Lyft on Tuesday unveiled new safety features as the company grapples with a slew of allegations from riders who say they have been assaulted by drivers.

In a blog post, Lyft said it has partnered with a top anti-sexual assault advocacy group — the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network — as it seeks to improve safety for those using the ride-hailing app.

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Lyft will institute mandatory safety training for drivers, make it easier for app users to call 911, and build a “smart trip check-in” feature, which will alert Lyft to suspicious activity during rides, such as unexpected delays.

“We don’t take lightly any instances where someone’s safety is compromised, especially in the rideshare industry, including the allegations of assault in the news last week,” Lyft’s president and co-founder, John Zimmer, said in the post.

“The onus is on all of us to learn from any incident, whether it occurs on our platform or not, and then work to help prevent them,” he added.

Last week, 14 female riders sued Lyft over what they called the company’s mishandling of a “sexual predator crisis” among its drivers. 

The women, who are unnamed in the suit, alleged Lyft drivers sexually assaulted or raped them in 2018 and 2019. The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco, where the company is based. 

Mary Winfield, the head of trust and safety at Lyft, said the allegations outlined in the suit have “no place in the Lyft community.” 

The allegations include instances in which drivers locked women in cars or went on multiple-hour detours after canceling rides before assaulting and raping the women. 

Lyft said its smart trip check-in will emerge later this year.

“If a ride looks to have unexplained delays, riders and drivers will hear from us asking if they need support from our team — and if necessary, request emergency assistance. This feature was built using data from millions of trips, and will roll out this year,” Zimmer wrote.

Michael Bomberger, one of the attorneys who helped file the lawsuit against Lyft in California, in a statement said Lyft has been aware of the “assault crisis in their vehicles” for years.

“Lyft has been aware of the staggering number of assaults and rapes that occur in their vehicles for years,” Bomberger said. “Today’s announcement is a cheap public relations stunt in response to the lawsuit we filed against them last week.”

“The proposed changes announced today contain no real measures to prevent sexual assaults and rape,” he added. “That is not a commitment to safety. It is a commitment to profits.”

In recent years, top ride-hailing companies such as Uber have faced a sea of allegations that they do not do enough to help prevent sexual assault and harassment during rides.

Last year, an investigation found that more than 100 Uber drivers had been accused of sexual assault or abuse over the past four years. Uber has been sued multiple times by women who say they were attacked while using the app.

Uber has committed to releasing a transparency report with data on sexual assaults this year.

“Bottom line: Safety must be an ongoing focus for everyone in transportation, and it’s our responsibility to continue raising the bar,” Zimmer wrote on Monday.

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A draft plan to lower drug prices from House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiUS conservative leader: China is more ‘fragile than we realize’ Ten notable Democrats who do not favor impeachment Majority fear mass shooting in their community: poll MORE (D-Calif.) would allow the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate on 250 drugs per year, according to a summary circulating on Capitol Hill and among lobbyists and obtained by The Hill.

The summary of the House Democrats’ signature plan to lower drug prices, one of their top priorities this year, is a bolder proposal than many expected.

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It says that the prices negotiated by the HHS secretary would apply to the private market as well, not just Medicare, as Democrats often call for. There would also be a steep penalty for drug companies that refused to negotiate with HHS: a fee of 75 percent of the gross sales of the drug in question from the previous year. 

It’s not clear what, if any changes, have been made since the draft was created or what will be altered before the proposal is formally introduced.

“The document is an out-of-date draft. Nothing is being distributed to the caucus yet because the committees are still discussing,” said a senior Democratic aide.

 

Henry Connelly, a Pelosi spokesman, said the speaker’s office continues “to engage members across the caucus as the committees of jurisdiction work to develop the boldest, toughest possible bill to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans.”

Progressive Democrats have for months pressed Pelosi to be bolder in the drug pricing proposal and have complained that they have been shut out of the process. 

