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Marquez’s latest victory means he can clinch a seventh MotoGP world title at the next race in Japan in a fortnight.

Ducati’s Marc Marquez resisted a spirited challenge from Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi to win the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday, taking his revenge after crashing out of the lead in Saturday’s sprint, and inching closer to the MotoGP title.

Bezzecchi had inherited victory in the sprint when Marquez crashed out. This time, however, the determined Spaniard overtook the Aprilia rider on lap 12, having started on the second row of the grid, and never looked back.

Marquez’s 11th race victory of the season takes him to 512 points – a record tally for a MotoGP rider in a single season – and he celebrated his victory by unzipping his leathers and holding his red suit up on the podium like a matador.

Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez finished a distant third, and brother Marc, with a 182-point lead, can clinch his seventh title at the Japanese Grand Prix this month.

“Today I gave everything I had. It’s true that the mistake from yesterday gave me extra concentration, extra power, extra energy,” an exhausted Marc Marquez said.

“I was just there following him [Bezzecchi], trying to push him always super close, because it’s impossible to do 27 laps without any mistake. And in the end, he did a small mistake on turn eight, and then I led the race.

“Super important for Ducati; I felt the pressure this weekend.”

Six more rounds remain, but Marc Marquez can now win his first title since 2019 if he outscores brother Alex by just three points in Japan.

Superb launch

At the start, Marc had a superb launch off the line and he veered to the outside to quickly move up to second behind polesitter Bezzecchi while Alex was pushed down to third.

As the top three streaked away, Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo found it difficult to maintain that pace, and he was soon battling with KTM’s Pedro Acosta, who eventually found his way past the former champion to chase the leading pack.

But Acosta’s hopes of fighting for the podium went up in smoke when he retired with a broken chain, with the young Spaniard furiously wagging his finger at the bike after he stopped on the side of the track.

Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia had another race to forget in a nightmare season for the twice champion, who crashed out of seventh place, his third place in the championship now seriously under threat from Bezzecchi.

Up front, Marc continued piling the pressure on Bezzecchi, and the Aprilia rider finally buckled on lap 12 when he was a breath late on the brakes and went wide, opening the door for the red Ducati to ease past him and into the lead.

Unrelenting Bezzecchi

Bezzecchi gave chase, unrelenting and eager to reclaim the lead. But Marc remained calm and the Spaniard was in no mood to crash out of the lead twice in one weekend.

Bezzecchi shook his head in frustration with six laps left as Marc set the fastest lap of the race.

Marc tried his best to shake off the younger Italian, who found an extraordinary late race pace to challenge for the lead. But the Ducati rider responded once again as they traded fastest laps and left third-placed Alex more than six seconds behind.

“Besides [missing out on] the victory, this is maybe the best race of my life, because I was super competitive all weekend – pole position, sprint win, second place,” Bezzecchi said.

“I was close to Marc, who is at the moment the strongest on the grid. I’m very happy, I gave my all, I’m destroyed!”

VR46 Racing riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer was sixth.

There are plenty of Gogglebox stars who have lived heartbreaking health battles

Numerous Gogglebox personalities have confronted devastating health challenges over the years.

Since the cherished long-running Channel 4 programme launched over 10 years ago in 2013, it has brought us countless memorable households across the nation.

From Giles Wood and Mary Killen in Wiltshire and the Siddiqui clan in Derby to best pals Jenny Newby and Lee Riley in Hull, the participants consistently delight audiences with their brilliant quips and amusing reactions to the week’s television gems.

Nevertheless, various of the show’s personalities are battling serious health conditions and have candidly shared their ordeals throughout the years. reports the Manchester Evening News.

Sue’s Bell’s Palsy revelation

Last year, Sue Sheehan disclosed that she was battling Bell’s Palsy, which has impacted her ability to communicate. The South London resident – who appeared on the programme in 2019 alongside husband Steve – discussed the condition during a Gogglebox episode.

“I mean, I’ve had to relearn to do a couple of things since this Bell’s palsy,” she explained. Sue continued: “One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time.”

