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Jadon Sancho uncertain on Manchester United future after impressive Champions League display

Mitch Fretton
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Jadon Sancho uncertain on Manchester United future after impressive Champions League display

Jadon Sancho says he does not know what the future holds for him at Manchester United.

The winger – on loan at Borussia Dortmund – impressed during the club’s 1-0 over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

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But he has found it hard to make an impact under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and was reluctant to speak on his wishes for next season after the match in Germany.

Speaking to CBS, he said: “Obviously I came here at 17 and they gave me the opportunity to play professional football.

“I’m just delighted with all staff and players that welcomed me back.

“I take it game by game and performances like today I hope it carries on.”

The 24-year-old has made 12 Bundesliga appearances for BVB since joining on loan in January, scoring twice.

His form has not reflected the period that earned him a move to Manchester United in the first place in 2021, but he has shown significant improvement in the last 12 months.

United great Peter Schmeichel asked whether Sancho wanted to stay at Dortmund beyond the summer, to which he said: “Who me? I really don’t know. I’m just focused on the present right now.”

Sancho’s contract in Manchester runs until 2026 and both the club and player will likely have a decision to make ahead of the 2024-25 season.

United have not performed as expected in the current campaign and could end the season trophyless if they fail to beat rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Navigating home ownership: A guide by Ascot Mortgages

News Desk
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Navigating home ownership: A guide by Ascot Mortgages

Navigating the complexities of purchasing a home can be daunting. With the help of Ascot Mortgages, potential homeowners can find tailored mortgage solutions that suit their unique needs. This article breaks down the essential steps and considerations involved in the mortgage process.

Understanding Mortgage Basics

Before diving into the specifics of mortgages, it’s essential to grasp the basic principles:

What is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is a type of loan specifically designed to assist in the purchase of real estate, such as a house or other property. The borrower enters into an agreement with a lender (usually a bank or financial institution), where the lender provides the funds needed to buy the property upfront, and in return, the borrower agrees to pay back the loan over an agreed period of time, plus interest.

Key Components of a Mortgage:

  • Principal: This is the original amount of money borrowed from the lender to purchase the property. Over the term of the mortgage, the borrower repays this amount in full, typically through regular monthly payments.
  • Interest: This is the cost charged by the lender for borrowing the money. It is usually expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR). The rate can be fixed, remaining the same for the entire term of the mortgage, or variable, changing at prescribed intervals with market conditions.
  • Term: The mortgage term is the length of time that the terms and conditions of the loan, including the interest rate, are fixed. This is not necessarily the same as the amortisation period, which is the total time it takes to pay off the mortgage in full.
  • Down Payment: This is the portion of the property’s total purchase price that the borrower pays upfront, out of their own funds, before securing the mortgage. The size of the down payment can affect the interest rate and terms of the mortgage.
  • Equity: This is the portion of the property’s value that the borrower actually owns outright. It increases as the principal portion of the mortgage is paid down and as the value of the property appreciates.

Choosing the Right Mortgage

Selecting the right mortgage can impact your financial health significantly. 

Consider these factors:

  • Interest Rates: Fixed vs. variable rates.
  • Repayment Period: Longer terms mean lower monthly payments but more interest overall.
  • Deposit: Usually, a higher deposit means better interest rates.

How Ascot Mortgages Ltd Can Help

Ascot Mortgages Ltd offers expert advice and a range of products to meet different financial situations:

  • First-Time Buyers: Tailored advice to navigate first home purchases.
  • Remortgaging Services: Evaluate your options to refinance your existing mortgage.
  • Buy-to-Let Mortgages: Specialised products for property investors.

Services Provided

  • Personalised Mortgage Advice
  • Competitive Mortgage Rates
  • Comprehensive Market Comparison

Steps to Apply for a Mortgage

The process of applying for a mortgage involves several critical steps:

  1. Assessment of Finances: Understand your budget and credit score.
  2. Mortgage Pre-approval: Secures your borrowing limit based on your financial health.
  3. Property Search: Look for a property that fits within your pre-approved limit.
  4. Application Process: Submit necessary documents and complete application forms.
  5. Closing the Deal: Finalise the mortgage and complete the purchase.

Documentation Needed

  • Proof of income and employment.
  • Credit history report.
  • Identification documents.

Why Choose Ascot Mortgages Ltd

Choosing Ascot Mortgages Ltd ensures that you receive:

  • Expert Guidance: Navigate the mortgage landscape with professional help.
  • Customised Solutions: Products that reflect your personal financial needs.
  • Ongoing Support: Assistance throughout the mortgage process.

