
Russian central bank plays down impact of foreign company exits
By Elena Fabrichnaya and Alexander Marrow MOSCOW Only five transactions involving foreign companies selling assets in Russia since
2023-05-26 21:59

Just win – Dean Smith keeps Leicester message simple ahead of crunch final day
Leicester boss Dean Smith has said his message to his players ahead of their all-or-nothing game with West Ham on Sunday will simply be “just win”. The Foxes have to win and hope that Everton cannot beat Bournemouth if they are to avoid relegation to the Championship. Smith, who was parachuted in on an eight-game SOS mission following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers, says that what happens at the King Power Stadium against the Hammers is the only thing the Foxes need to focus on. He said: “We have got to win the game plainly and simply, we have got to figure out and balance the best way to not give big chances away and create big chances against West Ham, who are in a European final and after a tough first half of the season have climbed away from danger and have got a very good manager there. “We have to win the game and not look at the Everton result until after the game. We have to do our job and see where it takes us. “We can only control what we can do. We have to control our performance, help your team-mates out and go and get a good performance and a win. “If we do our part we are looking at other people to help us, but we have to make sure we concentrate on what we do. It’s quite a simple message really and the lads have trained well so far. “The players want clarity of what their positions are, what we are asking of them and our job is to give them that. It doesn’t get any clearer for me: They have to win. That’s all they need to know and that’s all they do know. “We just have to concentrate on our own game. It’s simplistic, we have to win, it doesn’t matter what is going on at other grounds. Just win. “Whatever else is going on elsewhere we are not in control of. But we have seen how quickly things can change around in the last 15 minutes of games, whether it is this season or previous seasons. We win our games and then see where it goes.” Smith did not want to discuss his future beyond Sunday’s game, insisting that there will be a post-season debrief. Asked whether the outcome of the match will impact his future, Smith added: “Not at all, my future was to come in for seven weeks and eight games and that hasn’t change. My future is exactly the same. That is a question to have after the game and not before it.” The Foxes will be without Caglar Soyuncu, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jonny Evans and Ricardo Pereira will all be fit. Wilfred Ndidi is a doubt with a hamstring injury. “Caglar is not fit, he has tried to get himself back into training this week but he just felt it, obviously it was too close but the fact he wanted to push it to be in contention shows a lot about his character. He’s definitely out,” Smith said. “Dewsbury-Hall is good, he’s been training with us for a couple of days now, so he’ll be available for selection. “(Kelechi) Iheanacho is fine, Jonny Evans had cramp he’s fine. Ricky we scanned him and he is fine, Wilf is the only question mark at the moment, we are waiting to see if he is good enough to train tomorrow.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sean Dyche is not concerned with Everton potentially looking for his replacement David Moyes: West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca to miss Europa Conference League final Scott Carson commits to Manchester City with new 12-month deal
2023-05-26 21:53

David Moyes: West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca to miss Europa Conference League final
West Ham boss David Moyes has confirmed Gianluca Scamacca will miss the Europa Conference League final next month. Italian striker Scamacca, the £30.5million summer signing from Sassuolo, underwent knee surgery in April but there were hopes he could return before the end of the season. However, Moyes has ruled the 24-year-old out of the final against Fiorentina in Prague on June 7. “I see him being nowhere near it. He’s not back training and not back,” said Moyes. “He’s still doing his rehab in Italy just now, so I don’t expect to see him back before then, no. “He had his operation about four weeks ago, so he has still a few weeks of rehab to do but hopefully, he will be back ready at the start of pre-season.” The Hammers face relegation-threatened Leicester on the final day of the Premier League season, knowing a win on Sunday could lift them as high as 12th, above Chelsea. That would not be a bad result from a campaign which looked at times destined to end in relegation. “I take every game one at a time, that’s all we can ever do,” added Moyes. “It’s a chance to get your league place higher up and we’re all well aware of the value of that in the Premier League. “If you’d given me this position a few weeks ago I’d have snapped your hand off because we go into the last day without any real problems and, more importantly we go into it knowing we’ve got a cup final in a week or so’s time.” Leicester need a victory and a favour from Bournemouth at Everton in order to stay up. “I’m glad it’s a game where it’s not us needing to win it, because it was always a hard-looking game,” said Moyes. “They’ve had a great team over recent seasons, they really have. “I think it’s a bit of a surprise to everyone that they’re in the position they are in. They have got some top players and we’re going to have to defend well and deal with it well. Hopefully, we can.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Just win – Dean Smith keeps Leicester message simple ahead of crunch final day Sean Dyche is not concerned with Everton potentially looking for his replacement Scott Carson commits to Manchester City with new 12-month deal
2023-05-26 21:47

