Textor’s Palace stake sold to Jets’ Johnson in £190m deal

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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has signed a “legally binding contract” to buy John Textor’s 43% stake in Crystal Palace in a deal believed to be worth close to £190m.

Palace confirmed the news in a statement on Monday, but it has yet to be announced whether it boosts the club’s fight to be cleared to play in next season’s Europa League.

Palace said the deal is pending approval from the Premier League and Women’s Super League.

Sources close to the process have told BBC Sport that work towards Johnson passing the Premier League’s owners ‘ and directors test started about two weeks ago.

“We do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club”, the south London club said.

“We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future”.

Eagle Football Holdings – the multi-club company owned by Textor – bought a stake in Palace in 2021 for around £90m.

There is hope at Selhurst Park that their efforts to accelerate Johnson’s takeover at domestic level will provide further proof to Uefa that they are doing everything in their power to fall in line with European football governing body’s rules regarding multi-club ownership structures that has left their place in next season’s Europa League at risk.

It is understood that American businessman Johnson indicated he can transfer the funds quickly.

This is believed to have been a crucial factor in why his offer was favoured ahead of two other interested parties, given the predicament in which Palace find themselves.

Palace could lose their spot in Europe, earned by winning last season’s FA Cup, on the basis of Textor’s perceived involvement at the club.

Uefa has been considering whether Palace breach its rules about multiple teams under one multi-club ownership structure competing in the same European competition.

It remains to be seen whether the process of Textor selling his stake in Palace influences Uefa’s final decision.

It is understood Johnson and current Palace chairman Steve Parish have already spoken at length.

Palace are hopeful that Johnson gaining the green light from the Premier League will be a formality given his public profile and that proof of funds are easily traceable.

Johnson, 78, is a former United States ambassador to the United Kingdom who bought the NFL’s New York Jets in 2000.

He is one of the Johnson family’s heirs who founded Johnson &amp, a pharmaceutical company.

His wealth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, was estimated to be around £6.8 billion ($9.18 billion) in 2024.

By the end of June, Uefa is anticipated to make a decision regarding Palace’s eligibility for the Europa League.

Clubs were given until the end of March to change their ownership structures in accordance with the multi-club ownership regulations, but Palace missed the deadline.

In time for the City Ground club and Olympiakos, who are both owned by the Greek businessman, qualifying for the Champions League, owner Evangelos Marinakis changed ownership of his side in time for Uefa’s deadline.

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Senate Asks Customs To Raise 2025 Revenue Target To ₦10trn, Summons Finance Minister

In response to the country’s rising smuggling and insecurity challenges, the Senate has ordered the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to increase its revenue target for 2025 from 6 to 10 trillion naira.

Senator Isah Jibrin, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, made the statement on Monday when the Nigerian Customs Service made its budget defense presentation to the committee.

The committee criticized the government’s tariff policy, which turned out to be the main issue, and expressed regret for the service’s failure to enforce a 4% freight on board (which is the cost of goods).

Read more about Northern Senators’ Contempt for the Lynching of Kaduna Travelers and Reprisals in the comments section.

The Service made it clear that the Ministry of Finance had authorized them to stop collecting the 4% of the freight on board.

The Minister of Finance will appear before the committee to provide explanations regarding the suspension of the 4% freight on board charges, which the committee’s chairman claims is a lawbreaker.

US attacks on Iran risk global conflict, Russia and China warn

US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites have been condemned by China and Russia, who warn they could stoke a dangerous international precedent.

In response to Sunday’s strikes, Iran immediately launched missiles at the US base in Qatar on Monday.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, said on Monday that the American strikes were “unjustified” and that they were “setting the world at a dangerous turning point.”

Putin stated that Moscow would try to help the Iranian people, but he would not go into detail when speaking with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the Kremlin.

Putin told Araghchi, “Iran’s absolutely unprovoked aggression has no basis and justification.” We are, for our part, attempting to assist the Iranian people.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also criticized Israeli airstrikes against Iran and US nuclear weapons bombardment. He argued that attacking over “possible future threats” was a bad idea and called for a return to diplomacy.

Wang urged all parties to “resume dialogue and negotiation immediately,” warning that the region’s escalation was a possibility of destabilizing.

bringing the world “to a very dangerous line”

In recent days, Israeli officials and US President Donald Trump have openedly discussing the possibility of assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and calling for regime change, which the Kremlin warned would stoke a full-fledged conflict.

Despite the unnamed nature of the messages that Araghchi reportedly gave to Putin during the high-level Kremlin meeting on Monday, the details were kept a secret. Moscow has not confirmed receiving any such appeal, despite a senior Iranian source telling the Reuters news agency that the letter called for more Russian support.

Putin addressed a gathering of elite military recruits briefly about the escalation of conflict later. He claimed that “extra-regional powers are also being drawn into the conflict.” All of this draws a dangerous line across the globe.

Russia has avoided making specific military commitments to defend Tehran, and the agreement lacks any mutual defense clause, despite signing a 20-year strategic pact with Iran earlier this year.

Iranian annoyance

Iranian officials expressed frustration with Moscow’s alleged lack of action, speaking to Reuters anonymously. Despite repeated pleas for assistance, they claimed Tehran felt let down by both China and Russia.

Sergei Ryabkov, the deputy foreign minister of Russia, insisted that Moscow’s ties to Tehran remained strong even though he declined to say whether Iran had requested weapons or military aid. Iran has no excuses for its strategic partnership, according to Ryabkov, who added that it had every right to defend itself.

Despite Trump’s efforts to ease Ukraine’s war with Moscow, the Kremlin appears wary of any action that could lead to a direct confrontation with Washington. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, claimed that the developments involving US-Iran would not have an impact on the “separate processes” between Russia and the US.

