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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Russell says likelihood of leaving Mercedes "exceptionally low"
SILVERSTONE, England: George Russell said he was almost certain to stay with Mercedes next season amid increasing speculation that his old Formula One foe Max Verstappen could move to the team from Red Bull. The Briton is out of contract at the end of this year while four-times world champion Verstappen is known to have performance clauses that could release him from a contract that runs to 2028. "The likelihood I'm not at Mercedes next year, I think is exceptionally low," Russell told reporters ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone when quizzed again about his situation. Verstappen is third in the standings but a huge 61 points behind McLaren's leader Oscar Piastri. Once-dominant Red Bull are fourth in the constructors' championship. "I wouldn't be surprised if he (Verstappen) comes. And if he comes I'd welcome him as a team mate. But I don't think he will," said Russell, who has had a number of clashes with the Dutch driver this season and last. "I personally think things will continue as they are. But again until the contract is on the table on my side, and also for Kimi (Antonelli), you can never be sure." Russell, who won in Canada last month, said he was not losing any sleep about his performance and was also pretty thick-skinned when it came to rumours. "I'm not scared of Max. He's obviously an amazing driver in the same way (previous teammate) Lewis (Hamilton) was an amazing driver." Russell has been managed by Mercedes since he was 16 and pointed out that there was therefore not much negotiation to be done on his contract. Mercedes had admitted to talks with Verstappen but more for the long term. "I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. The fact is (team boss) Toto (Wolff) has never let me down. He's always given me his word but he's also got to do what's right for his team, which includes me," said Russell. "For me, it's nothing to worry about because I don't think I'll be going anywhere." The rumour mill has suggested that 18-year-old Italian rookie Antonelli could be loaned to Renault-owned Alpine, who will have Mercedes engines next year and are run by Italian Flavio Briatore. Others have predicted a pairing of Verstappen and Antonelli as more likely. There has also been speculation that Verstappen might take a sabbatical for a year to see how the new 2026 engines affected the pecking order, but the Dutch driver dismissed that categorically.
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Aurangzeb advances strategic partnerships on sidelines of FFD4
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a series of high-level bilateral meetings and strategic engagements on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), currently under way in Seville, Spain. These meetings were aimed at fostering deeper strategic cooperation with partner countries and institutions across areas such as development finance, trade, climate resilience, and institutional capacity-building, according to press release issued by the Finance Ministry here. The Minister is representing Pakistan at FFD4, as well as in various side events, policy dialogues, and multi-stakeholder round-table discussions. Aurangzeb urges global push to revive development cooperation at FfD4 As part of his bilateral meetings, the minister met with Eelco Heinen, Minister of Finance of the Netherlands, for a detailed bilateral exchange. The meeting focused on further strengthening the long-standing and cordial ties between the two countries, particularly in the domains of trade, development cooperation, climate resilience, and institutional capacity-building. Both sides shared perspectives on enhancing economic engagement, technical collaboration, and the potential for deepening partnerships in areas such as blended finance, climate finance, and digital transformation. The Pakistani side expressed keen interest in leveraging Dutch expertise in agri-tech, water management, and the digitization of public services. Aurangzeb appreciated the Netherlands' continued technical and financial support in diverse sectors, including public financial management, SME development, renewable energy, and climate-smart agriculture. The Dutch Finance Minister reaffirmed his country's support for Pakistan's structural reform agenda and emphasized the importance of policy continuity, transparency, and facilitation of investment flows. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb also held a detailed meeting with Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director of the World Bank, on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. The Minister appreciated the World Bank's continued support for Pakistan's development agenda and shared updates on the successful review of the IMF EFF programme and ongoing reforms under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). He also highlighted the launch of Pakistan's National Green Taxonomy, developed with World Bank support, which aims at guiding sustainable investments and is expected to be approved soon. The minister welcomed the World Bank's endorsement of the new 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF 2026–2035), which focuses on key areas including child stunting, learning poverty, climate resilience, fiscal space, decarbonization, and private investment. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to closely working with the Bank to deliver on these priorities and achieve lasting development impact. In a separate meeting, he held in-depth discussions with Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized UN agency focused on rural development and food system transformation. The two sides reviewed the long-standing collaboration between Pakistan and IFAD, which has seen the implementation of 29 projects to date, benefitting approximately 2.8 million rural households. The Minister also acknowledged IFAD's ongoing support through six active projects in Pakistan. The meeting covered a wide range of IFAD-supported initiatives in Pakistan, including policy support, vocational training, community infrastructure, access to finance, climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, and resilience against climate shocks. The Minister expressed Pakistan's appreciation for IFAD's efforts in supporting poverty reduction and sustainable rural development. Additionally, the minister met with John W H Denton AO, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The two sides discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation in trade facilitation, SME development, investment promotion, and the role of the ICC in supporting Pakistan's economic transformation. Particular emphasis was placed on private sector engagement, international best practices, and institutional capacity building to unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and inclusive development in Pakistan. These bilateral interactions reflect Pakistan's commitment to expanding international partnerships, promoting development finance, and advancing its economic reform and resilience agenda in alignment with global sustainable development goals, the statement added.