Steve responded: “I have offered to chew your food for you, but you declined.” Sue then shot back: “I’m not having that.” Steve added: “I’ve got to say, you haven’t lost the sharp side of your tongue though, have you?” She quipped: “No, it’s sharper than ever actually.”

Tremaine’s cancer fight In 2020

Tremaine Plummer – who became part of Gogglebox in 2016 alongside his brothers – marked five years of being cancer-free following his battle with bowel cancer.

Sharing a hospital bed photograph on Instagram, he penned: “When I first saw this photo it made me feel sick and weak. I hated this photo for a long time. But now this photo is my medal. This was me 5 years ago. Post surgery for bowel cancer.

“One of the worst things that could have happened to me has turned into one of the best. Not everything bad that happens to you is the end. Out of some bad s*** comes good s***. The entire experience has been an eye opener and I view life totally different now. Stay strong.”

Jenny’s ‘awful’ condition

Gogglebox star Jenny Newby became part of the programme in 2014 alongside best pal Lee Riley. Yet in 2018, Jenny disclosed she has been struggling with arthritis.

Prior to viewing an advertisement created by charity Versus Arthritis, Jenny disclosed her condition, stating: “I’ve got arthritis.”

She went on: “I get more stressed now because I can’t fasten my coat. I can’t open a tin of beans and I’ve got to ask somebody. And that I think is the worst, when I have got to ask somebody because I feel like I am stupid.”

In a statement following the advert, Jenny confessed: “I’ve suffered with arthritis for a while now. I think something people don’t realise is the impact the condition has on simple everyday life. I really do think we should change that by being able to talk about it openly. It’s really important to me.”

Pete’s tragic passing

In 2021, Gogglebox star Pete McGarry tragically passed away from bowel cancer at the age of 71. He joined the show alongside his wife Linda in 2013.

Speaking about his death at the time, Linda revealed that Pete was told he had six months to live, but sadly died just days later, as reported by The Sun.

Linda told the publication: “Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years. I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.’ He was my life.”

Mary’s brush with death

Giles Wood and Mary Killen have been regulars on Gogglebox since 2015. However, years ago, Mary had a near-death experience.

In a chat with The Guardian, Mary disclosed: “The closest I’ve come to death was contracting Legionnaires’ disease in 1999.”

She went into detail about the terrifying experience, saying: “I caught it from air conditioning in the Bahamas and developed something called Beau’s lines: white ridges across the fingernails which are a sign that your body’s shutting down for death.”

Having survived the ordeal, she admitted: “It knocked the stuffing out of me. I’ve never been quite the same since.”

Gogglebox airs every Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.

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A meteoric rise to MAGA star

Hard-right Trump loyalist

Credit from Trump

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Ever closer to White House power

French President Emmanuel Macron has named his defence minister and close ally, Sebastien Lecornu, as the new prime minister after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou resigned after losing a confidence vote.

Lecornu, 39, the fifth prime minister in less than two years, has major challenges ahead, including resolving a deepening political crisis as protests loom in the coming days.

“The President of the Republic has entrusted me with the task of building a government with a clear direction: the defence of our independence and power, the service of the French people, and political and institutional stability for the unity of the country,” the incoming prime minister said.

The French parliament – the National Assembly – on Monday voted to remove Bayrou over his proposed $51bn in budget cuts to address the country’s debt crisis. The formal handover of power between Bayrou and Lecornu is due to take place on Wednesday.

Macron’s decision to choose Lecornu, analysts say, is an indication that he intends to continue on with a minority government that supports his pro-business economic reform agenda. In the 577-member National Assembly, the left bloc, which has opposed Macron’s pro-business policy, has most seats but not enough to form a government.

The appointment of Lecornu, a one-time conservative, risks alienating France’s centre-left Socialist Party, which leaves Macron’s government depending on Marine Le Pen and the far-right National Rally for support in parliament.

“Regardless of Sebastien Lecornu’s personal qualities, his nomination is a slap in the face of parliament,” Philippe Brun, the Socialist lawmaker who has been in charge of budget negotiations, told Reuters.

However, Jordan Bardella, seen as Le Pen’s protege, seemed willing to give Lecornu a chance.

“We will judge, without illusion, the new prime minister on his merits,” he said, adding that the party still kept strict “red lines”.