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Conclusion

Purchasing a home is a significant milestone. With the right guidance from Ascot Mortgages Ltd, you can make informed decisions that align with your financial goals. For further information or to begin your mortgage application today, please Visit Website.

Made With Intent Raises £1.5m to Revolutionise eCommerce With Customer-Focused Technologies

News Desk
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Made With Intent Raises £1.5m to Revolutionise eCommerce With Customer-Focused Technologies

Made With Intent has successfully secured £1.5 million in seed funding to develop their groundbreaking segmentation platform, which aims to redefine eCommerce by prioritising customer intent. The funding round, spearheaded by Mercuri and supported by Portfolio Ventures and Haatch, will enhance the company’s capabilities in product enhancement, marketing, and partnerships.

Founder David Mannheim, with 15 years of experience in optimising eCommerce conversion rates, identified a critical oversight in the industry. He stated, “The current measures of success are the problem. Metrics like conversion rate, and therefore the actions retailers take to improve them, are short-term, retrospective and aggregated. This creates a race to the bottom. A numbers game that forgets how people really buy.”

The platform provides retailers with a sophisticated tool for segmenting website performance and deploying predictive targeting mechanisms to meet customer needs instantly. This new methodology has been shown to increase revenues by 9.4% on average when compared to traditional optimisation techniques.

David further commented on the industry’s pitfalls: “eCommerce is often guilty of trying to convert all customers at all times. It focuses on the minority who are ready to buy, at the expense of those who are not. Our product helps retailers be appropriate for every customer. To progress both in-market and future buyers.”

Clients like Ernest Jones, Bensons for Beds, and Rapha have already benefited from the Beta version of the platform, finding it instrumental in aligning their sales approaches with real consumer behaviours. Nik Fletcher of Rapha praised the platform’s capabilities: “the closest we can get to understanding subconscious visitor signals, like we can in a physical store.”

The technology behind the platform models over 250 signals from online shoppers, providing real-time predictive intent metrics that automatically segment visitors based on their potential to buy, exit, or return.

The platform’s compatibility with over 40 marketing tools allows eCommerce teams to refine consumer interactions using their current setups.

Alan Hudson of Mercuri commended the strategic vision behind Made With Intent: “Made With Intent has embraced first-principle thinking and a decade of insights to shake up the vast eCommerce market,” he observed. “It empowers online commerce, making it more personal and focused on the quality of prospective customers. The product roadmap excites us and, importantly, those using it.”

David Mannheim highlighted the broader implications of their work: “Made With Intent is about more than a platform. It’s about a movement to create a more personal, human eCommerce. This investment brings us closer to fulfilling our mission.”

Co-op Live’s first gig cancelled as fans queued outside

Helen Greaney
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Co-op Live’s first gig cancelled as fans queued outside

Hoards of fans expecting to watch US rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie at Co-op Live arena this evening, were told the gig was cancelled as they queued up outside.

Oak View Group, which is responsible for the building, told the PA News Agency that during the soundcheck, a component of the heating and air conditioning system had come away from the ductwork.

While no one was injured, the CEO, Tim Leiweke, apologised and confirmed the group would ‘not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so’.

It was another bodyblow for the new £365 million venue – the biggest indoor arena in the UK – had already pushed gigs by comedian Peter Kay, back twice.

Along with a concert by The Black Keys, the gigs were postponed because there were concerns that internal security systems and fire safety measures had still to be thoroughly tested.

Co-op Live later confirmed that Olivia Rodrigo’s shows scheduled for May 3 and 4, will not go ahead.

Technical reasons

Outside the arena, fans were told the gig had to be cancelled for technical reasons.

And at 6.40pm, the venue announced on X, “Due to a venue-related technical issue, tonight’s A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show will no longer go ahead.”

Co-op Live told fans to “leave the arena” with many already inside and long queues forming.

Those with tickets were informed they would “receive further information in due course”.

Shocked

A spokesperson from the Co-op Group issued a statement tonight which read, “As the naming rights sponsor for Co-op Live, we are shocked at the incident which has led to late cancellation of tonight’s show at the arena. We are relieved that no-one has been injured but we share the disappointment of ticket holders, many of whom are Co-op members, with the continuing delay to the opening of Co-op Live and the disruption that this is causing to everyone who has been looking forward to attending events.

“We will be seeking a full explanation from Oak View Group  to the obvious questions arising from this, together with a clear plan from the Co-op Live venue management team at OVG for opening the venue and postponed and future events.

“Safety is of course, the number one priority and it is critical that Co-op members and other ticket holders can enjoy events in a venue with the very highest levels of security and safety in place.

“We are very grateful for Manchester City Council’s and the emergency services’ continued engagement with OVG to ensure that Co-op Live opens as soon as possible.”

