Liverpool identify Cheick Doucoure as new midfielder after missing out on Caicedo and Lavia
Liverpool are stepping up their efforts to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure. Jurgen Klopp has insisted on a number six to bolster his squad after missing out on Moises Caicedo to Chelsea, with Romeo Lavia set to follow the Ecuadorian to Stamford Bridge. The Anfield club have had to search for alternative options, with Doucoure likely to be cheaper than both previous targets. Doucoure’s final price could come in at under £60 million, although Palace are wary of losing too many players this summer. The Malian midfielder is understood to be keen to move to Anfield, and personal terms would not be an issue. Liverpool are also looking at Fulham's Joao Paulinha and Nice's Khephren Thuram but the 23-year-old Doucoure is seen as a more viable option to do right now. Klopp is keen to “reload” in the coming weeks as the Reds revamp their squad and starting options. The German said: “We don’t have to always say ‘Milner would have said that and Henderson would have said that and Firmino would have smiled here.’ We should not do it like that. That makes no sense. “We have this kind of new start with this Liverpool reloaded, it’s an exciting thing. Everybody was asking for changes, rightly so, because we were together for a long time. “It’s a new chance for everybody, everybody has to step up. We all share responsibility and it’s not that we should give ourselves too much time to grow into it, let’s do it. “Let’s take the responsibility and go from there and don’t try to be like somebody. Be the best version of yourself and then you have a good chance to help the team in the best possible way.” Read More Big-spending Chelsea close to completing deals for Romeo Lavia and Michael Olise Moises Caicedo completes Chelsea’s dream midfield — but £115m deal could haunt them Chelsea-Liverpool chaos was the perfect result for one team: Brighton
2023-08-16 18:21
Americans are divided along party lines over Trump’s actions in election cases, AP-NORC poll shows
A new poll shows Americans are deeply divided along party lines in their views of President Donald Trump’s actions in the most recent criminal charges brought against him
2023-08-16 18:21
No. 21 Tar Heels aim to contend in the ACC with QB Drake Maye. A step up defensively would help, too
North Carolina aims to be a contender in the Atlantic Coast Conference behind star quarterback Drake Maye
2023-08-16 18:21
Did Alec Baldwin pull the trigger in 'Rust' shooting? New forensic report hints actor may be charged again
The involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin were formally dropped earlier
2023-08-16 18:20
Kenya's debt rises to historic high: treasury
Kenya's debt level has reached record highs despite President William Ruto's vow to tame the country's appetite for...
2023-08-16 18:19
Harry Maguire’s move to West Ham collapses with Man Utd future unclear
Harry Maguire’s £30 million move to West Ham is off, with the England defender now likely to stay at Manchester United. The two clubs had agreed a fee for the centre back, who had been stripped of the Man United captaincy this summer. But Maguire would have had to take a substantial cut in his wages to leave Old Trafford, with his Man United salary going up this summer after Erik ten Hag’s team qualified for the Champions League, and no pay-off was agreed. Ten Hag has always said that he regards Maguire as a valuable member of his squad and wanted the former Leicester, Hull and Sheffield United player to stay and fight for his place. He was on the bench for Monday’s 1-0 win over Wolves, though Ten Hag brought on Victor Lindelof ahead of him. Man United were also concerned that Maguire’s departure this late in the window would not have given them much time to find a replacement, though Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard would have been one contender. West Ham, who have signed midfielders Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse with the proceeds of Declan Rice’s £105million sale to Arsenal, are now expected to switch their attention to other defensive targets. The former Man United midfielder Jesse Lingard, who had a successful loan spell under David Moyes in 2021/22, is also training with West Ham and available on a free transfer after leaving Nottingham Forest. Read More Football rumours: Crystal Palace unhappy with Chelsea over bid for Michael Olise Harry Maguire looking set to remain with Manchester United Harry Maguire’s move to West Ham in doubt
2023-08-16 18:17
Fed meeting minutes could hint at end of rate hikes
By Howard Schneider WASHINGTON The minutes of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting last month may indicate on Wednesday
2023-08-16 18:16
What is Al Roker’s net worth? ‘Today’ host gained fame as a weatherman thanks to David Letterman
Al Roker has written 12 books, including two cookbooks, has his own production company and dabbles in real estate too
2023-08-16 17:56
Biden slammed for offering ‘insulting’ $700 payments to Maui wildfire victims