Bayrou’s downfall and France’s instability

France, the European Union’s second-biggest economy, seems on the brink of yet another period of instability.

The immediate reason for Bayrou’s fall was his budget proposal for next year. His unpopular 44-billion-euro ($51bn) deficit-reduction plan, including freezing most welfare spending and scrapping two public holidays, has been widely rejected by parliamentarians.

The French budget deficit is now nearly 169 billion euros ($198bn), or 5.8 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), well above the 3 percent limit set by the European Union for countries using the euro. Investors worry that France’s persistent deficits will cause ever-higher debt ratios and undermine its credit score.

Before Monday’s vote, Bayrou warned lawmakers: “You have the power to bring down the government, but you do not have the power to erase reality. Reality will remain relentless: expenses will continue to rise, and the burden of debt, already unbearable, will grow heavier and more costly.”

The prime minister’s proposals came on top of Macron’s unpopular 2023 move to raise France’s retirement age by two years to 64. At the time, the president argued that excessive pension payments were a drag on the country’s finances.

Protests expected around France

As Macron grapples with the collapse of his fourth government in less than two years, French citizens are planning to take to the streets this week in “Block Everything” protests.

The movement, which lacks centralised leadership and planning, is threatening widespread disruption this week.

“The public authorities and the government have betrayed us so much that I’m not sure they can really meet the expectations of the people,” Louise Nechin, a left-wing activist in Paris, told Reuters.

The protests have drawn comparisons with 2018’s “yellow vest” demonstrations, with protesters at the time setting fire to makeshift barricades and vehicles.

The November 2018 protests, which began over planned hikes in diesel taxes, widened into an uprising against Macron’s policies and became the biggest challenge to his presidency at the time.

Manchester United and England midfielder Grace Clinton is closing in on a move to Manchester City before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

The 22-year-old has attracted interest from several clubs this summer with just a year remaining on her contract and no renewal agreed.

Local rivals City are in talks to reach a deal with United before 23:00 BST on Thursday, while England midfielder Jess Park is set to move the other way.

Park, 23, who was also part of England’s Euro 2025-winning squad, was set for a medical at Carrington on Wednesday evening.

United see Park as a high-quality addition and while the deals are separate, she is considered a strong replacement for Clinton.

United were keen to keep Clinton, but they would rather cash in on the England international and avoid losing her for free next year.

In previous seasons United lost striker Alessia Russo and goalkeeper Mary Earps after the expiry of their contracts following failed contract renewal negotiations.

Aug. 28 (UPI) — Typepad will cease to exist on Oct. 1, and so will all content that it contains, which might affect many websites.

Access to Typepad, including account management, blogs and all related content, no longer will be available after Sept. 30, Typepad officials announced in an online post on Wednesday.

“Please note that after this date, your content will no longer be accessible to you and will not be available for export,” Typepad officials said.

“Your account and all related services will be permanently deactivated” after Sept. 30, they added.

The service no longer will charge for services after Sunday and will provide prorated refunds for those who have paid for services into September and beyond.

Typepad was one of the most used sites in 2006, along with MySpace and other former online platforms that were very popular but have either ceased to exist or have experienced significant drops in use.

Many publications used Typepad to produce content for their respective websites as of 2008, but WordPress surpassed Typepad in popularity, engadget reported.

Typepad officials only recently decided to close the platform, and those who have content on the site can use Movable Type Import Format to export their data through Sept. 30.

Many former Typepad account holders moved to other platforms after Typepad stopped accepting new accounts in 2020, according to ars Technica.

Background

Norway heads to the polls on September 7-8, 2025, in a closely fought general election that could reshape both domestic economic policy, as well as the wider European energy landscape. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store’s Labour Party, in power since 2021, seeks to extend its rule after eight years of Conservative-led governments. Labour governs as a minority with backing from both the Socialist Left and Centre Party.

What Happened?

The election places the centre-left bloc led by the Labour Party against the centre right, dominated by the populist Progress Party and Conservatives.

Inequality and taxation top the list of Nordic voter concerns, followed by cost of living pressures, job security, and food price inflation (5.9% over the past calendar year).

