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Haaland: I am getting tired of my own name

Jon Fisher
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Haaland: I am getting tired of my own name

Erling Haaland admitted he’s “getting a little tired of my own name” after another few days of being the centre of attention.

The Norway striker scored twice last night as Stale Solbakken’s side kept their slim hopes of Euro 2024 qualification alive with a 4-0 win in Cyprus.

Norway face Spain in Oslo on Sunday knowing another victory is required to maintain their push for a top-two finish in Group A.

Haaland’s second-half brace moved him to second on the all-time list of Norway goalscorers. He has 27, scored in just 27 appearances, six shy of leader Jorgen Juve with 33.

The 23-year-old is the key player for club side Manchester City and his country and he admits the focus that comes with it can be draining.

Speaking after the game in Larnaca, he told TV2: “It’s a bit stressful at times and I’m starting to get a bit tired of my own name.

“I appreciate the support, and this is what I wanted so I’m not complaining about it.”

He added: “It was an important victory, and now we have to start thinking about Spain. We all put up a good fight. Now we just have to get home to Oslo and settle in well.

“We know Spain are a good team. We must do our best and all of Norway must support us.”

Haaland’s goals against Cyprus were his first in four matches for club and country, leading to criticism in some quarters that he was not looking as sharp as last season when his 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions helped City to a European and domestic treble.

His Norway team-mate Jorgen Strand Larsen, who replaced Haaland with 13 minutes to go, angrily dismissed the critics.

He told Dagbladet: “It’s just nonsense. Erling scored about 10,000 goals last season and is clearly the best striker in the world.

“It’s not a goal drought when you’re talking about three games. When you get up to 10, 12 games, that’s a goal drought.”

Celebrating the Republic’s 100th Year with the debut of Izmir’s Digital Currency

Noel Alberts
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Celebrating the Republic’s 100th Year with the debut of Izmir’s Digital Currency

Turkiye’s inaugural city-focused cryptocurrency is set to launch. Anticipated to become the digital heartbeat of Izmir’s social life, this ground-breaking token will debut in a pre-sale on 29 October, coinciding with the centennial celebrations of the Republic.

London — As the number of fan tokens, designed to symbolise fans’ allegiance to their teams and currently listed on CoinMarketCap, nears 90, preparations for Turkiye’s inaugural city-centred token, inspired by this trend, have concluded. Conceived by Barış Turgut, an entrepreneur and communications specialist from Izmir, and developed by Batufi Soft, the Izmir Token will premiere in a pre-sale on the Bzetmex cryptocurrency exchange on 29 October Republic Day, marking the centenary of the Republic of Türkiye.

Commenting on the initiative, the Founder Barış Turgut remarked, “The Izmir Token, which has been in development for some time, aims to encapsulate the vibrant social life of a city onto the blockchain. We’re thrilled and honoured to launch this pioneering project, centred on one of our nation’s most beautiful cities, Izmir, during the pre-sale on 29 October Republic Day, as we commemorate the 100th year of our Republic.”

Introducing the ‘must-have’ Digital Currency to engage in Izmir’s vibrant social life

The Izmir Token, crafted for residents of Izmir, tourists visiting the city, and those deeply connected to Izmir, aims to offer opportunities for users to engage with unique Izmir-centric events and promotions soon. Written on the Ethereum ERC-20 network and claiming the title as the world’s inaugural city token, the Izmir Token will be available for pre-sale at a set price on the local cryptocurrency exchange, Bzetmex, from 29 October. Following the pre-sale, the value of the Izmir Token will be dictated by market dynamics, responding to supply and demand. Furthermore, token holders can look forward to earning staking income.

Barış Turgut, highlighting their intention to introduce an innovative blockchain concept to Izmir, shared, “The Izmir Token is conceptualised as a utility token. In the medium term, as regulatory guidelines for digital assets within our nation become more established, we’re also considering the feasibility of using Izmir Token as a mode of payment in public venues. The token has attracted interest from international investors familiar with the project and will be made available on the Bzetmex cryptocurrency exchange for all affiliated with Izmir starting 29 October. Those who acquire the Izmir Token can securely store it in their digital or cold wallets, and will soon discover the exclusive benefits, which we will explore at upcoming events in and around Izmir.”

