Villa unveil new away kit inspired by 'modern spirit of Birmingham'
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Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Rio Ferdinand reveals his bizarre new transfer conspiracy theory that could stop rivals Liverpool from landing No 1 target Alexander Isak this summer
Man United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed his 'conspiracy theory' which he believes could stop Liverpool from signing Alexander Isak as the Newcastle star pushes for a move this summer. Isak was left out of Newcastle's squad for their tour to the Far East, with the forward nursing a thigh injury. Mail Sport then exclusively revealed that Isak had asked to explore a move away, with reigning Premier League champions Liverpool the clear frontrunners for his signature. Newcastle are formally braced for an offer from Liverpool for Isak, with the Reds set to bank £65million from the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich. The Magpies are currently working on deals for more than one striker right now, aware that Isak could go, with Yoane Wissa and Benjamin Sesko are the most active pursuits. Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that RB Leipzig forward Sesko is one of two options, along with Ollie Watkins, being considered by Man United in their search for a striker. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former Man United defender put forward a theory as to why the Red Devils should move to sign Sesko, with the 22-year-old understood to be available for £60m plus add-ons to certain clubs. 'Can I just say why we should buy him,' Ferdinand said. 'I wanted a striker with experience, so he would not be my first choice obviously, even now. 'But the fact that, this is a bit of a conspiracy theory, if Man United buy him and Newcastle don't get a No 9, does that mean Isak stays at Newcastle and Liverpool don't get Isak. 'Liverpool's transfer window has been nothing short of exceptional so far, if they get Isak it is lights out for the Premier League.' Ferdinand's suggestion, which may have been tongue in cheek, comes with the number of forward options on the market rapidly dwindling. Liverpool had already beaten Newcastle to the signing of Hugo Ekitike, while Arsenal last week sealed a deal for Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. Ferdinand's comment also reflected Liverpool's powerful moves in the transfer market this summer, despite finishing 10 points clear last season. The Reds have already signed Florian Wirtz for £116m and paid £69million plus add-ons to Eintracht Frankfurt for Ekitike. Full backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have also joined for £40m and £29.5m respectively, along with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for £25m. While putting forward his suggestion to pursue Sesko, Ferdinand highlighted the proven Premier League quality of Watkins when considering Man United's interest in the Aston Villa star. 'If you get Watkins you have got a guaranteed 15 to 20 goals, and you have got that with [Matheus] Cunha] and [Bryan] Mbeumo,' he said. 'You have got double figures all the way up front, baring in mind we we 16th in terms of goals scored last season, these would get you a minimum 40 goals next season.
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Welfare cuts will still plunge thousands into poverty despite U-turn, MPs warn
Tens of thousands of people are still at risk of being pushed into poverty due to Labour's welfare cuts despite last-minute changes to the plans, a group of MPs has warned. Around 50,000 people who become disabled or ill will face poverty by the end of the decade because of the remaining reforms, the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee has found. A cut to the health-related element of Universal Credit (UC health) which will take effect from April next year and will see monthly payments nearly halved for most new claimants, dropping from £423.27 to £217.26. At the same time, the standard rate of Universal Credit will increase for all claimants by £17.39 a month, from £400.14 to £417.53. This marks the first time the benefit has been uprated above the inflation rate (CPI). These extra-inflationary increases will continue until at least 2029/30, by which point they will amount to an extra £725 in cash terms for a single person aged 25 or over, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says. The committee welcomed this 'much-needed and long-overdue increase' but added that its MPs remain critical of the 'failure' to assess the impact of UC health cuts on poverty, health and employment. This is now the main measure that the bill will deliver after the government removed changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) following the threat of a major backbench rebellion by over 100 Labour MPs. The health and disability-linked benefit will instead by subject to a fully-consulted review by social security Minister Sir Stephen Timms, due to be completed in autumn 2026. Committee chair Debbie Abrahams said: 'We welcome the concessions that the government made to the UC and PIP Bill (now the UC Bill); but there are still issues with these welfare reforms not least with the cut in financial support that newly sick and disabled people will receive. 'The government's own analysis published in March indicates that from next April approximately 50,000 people who develop a health condition or become disabled – and those who live with them - will enter poverty by 2030 as a result of the reduction in support of the UC health premium. 'We agree in a reformed and sustainable welfare system, but we must ensure that the wellbeing of those who come into contact with it is protected. The lesson learned from last month should be that the impact of policy changes to health-related benefits must be assessed prior to policy changes being implemented to avoid potential risks to claimants.' A government spokesperson said: 'Our welfare reforms will support those who can work into jobs and ensure there is always a safety net for those that need it. The impact assessment shows our reforms will lift 50,000 children out of poverty – and our additional employment support will lift even more families out of poverty. 'The reforms will rebalance Universal Credit rates to reduce the perverse incentives that trap people out of work, alongside genuinely helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into good, secure work – backed by £3.8bn in employment support over this parliament. 'We are also tackling poverty by extending free school meals to all households on Universal Credit, helping to address holiday hunger with our Crisis and Resilience Fund, supporting over a million households by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions, and delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, as part of our Plan for Change.'
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cancer drug demand drives higher sales for AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca has announced a jump in sales in recent months after a surge in demand for cancer drugs, as the pharmaceutical giant prepares to plug 50 billion dollars (£37 billion) into its US expansion. The drug-maker reported total revenues of 28 billion US dollars (£21 billion) for the first half of 2025. This is 11% higher, at constant exchange rates, than the same period a year ago. AstraZeneca said the uplift was largely driven by its oncology medicines, with product sales surging by 16% year on year, thanks to growth in demand for drugs including Tagrisso and Imfinzi. Revenues from oncology products, which refer to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, made up 43% of the company's total sales. The group's pre-tax profit soared by 27% to 6.5 billion US dollars (£4.9 billion) for the first half, compared with last year. AstraZeneca, which is based in the UK, last week pledged a mammoth investment into the US over the next five years, where it generates the highest proportion of sales. The money will fund a new multibillion dollar manufacturing facility in Virginia, to be the firm's largest single manufacturing investment in the world. The new factory will produce drug substances for its growing weight management and metabolic portfolio, including oral GLP-1 products. GLP-1 is the scientific term for weight-loss medication, which works by reducing food cravings. Oral medicines can be taken in tablet form, while other drugs are taken as injections. 'Our strong momentum in revenue growth continued through the first half of the year and the delivery from our broad and diverse pipeline has been excellent,' Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca's chief executive, said. 'This landmark investment reflects not only America's importance but also our confidence in our innovative medicines to transform global health and power AstraZeneca's ambition to deliver 80 billion dollars revenue by 2030.'