Labour promises stable taxes, though allies push for higher rates on the wealthy; Conservatives and Progress advocate deep tax cuts across all income levels.

The campaign has also been shaped by debates surrounding Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, oil and gas exploration, and power exports to Europe.

Why It Matters:

Norway is Europe’s leading gas supplier, replacing Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The election outcome could determine whether new oil and gas fields are opened or restricted, with consequences for both domestic revenues and Europe’s energy security. In addition, political control over the sovereign wealth fund could reshape debates about Nordic investments, including calls from the Socialist Left to divest from companies with links to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Energy policy and fiscal direction will not only shape Norway’s future but also ripple across the European Union, where stability of gas flows and power exports are closely monitored and viewed as a key commodity.

Stakeholder Reactions:

Socialist Left Party: Urgently demands divestments tied to Israel’s war in Gaza as a condition for backing the Labour Party in the next government if they were to emerge victorious.

Labour Party: Rejected the demand but may face pressure to revisit it post-election depending on both the landscape of the Gaza conflict and overall party productivity in regards to addressing the concerns of the everyday Nordic citizen.

Smaller Parties (Liberals, Greens): Deeply divided on oil exploration, some pushing for expansion with controls to ensure domestic revenue inflows, others calling for tighter restrictions or eventual phase-outs to become a greener economy.

EU observers: Undoubtedly watching closely as Norway debates limiting electricity exports, which would breach single market rules established by the Union.

What’s Next/

Election days: September 7-8, with polls closing September 8th at 1900 GMT.

Results: Early exit polls expected the same evening; final outcome could possibly take until September 9th to be announced.

Likely Scenarios: A continued Labour-led minority government, or a centre-right coalition led by Conservatives or Progress Party.

Wider Implications: Coalition negotiations will decide Norway’s position on tax policy, sovereign wealth fund investments, oil and gas exploration, and electricity exports, with consequences for both domestic voters and European partners.

With information from Reuters

Connie Contreras was so excited when her daughter told her that Bob Dole was campaigning for the presidency just a block from her Redondo Beach home Wednesday that she dropped the bedcovers she was straightening, left the dirty dishes in the sink and ran all the way to Perry Park to see Dole for herself.

And she didn’t even like Dole.

But for coming to her town, Dole earned the 64-year-old Contreras’ vote.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen any politician in my life,” Contreras said, beaming. “This is so exciting for me!”

There are always political junkies who will work a presidential candidate’s phone banks, wave signs and crowd in front of TV cameras at rallies. But to excite at least some of the average, reputedly apathetic American voters, there’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned stump speech. Just ask Contreras.

“Dole came to my park, where I used to take my kids!” she said. “Now that I hear him, I’m going to vote for him.”

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To be sure, there were more than a few political die-hards among the 300 or so in attendance, the ones who wear lapel pins with their candidate’s name and rattle off their previous campaigns the way other people list their children.

Nikola M. Mikulicich Jr., a 23-year-old who graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills at 17 and from UCLA’s Law School when he was 20, is a veteran rally-goer, having attended Bush/Quayle rallies four years ago.

Mikulicich, a self-employed lawyer, a member of the Young Republicans and the local chapter of the California Republican Assembly, said he was glad he took a few hours away from his work.

“I came to show support for Dole and the work of the local officials to clean up this area,” said Mikulicich, a Redondo Beach resident. “I think we got the message loud and clear to Dole, [Gov. Pete] Wilson and [state Atty. Gen. Dan] Lungren that we care about the work they’re doing to make our streets safer.”

The UCLA campus Democrats also made an appearance, complete with both hand-drawn and official Clinton-Gore signs.

“I’m here to make a statement, you know, that I don’t think Dole has the best solutions to the problems in this country,” said Max Von Slauson, a 23-year-old history major from San Francisco, outfitted in a sweatshirt from an Asian dance troupe performance, dark blue plaid shorts and hiking boots. “We’re moving into the 21st century, you know, and he’s, like, back in the 17th or 18th century.”

Some ralliers came to Perry Park, a neighborhood green patch with playground equipment and a baseball diamond, not in support or defiance of Dole, but to share their opinions about park policing with the presidential hopeful.