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Liverpool players ‘heartbroken' after death of team-mate Diogo Jota in car crash
Liverpool's 'heartbroken' players have spoken of their pain in paying tribute to team-mate Diogo Jota after he was killed in a car crash at the age of 28. The Portugal forward died along with his younger brother Andre Silva in the accident in Zamora in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. Less than two weeks ago Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. The couple have three children together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virgil (@virgilvandijk) According to BBC Sport, Jota was returning for pre-season training next week via ferry after being advised not to fly following minor surgery. Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said on Instagram he was 'absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.' The Dutch defender wrote in a post alongside a picture of Jota with the Premier League trophy: 'What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man. 'You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. 'My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family. 'A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it. 'We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo & Andre.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Andrew Robertson (@andyrobertson94) Andy Robertson, one of the players with the longest association with Jota, also paid an emotional tribute. 'The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre,' he posted on Instagram. 'For the team and the club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. 'For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. 'It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. 'Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. 'I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jürgen Klopp (@kloppo) Reds winger Luis Diaz said: 'It hurts me to the core, not only for what he was on the field, but for what he was off it. ' 'Heartbroken' former manager Jurgen Klopp, for whom his Christian faith has played a big part in his life, wrote on Instagram: 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!' Liverpool, who are supporting Jota's family, have opened a book of condolence, both physical in the Anfield Road Stand and online, lowered flags to half-mast and closed all stores and the museum and suspended all tours until Monday. Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025 News of Jota's death has sent shockwaves throughout world football. Wolves, who signed him from Atletico Madrid in 2017 before selling to Liverpool in 2020, probably summed up the player best. 'Diogo embodied our values at the club. He was so humble, so kind, so professional, but yet determined and hungry,' said Matt Wild, director of football operations and administration who worked closely with Jota. 'To go to Liverpool at the age of 23 and go on to great success there, he's won lots of trophies and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. 'He left this club as a star, and he will always be a star in our eyes.' UEFA announced a moment of silence would be observed at Women's Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday, while the 'devastated' Portuguese Football Federation said: 'Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player… but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his team-mates and opponents. 'We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.' Fans left wreaths, scarves and shirts at a makeshift shrine outside Anfield, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, attending a conference in Liverpool, among those to lay flowers in person. There were similar scenes outside Molineux. 'He left this club as a star, and he will always be a star in our eyes.' — Wolves (@Wolves) July 3, 2025 Local police, investigating the accident at 1230am on Thursday in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora, said: 'In the absence of a conclusion of the experts' evidence, everything points that a car left the road, due to a tyre blowout while overtaking.' Jota won 49 caps and scored 14 goals for Portugal, last month winning the Nations League for a second time. International team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on X: 'It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married. 'To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2025 Jota scored 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances, nine coming last season as Arne Slot's side won the Premier League title, having previously lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He signed for Wolves, initially on loan, from Atletico Madrid in 2017 and helped win the Championship in his first season, ultimately scoring 44 goals in 131 appearances.