Sean Dyche is not concerned with Everton potentially looking for his replacement
Everton manager Sean Dyche insists he has no problem with the relegation-threatened club potentially already looking for his replacement. The former Burnley boss arrived late in January as Frank Lampard’s replacement with the challenge of avoiding the drop. Things have not gone entirely to plan with the Toffees just two points above the relegation zone, although their fate remains in their own hands as they seek to extend their stay in the top flight into a 70th season by matching the results of Leeds and Leicester. And reports this week suggested Everton were already thinking about what comes next. “It’s fair to say ‘interesting’ reports, but I don’t know where they come from,” said Dyche. “At the end of the day, good businesses should be succession planning. I’ve got no problem with that, even if that were true.” Everton go into their relegation-decider at home to Bournemouth without striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin or defenders Nathan Patterson and Ben Godfrey. “They won’t be fit. We haven’t had Dom for two-thirds of my time here. We have still won games, still got points on the board and performed,” he said. “Patto has come into the side more latterly and performed well. We lose him as well.” Dyche holds out some hope Vitalii Mykolenko – his only remaining full-back on either flank – could return after a two-match absence. “He’s a bit better so we will see how he reacts tomorrow to training today,” Dyche added. Dyche was already without Seamus Coleman, Ruben Vinagre, Tom Davies and Andros Townsend so more injuries just increase the pressure in an already-tough atmosphere on Sunday. “I think it is part of being a professional footballer. You have to use the feeling in the stadium to your advantage and I think we have a decent experience level for the ups and downs of football to understand that,” added the manager. “We want players to focus on the game, which is not as easy as it sounds, but focus on the game and the idea and don’t worry about the noise. That’s the clear intention.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Just win – Dean Smith keeps Leicester message simple ahead of crunch final day David Moyes: West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca to miss Europa Conference League final Scott Carson commits to Manchester City with new 12-month deal
2023-05-26 21:46

Sanctions, pressure on foreign banks destabilising Russia's FX market -central bank
By Elena Fabrichnaya and Alexander Marrow MOSCOW Pressure on foreign banks operating in Russia and the widening scope
2023-05-26 21:46

Myanmar country profile
Provides an overview of Myanmar, including key dates and facts about this South East Asian country.
2023-05-26 20:17

