashioned 'group of death'. And being prepared is never a bad idea. As manager of Argentina, Diego Maradona once dismissed the unique challenge of playing at high altitude in Bolivia, refused the option of arriving early or even training in the stadium, then saw several of his players collapse and require emergency oxygen on the night. Argentina lost 6-1. So, yes, make use of available data. Credit Tuchel and his backroom team, too, with finding a way of at least making Saturday's match against Andorra useful. Better this than a week at St George's Park preparing to shoot fish in a barrel. Yet, when the whistle blows in June next year, whatever the mercury says, the oldest of truths remains. If England can't keep the ball, if England can't control the play, they might as well have stayed on the golf course. Amorim's honesty: great for journalists, less so for United Football writers appreciate Ruben Amorim, because he's honest. A straight question gets a straight answer. Sometimes an innocuous one gets a reply that makes the back page, too. He doesn't hide, he doesn't obfuscate. In February, after Patrick Dorgu was sent off against Ipswich Town, Amorim responded by bringing Noussair Mazraoui on for Alejandro Garnacho. Only 44 minutes had elapsed and Garnacho walked straight down the Old Trafford tunnel. Asked about this after the game, Amorim first made a connection to a previous fallout with Marcus Rashford — confirming there was friction — then said he would be speaking to Garnacho about his reaction. 'I'll talk about that, if you want, in the next press conference,' he added, helpfully. A lot of managers would have played it down. Amorim corroborated a good story, then told everybody to come back later in the week for the follow up. If he carries on like this they'll build a statue to him at Old Trafford. Not outside, necessarily, but in the press box. Amorim has been candid answering questions about players when others may have played down reports of friction HASNOOR HUSSAIN/REUTERS Whether the candid approach is always best for Manchester United, however, is another matter. By making it so clear that Garnacho has no future at the club, Amorim may have wiped many millions from his transfer fee. Chelsea may have thought they would need to play hardball to get him. Now they know United want Garnacho out and may pitch any offer accordingly. United can only hope others are interested and an auction dictates the price. Antonio Conte's relationship with his employers at Chelsea never recovered after speaking so finally about his bothersome striker Diego Costa. The pair had fallen out, but Chelsea hoped he could still fetch a high price. After Conte was open about the rift and told Costa by text that he was not in his plans, that scheme collapsed. It was the beginning of the end for Conte, too. One hopes the hierarchy at United are more understanding of their coach's exasperation. Huge National League crowd justifies mayor's U-turn Having been hard on Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, in these pages last week over the closure of Wembley Park station and the resulting cap set on ticket numbers for the National League play-off final, it is only fair to acknowledge the part he played in getting restrictions lifted, aiding Sunday's record 52,115 attendance. It is to be hoped, however, that in future those in charge of logistics do not presume that football outside the Premier League is irrelevant or unsupported. Oldham Athletic and Southend United pulled in a crowd in excess of the capacity at Hampden Park, Stamford Bridge or the Parc des Princes, home of the new European champions Paris Saint-Germain. It was an exceptional achievement, and should not be forgotten the next time Transport for London checks its diary seeking a free weekend.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Venture Global's 28 MTPA CP2 LNG Plant Receives FERC Approval
Venture Global, Inc. VG has recently received the necessary approvals from the U.S. regulatory authorities for the construction of the CP2 liquefied natural gas ('LNG') plant in Louisiana. A document by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ('FERC') confirmed the same. Venture Global had previously received approval for the construction of the CP2 LNG project from the FERC. However, following a ruling by a U.S. Court of Appeals regarding a similar LNG project, the FERC decided to conduct an additional assessment of the impact of this project on the region's air quality. The study concluded that the construction of the LNG project should be allowed to continue. The regulatory approvals for the projects came in after the final environmental review showed that the project would not have a material impact on the area's air quality, and the construction of the plant is in the public interest. The CP2 LNG plant will be constructed adjacent to VG's Calcasieu Pass LNG facility in Louisiana. The construction of the 28 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) LNG plant should support the export capabilities of the United States and solidify its position as the largest exporter of natural gas. The CP2 plant is expected to be the largest LNG export facility in the country. The completion of the plant could also make Venture Global the largest LNG company in the United States. After receiving approval from the regulatory authorities, the company's CEO has stated that the on-site construction of the project will begin immediately. The supplemental environmental review for the CP2 project came in after a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit against NextDecade Corporation's LNG plant at the Port of Brownsville. This overturned the FERC's prior approval for the construction of the plant. Following this, the FERC decided to closely assess the impact of the CP2 LNG plant on the air quality of the region. The CP2 LNG project in Louisiana has been caught in a conflict between the energy sector and environmentalists who are seeking to limit the expansion of LNG projects in the United States. VG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the energy sector are Flotek Industries Inc. FTK, Energy Transfer ET and RPC, Inc. RES. Flotek Industries presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Energy Transfer