The reaction from the progressive wing of the party will be a key area to watch, as will the reaction from the White House. Pelosi’s office hopes support from President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump awards Medal of Valor, civilian honors to responders in Dayton and El Paso shootings Texas Democrats unveil ‘path to victory’ plan for 2020 The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Congress returns with gun violence, funding atop agenda MORE, who previously touted drug price negotiation before backing off the idea, will help get the measure through Republicans in Congress, who traditionally oppose allowing the government to negotiate drug prices. 

Significantly, the plan appears to drop Pelosi’s previous idea to use an outside arbiter to help set the price of the drug, an idea that had provoked ire from progressives who worried it was cumbersome and too weak a mechanism. 

Some progressives reacted favorably to the outline circulating Monday, though they cautioned that the official release will be key to watch.  

The measure also incorporates an idea that Trump has proposed, tying drug prices to the lower prices paid in other countries, in what could be a bid for his support. The House plan would set a ceiling in the negotiations based on the price paid for the drug in other countries. 

Pelosi’s office previously said the plan would be unveiled in September, though the exact timing of a formal release remains unclear. 

While the House is expected to pass the proposal, it will be very hard to get through the GOP-controlled Senate, even if Trump does get on board. 

Many observers expect any drug pricing provisions will have to be attached to a larger government funding deal at the end of the year.  

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The full-back wants his team-mate to stick with Real Madrid for another term despite the captain having reportedly asked for a move to China

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and president Florentino Perez must clear up talk surrounding a potential transfer to the Chinese Super League, according to Dani Carvajal. 

Perez revealed on Monday that he rejected Ramos’ request to leave La Liga giants Madrid for a Chinese club on a free transfer . 

The future of star defender Ramos in Madrid remains uncertain – with Manchester United and Liverpool reportedly interested – but team-mate Carvajal would love for the 33-year-old to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for another season.  

“What is normal is that Ramos receives offers and it’s logical that many clubs want to have his services,” Carvajal said. 

“But the president and he have to clear it up. I would be delighted to have him [at Real Madrid] next year again.” 

Asked if he feared Ramos leaving, Carvajal added: “No fear, each one [Ramos, his agent and Perez] must clarify [about the China move]. Ramos is our captain. That word already defines him.” 

Ramos has enjoyed great success since arriving from Sevilla in 2005, winning four La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies among others. 

The Spain international scored six goals in 28 La Liga appearances as Madrid finished third last season, while he played 40 matches in all competitions, with the club’s Champions League title defence ending in the last 16. 

Goal can confirm that Ramos recently met with coach Zinedine Zidane and president Perez to express doubts over this future , but that there was reason to believe he could stay with the club. 

The 33-year-old centre-back was believed to be close to joining Premier League giants Manchester United in 2015 before extending his Madrid contract, which now runs until 2021. 

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The Spain international scored six goals in 28 La Liga appearances, while he played 40 matches in all competitions. 

However, the season ended in disappointing fashion with Real Madrid finishing third in La Liga while the club’s Champions League title defence ended in the last 16 with a stunning loss to eventual semi-finalists Ajax. 

And reports of unrest between Ramos and Perez are nothing new, with the defender having been left furious by the club boss following their exit from the Champions League .  

The Tottenham full-back has been linked with a summer switch to Italy, but he has no desire to leave the Premier League at this stage of his career

Kieran Trippier wants to stay in England, with the Tottenham defender generating talk of interest from Serie A giants Juventus and Napoli.

The 28-year-old is among those who could be heading out of north London this summer as Mauricio Pochettino is finally freed to make adjustments to his squad after two windows of no movement.

Trippier concedes that his performances in 2018-19 were not good enough, with his standards slipping on the back of a memorable World Cup campaign with England.

He has already stated a preference to remain with Spurs, but accepts that decision may be taken out of his hands.

Italy could be one potential landing spot for the right-back, but he is eager to continue his career in the Premier League.

Quizzed again on his future in the wake of a Champions League final defeat to Liverpool, Trippier told reporters: “I don’t know.

