Author Archives: The Esbec Team

Trump is betting the house on sports but it’s a huge risk… here’s why it could backfire

Trump is betting the house on sports but it’s a huge risk… here’s why it could backfire

He began his presidency by firing shots around the world. Soon, though, he’ll be hosting everyone on his own turf. Donald Trump, fresh off the trade wars that sent shockwaves across the planet, will be the sitting president during the 2026 World Cup, which the US (along with the neighbors he’s angered, Mexico and Canada) is set to host. In 2028, the Olympics come to Los Angeles, and while the games are still three years away, experts are already warning of chaos and financial meltdown. Meanwhile, most of the world’s major soccer clubs will soon head to the states for FIFA’s inaugural 32-team expanded Club World Cup. It’s shaping up to be a busy few years for sport and America, which are intertwined perhaps more closely now than ever before. So how will a Trump

The Best Explanation Yet For Why America Is Giving Up On EVs

The Best Explanation Yet For Why America Is Giving Up On EVs

For a while, it all seemed like it might just work out. By one estimate, about 130,000 American jobs were said to be riding on the electric-vehicle boom sparked by the Inflation Reduction Act. Other estimates put that number around 160,000; if you include indirect but related fields, it may be closer to half a million.  Regardless, it’s clear that the Biden-era legislation that laid out incentives to manufacture EVs and batteries domestically, along with penalties if automakers don’t, was set to drive a lot of employment. Add in the potential to catch up to China’s decades-long lead on battery technology and the potential for less air pollution, and America’s EV race seems like a win for all involved.  So why would President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress be so

Hong Kong to spend HK$300 million on flood-control steps to protect from megastorms

Hong Kong to spend HK0 million on flood-control steps to protect from megastorms

Hong Kong authorities have expressed confidence they can better handle extreme weather events in the coming decades as they outlined strategies and upgrades to infrastructure worth more than HK$300 million (US$38.3 million) that will bolster defences against heavy rainfall, rising sea levels and storm surges. In a paper released on Friday for a discussion scheduled at the Legislative Council on Tuesday, authorities said they had made significant investments in 26 vulnerable coastal areas, including in northwest Yuen Long, Sha Tau Kok Town, Shek O Village and South Horizons. They were also planning to take steps at 11 more areas such as the vicinity of the Kwun Tong Ferry Pier and Tseung Kwan O Industrial Area, to bolster resilience against flooding. A government source said on Friday authorities were “confident” such

Trump threatens tariffs on EU goods and Apple iPhones

Trump threatens tariffs on EU goods and Apple iPhones

US President Donald Trump has said he is “recommending” a 50% tariff on all goods from the European Union being imported to the United States. “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”, he said in a post on social media on Friday. He said the new tariffs kick in on 1 June. The announcement marks an escalation of Trump’s trade war with the EU. He initially proposed a 20% tariff on most EU goods, but halved it to 10% until 8 July to allow time for talks. The president also threatened to impose a 25% import tax on iPhones not manufactured in America. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured

Details of massive Bruno Fernandes transfer offer as Man Utd left with dilemma

Bruno Fernandes is the subject of interest from Al-Hilal(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Daily Mirror Icon Sport Football Bruno Fernandes Bruno Fernandes has been a rare bright spot for Manchester United this season but the Red Devils skipper could find himself heading out of the Old Trafford exit door this summer 10:12, 23 May 2025 Updated 10:12, 23 May 2025 Bruno Fernandes is the subject of interest from Al-Hilal (Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Al-Hilal are ready to offer Manchester United £80million for captain Bruno Fernandes. United’s failure to win a trophy or qualify for Europe this season has left them in a dire financial state heading into the summer window. Embattled boss Ruben Amorim had been hoping to be able to bring in a number of players to finally make his system work. But with no European football to attract players

A Powerful Young Sheldon Moment Feels Different Thanks To Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage

A Powerful Young Sheldon Moment Feels Different Thanks To Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage

CBS Prequels are tricky narrative propositions. In many cases, they’re cynically conceived to wring out whatever juice still remains in a film or television franchise. They’re often unsatisfying in a storytelling sense, leaving viewers ticking off the minutes or episodes until they arrive at the starting point of the thing they loved in the first place. Advertisement And yet there are exceptions. Tony Gilroy just completed a “Star Wars” prequel masterclass with the second season of “Andor,” which leads into the emotionally devastating “Rogue One.” Meanwhile, Vince Gilligan arguably topped the towering achievement of “Breaking Bad” with the crushingly tragic Slippin’ Jimmy spinoff “Better Call Saul.” Prequels are not automatically artistic dead ends. Many fans of “The Big Bang Theory” have discovered this over the last eight years with the

The Rise of Urban Farming

Urban farming is transforming cities worldwide by providing fresh produce

Do you know where most of your fruits and vegetables come from? They are often grown far away from the cities, in huge farms that use lots of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides. But there’s another way. Urban farming is about growing your own food right in the city. It’s a movement that’s spreading […]

Mercedes-Benz Vision V Previews A Very Important People Carrier

Mercedes-Benz Vision V Previews A Very Important People Carrier

Mercedes’ Vision V design study previews an opulent new luxury people carrier. It looks bold and futuristic inside and out, but the interior’s retro-futuristic look steals the show. The toned-down production version of this concept debuts next year. While in Stuttgart a few months back to see the Vision V concept, I asked Mercedes-Benz representatives whether it was like a V-Class or something else. They replied that it’s more like an S-Class, which seemed a bit unusual given the “V” in its name. When I had the chance to climb aboard, it all made sense. The Mercedes-Benz Vision V is a luxurious people carrier concept that previews a future production model, and it feels like the van version of Mercedes’ longtime flaghship. The exterior design gives a strong indication of