James Ward-Prowse, James Maddison and 16 Premier League transfer targets after relegation
The final day of the Premier League season sees only the relegation battle still outstanding to be sorted, with two of Leeds United, Leicester City and Everton set to join Southampton fc in dropping to the Championship. While the obvious priority is merely to remain in the top flight and not worry - for 90 minutes, at least - about what comes next, the natural implication of failing to survive is that bigger clubs will come calling for those players deemed too good to go down. Rumours have already circulated around a number of those names; here are 18 who could easily attract a move to a top-flight club this summer if their present sides feel the need to sell to balance the books after departing the richest league on the planet. James Ward-Prowse Starting with the side who are already gone, central midfielder and dead-ball expert Ward-Prowse will certainly be in demand. An England international, the 28-year-old hasn’t been at his best this term but failings around him haven’t helped. Still has eight goals and four assists in a dismal team, and it’s hard to see him spending even a season in the Championship. Armel Bella-Kotchap While Saints’ defensive unit as a whole has been far too porous, individually there are a couple of players who have impressed. Centre-back Bella-Kotchap is one, with some tenacious displays earning him strong reviews earlier in the campaign. Put him alongside a more experienced player in a more cohesive unit and it’s safe to say his career is on an upward trajectory. Romeo Lavia Another recent recruit, teenage midfielder Lavia is already interesting plenty of top-half clubs who have been impressed with his tactical intelligence as much as his ferocious defensive work, overstretched as he has been in the middle of the park. Considering this was a rookie season for him in the top flight he has acquitted himself very well and the Belgian is already capped at senior international level. Kyle Walker-Peters Not so much a star for the future this time, but Walker-Peters has long since proven his capabilities in the Premier League. Add in his versatility and the fact he has only two years left on his contract and this summer seems the right one for any clubs keen on him to make their move. Kamaldeen Sulemana Of all the January arrivals who failed to impact at Saints, former Rennes man Sulemana might be the biggest disappointment - and therefore potentially the bargain with the biggest upside. At age 21 there’s a long runway for improvement for the Ghanaian, who can play wide or central in attack - but then again perhaps a season as a guaranteed starter would actually prove more beneficial for him in the long run. If Saints keep hold of him he should be a standout star in the Championship. James Maddison Moving onto the teams still fighting for survival, James Maddison looks to be one who might move on regardless of the final day. The creative attacker is certainly playing at a higher level than most of his Leicester teammates and has already been linked with the likes of Newcastle. Perhaps the only real factor at play here is the transfer fee; the Foxes might be able to ask for significantly more if they do beat the drop. Youri Tielemans A definite departure, Leicester have somehow allowed a key midfielder who was wanted for around £40m a couple of summers ago by more than one club run down his deal and he’ll leave on a free. The calibre of sides who want him this season mightbe significantly lower, though. Tielemans hasn’t been at his best technically or physically - but perhaps a new environment and team setup could reinvigorate his undoubted quality. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Might be one Leicester hope to hang onto even if they are in the second tier, given he has a very long-term contract, but Dewsbury-Hall is almost certain to have top-flight admirers. Energetic, diligent in both halves of the pitch and with a sprinkling of magic about his play, the 24-year-old is too good for the Championship but might be too pricey to prise away. Harvey Barnes Finishing up at the Foxes, Harvey Barnes is already a known target - the Independentreported Aston Villa’s keen interest in the left-sided attacking outlet this week. Despite Leicester’s struggles he has 12 goals to his name this season and with two years remaining on his deal it’s probably time to make a step up, since even if they survive this weekend, his club don’t look like mounting a real revival any time soon. Tyler Adams Onto Leeds and the first probable departure is American midfield dynamo Tyler Adams. An excellent ball-winner, ball-carrier and team leader in the centre of the park, it’s unthinkable he’d drop down into the second division. An injury absence at the end of this season hasn’t helped Leeds at all but he has long since shown himself a top performer. Luis Sinisterra Given the ability of some of their players, it’s a bit of a wonder Leeds are down there at all - until you watch some of the defensive work, at least. At the other end of the pitch it can be a very different matter though and Sinisterra is another who, having fought around the top of the Eredivisie for Feyenoord before a £25m last summer, surely won’t be a Championship player. Injuries have hampered him this term but he’s electric when fit. Wilfried Gnonto One of the bargains of the season, Leeds signed the Italian for about £4m in September and he is a real gem in the making. Given the length of his deal and the fact he’s only 19, perhaps he’s one of those they’ll hope to keep and shoot straight back up with - but other, bigger clubs have been impressed this season by Gnonto, make no mistake. He’s already a senior goalscorer for Italy; he probably isn’t going to be keen on facing Rotherham and Hull next term. Dwight McNeil Everton head into the weekend in the driving seat but there’s barely any margin for error. Dwight McNeil will be among their biggest hopes to get the result they need and if they don’t, he’ll be relegated twice in two years. And don’t be surprised if that means he pushes for a transfer twice in two years either, because he’s far too good for the Championship and the Toffees will need to sell. Jordan Pickford Not had the season of his life but he’s the England No.1 and will want to remain so. It probably won’t happen if he’s playing in the Championship, so a Pickford departure might be an obvious one. Amadou Onana Belgian box-to-box star Amadou Onana is another who is simply far too good to be allowed to go down. Everton have only fleetingly got the best out of him so far but his incredible mix of technique and physicality is one which should be unleashed in a far better team setup. Perhaps if they survive he’s one of the keys to Sean Dyche’s rebuild, but if not, he has to go elsewhere at a higher level. Dominic Calvert-Lewin Finally, the would-be goalscorer of the team, Calvert-Lewin. It’s easy to point to injuries as the reason for his low returns of late, but the fact is that the England international has had one sole campaign with a decent return of 21 in all competitions - he’s scored seven times in two years since that. Even so, the suspicion is that someone would gamble on keeping him fit and rediscovering his clinical edge, rather than letting him go down with a sinking ship. Read More Premier League relegation: What do Leeds, Everton and Leicester need to survive? Premier League 2022/23 season awards: Best player, manager, transfer flop and breakthrough act Everton stare into the relegation abyss – a mess of their own making Mac City claim title for third successive time – The 2022-23 season in pictures From Conte and Tuchel’s clash to Kane’s heroics – Premier League best moments A closer look at the goals that lit up the 2022-23 season
2023-05-26 19:28