“I go home now, spend time with my family, just recover after a long, difficult season. Everybody’s got a decision to make, no matter what.

“Obviously this club has been very good for me over the last few years but I’ll enjoy my summer, come back in pre-season and that’s when I’ll sit down with the manager and have a talk about my future.

“I see a lot of speculation about me not being here. I give everything, 100 per cent every game, win lose or draw. So we’ll see what happens in pre-season.”

Trippier, who has been left out of England’s squad for the Nations League finals, added on the rumours of a switch to continental Europe: “I want to stay in England. But what can you do?

“I’ll see what happens and what the club wants, most importantly.

“I give everything for this club – training sessions, games – so we’ll see what happens in pre-season.”

Trippier has been with Tottenham since joining from Burnley in the summer of 2015.

He has made 113 appearances across four seasons, with the right-back berth having been made his own in Pochettino’s plans since England team-mate Kyle Walker headed to Manchester City in 2017.

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The Rangers boss has heaped praise on his former team-mate following the Reds’ European success

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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has labelled Jordan Henderson ‘the ultimate professional’ after the Reds midfielder captained his side to Champions League victory.

The former Sunderland midfielder captained the Reds to European glory in Madrid as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in the final, whilst also pulling off the biggest semi-final comeback ever in the competition in overturning a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona.

And former Liverpool captain Gerrard thinks the current skipper deserves his success for the way he conducts himself.

“When Jordan [Henderson] lifted the trophy above his head, my first feeling was one of pride,” Gerrard told The Times.

“Proud that Liverpool were back at the top of European football and especially proud of Jordan because I know how hard he works. I know the sacrifices he has made, the pressure and scrutiny he has been under.

“If I had to name someone I regarded as the ultimate professional, Jordan would be right at the top of the list. He is immaculate in the way he lives his life. Some people don’t see the stuff behind the scenes, the gym work, the way he eats, but he is someone who is an incredible role model.

“He is selfless. He is someone who puts himself at the back of the queue because he looks after everyone else first. He puts Jordan Henderson last.”

Gerrard also made sure to make mention of Henderson’s quality as a player as well, insisting that the midfielder is a much better footballer than he is often given credit for.

“All of that is important but, of course, he is a top player as well. He has running power, you can trust him with the ball, a good range of passing and, over the last few months, has risen to the challenge of pushing Liverpool forward and come right into top form. That is the key. You don’t last at Liverpool just by being a top guy,” Gerrard said.

“Jordan has had his fair share [of criticism], but he handles it well and the best thing to do is let your football do the talking. That is what he has done. That is what he will continue to do.”

The Rangers manager admitted that he hoped his old side’s first trophy under manager Jurgen Klopp would spur them on to win more silverware over the next few seasons.

“I am hoping this will become the catalyst for him to lift more trophies above his head. I know that is what he wants, the manager wants, and the supporters want. I am sure Jurgen will have the team fired up to go again from the moment they are back in pre-season training.”

Welcome to Hillicon Valley, The Hill’s newsletter detailing all you need to know about the tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. If you don’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter with this LINK.

Welcome! Follow the cyber team, Maggie Miller (@magmill95), and the tech team, Harper Neidig (@hneidig) and Emily Birnbaum (@birnbaum_e).

 

STATES GO AFTER GOOGLE: A coalition of 50 attorneys general will be investigating Google for potential violations of antitrust law, a step that could potentially lead to a broad legal challenge to the company’s market dominance.

The investigation, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine (D), was announced on the steps of the Supreme Court building Monday afternoon after months of rumors about states seeking to turn up the pressure on Silicon Valley. 

What they’re investigating: The probe will focus on Google’s dominance in the online search and advertising markets.

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“We have 50 attorneys general from across the nation who are involved in this investigation that we’re leading from Texas,” said Paxton. “This is a company that dominates all aspects of advertising on the internet and searching on the internet as they dominate the buyers’ side, the sellers’ side, the auction side and even the video side with YouTube,” he said of Google.