Some neighbors and local officials said they were thrilled that Dole came to acknowledge what they called the successes of a temporary restraining order that bars 28 alleged gang members from congregating in the park or participating in various other activities, legal and illegal. The city hopes to be granted a permanent injunction in June.

But those named in the order, their friends and their supporters wanted Dole to know their side of the story too.

“Dole needs to come to our community and see what’s going on for himself,” said Rachel Lujan, an 18-year-old mother and student who rocked her stroller back and forth while she spoke. “It’s a violation of the Constitution.”

Dole may not have seen Lujan’s and her friends’ signs–”Redondo Beach 1996 Not Germany,” read one–behind the banners proclaiming Dole’s name, advocating abortion rights, supporting Clinton and Gore and touting education. But it would have been hard for him to miss the smaller anti-Dole group’s boos over his supporters’ cheers.

Dotty Ertel, a 52-year-old Marina del Rey resident standing next to the teenage protesters, said she might have been at home eating breakfast if it weren’t for Dole’s appearance.

But as long as Dole was coming, Ertel said, so was she. So in stylish black leggings and smart camel-colored blazer, she waved her Clinton-Gore sign and shouted, “Four more years!” with the other rabble-rousers.

“This is my first campaign,” she said proudly. “Even if it’s a Dole rally, we have our opinion and should be heard.”

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Most of the 140 fifth- and sixth-graders from nearby Madison Elementary School were also participating in their first campaign event. Wearing bright red T-shirts proclaiming the name of their school, the children listened to the speech from the grass next to the adults’ folding chairs. After the candidate finished, they sang a song about the Constitution.

Although they missed rehearsal for their play about the Constitution and Bill of Rights, 11-year-old Kathryn said she thought hearing Dole’s speech was educational in its own right.

“He talked about gangs and making this a safe city and making this park a place where kids can play,” Kathryn said. “I thought that was right. I like to play in parks.”

Ray Comstock, 84, came to Perry Park not for Dole but for his regular Redondo Beach senior citizens meeting. Comstock said he was underwhelmed that he also caught the tail end of Dole’s speech by happenstance.

“It’s just politics is all it is,” Comstock said. “I think half of them are here just to say they’ve been here.”

Strasbourg are closing in on a move worth a total of £17.3m for Brighton forward Julio Enciso, with a view that he will play for Chelsea after a year in France.

The 21-year-old is expected to finalise terms over a contract in the coming days with Brighton including a sell-on clause in the deal.

Strasbourg are linked to Chelsea through their BlueCo ownership, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, with the move for the Paraguay international potentially the most significant since the £65.2m takeover in 2023.

There are significant connections between Chelsea and Strasbourg, who are managed by Englishman Liam Rosenior, with goalkeeper Mike Penders, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr all on loan from Stamford Bridge.

Strasbourg have also signed multiple players from Chelsea, including Ishe Samuels-Smith, Mathis Amougou and Diego Moreira in the last two seasons, while there is a host of ex-Premier League talent at the club from former Brighton defender Valentin Barco and former Southampton forward Sekou Mara.

The Alsace club qualified for the Conference League last season through a seventh-placed finish.

Meanwhile, Enciso leaves Brighton having been left out of the squad for the opening draw against Fulham.

Enciso scored five goals for the Seagulls and spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town.

POUNDLAND has shut another location in a “surprise move” after leaving it off the recently published list of store closures.

One of the popular budget retailer’s Birmingham branches has ceased trading for good.

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This comes after Poundland confirmed the locations of 48 store closures earlier this week.

The discount giant is currently undergoing major restructuring plans which include the shuttering of a whopping 68 shops by mid-October.

Among those to be closed in Birmingham were the Kings Heath and Sheldon branches on August 24, as well as the Erdington store on August 31.

However, the prominent Selly Oak Battery Retail Park was not featured on the list, but has since permanently closed down.

Shoppers were alerted to the news with signs on the shopfront reading “sorry, this store is now closed.”

Birmingham isn’t the only area facing Poundland closures, as 12 more stores across the UK are set to cease trading this week.

Ahead of the closures, a huge 75% off sale is well underway.