 

World Snooker Championship: Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump suffer shock exits

Cian Cheesbrough
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World Snooker Championship: Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump suffer shock exits

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump were dumped out in the quarter-finals on a day of shocks at the World Snooker Championship.

Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan fell to a 13-10 defeat against Stuart Bingham, with No3 seed Trump losing 13-9 to Jak Jones earlier in the day at the Crucible.

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Bingham and Jones will now go head-to-head in the semi-finals.

Welshman Jones, 30, told BBC Sport: “I feel good and pleased to get through. I thought Judd struggled. He started with a century and it kind of motivated me.

“I played a good three frames then and although it went 4-4, I felt like he was a different player and went into his shell a bit and I took advantage of it.”

On the other side of the draw, David Gilbert booked his place in the semi-finals by beating Steven Maguire 13-8.

He will face fellow Englishman Kyren Wilson, who advanced to the final four following a 13-8 triumph over John Higgins.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Madrid Open title defence ended by Andrey Rublev

Cian Cheesbrough
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Carlos Alcaraz’s Madrid Open title defence ended by Andrey Rublev

Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of a third straight Madrid Open triumph were ended in stunning fashion by Andrey Rublev on Wednesday.

Russian Rublev recorded the biggest win of his career to date by defeating the two-time Grand Slam winner 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the quarter-finals and ending his opponent’s 14-match win streak in the Spanish capital.

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The 17th seed will face American Taylor Fritz or Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo for a place in the final.

Alcaraz, 20, struggled to find his best form throughout the contest following his gruelling three-hour showdown with Jan-Lennard Struff on Tuesday.

After claiming the upset in front of an Alcaraz-backed home crowd, Rublev told Sky Sports Tennis: “I can’t believe that I was able to stay calm throughout the match. I didn’t say a word and even I’m impressed by that.

“I want to believe that I have been working on this because if not then I’m stupid.

“After so many years, to not improve on this would mean that something is wrong with my head. I just thought to myself to keep trying, keep fighting, keep believing in yourself.

“I just wanted to go for it and thought maybe I will have more break points and in the end, I was able to return well and break him. It gave me confidence and go for it and little by little I was able to do it.

“The atmosphere was crazy and it was nice to play here.”

It is a fatal blow to Spain’s hopes of a home champion after five-time winner Rafa Nadal was sent packing by Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday in what is likely to be the 37-year-old’s final appearance at the tournament.

Meanwhile, world No2 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the tournament with a hip injury and will not take to the court to play his quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Cartime gears up for growth with new appointment and recruitment drive

Helen Greaney
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Cartime gears up for growth with new appointment and recruitment drive

Cartime is poised for a year of rapid growth and expansion with a new appointment and launch of a dedicated recruitment drive.

Dan Chippendale (pictured) has been appointed the new group head of finance and operational strategy, to steer the used car business through an ambitious growth phase.

He joins Cartime after eight years with Hippo Motor Group where he played a pivotal role in the business’s rapid expansion and success.

Dan will lead the finance strategy and overhaul operations to streamline and digitalise processes and improve efficiencies. He will also oversee investment into new technology, equipment and premises.

Cartime was launched in 2012 by entrepreneur Matt Kay and has showrooms in Bury and Rochdale.

As it prepares to grow its national presence the business is actively recruiting for 10 new positions across its team including sales representatives, technicians, a preparation manager and senior marketing manager.

To attract and retain talent into long term careers, the business is offering an attractive package including gym memberships, private health care, salary sacrifice car scheme and much more.

Cartime founder and MD, Matt Kay, said: “We are entering a transformative time for the business. The next 12 months will see Cartime catapult to the next level and we are investing heavily and growing a team of talented and ambitious people to help us fulfil our goals.

“Dan has an unrivalled knowledge of the motor industry and his reputation speaks for itself. There is no doubt his appointment will be crucial in our ongoing success.

“And this is just the start. I would encourage anyone looking for a new challenge and to be part of a game changing motoring business to contact myself or Dan to find out more.”

Dan Chippendale says: “Cartime is an absolutely fantastic success story and it’s a privilege to be part of the team.

“After achieving phenomenal growth over the years, now is the time to move the brand beyond the North West and increase its appeal and brand awareness amongst a national audience.”

Two men charged over felling of Sycamore Gap tree

Helen Greaney
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Two men charged over felling of Sycamore Gap tree

Two Cumbria men have been charged following the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree last year.

Northumbria Police have charged Daniel Michael Graham (38) and Adam Carruthers [31) with causing damage to both the Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian’s Wall on September 28, 2023.

The pair are due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates Court on May 15.