“This investigation is not a lawsuit — this is an investigation to determine the facts, and right now we’re looking at advertising,” Paxton added. “But the facts will lead to where the facts lead.”

Who’s included: Paxton and Racine were joined at the announcement by attorneys general from Alaska, South Dakota, Indiana, Arkansas, Utah, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana and Nebraska. The coalition includes 48 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. California and Alabama are the only two states not to join the investigation.

What could happen next: The probe is in very its early stages, and the group said they weren’t ready to discuss what kind of remedy they would pursue if they found that the internet search giant had violated competition laws.

The state-led effort comes as Google and other tech companies like Facebook are facing multiple investigations at the federal level over whether they have violated the nation’s antitrust laws.

Read more on the new investigation here.

 

…AND ICYMI: Google parent company Alphabet disclosed Friday that it received a formal request for information and documents from the Justice Department related to prior antitrust investigations that the internet search giant has faced.

“On August 30, 2019, Alphabet received a civil investigative demand from the DOJ requesting information and documents relating to our prior antitrust investigations in the United States and elsewhere,” the company said in a regulatory filing submitted on Friday. “We expect to receive in the future similar investigative demands from state attorneys general. We continue to cooperate with the DOJ, federal and state regulators in the United States, and other regulators around the world.”

The Justice Department announced earlier this summer that it was launching an antitrust review of major technology companies, after months of political pressure from Silicon Valley’s critics on Capitol Hill.

In a blog post accompanying the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Google’s chief legal officer Kent Walker promised to comply with the increased regulatory scrutiny but touted the innovation that the company has contributed over the years.

Read more here. 

 

HOW ABOUT NOW?: Congressional Democrats are shining the spotlight back on election security as they struggle to push various bills across the finish line in the face of Republican opposition.

Democrats in both the House and Senate are renewing efforts to force the GOP-controlled Senate to allow votes on election security measures that have been stalled due to Republican concerns about federalizing elections and re-litigating the 2016 election interference by Russia.

Where leadership stands: Both House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerThe Hill’s Morning Report – Congress returns: What to expect This week: Congress returns for first time since mass shootings Trump probes threaten to overshadow Democrats’ agenda MORE (D-Md.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerTop Democrats press Trump on background checks legislation GOP senator on gun reform: Trump needs to ‘set some guidelines’ on what he’ll sign Congress faces sprint to avoid another shutdown MORE (D-N.Y.) on Thursday sent letters to colleagues detailing their goals around election security for the fall.

“We must continue our push to protect our elections at the federal, state, and local levels, especially in the upcoming Senate appropriations process,” Schumer wrote, while criticizing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMajority fear mass shooting in their community: poll Top Democrats press Trump on background checks legislation The Hill’s Morning Report – Congress returns: What to expect MORE (R-Ky.) for not allowing any votes on the topic.

Hoyer wrote that “the House may take up additional legislation to strengthen election security.”

Read more here. 

 

LISTEN UP: Three former secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday testified that cybersecurity threats to elections and other critical infrastructure are major issues that could impact the security of the nation.

Former DHS Secretaries Michael Chertoff, Janet Napolitano, and Jeh Johnson all discussed the severity of cyber threats to the U.S. while testifying in New York City during a field hearing at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Napolitano, who served as secretary under President Obama from 2009 through 2013, listed cybersecurity as one of the top three threats DHS “can and must confront,” pointing to vulnerabilities in election infrastructure, utility grids, and other critical infrastructure as putting the country at risk. 

“Our adversaries and international criminal organizations have become more determined and more brazen in their efforts to attack us and to steal from us,” Napolitano said. “We need a whole of government and a whole of public and private sector response to this threat, and it needs to happen immediately. 

When asked by Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyTexas Democrats unveil ‘path to victory’ plan for 2020 Republicans grumble over Trump shifting military funds to wall Democrats walk tightrope in fight over Trump wall funds MORE (R-Utah) how the U.S. can best improve how it responds to cyber threats, Napolitano suggested establishing a commission similar to the one created following the Sept. 11 attacks to get ahead of the threats. 