Middle Eastern wars that were US-led still linger in people’s minds. Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian UN envoy, compared the Iraq invasion of 2003 to the UN Security Council session on Sunday. He recalled how the US falsely claimed Iraq was a location of WMD.

We’re again being asked to believe US fairytales, Nebenzia said. This reinforces our belief that our US colleagues have been taught nothing by history.

‘It’s still a chance to work with him’ – Borthwick on Feyi-Waboso pick

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Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, a suspended wing, is too good to cut out of his summer plans, according to England head coach Steve Borthwick, despite being unable to play in the two-test series against Argentina.

Feyi-Waboso has been chosen for a 36-person squad, but he will have to miss the Pumas games in order to be eligible for a one-off Test against the United States on July 19.

In a Wednesday episode that will be broadcast, Borthwick remarked, “I want players with that X-factor in an England shirt.”

“I want players who will get the crowd on their feet and want the ball in their hands.”

Feyi-Waboso was dismissed after Antoine Hastoy’s high tackle on France A was flagged down by the television match official (TMO) on Saturday in England XV’s 26-24 defeat.

After dislocating his shoulder while playing for Exeter club side in December, the 22-year-old had his first game in six months.

Borthwick continued, “Manny has worked hard to recover from injury and looks fantastic.”

He “missed the entire Six Nations,” and he has now been suspended, “but I still believe this is an opportunity to work with him for those few weeks.”

The other specialist wings in England’s squad include Will Muir of Bath, Tom Roebuck of Sale, and Cadan Murley of Harlequins.

With Freddie Steward and Joe Carpenter as guests, Northampton full-back George Furbank stays at home to continue his recovery from a calf issue.

Harry Randall and Ben Curry both made the squad despite their injuries.

Maro Itoje became England’s skipper at the start of this year, and Jamie George will take the starting captaincy along with Sale fly-half George Ford.

Henry Slade can replace Charlie Atkinson in midfield, but only the Gloucester’s Charlie Atkinson is the other specialist fly-half.

Max Ojomoh and Guy Pepper, both of whom are uncapped, are also looking to make their first Test appearances for England. Atkinson is one of the squad’s ten uncapped players.

Borthwick remarked, “The three-test series is a huge challenge and a valuable opportunity for this squad’s continued development.”

This will be some of the younger players’ first time traveling with England abroad. Traveling together strengthens team bonds and provides a valuable opportunity for newcomers to emigrate.

We’re looking forward to seeing how our team continues to grow, and it’s an exciting test.

Over the past 12 months, Argentina, which is ranked fifth in the world, defeated South Africa, New Zealand, France, and Australia in Dublin on Friday night.

England squad on a tour of Argentina and the US

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Emmanuel Isekwe (North

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Coleen Nolan breaks silence on daughter’s pregnancy and addresses babysitting expectation

Coleen Nolan, a panelist for Loose Women, has spoken about the recent announcement that her daughter Ciara Fensome is expecting a child with her fiance Maxx Innes.

TV star Coleen Nolan has opened up about her daughter Ciara Fensome’s pregnancy. The Loose Women panelist has addressed the news today after her youngest child announced that she’s pregnant over the weekend.

Ciara, 24, revealed on Saturday that she’s expecting a baby with her fiancé Maxx Innes, a year on from the news of their engagement. She announced the pregnancy on Instagram alongside a photo of herself cradling her baby bump on a beach whilst on holiday on Rhodes with Coleen, 60.

Coleen’s eldest children Shane Nolan, 36, and Jake Roche, 32 – whom she shares with her first husband Shane Richie, 61 – are already parents. She’s now addressed preparing to welcome another grandchild into the family when her daughter Ciara, whose father is Ray Fensome, gives birth.

She spoke about the news on Loose Women this afternoon. Coleen announced on the ITV show: “My daughter Ciara is expecting. So it’ll be my third grandchild.” She revealed that Ciara is already in her second trimester of the pregnancy.

Coleen Nolan (right) has spoken about the news that her daughter Ciara Fensome (left) is pregnant(Image: Instagram/coleen_nolan)

Coleen also mentioned that she has known about this for some time but hasn’t commented on it. She said, “We’ve known for ages, but we’ve been trying,” in a conversation with her co-stars, “y’know they like to keep it all secret until y’know.”

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She claimed Ciara is “scared” but looking forward to welcoming the newcomer to the family. Coleen added that she has been making fun of potential babysitting responsibilities and is already thinking about setting up a nursery at home.

She’s so excited, Coleen said. She is extremely afraid and worried, and she just keeps saying, “I mean you’ll have it most of the time,” which I don’t understand. I’ll, however,… The nursery is already being planned.

She earlier made a further teasing over her plans by saying, “I’m gonna have a room for all my grandkids,” according to the other panelists on the show. When they arrive and stay, you know. She continued, “I love it,” with a happy grin.

Since then, Coleen has updated Instagram users with information on Ciara’s pregnancy. She mentioned the news in a photo of them together, which appears to have been taken while they were recently in Rhodes. They were pictured together holding her bump while Ciara cradled her.

Coleen Nolan, in a denim jacket, beside her daughter Ciara Fensome, in a black coat.
She shared her joy at welcoming a second grandchild into the family.

Coleen made a joke to her followers this afternoon about the pregnancy of her youngest child, Ciara. She stated on the platform, “I’m going to be a nanny for the third time!!” I’m shocked that my baby is pregnant.

Coleen thanked her daughter and future son-in-law for the announcement that they were expecting a child. Congratulations to my gorgeous daughter Ciara and her fiance Max, both for you, she wrote.

The singer tagged Ciara, who later shared it on her own account, in the post. Coleen also included Billie Eilish’s song What Was I Made For? – which featured on soundtrack of the film Barbie – in her post about her daughter’s pregnancy.

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