
Thailand’s Thaksin Seen in Cambodia After Delaying Return From Exile
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared in Cambodia on Saturday to celebrate the birthday of the nation’s
2023-08-06 18:58

Leeds announce EFL approval of the club’s takeover by 49ers Enterprises
Leeds have announced the EFL has approved the club’s takeover by American investment group 49ers Enterprises. Chairman and majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani agreed to sell his controlling stake last month and the deal, which valued the club at around £170million, has now been confirmed. 49ers Enterprises, which owns NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers, has steadily increased its stake in Leeds since becoming a minority shareholder in 2018, while the deal includes full ownership of Elland Road. Paraag Marathe, previously vice-chairman, will take over as chairman, chief executive Angus Kinnear will remain in his current position and Rudy Cline-Thomas, founder and managing partner of venture capital firm MASTRY, will join the board as co-owner and vice-chairman. Former Norwich boss Daniel Farke was appointed manager on a four-year deal earlier this month ahead of the coming season’s bid to secure an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation in May. Marathe said in a Leeds statement: “This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work. “This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the club. We have already appointed a highly-respected first-team manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season. “It’s a privilege to carry this torch as I know we have a responsibility to ensure this club makes our staff, players, supporters and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud.” This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work. New Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe Cline-Thomas said: “With my family hailing from Leeds, it’s an honour to be able to uplift this incredible community. “This is more than just an opportunity, it’s a personal mission. The chance to reinvigorate the cherished Leeds culture, to create a platform that attracts the world’s finest players, and build a truly global brand that celebrates diversity, is a prospect that thrills me.” 49ers Enterprises increased its stake in Leeds to 44 per cent in 2021 with the option of buying Radrizzani’s remaining 56 per cent before January 2024. The Americans had been keen to push through a full takeover this summer, but that agreement, which had valued Leeds at around £400million, was contingent on the club remaining in the Premier League. Leeds’ relegation forced both parties back into intense negotiations and a valuation of close to £170m was agreed. The deal marks the end of a six-year ownership of Leeds for Radrizzani, who said: “It has been an honour to guide Leeds United…and to spend so much time with the best fan base in the world. “49ers Enterprises have been fantastic partners for years and I’m confident they will take Leeds to the next level.” Radrizzani completed a full takeover from fellow Italian Massimo Cellino in 2017 and was initially hugely popular. He bought back Elland Road stadium, which had been in private ownership since 2004, and brought in fresh investment when 49ers Enterprises purchased its first 10 per cent stake in 2018. The appointment of Marcelo Bielsa soon after proved a masterstroke as Leeds won promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years. But Radrizzani’s relationship with the Leeds fan base began to sour when Bielsa was sacked in February 2022. Leeds escaped relegation on the final day of the 2021-22 season and Radrizzani promised that the club would not be involved in another survival fight. But results this past season failed to improve under three different managers. Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia were both sacked, while Sam Allardyce left after his four-game rescue mission ended in failure. 49ers Enterprises have been fantastic partners for years and I'm confident they will take Leeds to the next level. Andrea Radrizzani When relegation was confirmed with a final-day defeat to Tottenham, Radrizzani was absent from Elland Road, opting instead to remain in Italy to finalise his takeover of Sampdoria. He later admitted Leeds’ board had made mistakes and apologised for the club’s relegation in a personal statement posted on social media. But after it emerged he had offered to use Elland Road as collateral when securing a £26m bank loan to buy Sampdoria – one of his companies and not Leeds owned the stadium – his legacy was further tainted. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Hannah Dingley’s interim spell to end as David Horseman named Forest Green boss Mikel Arteta believes ‘lighthouse’ Declan Rice can take Arsenal to next level Marcus Rashford set to sign new five-year deal at Manchester United
2023-07-18 06:17

President talks up 'Bidenomics' though new poll shows just 34% approve his handling of the economy
President Joe Biden had a tough sell Wednesday, trying to convince voters that the U.S. economy is flourishing
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Analysis-US bond yields surge despite muted inflation as investors look beyond Fed
By Davide Barbuscia NEW YORK A recent spike in U.S. bond yields has come alongside muted expectations for
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China and ASEAN agree to try to conclude nonaggression pact on sea feud in 3 years
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2023-07-13 16:56

Taiwan’s Lai Wants to Tell Xi Jinping to ‘Chill Out’ Over Dinner
Dinner with strangers can often be a little awkward, especially when your guest has threatened you with invasion.
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Italy’s Mount Etna Eruption Forces Closure of Catania Airport
Mount Etna, one of world’s most active volcanoes, started erupting on Sunday forcing a suspension of flights at
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Singapore Sees Labor Market Cooling Some More in Coming Quarters
Singapore’s labor market, which expanded at the slowest pace in seven quarters, is expected to cool further as
2023-07-27 11:54

US bank Citi completes sale of Taiwan consumer unit to Singapore's DBS
By Selena Li HONG KONG U.S. bank Citigroup has completed the sale and migration of its Taiwan consumer
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Macau bets on China's 'Golden Week' holiday to stage comeback
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Asian markets follow Wall St higher as US inflation eases
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JPMorgan pays US Virgin Islands $75 million to settle lawsuit alleging the bank aided Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking
JPMorgan Chase has reached a settlement with the US Virgin Islands over a lawsuit alleging the bank enabled Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking crimes.
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