As they then explained:Roughly a fifth of all PE sales this year involved groups raising money from new investors to acquire businesses from their older funds, up from 12-13 per cent the previous year, said Sunaina Sinha Haldea, global head of private capital advisory at Raymond James. Such transactions sell assets already owned by a PE group to so-called continuation vehicles — newer funds also managed by the firm. The tactic enables PE firms to return cash to investors in older funds, but has prompted concerns about potential conflicts of interest. I have long thought private equity funds a racket best avoided by any investor possessed of a sound mind and clear vision. So, you take your pick, but I would rather stay well and truly clear of such activities with my savings.

New York’s Turn: Zohran Mamdani and What His Election Means for the CityNew York has a unique and important role to play in the governance of cities around the world since it is both a global financial hub and a center of international decision-making. [12]ConclusionThe election of Zohran Mamdani is a turning point for New York City and for leadership in cities around the world. [4] Katie Houlis and Renee Anderson, “Zohran Mamdani Claims Victory in NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary in Speech to Supporters,” CBS News, June 25, 2025, www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/zohran-mamdani-claims-victory-nyc-mayoral-primary/. [7] Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “What Does Zohran Mamdani Want to Do as NYC Mayor? [11] Sam Mellins, Julia Rock, and Colin Kinniburgh, “Can Zohran Mamdani’s Agenda Survive Albany?” New York Focus, June 26, 2025, nysfocus.com/2025/06/26/zohran-mamdani-albany-taxes.

The result marked Villa's first defeat in almost two months, bringing an impressive 11-game winning streak to an end. Martin Zubimendi then extended Arsenal's advantage moments later, before Leandro Trossard made it three past the hour mark. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "I shake hands and then go with my players and coaches into the dressing room. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Reflecting on the match itself, Emery commented: "We competed fantastic in the first half and we had momentum. Arsenal are the best team in the league and they are the favourite to win the title.

This offended one or two of their fans and after beating Chelsea away - and extending their winning run to an incredible 11 in a row - they thought I should reconsider. ‌Now only three points behind Arsenal, I agree they are still in the hunt and are indeed a good enough team. ‌Villa were royally outclassed against Chelsea for 60 minutes until Unai Emery made a triple substitution, then they immediately outshone their hosts. As such, I still think they should be considered underdogs but with one major caveat. So yes, they are underdogs, but are they no-hopers after this brilliant run?

Politicians’ lies were once decried and punished when detected, in a process that often led to contriteness and apologies from the liar. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt specializes in grotesque falsehoods in praise of Donald Trump’s health, intelligence, success, and popularity. Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health and human services secretary, peddles lies about health and healthcare and the science behind them. It was not clear when 2025 began what kind of opposition to the Trump administration there would be and how effective it would be. The administration now seems to be getting more extreme and reckless as it grows more desperate, chaotic and unpopular.

The occasion should have been marked by the joy of reaching the destination of US citizenship following the long odyssey of immigration. But Gail Breslow, executive director of Boston-based Project Citizenship – which had helped guide her citizenship application – said she was left devastated and distraught. “Our client hadn’t received USCIS’s written notification on time and turned up expecting to become a citizen,” Breslow said. “I invested years of relentless effort in this journey … I pursued the American dream in good faith, believing in this country as a land of opportunity. “Only certain cases can be denaturalized under the law, although this administration is trying to stretch the parameters of what that means.

“When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have their chance to take back control”, says the headline on Rafael Behr’s article (23 December). Anja CraddenEdinburghRafael Behr is right to be concerned about the rapid development of AI, but he seems to be suggesting that we all just wait until the bubble bursts before taking any action to control it. In the foreseeable future, AI will certainly be able to sabotage attempts to close down or redirect it, and by then it will be too late. Insiders are already worrying that AI could herald the end of the road for humanity, and we must begin the fight to control it now, before it begins to control us. Mike ScottNottinghamReading Rafael Behr’s piece on AI reminded me of a short story by the American author Fredric Brown.

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Ruben Amorim subbed on a defender as Man Utd were chasing a winnerThe Stretford End had witnessed enough. Ruben Amorim's answer was to look towards his substitutes - introducing Leny Yoro in place of Ayden Heaven. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT PLAYER RATINGS: Three 5/10s as Man Utd draw with WolvesStay up-to-date with the latest Man Utd news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Just a fortnight ago, Paul Scholes suggested that Amorim didn't quite understand Manchester United. The match echoed the game at Molineux three weeks ago, where Wolves also levelled the score just before half-time.

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Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke shows his wet hands after he left his prints in wet cement in the famed forecourt at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 2011. Actor Mickey Rourke faces eviction from his Los Angeles home after failing to pay rent. At the time of the notice, he owed $59,100 in unpaid rent. A representative for Rourke did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Unfortunately, the way I acted really frightened people, although it was really just me who was scared.

Martin ShiptonResidents of a Welsh city have challenged their MP to do something to prevent the children of Gaza from dying this winter in a man-made humanitarian catastrophe. “Months of war and displacement forced people in Gaza to live amid collapsing ruins in makeshift shelters or in flimsy tents. If only Starmer spoke up loudly about the plight of the children of Gaza, the Israeli Government would have to listen. “Our politicians need to find their humanity and act, the children of Gaza have done nothing other than be children.The winter aid these children so desperately need must immediately be allowed across the border. Children will continue to die the longer they are deprived of the aid they need to live.”Ms McMorrin has been invited to comment.

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This sent food and drink inflation back up to 4.9% by October, having been firmly on a downward path in the previous year. While good news for over a million mortgage borrowers, it was also a sign of some of the weaknesses in the UK economy – in particular the jobs market. As well as rising wage costs, the unstoppable rise of artificial intelligence (AI) was also increasingly cited as a factor in company decisions worldwide to trim their workforces. As the US imposed a 10% blanket tariff on most UK goods entering the world’s biggest economy, economic growth slowed sharply in April, amid a record drop in exports to America. Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club, warned “another year of sluggish growth for the UK economy is expected in 2026”.

Ed Miliband is planning to offer grants for solar panels and heat pumps worth up to £13bn in an attempt to create “zero bill” homes. The Energy Secretary hopes to give millions of homeowners financial support to adopt green energy over the next four years. Mr Miliband will reportedly set out plans next month for his “warm homes fund” to spend billions on solar energy, battery storage and heat pumps. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is said to believe grants could see the emergence of “zero bill” homes where householders pay nothing for power. Its “warm homes plan”, to be published in January, is likely to also include an end to restrictions on “plug-in solar panels” which cost between £180 and £300 and can be installed on balconies, patios and flat roofs, according to The Times.