Edouard Mendy likely to leave Chelsea ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga
Edouard Mendy is expected to leave Chelsea this summer ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Blues want to sell one of the two goalkeepers before investing in a new number one stopper.
2023-05-26 19:21

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Mallorca - La Liga
Predicting the Barcelona lineup to face Mallorca in La Liga. Xavi's side have lost their two league games and will hope to turn things around despite having the title already wrapped up.
2023-05-26 18:59

Eddie Howe eyes summer spree after Newcastle punched above their weight
Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle have “massively over-achieved” this season and will have to spend big in the summer if they are to match it next time around. The Magpies secured a return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence when Monday night’s 0-0 draw with Leicester guaranteed a top-four finish ahead of Sunday’s final-day trip to Chelsea. That represents a significant upgrade on the club’s target at the start of the campaign, and it will require further investment from their Saudi-backed owners this summer to ensure they can compete on all fronts. Asked if he was looking forward to that challenge, head coach Howe said: “Ask me in a few months. I don’t know if it’s something you look forward to, but the dynamic will have changed for us. “I think we have massively over-achieved this year for where we were at the start of the season and to keep over-achieving – and that’s what we’re going to have to do to match the expectation – is going to be our biggest challenge.” Newcastle have already spent in excess of £250million on players in the three transfer windows since Amanda Staveley’s consortium bought out Mike Ashley in October 2021, and while they have bought astutely and been richly rewarded, Howe is conscious that task will become more challenging. They will shop this summer in a different market to the one the 45-year-old might have anticipated. The club has long-standing interest in West Ham’s Declan Rice and Leicester’s James Maddison with both tipped to be on the move this summer, although Rice in particular will have suitors, some with even deeper pockets, queuing up. Asked if his wish-list would include “marquee” signings, Howe said: “Yes, there would be players we’d love to bring in that would be classified in that bracket, I’m sure. “For me, it’s more about the role they can fulfil in the team – whether that’s viewed positively or as a marquee signing, then great. “I’m not in my mind thinking, ‘We have to have one of those players that ticks that box for the supporters’. As much as I’d love to do that, it’s about finding the right player in the right position who I think makes us better.” For all Newcastle’s new-found wealth, Howe has been at pains throughout his reign to stress that unbridled spending is simply not an option, and that the club will have to continue to invest shrewdly. Yes, we are going to have to spend a certain amount of money. How much that is, I don’t know Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe He said: “Unfortunately players don’t come cheap, especially good players. Yes, we are going to have to spend a certain amount of money. How much that is, I don’t know. “I still don’t know what my budget is at this moment in time, but there will have to be some expenditure. It will have to be controlled. It will have to be under FFP restrictions, which we have worked under and will continue to work under. They are definitely impacting us and what we will be able to do.” Howe will be without keeper Nick Pope at Stamford Bridge after he underwent surgery on a hand injury, and he will join Jamaal Lascelles, Javier Manquillo, Matt Ritchie, Joelinton and Joe Willock on the sidelines. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Don’t be overawed by Wembley, says Liam Kelly as Coventry aim for Premier League Cricket Ireland defends decision to rest Josh Little for England Test Marc Skinner demands Man Utd focus on their own job in WSL season finale
2023-05-26 18:54

Barcelona vs Mallorca - La Liga: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction
Previewing Barcelona vs Mallorca in La Liga, with TV & live stream details, team news, predicted lineups & score prediction.
2023-05-26 18:53

Ramaphosa Sets Powers for Minister to Address Energy Crisis
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa allocated a range of powers to his electricity minister to help address the
2023-05-26 18:51