5-year vision to showcase Izmir to the world

Barış Turgut emphasised that the creation of the Izmir Token wasn’t merely as an investment mechanism, but also to enable Izmir to tap into the potential of blockchain technology and bolster its prominence in the software sector. “What truly excites us about the Izmir Token is our ambitious 5-year vision. During this half-decade, we envisage a range of training programmes and events, particularly designed for Izmir’s youth, to acquaint them with the realm of blockchain and enhance their digital and technological proficiency.

The economic momentum generated by Izmir Token will fuel investments in both businesses and sports clubs within Izmir. We’re poised to promote Izmir, which annually plays host to over 11 significant fairs, globally through the Izmir Token. This will be a call to action for global investors to recognise and invest in the Izmir Token. Beyond just these fairs, our global marketing initiatives will spotlight the Izmir Token — the world’s pioneering city token — and the city from which it originated, presenting it to an international audience. Down the line, we’re also keen to explore promising areas like NFTs and the metaverse.”

Destined to become one of Turkiye’s most extensive crypto communities

Drawing attention to the fact that Izmir is Turkiye’s third-largest city, with a populace nearing 4.5 million, entrepreneur Barış Turgut concluded, “We’re actively engaging with prominent communities and NGOs within Izmir that have yet to embrace the crypto and blockchain landscape. As these entities warm up to the Izmir Token, we anticipate our collective to transform into one of Turkiye’s most expansive crypto communities. This will also usher in a fresh wave of users to cryptocurrency markets in the country. It fills us with immense pride to embark on this journey, especially as it coincides with 29 October Republic Day, marking the centennial celebration of our Republic.”

Contact:Barış Turgut

[email protected]

Tiles & Trims Provides Exceptional Support to Ceramics Artist Carrie Reichardt

News Desk
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Tiles & Trims Provides Exceptional Support to Ceramics Artist Carrie Reichardt

Tiling tool supplier Tiles & Trims, based in Buckley, offered invaluable assistance to artist Carrie Reichardt as she prepared an artwork for the British Ceramics Biennial.

Carrie had a tight deadline to transform a Ford Zodiac, generously donated by Fat Boy Slim, into a mosaic art piece. Her creation was set to feature strobe lighting, music, and video interviews, celebrating UK rave culture and the birthplace of acid house, with a particular focus on Shelley’s nightclub in Longton. The piece was scheduled to be displayed at this year’s British Ceramics Biennial, taking place from September 23 to November 5 in Stoke-on-Trent, showcasing various exhibitions, installations, and events that celebrate the creative potential of clay for storytelling, playfulness, risk-taking, and activism.

Carrie, with a First Class degree in Fine Art and a versatile career spanning various media, including film, performance, and sculpture, needed specific tools for her project. She reached out to Tiles & Trims for expertise in selecting the right diamond cutting disc that would provide a clean and crisp finish for her mosaic work.

David Brundell, a representative at Tiles & Trims, stated, “Carrie called us to ask what we recommend when cutting china plates and naturally, we were intrigued. We recommended the Montolit Perfetto 250mm Diamond Blade and Carrie placed her order straightaway. We’re really pleased the diamond cutting disc worked and has made cutting china plates easier for Carrie and the team.”

He further added “It was really humbling that Carrie chose to contact us for a recommendation and it shows that the team at Tiles and Trim can really help in any situation. It’s not often we get asked what’s the best Cutting disc to cut Duchess Bone China Plates and Pill Box Lids so it was good to know we helped!”
Thanks to the guidance from Tiles & Trims, Carrie successfully completed her project, and the mosaic-adorned car is now proudly on display at the British Ceramics Biennial.

Carrie expressed her satisfaction, saying, “I already had a wet saw which I used but the disc I had used to chip all the china so I asked the team at Tiles & Trims what they would recommend to cut ceramic and they suggested I used the Montolit Perfetto. I couldn’t agree more, it cuts through bone china like butter! It’ll be useful for me going forward as I need to cut ceramics regularly and I’ve never found a disc that works that well, so this is great.”

