Latest news with #Iberian
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Fer Lopez: Who is he, how does he play and what will he bring to Wolves?
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been here before. A young, Iberian player makes an unexpected move from southern Europe to Molineux with the help of Jorge Mendes, in exchange for a considerable outlay from Wolves. Sometimes it works out fantastically. Sometimes not. Only time will tell which category Fer Lopez falls into, and whether the first new arrival of Wolves' summer is the next Ruben Neves or Diogo Jota, another Goncalo Guedes or Fabio Silva, or somewhere in between. Advertisement The talent of the 21-year-old forward is not in dispute, nor the idea that if Vitor Pereira can unlock it in the Premier League, the initial £19.6million ($26.3m) signing has the potential to be productive for the team and exciting for the fans. 'He is a young man with clear ideas,' says Santi Peon, who follows Celta Vigo for radio station Deportes COPE. 'He is a very good player. He is a shy guy, but a very loved player in the dressing room. 'He is brave. Although he is young, he doesn't refuse contact with more experienced defenders. His best position is behind the striker, so he can play as a winger. He always wants to try to see the opposite goalkeeper.' Lopez's potential is not in doubt. What is a surprise to Celta supporters is the speed with which his form in La Liga has led to a Premier League move. Lopez did not make his debut in Spain's top division until December, catching the eye in a 2-0 victory over Real Mallorca three days after scoring the final two goals in a 7-0 Copa del Rey win over Segunda Division B side Salamanca. Little more than six months later, he is leaving the club he joined when he was 10 to move to a new country, city, club and league. 'Fer's idea was to play next season with Celta,' says Peon. 'Celta is his club, and he wanted to play in the Europa League. 'We knew maybe Fer was one of the players to go out, but not this summer, maybe the next one.' According to reports from AS in Spain, Celta needed to raise considerable funds and Mendes, who is close to both clubs, came up with a solution. Celta agreed to the deal despite criticism from supporters over the sale of an academy graduate who had been seen as heir apparent to Iago Aspas, 37-year-old forward who has spent a decade and a half with the club across two spells. Mendes' influence at Molineux had appeared to be waning in recent years, but seems on the increase again this summer thanks to the presence of one of his clients, Pereira, as head coach and a reorganisation of Wolves' football operations. Advertisement While Wolves supporters will view the arrival of a young Mendes player with a degree of trepidation due to his short top-level resume, the 21-year-old could replicate the success of Jota, who tore up the Championship and Premier League to earn a move to Liverpool, or Neves, who became the club's greatest player since Steve Bull. While any statistics regarding Lopez should be viewed with the caveat about a small sample size — he started just seven league games and featured in 17 in total — his dribbling stats are impressive. Of all players to play 600 or more minutes in La Liga last season, Lopez was 11th for dribbles completed per 90 minutes, close behind some big names. Well before the end of last season, Pereira made clear his desire for ball-carriers in the two positions behind his central striker, and the sale of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United has removed Wolves' best player in one-on-one attacking situations. A look back at clips from La Liga last season suggests Lopez has the potential to fit the bill. He showed his tricks and ball-carrying power in a 1-0 home win against Osasuna in February… … in a 1-1 home draw against Las Palmas in March… … and in a 2-1 home defeat by Rayo Vallecano in May. 'He was brave and not afraid of more experienced players in Primera Division (of La Liga),' says Peon. 'He could be lucky or not, but he was always trying to demonstrate he can play in La Liga.' If Lopez's first-team career is brief, his impact was not unexpected. During more than a decade in Celta's academy, he gained a reputation as a player with flair and strength, which he demonstrated around a month before his senior debut while playing for Celta Fortuna, Celta's reserve team, in a 3-1 defeat by Cultural Leonesa. And his talent and style of play led to comparisons with Aspas, who developed in the Celta academy 20 years earlier and has 190 goals from 434 La Liga appearances for the club. But in an interview in March with AS, Celta coach Claudio Giraldez, who coached Lopez as a youngster before both progressed to the first team, said: 'You have to have the calm and patience to guide each player on their path and not label them, especially when comparing them to someone who is incomparable. Advertisement 'It's not fair to Iago or Fer, although I understand it and we've all done it at some point. 'I see a lot of talent in Fer, but I've also seen very good players who haven't made it into the first team. I was lucky enough to be Iago's contemporary and he had tremendous talent, but there were many other players in that generation. 'We all see Fer has the talent to play in the First Division, and he's proven it, but there are many variables that can affect that prospect.' The task of ensuring Lopez fulfils his potential now falls to Wolves, who have invested heavily in his raw talent in the hope they can turn it into something special.