The world-famous tree, thought to be at least 200 years old, was voted English tree of the year in a Woodland Trust competition in 2016 and also appeared in the movie, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Sycamore Gap had been extremely popular with tourists and those living near the Northumberland site.

National Trust teams collected seeds – which they hoped would produce new saplings and trees – directly from the Sycamore Gap.

Editorial credit: Thorir Ingvarsson / Shutterstock.com

Stalker jailed for life after murdering ex-partner in front of her children

Helen Greaney
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Stalker jailed for life after murdering ex-partner in front of her children

A man has been sentence to a minimum of 27 years in prison for the murder of his ex-partner.

Obert Moyo (46) of Pennington Road, Bolton, killed 35-year-old Perseverance ‘Percy’ Ncube.

Moyo (pictured) was due to go on trial at Manchester Crown Court but changed his plea to guilty on the first day of the case.

On Friday, November 10, 2023, Moyo had broken into Percy’s home while she and her children slept, and attacked Percy in her bedroom. The children dragged Moyo off their mum.

At 2:39 am, Percy fled to the streets to escape, and called 999 to report a man she knew was chasing her along Dukesgate Grove.

Disturbance

While on the line with the call handler, there were sounds of a disturbance and she collapsed in the street.

Within 11 minutes, officers arrived at the scene and immediately began CPR as Percy was found unresponsive. She was taken to hospital, where she died.

A Home Office post-mortem confirmed the cause of death was a stab wound to her chest.

Moyo and Percy had been in a relationship which ended shortly before he murdered her.

CCTV captured the vicious attack witnessed by Percy’s children.

Moyo was arrested in Bolton.

Stalked

Detective chief inspector Gina Brennand said: “In the months leading up to Percy’s death, she was stalked by Obert Moyo. He spent hours outside her home, often in the early hours of the morning.

“Police were unaware Percy was being stalked, and she may have not known herself, but we know this to be true from examining CCTV and his immigration electronic monitoring tag. He was, in fact, an illegal immigrant, denied asylum and on prison licence following release from a 14-year sentence for a serious assault on a previous partner.

“Moyo is a dangerous and violent man and would not accept his relationship with Percy was over.

“Moyo chased after Percy into the street and showed no mercy as he stabbed her in front of her children.

“Until yesterday he denied murdering Percy and showed callous disregard to her family, whom he knew.

“Percy’s children have been unbelievably brave and are supported by a close and loving family. Percy was full of life, frequently described as lighting up a room and a treasured member of her church community.

“Stalking is an offence we treat extremely seriously, and it can often be a precursor to some of the most horrendous crimes, as in this case. We encourage anyone who believes they are being stalked to come forward so we can take proactive and robust action against suspects.”

Adrian Newey: Red Bull confirm design boss will leave F1 team in 2025

Ben Miller
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Adrian Newey: Red Bull confirm design boss will leave F1 team in 2025

Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey has called his work as Red Bull’s design chief a “dream” after the Formula One team confirmed he will leave his role in 2025.

Newey has helped mastermind seven F1 drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles since joining Red Bull in 2005.

The future of the 65-year-old – described as a “design supremo” by Red Bull in a lengthy statement – has been the subject of speculation during recent days.

“Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to be a designer of fast cars,” said Newey. “My dream was to be an engineer in Formula One and I’ve been lucky enough to make that dream a reality.”

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Newey is widely considered to be the greatest designer in Formula One history. Many expect him to join Ferrari next in a potentially seismic move for the man behind Max Verstappen’s remarkable feat of 19 wins in 22 races last season, with Red Bull triumphing in all but one outing.

“I feel now is an opportune moment to hand [the] baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself,” said Newey, calling his time with Red Bull a “great honour” and team principal and chief executive Christian Horner “my business partner but also a friend of our respective families”.

Christian Horner: Newey ‘my friend’

Horner called Newey a “true legend”. “All of our greatest moments from the past 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller,” he added.

“His vision and brilliance have helped us to 13 titles in 20 seasons. More than that, the past 19 years with Adrian have been enormous fun.

“He is also my friend and someone I will be eternally grateful to for everything he brought to our partnership. The legacy he leaves behind will echo through the halls of [the team headquarters in] Milton Keynes and [the new] RB17 Track Car will be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us.”

Red Bull initially dominated with Newey’s help when Sebastian Vettel won four consecutive titles between 2010 and 2014.

Currently the dominant force in the sport, they have won four of the first five races of the 2024 season courtesy of the near-unstoppable Verstappen.

Newey previously contributed to multiple title wins at Williams between 1991 and 1996 and McLaren from 1997 until 2005.

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