and RPC carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Flotek Industriesspecializes in green chemistry, which provides innovative solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the energy industry. Flotek develops specialty chemicals tailored for both domestic and international energy producers, as well as oilfield service companies. These chemicals not only help reduce the environmental impact of hydrocarbon production but also lower operational costs. Energy Transfer is a midstream player that owns and operates one of the most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States. Boasting a pipeline network extending more than 125,000 miles, its network spans over 44 states. With a presence in all the major U.S. production basins, the company's outlook seems positive. RPC generates strong and stable revenues through a diverse range of oilfield services, including pressure pumping, coiled tubing and rental tools. The company is strongly committed to returning value to its shareholders through consistent dividend payments and share buybacks, making it an attractive choice for investors seeking steady returns. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Energy Transfer LP (ET) : Free Stock Analysis Report RPC, Inc. (RES) : Free Stock Analysis Report Flotek Industries, Inc. (FTK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Venture Global, Inc. (VG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
PureVPN Publishes Q1 2025 Transparency Report Amid Rising Global Demand for User Data
PureVPN reinforces its commitment to user privacy and accountability despite increasing data requests. ROAD TOWN, VG / ACCESS Newswire / May 27, 2025 / PureVPN - a global leader in user privacy and business security, safeguarding digital freedom for over 18 years - has published its Transparency Report for the first quarter of 2025. The report highlights the growing volume of data requests submitted to the company and reinforces PureVPN's stringent no-logs policy, which prevents the collection or retention of user-identifiable data. With global internet freedom steadily declining over the past 14 years and authorities increasingly submitting data requests to tech companies, especially in the U.S. and Europe, PureVPN remains committed to protecting digital privacy. Between January and March 2025, the company saw a notable increase in requests by law enforcement agencies and third parties. Nevertheless, consistent with its independently audited no-logs policy, the company disclosed no user data - because none exists. Transparency in Numbers: Q1 2025 Data Requests In Q1 2025, PureVPN received over 23,000 requests, including: Although PureVPN received numerous requests, its infrastructure prevents the retention of user-identifiable data, so it didn't provide any information in response. Commitment to Independent Verification PureVPN's privacy practices undergo regular independent audits to verify compliance with its no-logs policy, ensuring users that their activity remains confidential, even under legal scrutiny. The company continues to strengthen its security infrastructure, focusing on user privacy, device security, and identity and access management (IAM). PureVPN's commitment to transparency and trust has also earned it the VPN Trust Seal from the i2Coalition's VPN Trust Initiative, recognizing excellence in security, privacy, advertising practices, disclosure, and social responsibility. Additionally, PureVPN leverages an ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified Information Security Management System (ISMS), underscoring its dedication to globally recognized standards in managing sensitive data. You can access the full report here. About PureVPN PureVPN is a global leader in digital security and online privacy, with over 18 years of expertise. Built with a focus on practical, engineering-driven solutions, PureVPN empowers its users to navigate the digital landscape safely by encrypting connections, securely storing passwords, preventing third-party tracking, monitoring the dark web, and reclaiming personal data from brokers. Contact InformationPureSquare Press PR Manager SOURCE: PureSquare press release
Local Norway
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local Norway
Loophole that allows foreign vehicles in Norway to dodge tolls to close
A hold-up relating to an EU directive that allowed foreign-registered vehicles to avoid paying tolls in Norway has been resolved, meaning more foreign drivers will have to pay up. The hold-up meant that Norway couldn't access foreign vehicle registers, meaning charges for using toll roads and parking tickets couldn't be forwarded onto tourists and the owners of vehicles registered abroad. Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård had previously expressed his frustration that Norway was unable to collect from a large number of foreign vehicles. 'It is very frustrating that we cannot collect this from foreign motorists. Both because we are not receiving the money and in view of the inequality towards those who pay,' he told the Norwegian newspaper VG earlier this year. However, the hold-up was resolved after Liechtenstein approved an EU directive that allows access to vehicle data across borders when it comes to road traffic offences and tolls. This means toll and parking firms will be able to send parking fines and bills for toll payment from motorists with vehicles registered in countries that had opted out of data sharing during the hold-up. Norwegian newspaper VG had previously reported that tolls firms were only able to collect 230 million of the 416 million kroner owed by foreign drivers in 2023. Advertisement Meanwhile, Oslo has seen an explosive increase in drivers working for courier delivery services like Foodora and Wolt flouting the rules and racking up large bills in unpaid tolls and parking fines due to having a foreign-registered vehicle. Foreign drivers who have paid tolls on Norwegian roads have either done so at toll booths or by signing up to the Euro Parking Collection . The regional newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad reported that the loophole should close one month after Liechtenstein has notified that its reservations over the directive have been lifted .