President Joe Biden’s offer of a $700 emergency payment to households impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires has been criticised as an insult to survivors. The death toll from the US’s deadliest wildfires in more than 100 years rose to 99 on Monday, with hundreds still unaccounted for, thousands left homeless and an estimated $7bn in economic damage. Mr Biden, who has faced criticism for his handling of the disaster, announced an economic relief package on Monday that included cash payments and temporary housing assistance for survivors. “We're laser-focused on getting aid to survivors, including Critical Needs Assistance: a one-time $700 payment per household offering relief during an unimaginably difficult time. “We have staff on the ground dedicated to helping survivors navigate the registration process,” Mr Biden added. A White House statement confirmed the offer was only available to residents who were displaced from their homes and had critical needs. With 1,200 families sheltering in emergency shelters over the weekend, and 2,200 buildings destroyed, it’s not clear how many Hawaiians will be eligible. It was immediately decried as too small to have a meaningful impact by some commentators. “Make it $700 a month. Per family member in a household. For a minimum of two years,” wrote Scott Santens, the director of the ITSA Foundation which backs universal basic income, on X, formerly known as Twitter. “A one time $700 payment will definitely get their lives, houses and property back! Great job Biden,” another user wrote. Many compared the offer unfavourably to the $113bn in aid the Biden administration has sent to Ukraine since February 2022 to support the war effort, with a further $200m approved on Monday. Financial commentator Mark Wlosinski wrote on X estimated the $700 offer would amount to $1.9m, and labelled it “insulting”. “Can someone please explain how our government can send hundreds of billions to other countries, but chooses to pinch pennies when our own people are in need? An entire town on US soil has been destroyed overnight, and the best our government can do is $700?” Actor Rob Schneider, an outspoken anti-vaxxer and Trump supporter, wrote on X: “The ($115bn) US TAX PAYER DOLLARS TO UKRAINE… $1.9 million dollars to American Maui fire victims. Biden hates Americans…” Right-wing commentator Colin Rugg wrote: “Can someone please explain to me why our leaders are so reckless with money sent to Ukraine but then pinch pennies when the money is spent on Americans?” Mr Biden has faced criticism for his response to the Maui fires from his political opponents. He appeared to brush off a White House pool reporter reporter’s questions when asked for a comment on the rising death toll over the weekend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the snub on Monday, saying that Mr Biden remained “deeply concerned” about the wildfires. The newly-indicted former President Donald Trump seized on Mr Biden's apparent no comment, claiming the Democrat “refuses to help or comment on the tragedy”. On 9 August, Mr Biden offered his “deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui” in a statement as the first fatalities were confirmed. The next day he declared a federal disaster in the state, freeing up federal funds to provide grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. Mr Biden made brief remarks during a trip to Salt Lake City last week in his only public comments so far about the unfolding tragedy. “Anyone who's lost a loved one, whose home has been damaged or destroyed, is going to get help immediately,” he said. The White House has since touted its “whole-of-government response effort”, which included deploying 500 federal personnel and thousands of meals, beds and litters of water. The Democratic Hawaii governor Josh Green has publicly praised Mr Biden’s response to the disaster. The Independent has approached the White House for comment. Read More Maui fires live updates: Biden slammed over ‘no comment’ line as Hawaii death toll continues to climb Obama posts heartfelt video on Maui wildfires: ‘We have to step up’ Before and after satellite images show scale of ferocious Hawaii wildfires Biden slammed for offering ‘insulting’ $700 payments to Maui wildfire victims ‘I think I messed up’: Moment US representative mistakenly introduces Joe Biden Death toll from devastating Maui fire reaches 106, as county begins releasing names
2023-08-16 17:56
Futures edge up as focus shifts to Fed meeting minutes
U.S. stock index futures ticked higher on Wednesday as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve's July policy
2023-08-16 17:56
Rugby volunteer takes Ukrainians under her wing
Kym Bromley said they were like "rabbits in headlights" when they arrived.
2023-08-16 17:55
Tribunal says Georgia teacher who read book on gender identity to her fifth grade class should not be fired
A three-person tribunal has recommended against the firing of a Georgia teacher who is at risk of being terminated after reading a book about gender identity to her fifth grade class, according to the teacher's attorney.
2023-08-16 17:54