Canada News.Net
6 hours ago
- Science
- Canada News.Net
Spanish grid operator faulted for Iberian blackout, report finds
MADRID, Spain: A routine oversight by Spain's power grid operator, REE, has been identified as the trigger behind the large-scale blackout that swept across the Iberian peninsula in late April, according to findings from a government-led investigation released this week. The report found that REE underestimated the amount of electricity needed to ensure voltage stability during peak hours on April 28 — a miscalculation that set off a chain reaction, plunging cities into gridlock and stranding thousands in elevators and trains. "The system did not have sufficient dynamic voltage control capacity," Spain's Energy Minister Sara Aagesen told reporters in Madrid. She said REE failed to keep enough thermal power plants online during critical hours. "They only set it for the early hours of the day, not the central hours." The report, published in full on June 17, also found that some power plants legally required to help stabilize the grid failed to absorb the reactive power needed to manage the surge. "Many of them were economically remunerated to do so," Aagesen said. "They did not absorb all the reactive power that was expected in a context of high voltages." Maintaining grid stability requires the system frequency — usually 50 Hertz (Hz) across Europe — to remain within narrow bounds. Deviations can damage infrastructure and equipment. The minister confirmed there was no evidence of a cyberattack.
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful Spanish city with £35 flights is cheaper than Barcelona and Madrid
It's cheaper than Barcelona and Madrid, but with all of the history and charm of the more better known cities. Immensely walkable, and full of delicious food and drink - I would argue Seville is Spain's best weekend city break. There's nothing quite like checking the weather app to see an unrelenting downpour back home as you bask in the sunshine, sipping a refreshing Tinto de Verano while waiting for your tapas. Just 2 hours and 50 minutes from Gatwick, with return Easyjet flights for as little as £35 per person, Seville is compact and walkable, making this vibrant city the perfect choice for a short break. It's noticeably cheaper than Barcelona and Madrid, a bit less busy, but just as full of historic charm, and on balance I'd go as far as to argue it's Spain's best weekend getaway. We set off early one Friday morning, having roped in the grandparents to babysit, and by 11am were wandering the atmospheric cobbled streets, picking out the perfect spot for our first meal. Dine like a King Keen to avoid tourist traps and discover authentic tapas, we joined the Seville Tapas, Taverns and History Tour by Devour Tours (£58 per person). This small-group tour took us to five historic tapas bars, where we sampled local dishes and drinks. Guided by a knowledgeable university history Professor, we learned how to identify quality Iberian ham (look for the black label) and left with new favourites and a dining action plan for the rest of our trip. Dance the night away For a cultural experience, flamenco in Seville is a must. Forget cheesy holiday-resort performances, the birthplace of flamenco offers something completely different. We first attended a 60-minute show at Teatro Flamenco Sevilla (£21 per person), which more than impressed. But locals then recommended the more intimate experience of a Peña Flamenca - a flamenco club dedicated to preserving the tradition. Following their advice, we queued outside Torres Macarena, on Calle Torrijjiano, before it opened (8pm Wednesday to Sunday) and as advised secured our seats by leaving a jacket over the back. With simple tapas and great local wine at a very affordable price, we enjoyed a raw, passionate flamenco performance, a world away from the tourist shows. The guitarists, dancers, singers and emotional audience - many of whom joined the performers on stage at times - created an unforgettable atmosphere. Worth the early start Seville's architecture reflects its layered history, influenced by the Roman, Muslim, and Christian civilisations who have ruled over the centuries. For us, we knew that the Royal Alcazar of Seville, an 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site which doubled as the kingdom of Dorne in Game Of Thrones, was a must-visit. To beat the infamously long lines, we splurged on the Alone in the Alcazar tour (£58 per person) on which is the only tour group allowed early entry. Walking through the palace's empty rooms and peaceful gardens before the hordes arrived, we learned its rich history from an expert guide. Standing on the walls overlooking the sweeping gardens listening as the city awoke is a memory I'll forever cherish. Don't Miss While the vibrant nightlife of flamenco, tapas and drink will keep you full and happy of an evening, there is plenty to do on a sunny Seville day. One highlight is the ultramodern Setas de Sevilla, the mushroom, an ultramodern wooden sculpture with panoramic city views. A daytime visit for £13 a person includes free access to the sunset light show later. If you have time, below this are Roman ruins uncovered during it's construction, showing the city as it would have looked many centuries ago. Across the river, the ceramics district of Triana is a charming spot to browse colourful pottery shops before enjoying fresh seafood and plates heaving with mouth-watering tomatoes, potato salads, and delicious cheeses at the vibrant Triana Market. Wandering back to the center of Seville, we visited the grand Plaza de España, located in Maria Luisa Park. Floating along it's emerald green canal in a rowboat makes for the perfect photo - a must for the Instagram grid. Splurge on a memorable hotel With beautiful sunshine and a dry climate, we found it infinitely preferable to stick to exploring Seville on foot - not least because a quick Google maps comparison showed walking times to generally be far quicker than driving. To make the most of this we stayed in the heart of Seville, at the newly opened four-star Ocean Drive, from £85 a night. This small but well planned hotel was the perfect bolthole, with our bedroom balcony offering jaw-dropping views of Las Setas and the stunning nighttime light show. Inside restful Mudéjar tiles and contemporary wooden decor created the perfect space to relax, while a co-working space was on offer for those fitting in a spot of work between the tapas. We very much enjoyed the a la carte breakfast, and left with stomachs filled with delicious delicacies, while the in-house restaurant also offers a full lunch and dinner menu. Verdict Seville offers an irresistible mix of culture, history, and gastronomy, making it the perfect destination to escape winter blues. Whether it's the vibrant flamenco, delicious tapas, or breathtaking landmarks, this sunny city will leave you longing for a return visit. Book the holiday EasyJet offers flights to Seville starting from £37 this summer. You can book at Rooms at Ocean Drive Sevilla start from £77 a night. For more information and to try the tours we booked, visit Devour Tours and TakeWalks.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