The Sun reported that the bargain retailer is preparing to close locations in Newcastle, Salford, Canterbury and Coventry, among many others by the end of this week.

As it stands, Poundland operates 800 stores nationwide, but the company hopes to significantly reduce this number to between 650 and 700.

The closures come as Polish owner Pepco Group sold Poundland to a US investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1 after a downturn in trading.

Pepco Group has owned the retail chain since 2016.

The retailer was put up for auction in March, with Homebase owner Hilco then reported among the bidders.

Major restructuring plans have since followed which include the string of store closures, and an £80million cash injection.

This restructuring will also facilitate the closure of its frozen and digital distribution centre in Darton, South Yorkshire, later this year.

The firm plans to shut its national distribution centre in Bilston, West Midlands by early 2026 as well.

Poundland will also stop selling products online and focus on expanding its womenswear and seasonal ranges.

On the closures, Darren MacDonald, retail director at Poundland, said: “While our anticipated network of around 650-700 stores remains sizeable, it is of course, sincerely regrettable that we’re closing a number of stores to allow us to get us back on track.

“We entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when a store nearby closes, but we look forward to continuing to welcome them to one of our other locations.

“Work is underway to with colleagues through a formal consultation process in stores scheduled to close, exploring any suitable alternative roles.”

Full list of Poundland August closures:

The following Poundland stores closed permanently on August 17:

• Bedford
• Bidston Moss
• Broxburn
• Craigavon
• Dartmouth
• East Dulwich
• Falmouth
• Hull St Andrews
• Newtonabbey
• Perth
• Poole
• Sunderland
• Stafford
• Thornaby
• Worcester

An additional 12 locations will shut on August 24:

• Brigg
• Canterbury
• Coventry
• Newcastle
• Kings Heath
• Peterborough
• Peterlee
• Rainham
• Salford
• Sheldon
• Wells
• Whitechapel

Finally, on August 31, the following branches will also close:

• Blackburn
• Cookstown
• Erdington
• Kimberley Kimberley Shopping Centre, Nottingham
• Horsham
• Hull Holderness
• Kettering
• Omagh
• Shepherds Bush
• Southport
• Taunton

A BELOVED car garage with hundreds of thousands of fans has been forced to close its doors. 

The garage is shutting down after nearly six years, after its famous owner battled with “rising costs”. 

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Joe Betty first set up his famous garage Berrow Motors in 2020, in the sleepy town of Burnham-on-Sea.

During that time, he slowly built up his customer base and started posting videos about motors online – quickly racking up millions of views. 

His YouTube channel Shifting Metal takes viewers behind the scenes of his high-flying lifestyle, as he buys and trades luxury vehicles including Porsches, BMWs and Jaguars. 

However, after becoming one of the most famous motor influencers in Britain, Joe has been forced to close the garage which helped launch his career. 

The petrolhead and influencer says that rising costs are to blame for the sudden closure of Berrow Motors. 

He said: “We’ve had nearly six fantastic years here. 

“We’ve won awards, gained over 100,000 YouTube subscribers and raised over £30,000 for local causes — but have decided now is the time to move on.”

“The cost of running a business is constantly rising and has certainly played a part in my decision, but I also wish to focus more time on fundraising and other business ventures.”

He added: “I want to thank all of our wonderful customers for their business over the last few years and of course the team members who made Berrow Motors what it was.

“I really hope another motor trader takes over the site and makes a success of it – you couldn’t ask for better landlords than the Welland family.”

Fans flooded the comments section on Shifting Metal’s social media, as Joe broke the news. 

One wrote: “sorry to hear that the business is closing down. I wish you and your family all the very best for the future”

Others said they would miss Joe’s hilarious challenges that he would set himself on YouTube. 

In one video, he flipped a coin to set the price of a luxury land rover and, in another, he bought and sold a Mercedes C63 for an eyewatering £35,000.

After letting go of the garage, Joe says that he is going to be focusing on producing even more “car-centric” content online.

The news comes as even major car brands struggle to stay afloat.

Nissan has been forced to accelerate the closure of two of its factories in Mexico, as it slashes its number of global factories from 17 to 10.