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Venture Global Rallied Today, Despite an Earnings "Miss"
Venture Global missed first-quarter expectations and lowered its EBITDA outlook. However, the stock surged on management's announcement of an earlier-than-expected full production start to its second LNG facility by the end of this year. Yet an overhanging legal dispute with several customers keeps this newly public company well below its IPO price. 10 stocks we like better than Venture Global › Shares of liquefied natural gas export terminal operator Venture Global (NYSE: VG) rallied 8.3% today, despite the company missing on both revenue and earnings in the first quarter. Venture Global reported this morning, coming up short of analyst expectations, while lowering its adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) outlook for the year. Nevertheless, the stock rallied as management noted its second liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility would be up and running to full production earlier than expected, which will enable the company to sell LNG at very high spot prices. Venture Global just went public back in January amid much controversy. Venture Global's valuation at its initial public offering (IPO) was $58 billion, or $25 per share, which was about 45% below the price the company had originally floated. Still, even that lower market capitalization proved optimistic, as the stock sold off hard amid tariff fears to a recent low of $6.75 following "Liberation Day" on April 2. Venture Global is currently involved in legal arbitration with several customers that had signed up for contracted deliveries at fixed prices many years ago, which would commence once VG began commercial operations. But after spot prices for LNG rocketed higher following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the artificial intelligence (AI) data center boom, VG management exploited a loophole in its contracts as to what qualified as "commercial operations," instead insisting that its early deliveries are occurring in what constitutes a "phased commissioning" stage. In the first quarter, the company generated $2.9 billion in revenue, up 105%, with adjusted EBITDA up 94%. Despite those big increases, the numbers fell short of expectations, as VG's first LNG export terminal, Calcasieu Pass, ramped up commercial operations beginning in April. However, management noted it now projects adjusted EBITDA to be in a range of $6.4 billion to $6.8 billion in 2025, down from prior guidance of $6.8 billion to $7.2 billion. The reason given was that project costs for the company's second LNG export terminal, Plaquemines, are running higher than expected. However, management also said it plans to ship full pre-commercial volumes from Plaquemines by the end of 2025, which was sooner than investors expected. While Plaquemines has lower-priced commercial contracts kicking in in 2027, the sooner volumes exported during the "formal commissioning" process will be able to be sold on the higher spot price market. Thus, the stock rallied on that bit of information. Even after today's surge, Venture Global's stock is only back to $10.74, well below its IPO price and far below the initially hoped-for IPO price not too long ago. Therefore, it's quite a tempting stock to dig into. That's especially true as management has ambitious growth plans and a third LNG export facility, Calcasieu Pass 2, or CP2, scheduled to begin operations in 2026. Investors, however, should be aware that not only will the price of VG's LNG volumes come down once commercial contracts kick in, but the legal overhang from several customer lawsuits also adds to the uncertainty. Before you buy stock in Venture Global, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Venture Global wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $598,613!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $753,878!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 922% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 169% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 12, 2025 Billy Duberstein and/or his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Venture Global Rallied Today, Despite an Earnings "Miss" was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