The exhibition can be visited at All Saints Church in Hanley until November 5. You can watch a short film about the artwork created by Darren Washington from One One Six here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CxC7JP1IABk/

KYND and Intelligent Insurer Survey Unveils Key Insights Driving Transformation in the Cyber Insurance Market

News Desk
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KYND and Intelligent Insurer Survey Unveils Key Insights Driving Transformation in the Cyber Insurance Market

KYND Limited, a leading player in cyber risk management, has released the findings of its 2023 Cyber Insurance Survey conducted in collaboration with Intelligent Insurer, a prominent publication serving the global insurance and reinsurance sectors. This comprehensive survey aimed to offer firsthand insights into the future development and the latest innovation trends within the market.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 200 insurers and brokers, sheds light on the current challenges and opportunities in the cyber insurance landscape. Notably, 89% of respondents acknowledged the rapid evolution of cyber risks. However, over half of those surveyed considered the current state of the market as unsustainable. Among the prominent challenges facing insurers, respondents highlighted systemic risk, the need for market education, adapting to evolving cyber threats, limited capacity, ransomware concerns, and the necessity for ongoing risk monitoring.

The study emphasises the crucial role of real-time risk intelligence and cyber expertise across all segments of the cyber insurance chain. A significant 81% of respondents found insureds’ cyber defence tools to be unsatisfactory in the face of mounting cyber threats. Half of the insurance specialists identified risk mitigation measures such as basic cyber hygiene, employee education, and vulnerability assessments as critical for enhancing policyholders’ cyber resilience. For insurers, 40% believe that real-time data feeds for underwriting are key to improving the profitability of cyber insurance.

These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced collaboration and information sharing among insurers, brokers, and insureds to bolster cyber resilience within the cyber insurance ecosystem.

Melanie Hayes, COO and Co-Founder of KYND, commented on the survey’s results, stating, “The cyber insurance market today faces a range of challenges – from ever-evolving digital threats to heightened client expectations, keeping pace with ever-evolving cyber risks  and addressing increased regulatory demands. All of these factors place the sector under extreme pressure to devise innovative ways of delivering exceptional products and services. The findings from this survey underscore how swiftly cyber risk intelligence and technology have become critical elements in aiding the insurance industry in its battle against these challenges and preparing for the future. Supporting the world’s most prominent insurance partners globally in navigating this complex landscape with the help of advanced cyber analytics and risk modelling, at KYND we wholeheartedly align with this sentiment.”

For access to the complete report, please visit here. To learn more about KYND’s advanced cyber risk management technology and services, visit https://www.kynd.io/.

IOC suspend Russia

Jon Fisher
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IOC suspend Russia

The IOC has suspended the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) with immediate effect.

The moves comes after the ROC included four Ukrainian sports organisations as members, “violating its territorial integrity”. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with president Vladimir Putin illegally annexing the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia seven months later.

The IOC also state they reserve the right to decide on the participation of individual neutral athletes with a Russian passport in next year’s summer Olympics in Paris and the winter Games in Milan in 2026.

An IOC statement read: “The unilateral decision taken by the Russian Olympic Committee on 5 October 2023 to include, as its members, the regional sports organisations which are under the authority of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine (namely Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia) constitutes a breach of the Olympic Charter because it violates the territorial integrity of the NOC of Ukraine, as recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in accordance with the Olympic Charter.”

Unveiling the Luxurious Wheels of Manchester City’s Star Players

News Desk
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Unveiling the Luxurious Wheels of Manchester City’s Star Players

In the captivating world of football, Manchester City stands as one of the sport’s wealthiest clubs, thanks to its close ties with Abu Dhabi. In recent years, they’ve emerged as a dominant force in the Premier League, clinching a remarkable treble last season. With Sheikh Mansour’s majority ownership of the ‘Cityzens,’ they’re able to offer their players some of the most generous contracts in the footballing world, catapulting them into the ranks of the game’s highest-paid athletes.

As a result, the star players don’t just excel on the pitch; they lead lavish lifestyles, indulging in dream cars and beyond. We’ll outline some of the team’s star players and what they are driving.

Ederson – McLaren 600LT Spider

The Brazilian goalkeeper possesses an extraordinary penchant for high-end automobiles. In his remarkable collection, you’ll find the stunning McLaren 600LT Spider, a true work of art in both engineering and design. This supercar, known for its breathtaking performance and jaw-dropping aesthetics, aligns seamlessly with Ederson’s status as one of the world’s premier players.

In a tradition shared with fellow Premier League luminaries like Andros Townsend and Harry Maguire, this three-time Golden Glove winner has added a personal touch to his cherished vehicle by outfitting it with a private number plate, ensuring a distinctive and individualised appearance. Essentially, a private plate, otherwise known as a personalised registration, can be described as a combination of characters that either display a name, initial, date or anything of personal significance.