“The report points out all these red flags that have arisen, and they said that a key critique is that our government leaders suffered from a failure of imagination,” Napolitano said of the 9/11 Commission’s findings. “In the cyber arena, we have all these red flags now, we should not entertain such a failure of imagination.”

Chertoff, who served as secretary under President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2009, also highlighted cyber threats as a major issue facing the U.S., describing attacks on government systems and infrastructure as a “battle.”

Chertoff advocated for more resources to be given to DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a group that was formally established last year, in order to address threats such as election interference. 

Read more on the hearing here.

 

TRUMP CHEERS ON AT&T SHAKE-UP: President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump awards Medal of Valor, civilian honors to responders in Dayton and El Paso shootings Texas Democrats unveil ‘path to victory’ plan for 2020 The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Congress returns with gun violence, funding atop agenda MORE on Monday seized on news that an activist investor group has a stake in AT&T to slam CNN, tweeting that the news network is “bad for the USA.”

“Great news that an activist investor is now involved with AT&T. As the owner of VERY LOW RATINGS @CNN, perhaps they will now put a stop to all of the Fake News emanating from its non-credible ‘anchors,’ ” Trump tweeted.

“Also, I hear that, because of its bad ratings, it is losing a fortune. But most importantly, @CNN is bad for the USA,” he continued. “Their International Division spews bad information & Fake News all over the globe.”

Trump also repeated his claim that foreign leaders often ask him why the U.S. media hates the country, an assertion he made during the Group of Seven summit last month. Foreign leaders have not publicly made similar comments, nor have they confirmed raising those concerns privately to Trump.

The president’s tweets came as part of a series of morning social media missives blasting news organizations and complaining that he does not receive proper credit for his administration’s accomplishments.

CNN spokesman Matt Dornic later tweeted that CNN “is having its most profitable year in history.”

Read more here.

 

USMCA TODAY: The U.S. tech industry is pushing Congress to pass President Trump’s revised North American trade pact, arguing the stalled legislation would modernize trade law to accommodate the digital economy.

A broad coalition of tech trade groups in a letter Monday argued the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rewrite includes language that would “set a new, global standard for rules that will benefit digital trade and e-commerce.”

The industry effort comes as lawmakers return to Washington this week from their August recess.

“NAFTA 2.0,” also known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), is one of Trump’s top legislative priorities for the fall. Democrats have refused to take up the trade deal without measures to strengthen some of its labor and environmental standards.

The tech industry, meanwhile, has rallied behind the USMCA by backing the provisions that offer intellectual property and data protections.

The signatories of Monday’s letter include the Internet Association, which represents Facebook, Google and Amazon; the Consumer Technology Association; the Computing Technology Industry Association; and the Information Technology Industry Council.

“Passing the USMCA would be a significant step not only towards guaranteeing the leadership of North America in the global digital economy, but also towards establishing a worldwide framework to address the challenges confronting global access and usage of digital trade,” the trade groups wrote.

Read more on the trade deal here.

 

SOUR APPLES: Apple and its manufacturing partner Foxconn on Monday acknowledged that they employed too many temporary workers in China while rebutting claims of lapses in people management, Reuters reported.

The statements came in response to a lengthy report from nonprofit monitor China Labor Watch accusing the two companies of breaching numerous Chinese labor laws, including one that limits temporary staff to 10 percent of the workforce.

Apple said in a statement obtained by Reuters that it investigated the percentage of temporary workers among the overall workforce and found it “exceeded our standards.”

The tech giant added that it was working with Foxconn to “immediately resolve the issue.”

It also said it discovered interns at a supplier facility had worked overtime at night, violating company policy, and that “this issue has been corrected.”

In a separate statement to Reuters, Foxconn also confirmed an over-reliance on temporary workers, known internally as dispatch workers.

“We did find evidence that the use of dispatch workers and the number of hours of overtime work carried out by employees, which we have confirmed was always voluntary, was not consistent with company guidelines,” Foxconn said.