The crisis-hit brand has been battling rising debt, which it is hoping to remedy through its Re:Nissan plan.

The UK government even threw the manufacturer a lifeline, by allowing UK Export Finance to underwrite a £1 billion loan for Nissan.

It is hoped that the move will keep the Sunderland factory – Nissan’s only site in the UK – open.

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Swansea City are closing in on the loan signing of West Ham United defender Kaelan Casey.

The 20-year-old Hammers academy product has made two substitute appearances in the Premier League, but will head out on loan in search of first-team experience.

Casey could well make his Swansea debut in their Championship opener at Middlesbrough next Saturday, with Alan Sheehan short of options as things stand.

Club captain Ben Cabango is doubtful for the Boro trip having been troubled by a calf injury during pre-season.

Fellow centre-back Ricardo Santos is also sidelined by injury, as is youngster Filip Lissah.

Cameron Burgess, another of Swansea’s summer recruits, is Sheehan’s only fit senior centre-back at present, with under-21 player Arthur Parker and midfielder Jay Fulton used at the heart of defence at times during pre-season.

Swansea are still looking for a number of new signings following a raft of summer departures, with a striker another top priority following the exits of Jerry Yates and Florian Bianchini last week.

Wrexham are set to sign centre-back Conor Coady from Championship rivals Leicester City.

The two clubs have agreed a fee – believed to be around £2m – for the 32-year-old England defender, who passed his medical on Friday morning.

Signing Coady would be another major statement of intent from Wrexham, who are preparing for their first season back in the second tier for 43 years.

They have already broken their club transfer record twice this summer, first for Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace and then for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

Wrexham are likely to smash it again as they are in talks over an ambitious £7.5m move for Wales and Ipswich Town forward Nathan Broadhead.

They also hope to complete the signing of another Wales international, striker Kieffer Moore, from Sheffield United.

O’Brien played 16 times for Swansea after joining on loan in the mid-season window, and played a key role as they pulled clear of relegation danger to finish 11th.

He also had loan spells at Los Angeles FC, Middlesbrough and DC United after falling out of favour at Forest.

O’Brien’s signing would be another statement of intent by Wrexham, who are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, as they prepare for life in the Championship after three successive promotions.

The north Wales club have already brought in goalkeeper Danny Ward from Leicester City, forward Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle, left-back Liberato Cacace for a club-record fee from Empoli, midfielder George Thomason from Bolton Wanderers and forward Josh Windass, who was a free agent after leaving financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday.

July 23 (UPI) — Amazon will shut down its AI research lab in a cost-cutting move as tensions flare with China and as other global companies seek to leave the nation because of Chinese influence.

The Shanghai-based Amazon Web Services announced job layoffs last week while as the conglomerate shutters its artificial intelligence and development wing.

The closures were first reported by The Financial Times.

It was due to “strategic adjustments amid U.S.-China tensions,” an applied scientist at the lab, Wang Minjie, wrote on WeChat early this week as Amazon disbanded the team.

It was not immediately clear how many people or jobs were affected.

The Shanghai facility was established in 2018 to focus on areas such as machine learning and processing natural language.

In a statement, company spokesman Brad Glasser said Amazon “made the difficult business decision to eliminate some roles across particular teams” in its AWS division.

Meanwhile, a growing number of American corporate giants, like Microsoft and IBM, have opted to either downsize or end operations in China as geopolitical tensions rise exasperated by U.S. President Donald Trump‘s fluctuating tariff policies.

It came the same day McKinsey & Company, a large U.S. defense contractor, also revealed it was pulling back its own AI base in China as companies look to other nations such as India.

About 300 India-based Chinese workers at FoxConn, Apple’s main iPhone producer, were ordered to return home earlier this month by Chinese authorities as Apple looks elsewhere, too, for its business operations.

Amazon has been actively retreating from China in recent years, going so far in 2019 to shut down the e-commerce giant’s Chinese marketplace.

Manchester United are on the verge of signing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford with a medical understood to be imminent.

Manchester United have reportedly agreed to sign Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford in a deal worth an initial $87m as Ruben Amorim steps up his overhaul of the team’s misfiring attack.