How hot does it have to be for creches to close in Ireland and what should be done in heatwave as temps to soar to 29C
FORECASTERS have confirmed, blasting sunshine, scorching 29C temperatures and dry weather in the coming days. But while country will be basking in sunshine and hot and humid temperatures - how will this impact creches? Met Eireann and nationwide Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel said: "We can say with certainty that Ireland will experience its warmest temperatures of the year to date this week, as very warm air from the Iberian peninsula is pulled northwards on the back of a southerly airflow." The meteorologist also revealed temperatures could reach close to 30C. He explained: "Thursday and Friday will be both very warm or locally hot days with temperatures generally reaching between 23-26C, but locally reaching up to 27C or even 28C in prolonged spells of sunshine or areas northwest of high ground." READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS But many Could it be a case where HOW HOT DOES IT HAVE TO BE FOR CRECHES TO CLOSE? Creches and early years services are required to ensure the health, safety and well being of children by making sure temperatures remain within a safe range, according to Tusla. According to Quality and Regulatory Framework they must make sure there is suitable heating provided in both the summer and winter. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Rooms for sleeping should always be maintained at between 16C and 20C, while care rooms used for children should have a temperature of between 18C and 22C. Tusla explained that in the event of extreme temperatures, "providers of early years services should undertake a risk assessment and take appropriate actions to mitigate against potential risks to the children in attendance." WEATHER WARNINGS Serious weather warnings, such as status red, orange or yellow heatwave warnings could urge a creche to shut its doors. For there to be a weather warning in the first place, there are certain temperature factors that are necessary. To require an orange "threat to life" warning, temperatures would need to reach over 30C for three days and a minimum of 20C for two nights. In a Status Red weather warning, all schools and universities are required to shut. For this level of alert, temperatures would be required to hit 30C during the day and 20C at night for five or more consecutive days and nights. Without these factors, it's up to the individual creche to decide whether they are capable of maintaining a comfortable temperature for the little ones. If, for example, the water isn't running or the air conditioning is interrupted, they may decide it's best to shut. HOW TO PROTECT CHILDREN When sending your little one to their creche during a heatwave, there are a number of things to keep in mind - for both parents and teachers. Always make sure to pack extra water to keep them hydrated throughout the day. You should also put sun cream and a hat on them before they head off to avoid sunburn and overheating. Parents may also be asked by the creche to dress their kids in light and breathable clothing. Teachers should keep rooms ventilated with an open window, and may even limit outdoor play time during the peak hours of 11am to 4pm. They will also ensure kids have access to enough water, and apply sun cream again throughout the day if needed. Early Childhood Ireland advised teachers: "Use a room thermometer to ensure that nap rooms or sleep rooms are at the correct temperature. "We recommend that rooms in which babies or children sleep are at 16C to 20C. "Children should not sleep in direct sunlight." And for kids with other Early Childhood Ireland added: "If a child in your care has additional health needs or special needs, ask the parents if there are any special recommendations for their child, or if they are more at risk from the heat." 1 There are a number of things to remember before sending your child off in the morning Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This scenic pool bar in Singapore has a happy hour promotion with $9 cocktails and bar bites
Seeking a good happy hour deal away from the usual packed bars in town? Here's one that'll bring a breath of fresh air, alongside a chill poolside setting and lovely sunset views. Verandah Pool Bar & Grill is bringing back its popular happy hour deal – a daily special where you get to indulge in a wide variety of over 15 drinks and bar snacks all at just $9 each from 5pm to 8pm. Pick your poison; There's a whole range of over 10 cocktails, wines, and beer to choose from as part of this promotion, including 1925 lager, sparkling prosecco, sparkling rosé, red or white house wine, gin and tonic, screwdriver, tequila sunrise, cuba libre, mimosa, and Tom Collins. Consider dinner settled when you pair your tipple with tasty $9 nibbles, namely: furikake fries, crispy kawaebi (river shrimp), burnt Iberian pork char siew, signature rotisserie chicken, chargrilled dirty steak, and a seafood sourdough pizza topped with tiger prawns, sakura ebi and seaweed. The chill poolside bar is part of Momentus Hotel Alexandra, but you're still welcome to wine and dine there even if you aren't staying in the hotel. If you're here on a weekend, take advantage of Verandah's newly launched weekend oyster deal on Friday and Saturday evenings, where you'll receive six complimentary oysters with any two cocktails ordered. For extra slurpy goodness, additional oysters can be purchased at $1.50 each. TIME OUT TIP Plan to arrive just before sunset and you'll be rewarded with the romantic unobstructed sight golden hour as you sip in style.