The labor report came just days ahead of Apple’s unveiling of the next line of iPhones.

Read more here.

 

LIGHTER CLICK: My type of gardening

 

AN OP-ED TO CHEW ON: Millennials can help grandparents achieve stronger internet privacy

 

NOTABLE LINKS FROM AROUND THE WEB: 

Period tracker apps are sharing sensitive data with Facebook (Buzzfeed) 

The Oranje boss says an Argentine star remains the world’s best player – but that a fellow countryman has shown he is a winner

Virgil van Dijk deserves to beat Lionel Messi to Ballon d’Or glory, according to Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman.

Dutch defensive colossus Van Dijk drove Liverpool to Champions League glory, making key contributions at both ends of the pitch in a run which culminated in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham in Madrid.

And Koeman believes the former Celtic and Southampton man should be recognised for his inspirational role when football’s top individual awards are handed out.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the player prizes over the last decade, but Luka Modric disrupted that duopoly when his efforts for Croatia at last year’s World Cup were recognised in December.

Koeman says Van Dijk would be a worthy successor as holder of the Ballon d’Or, even if he does not necessarily rate him as the world’s finest player.

“He deserves to win the Ballon d’Or,” Koeman said on Monday.

“It’s usually handed to players who make or create decisive goals, but if there ever is a time to give it to a defender, it is now.”

Koeman was speaking in a YouTube question and answer session organised by the Dutch football federation.

“In my opinion Messi is the best player,” Koeman said, “but I also think you should win big trophies with your team to be a contestant.”

Van Dijk played down his own chances of landing the award following the Tottenham game, saying that Messi “deserves it as long as he plays”.

Messi can point to winning another La Liga title with Barcelona, but the Catalans were beaten in the Copa del Rey final by Valencia and folded 4-0 at Anfield in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, squandering their 3-0 Camp Nou advantage.

Koeman would love to field Van Dijk and fellow Liverpool man Georginio Wijnaldum in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League semi-final against England.

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Liverpool’s post-Madrid celebrations took place on Sunday, leaving their players free to disperse for international duty.

Reds players could line up in opposition this week, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson among England’s squad.

Ahead of the match in Portugal, Koeman said of Van Dijk and Wijnaldum: “On Tuesday we will drink a cup of coffee and we’ll talk about it. But if it’s only up to me, they’ll play. That’s obvious.”

Ashley Williams is following Phil Jagielka out of Goodison Park, but another veteran defender is on the verge of staying for another season

Leighton Baines has been offered a 12-month extension at Everton but Ashley Williams will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Left-back Baines could extend his stay at Goodison Park into a 13th season after manager Marco Silva moved to keep the experienced former England international.

Signed from Wigan Athletic in 2007, the long-serving defender lost his place to Lucas Digne in 2018-19 and made just five Premier League starts.

Reports indicate Baines will take up the offer and bring an end to speculation linking him to Rangers.

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Centre-back Williams, however, will not be returning to the Toffees.

The 34-year-old was sent on loan to Championship side Stoke City last season and follows fellow veteran Phil Jagielka out of the door.

Jagielka has been heavily linked with a move to Scottish champions Celtic since his release.

Wales defender Williams made 73 appearances in all competitions for Everton following his arrival from Swansea City in 2016.

“Everton wishes to thank all departing players for their contribution throughout their time at the club,” the club said in a statement. 

 A number of additional personnel changes are expected at Goodison Park while the transfer window is open, as Silva aims to build on the significant progress made in 2019.

The Portuguese endured a difficult first few months in charge, but Everton’s form picked up towards the end of the season and they ultimately earned an eighth-place Premier League finish.

The goalkeeper is relishing the chance to reunite with his Belgium and former Chelsea team-mate at the Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois took to social media on Friday to welcome Eden Hazard to “the best club in the world” after the attacker’s move to Spain became official.

Hazard joined La Liga giants Madrid from Chelsea on a five-year deal on Friday for a fee of €100 million (£88m/$112m), but with incentives could rise to as much as €140m (£124m/$146m).