Mbeumo attracted Amorim’s attention with 20 goals in 38 Premier League games for Brentford last season.

Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the 25-year-old before United’s improved offer sealed the deal after their two previous bids were rebuffed.

United will pay an additional 6 million pounds ($8.07m) in potential add-ons to Brentford.

Mbeumo is due to undergo a medical in time to travel to the United States on Tuesday as Amorim’s men start their pre-season tour.

He is set to become United’s third signing since the end of last season, joining Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon at Old Trafford.

Amorim has been determined to revamp United’s forward options after a woeful campaign.

They suffered a toothless 1-0 defeat against Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th-place finish in the top flight that ranked as their lowest since 1973-74.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled as Amorim’s main strikers last term.

Amorim has reportedly told Alejandro Garnacho to look for a new club, while Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are expected to leave following their loan spells at Aston Villa and Chelsea, respectively.

Mbeumo will be Amorim’s latest new recruit in his bid to revitalise moribund United.

Having already paid 62.5 million pounds ($84.03m) for Cunha, United’s spending spree comes despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League costing the club a minimum of 70 million pounds ($94.11m).

The versatile Mbeumo is able to operate in a variety of roles on the flanks or in central attacking areas.

His pace, creativity and clinical finishing should be a significant boost to United.

Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019.

He helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumental in their impressive 10th-place finish in 2024-25.

The Mayan, a popular music venue and nightclub in downtown L.A., announced Monday morning that it will be closing under its current management after a 35-year run.

“It is with heavy yet grateful hearts that we announce The Mayan will be closing its doors at the end of September, after 35 unforgettable years,” read a statement from the venue’s Instagram page. “To our loyal patrons, community and friends: thank you for your unwavering support, your trust and the countless memories we’ve created together. You made every night truly special.”

The announcement also called on longtime and potentially new patrons to celebrate the club’s final months in fashion, with weekly Saturday dance nights through Sept. 13.

It is currently unknown what, if anything, the historic venue will be used for after the Mayan shutters.

The Mayan did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for information.

The Mayan Theater — located at 1038 S. Hill St., next door to the Belasco — first opened Aug. 15, 1927, with a performance of George Gershwin’s Broadway musical “Oh Kay.” As its name alludes to, the theater is one of the best known examples of the Mayan Revival architectural movement that took place in the U.S. during the 1920s and 1930s, which drew inspiration from pre-Columbian Mesoamerican structures.

As The Times reported in 1989, the giant bas-relief figures on the venue’s exterior are of the Maya god Huitzilopochtli seated on a symbolic earth monster. The three-tiered chandelier in the theater — rigged for red, blue and amber lights — is a replica of the Aztec calendar stone found near Mexico City. The design of tapered pillars was inspired by the Palace of the Governors at Uxmal, a Maya ruin on Yucatán Peninsula dating from AD 800.

Mexican anthropologist and sculptor Francisco Cornejo assisted the architects to craft a building that was based on authentic designs of pre-Columbian American societies.

During the Great Depression, the theater was rented out to the Works Projects Administration, which operated it as an Actors Workshop theater. In 1944, Black producer, director and entrepreneur Leon Norman Hefflin Sr., staged a production of the popular and well-reviewed musical “Sweet ‘N Hot,” which starred Black film and stage icon Dorothy Dandridge.

The Fouce family gained ownership of the theater in 1947 and shifted the venue’s programming toward Spanish-language film screenings and performers. By the early 1970s, Peruvian-born filmmaker and actor Carlos Tobalina gained ownership of the theater and changed the programming to focus on pornographic and X-rated films.

In 1990, the Mayan was brought under new management and inhabited its current form as a nightclub and music venue. The city has since declared the building as an official L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument.

The Mayan has been used as a shooting location for many film productions, including the 1992 box-office smash “The Bodyguard,” starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston; the 1998 skit-to-feature film “A Night at the Roxbury;” the 1979 Ramones-led musical comedy “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School;” and, most recently, the Netflix wrestling-themed series “GLOW.”

In recent years, the Mayan has played host to the cheeky lucha libre and burlesque show called Lucha VaVoom de La Liz and has held concerts by acts such as Jack White, M.I.A. and Prophets of Rage.