Plot to bring down Marcos government cooked in a Hong Kong restaurant, whistle-blower claims

Plot to bring down Marcos government cooked in a Hong Kong restaurant, whistle-blower claims

A whistle-blower has alleged that a video purporting to show Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr using illegal drugs was fabricated and spread online as part of a coordinated plot initiated at a Hong Kong restaurant, by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte – including his former spokesman. Vicente “Pebbles” Cunanan, a political vlogger and social media influencer known for her ties to pro-Duterte online communities, testified before a congressional panel on Tuesday, alleging that former presidential spokesman Harry Roque played a key role in a scheme to undermine Marcos Jnr. Cunanan claimed that Roque boasted of his ability to “bring down a government” during discussions about disseminating a doctored video intended to damage the president’s credibility. Roque, identified by Cunanan in an affidavit submitted to the “Tri-Com” inquiry – a

Arsenal handed blow as Real Madrid make announcement on eve of Champions League clash

Thibaut Courtois has been injured since the international break(Image: Maria Jimenez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Arsenal host Real Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie and the visitors have received a major boost on the injury front Thibaut Courtois has been injured since the international break (Image: Maria Jimenez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) Real Madrid have named Thibaut Courtois in their travelling squad ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal. Courtois, 32, has missed Madrid’s last three games due to injury. His deputy, Andriy Lunin, has also picked up an injury which forced Carlo Ancelotti to hand 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez his debut against Valencia on Saturday. Real were beaten 2-1 at the Bernabeu, denting their LaLiga title hopes. But Courtois could be back when the Champions League holders face Arsenal, having taken part in training

US stock futures slide amid historic rout in foreign markets

A currency trader reacts at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on April 7, 2025.  Ahn Young-joon/AP

Key global stock markets tumbled upon opening on Monday as the world’s reaction to President Donald Trump’s tariffs campaign continued — and as U.S. futures signaled more turmoil for American markets. In the U.S., Dow Jones futures were down about 1,200 points or 3.33% on Monday morning. S&P 500 and NASDAQ futures were down about 3.5%. A drop of 7% on the S&P 500 before 3:35pm ET will trigger a market-wide circuit breaker that will halt trading for 15 minutes. A currency trader reacts at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on April 7, 2025. Ahn Young-joon/AP Hong Kong leads Asian slide Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index lost nearly 9% shortly after the market opened on Monday, the steep decline triggering a

Barcelona ‘close in on Taylor Swift deal for El Clasico’ – as iconic popstar follows in footsteps of Drake, The Rolling Stones and Coldplay

Barcelona ‘close in on Taylor Swift deal for El Clasico’ – as iconic popstar follows in footsteps of Drake, The Rolling Stones and Coldplay

Barcelona ‘close in on Taylor Swift deal for El Clasico’ – as iconic popstar follows in footsteps of Drake, The Rolling Stones and Coldplay Barcelona signed a sponsorship deal with streaming giant Spotify back in 2022  For El Clasico fixtures, Spotify’s logo is replaced by that of a popular artist  LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday  Read more: The truth about Taylor Swift’s new drama By WILL PICKWORTH Published: 06:05 EDT, 27 March 2025 | Updated: 13:42 EDT, 27 March 2025 Barcelona are set to unveil a unique partnership with Taylor Swift ahead of the next El Clasico. Hansi Flick’s side currently sit top of LaLiga following an impressive first season for the German coach, although they are

Ciara has perfect reaction to NFL husband Russell Wilson’s new $21m deal with New York Giants

The New York Giants reportedly reached an agreement with the former Super Bowl winner

READ MORE: Stefon Diggs agrees $69million move to the New England Patriots By ISABEL BALDWIN Published: 08:48 EDT, 26 March 2025 | Updated: 08:48 EDT, 26 March 2025 Russell Wilson’s wife Ciara had the perfect response to the quarterback inking a deal with the New York Giants Tuesday night.  Wilson’s search for a new NFL team finally came to a close Tuesday as he landed in the Big Apple following his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The 36-year-old has reportedly agreed a $21million deal with the Giants and is projected to be the starting quarterback in New York next season.  The signal caller’s ever-supportive wife, Ciara, immediately took to social media to celebrate her NFL husband’s new deal.  The R&B singer, who has been married to Wilson since 2016, shared a

Migrant worker ‘dies while building a stadium in Saudi Arabia’ for the 2034 World Cup

Arshad passed away after falling from the upper level of the Aramco Stadium (final design pictured above)

Work is underway to build 11 stadiums in Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup One migrant worker fell to his death while building a stadium earlier this month LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is England’s squad good enough to win the World Cup? By SAM BROOKES Published: 07:16 EDT, 21 March 2025 | Updated: 07:20 EDT, 21 March 2025 A migrant worker has died in Saudi Arabia while building a stadium ahead of the 2034 World Cup, according to reports. Saudi Arabia was given hosting rights by FIFA back in December, and work has already begun on building 11 venues for football’s biggest global tournament. As reported by The Guardian, Muhammad Arshad from Pakistan fell to his death from the upper level of the Aramco Stadium on March

Spring training roundup: Braves pitchers overwhelm Phillies

Mar 2, 2025; North Port, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) throws a pitch during the third inning against the New York Yankees at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Mar 2, 2025; North Port, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) throws a pitch during the third inning against the New York Yankees at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Five Atlanta pitchers scattered four hits and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna provided power with a two-run home run as the host Braves shut out the Philadelphia Phillies 7-0 on Thursday in spring training action in North Port, Fla. Raisel Iglesias (1-0) earned the win with a perfect fourth inning, then Zach Thompson allowed two hits while fanning three in the final five innings to collect his first save of the spring. Starter Hector Neris, Daysbel Hernandez (four strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings) and Aaron Bummer combined to work the first three innings. Ozuna knocked his third