It put to end months of speculation surrounding Hazard, who had professed his desire to join Real Madrid as early as last summer but enjoyed another strong season for the Blues under Maurizio Sarri. 

The Belgium international attacker won two Premier League titles and as many Europa League crowns during his time at Chelsea, where he played alongside Courtois before the star goalkeeper left for Madrid in 2018-19.

Courtois, who forced Chelsea’s hand by refusing to sign a new contract last summer, had encouraged Hazard to follow his lead and join Madrid on multiple occasions during the season.

And now that his Belgium international team-mate has officially done so, Courtois welcomed Hazard to the Santiago Bernabeu via social media as the pair prepare to reunite in Madrid.

“Welcome to the best club in the world!!! @hazardeden10 @realmadrid,” Courtois wrote on Twitter.

Hazard – who led Chelsea to Europa League glory this season – is the fourth new arrival at Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

The 28-year-old follows Eder Militao, Luka Jovic and Rodrygo Goes to the Spanish capital club, with Madrid also reportedly eyeing Lyon full-back Ferland Mendy, Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar.

The Liga giants are looking to return to their old heights next season, after struggling in 2018-19, with the Club World Cup trophy their only haul for the season.

The club finished third in the league this season, 19 points behind champions Barcelona and eight behind local rivals Atletico, while they saw their string of three straight Champions League titles come to an end when they were knocked out by Ajax in the last 16.  

Madrid sacked Zidane’s initial successor, Julen Lopetegui at the end of October, and replacement Santiago Solari in March, with the France legend returning to the fold.

Courtois started 27 games in La Liga this season, while managing eight clean sheets for the club in the league. 

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The Liverpool midfielder won the Champions League with his club but was left despondent after seeing his country downed by Portugal

Georginio Wijnaldum rued a missed opportunity to land another major trophy after Netherlands fell to defeat in the Nations League final.

The midfielder celebrated Champions League success with Liverpool at the start of June and was chasing a stunning double.

But a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Porto on Sunday scuppered that hope, and the only consolation was that the future for the Oranje looks bright after years in the doldrums.

They failed to qualify for Euro 2016 and last year’s World Cup but look to be developing into a force again, with Ronald Koeman in charge.

Wijnaldum said: “I’m very disappointed of course. But I’m still proud we came back after so many difficult years. But that doesn’t make me less disappointed.

“We should have created more chances. We should be more effective in creating chances. We didn’t do that. We only had one shot on target, and that was basically the problem.”

The former Newcastle man was joined in the Dutch engine room by a fellow 28-year-old in Atalanta’s Marten de Roon.

De Roon said: “I’d happily lose this final, instead of next year during the Euros.

“It always sucks when you lose. Especially after the things we had shown over the last months. So we’re very disappointed we couldn’t show the same things as we did in the last games.”

De Roon helped his club side reach the Coppa Italia final and earn a Champions League place through a third-place finish in Serie A, and he is relieved to be finally getting a summer break.

“This season has been brilliant,” he added. “But that’s something I will look back on later, because now I’m disappointed after this lost final. We wanted to win it so badly.

“The Dutch team has shown we are developing as a young team. We’re a decent squad with much quality. If we’re in good shape, we can compete with the best countries in the world.”

That is a view shared by Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong, with the 22-year-old considering the Dutch to be a side that must now be taken “seriously”.

He said: “We have shown that everyone must now take us seriously.

“We have gained more experience from these finals. We still have to qualify for the European Championship final round, but we will certainly benefit from these experiences.

“As a team if you’re so close to a trophy you want to win it. We didn’t play our best match, but this is an experience we can take on board for next year’s Euros, where we hope to do better.

“We did not do enough in the build-up. I myself did not. We found too few solutions between the lines. The game against England was tough, but that should not be an excuse.

“I’d rather win the tournament with the team, but it’s always an honour to win the individual trophy so I feel honoured to have been given it.”