Ruben Dias – Ferrari 812 SF

Celebrated for his commanding defensive prowess and his role as a leader on the field, he has solidified his position as a cornerstone in Man City’s defensive lineup over the past few years. Beyond the stadium, Dias upholds the same level of sophistication that characterises his on-field performance, as evident in his automotive selection. The football star possesses a Ferrari 812 SF equipped with a powerful 789 BHP V12 engine, representing the perfect blend of luxury and high performance.

Kevin De Bruyne  – Aston Martin DBX

At the heart of Manchester City’s triumphs stands Kevin De Bruyne, the player who undoubtedly holds the key to the team’s on-field success. His astounding talents make him one of the highest-paid footballers in the Premier League, earning a reported £400k per week. Naturally, this level of success is reflected in De Bruyne’s enviable car collection, which includes prestigious models such as the Mercedes-Benz G63 and the Rolls Royce Ghost. For those fortunate enough, catching a glimpse of him cruising around Manchester in his sleek white Aston Martin DBX is a special treat, adding to the allure of this football superstar’s car garage.

Erling Haaland – Rolls Royce Cullinan

The Norwegian striker, despite being a mere 23 years old, has etched an indelible mark on the football world. His debut season with the Blues witnessed the shattering of the Premier League record for most goals in a single campaign, a remarkable 36 goals. This phenomenal feat firmly establishes him as not just a promising prospect but the best striker in the world. His substantial weekly earnings are a testament to his prowess, affording him the privilege of owning some of the most desirable vehicles around, ranging from the Audi RS6 Avant to the Range Rover Sport. Yet, the crown jewel of his collection is undoubtedly the £300k Rolls Royce Cullinan.

As we bring our journey through the world of Manchester City players and their cars to a close, one thing becomes glaringly apparent: their triumph on the field transcends the boundaries of the pitch. Their remarkable collection of high-end vehicles not only mirrors their on-field prowess but also underscores their penchant for indulgence and sophistication away from the game. With the club’s on-field accomplishments soaring, its valuation has also reached nearly £4 billion, securing its position as the most valuable football brand, surpassing even Real Madrid. This on-field success has not only resulted in increased sponsorship deals but has also driven up revenues, positioning them as the top revenue-generating entity in the sport. From scoring goals to cruising in their luxurious cars, these footballers epitomise the pinnacle of achievement in both sports and luxury, leaving an enduring mark both on and off the road. Whether they’re scoring goals on the pitch or driving their high-end cars on the road, they represent the ultimate blend of sporting excellence and luxury.

Manchester vigil for Israel victims passes without ‘significant incident’

Helen Greaney
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Manchester vigil for Israel victims passes without ‘significant incident’

Hundreds of people attended a vigil in Manchester city centre after the Hamas attacks in Israel – with four arrests made.

Militants entered communities near the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing hundreds of people at a music festival and taking dozens of hostages. It is believed that at least 17 British nationals, including children, are believed to be dead or missing after the attacks.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham spoke at Wednesday’s event. “When any community or country is a target for terrorism this city will always stand with them,” he said.

Rabbi Daniel Walker said the vigil expressed simple sorrow and solidarity” after the “terrible atrocities which went beyond the pale”.

Arrests made

Greater Manchester Police initially said four people had been taken into custody on suspicion of breaching the peace as huge crowds gathered outside the central library in St Peter’s Square.

One person was later de-arrested following further investigations, with the remaining three still in custody after the arrests were made at St Peter’s Square.

Proactive approach

Chief constable Stephen Watson said: “Last night’s vigil to honour and remember the victims of the deeply distressing and abhorrent Hamas terrorist attack on Israel passed off peacefully, and without significant incident.

“I thank our communities for their proactive and calm approach to standing together in solidarity and thank my officers for delivering a professional policing operation.

“There is no place for antisemitic hate crime in Greater Manchester and GMP understands the traumatic impact it can have on victims and communities, particularly at times like this – when they feel most vulnerable. GMP is committed to safeguarding people and property and taking robust action against offenders. The force has committed, and will continue to commit, significant and focused resources to giving reassuring effect to its intentions.”

FA to mark Israel-Palestine conflict with minute’s silence

Jon Fisher
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FA to mark Israel-Palestine conflict with minute’s silence

There will be a minute’s silence before England’s friendly with Australia at Wembley tomorrow night, the Football Association has confirmed.

Players from both teams will also wear black armbands to remember the lives lost in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine.

An FA statement read: “On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine.

