New York ‌City hotel operators and unions have reached an eight-year labour deal covering about 25,000 workers, averting a strike over wages, workloads and staffing levels that had threatened to disrupt the city ahead of ​the FIFA World Cup, the head of the Hotel Association of New York ​City said on Tuesday.

Vijay Dandapani, the association’s president and chief executive, ⁠said the mood among owners was “overall positive” after weeks of negotiations, though the industry ​made significant concessions.

“We came a long way from where things were,” Dandapani said.

While FIFA, ​soccer’s global governing body, was not involved in the talks, the prospect of an influx of fans raised the stakes. A union campaign had warned of a possible strike and urged visitors to ​avoid affected hotels.

The potential walkout was a “very real threat,” Dandapani said, noting recent labour ​actions in U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Boston.

The contract’s full wage and benefit details were not ‌immediately ⁠available. Dandapani said a figure of about $200,000 reflected compensation at the end of the agreement, not at the outset.

Hotel owners entered the talks aiming to preserve profitability, arguing that New York’s lodging market has not fully recovered from the pandemic. Occupancy remains below 2019 ​levels, and inflation-adjusted room ​rates have yet ⁠to catch up, he said.

He also cited broader pressures, including the war in Iran, tariffs and visa issues.

The deal follows the withdrawal ​of a proposed city measure that operators said would have ​sharply raised ⁠labour costs by limiting room attendants’ workloads and requiring double pay beyond certain thresholds. Owners estimated it could have lifted wage costs by about 40%.

The new pact will still add ⁠costs, though ​operators expect tourism demand and major events to ​support revenue.

“We believe strongly in the New York City market,” Dandapani said, adding that the city needs to ​become more affordable for businesses.

-Reuters

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Arsenal F.C.’s latest Premier League triumph has not only ended a 22-year wait for the English title but also strengthened the North London club’s standing among the most successful teams in English football history.

By securing their 14th top-flight championship, Arsenal have consolidated third place on England’s all-time league honours list behind only Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United F.C., who remain tied as the country’s most successful league clubs with 20 titles each.

Arsenal’s latest success moves them comfortably ahead of Manchester City F.C., who have won 10 league crowns despite dominating much of the modern era under Pep Guardiola.

Historically, the English title hierarchy now stands with Liverpool and Manchester United leading on 20 championships, followed by Arsenal on 14 and Manchester City on 10.

Traditional powers such as Everton F.C. remain fourth with nine titles, while Aston Villa have seven. Chelsea and Sunderland each have six league crowns, underlining Sunderland’s status as one of English football’s early powerhouses despite their modern decline.

Further down the honours list, Newcastle United and Sheffield Wednesday have four titles apiece, while Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers each boast three championships.

In the Premier League era, however, the balance of power looks markedly different.

Manchester United remain the dominant force of the modern era with 13 Premier League titles, largely accumulated during Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary reign at Old Trafford.

Manchester City’s rise over the past decade has lifted them to second place in the Premier League rankings with eight titles, while Chelsea have collected five since the competition’s formation in 1992.

Arsenal’s latest success represents only their fourth Premier League-era crown despite their rich historical pedigree, placing them behind both Manchester City and Chelsea in the modern standings.

Liverpool, despite their enormous historical success, have won the Premier League only twice since the competition was rebranded in 1992, while Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City each famously claimed one shock title triumph.

Arsenal’s new championship therefore carries significance on two different historical levels.

First, it restores the club’s reputation as one of English football’s enduring giants after years of frustration and near misses. Secondly, it narrows the gap between Arsenal and the dominant clubs of the Premier League era, particularly Manchester City.

The title also reconnects Arsenal with the golden era of Arsène Wenger, whose legendary “Invincibles” side won the club’s last league title in 2004 without losing a single match.

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have now taken a major step toward rebuilding the stature that once made them one of the defining powers of English football.

The updated honours table also reflects the shifting landscape of the English game, where historic success and modern dominance increasingly tell different stories.

Arsenal’s 14th title cements their third place in English football’s roll of honour:

20 Liverpool, Manchester United
14 Arsenal
10 Manchester City
9 Everton
7 Aston Villa
6 Chelsea, Sunderland
4 Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday
3 Blackburn, Huddersfield, Leeds, Wolves
2 Burnley, Derby, Portsmouth, Preston, Tottenham
1 Ipswich, Leicester, Nottm Forest, Sheffield United, West Brom

And in the Premier League era, this is how things stand:

13 Manchester United
8 Manchester City
5 Chelsea
4 Arsenal
2 Liverpool
1 Blackburn, Leicester

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African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.

In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.

Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.

Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.

Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.

The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.

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