“Our thoughts are with them, and their families and friends in England and Australia and with all the communities who are affected by this ongoing conflict. We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.

“England and Australia players will wear black armbands during their match at Wembley Stadium and there will also be a period of silence held before kick off.”

The FA has banned flags from other nations – including Israel and Palestine – from Wembley, adding: “Following discussions with partners and external stakeholders, we will only permit flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley Stadium for the upcoming matches against Australia [on Friday] and Italy [next Tuesday].

Over 2,300 people are reported to have been killed following Hamas’ attack on Israel on Saturday and the retaliatory bombing of Gaza.

Ecclestone avoids jail after pleading guilty to fraud

Solomon Shehata
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Ecclestone avoids jail after pleading guilty to fraud

Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone was handed a 17-month jail term suspended for two years after pleading guilty to fraud on Thursday following a “complex and worldwide” tax investigation.

The 92-year-old was due to stand trial next month after previously denying guilt but changed his plea on Thursday and admitted failing to declare over £400million held in a trust in Singapore. He has now paid a settlement fee of over £652million to HMRC to bring the matter to a close.

Mr Justice Bryan spared Ecclestone a jail sentence after ruling there was no intention of deliberately seeking to dodge tax.

The Judge at Southwark Crown Court said, as reported by the Evening Standard: “There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation as demonstrated by your efforts to settle your tax affairs.

“Immediate custody would result in significant harmful impact to your family, including your young child.”

On entering his guilty plea, Ecclestone’s representative Clare Montgomery KC said: “Obviously [Bernie] bitterly regrets the events that have led to this criminal trial.

“He had no intention to avoid paying tax and has always been willing to pay the tax that’s due.

“He simply didn’t know the answer to HMRC’s question, and he should have said ‘I don’t know’ instead of ‘no’.”

Housing associations in Leeds to benefit from new building materials hub

Helen Greaney
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Housing associations in Leeds to benefit from new building materials hub

Leeds housing providers now have access to the AVAIL Housing Hub, a cutting-edge initiative introduced by Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS).

This innovative hub is tailored to support housing providers in their mission to deliver safe and high-quality social housing to the local community.

It offers a comprehensive suite of services, including material procurement, advanced stock management technology, efficient waste disposal solutions, and expert training. These resources are strategically designed to help address the multifaceted challenges associated with contemporary social housing, such as evolving legal requirements, prioritising health and safety, managing cost fluctuations, and adhering to decarbonisation regulations.

Wealth of products

A wealth of products for construction, maintenance and repairs will be made available to customers via the hub’s large external yard and warehouse. JPS will apply its automated replenishment technology to ensure levels of stock – which are specifically selected to support social landlords with their key challenges – are always maintained.

A fleet of vehicles are available for delivery of products and materials to different sites and properties, either direct to operative or to AVAIL’s Smart Collection points located at convenient spots around the city.

Drop and go waste

In coming months, the hub will include an on-site ‘drop and go’ waste offer, allowing users to save valuable time in the usual waste separation process, as well as a training academy, available to any AVAIL Housing Hub customer and their tenants, offering training on new product launches and construction processes. Courses will also be available for 16–24-year-olds looking to enter the job market, delivered in conjunction with charity YouthBuild.

Social housing plays an important role in Leeds, with 54,000 council-owned dwellings in the city and a commitment in place to build 1,500 more by 2025 through the House Growth Programme. The hub is located in Seacroft, where 70 per cent of households are classed as living in deprivation – the fourth most deprived area in the city.

JPS officially opened the doors to the Leeds hub at the end of September, at an event attended by a wealth of building materials suppliers, contractors and local housing associations.

Raising standards

Scott Cooper, managing director of JPS, said: “From rising material costs and a shortage of labour, to environmental targets and a need to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of homes, housing associations are feeling more pressure than ever before to provide better housing for less while simultaneously raising the standards of their properties.

“The roll-out of our AVAIL Housing Hubs is designed to make our customers’ lives easier in the face of these challenges, which we know are especially prevalent in Leeds. We want to offer social housing providers a way of working that will save them money, while also providing the guidance they need to select the products required to deliver the homes of the future.

“The AVAIL Housing Hub model brings all of that under one roof, and will enable us to act as a supply partner to housing associations in Leeds, helping them deliver on their objectives for the people who need it most.”

The hub in Leeds is open now. For more information, visit https://www.jewsonpartnershipsolutions.com/avail.

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