Real Madrid dethroned as ‘Kings of Europe’ as the club looks to usher in new generation of stars
CNN
23-05-18 23:48
Real Madrid must rebuild in order to stand a chance of competing for silverware next season following their elimination by Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals, according to this report. Los Blancos will be helped by the presence of young midfielders Aurélien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, plus potential signings like Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and even Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappé. However, the likes of Luka Modric, 37, and Toni Kroos, 33, may have to play bit-part roles in any fresh revival.
Roberto Firmino will leave Liverpool after eight years when his contract ends in the summer. The Brazilian won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and English League Cup during that time. Fans will miss the tripartite strike force that Firmino formed with Senegal's Sadio Mane and Egyptian Mohammed Salah, who would not have been as prolific without the Brazilian's support. Following Liverpool's Monday win at Leicester City, Firmino was serenaded by the club’s supporters, and he will bid a final farewell when Liverpool play Crystal Palace at home on Saturday.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is poised to attend the G7 summit in Japan this weekend, according to reports, offering an opportunity to build links with India's Narendra Modi and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who are yet to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The G7 group was expelling Russia from its members, following the country’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. Discussions between G7 countries will focus on economic and military support within Ukraine as allies seek to show a united front following British-imposed bans on Russian diamonds, copper, aluminium, nickel, and new individual sanctions against 86 people and companies.
In 2017, Italy launched the Case 1 Euro initiative to rejuvenate derelict properties in rural areas. It offers abandoned buildings for €1 each, with conditions attached that vary according to the locality. Property owners must plan and complete refurbishments within a set timeframe, restoring the exterior of the properties in Mussomeli to their original facades. They face paying a €5,000 fine if shell renovation does not take place within three years. Local authorities are keen to avoid abandoned properties, left as secondary homes and to evade taxation, according to The Independent. Interestingly, data from Halifax Mortgage Experts reveals that the average property deposit in London costs £115,759, reflecting widespread difficulty in getting on to the UK housing ladder. Buyers should receive tax exemption for 110% of qualifying building expenditures. Mussomeli is among the towns accepting €1 euro buyers, but the scheme is running in a number of other Italian regions.
Austrian actor Helmut Berger has died at the age of 78 at his home in Salzburg. Known for his intense performances and ability to charm audiences with subtle gestures, Berger was an icon in European cinema and a frequent collaborator with Italian master director Luchino Visconti. Berger appeared in three of Visconti's films, including his breakout performance in the operatic drama The Damned in which he played the psychotic grandson of a German industrial family. Berger appeared in 70 films and television shows throughout his career; in later years, he struggled with addiction and alcoholism. Berger, who was bisexual, was the subject of photography by Andy Warhol and was once named "the most beautiful man in the world" by the German press. He is survived by his estranged wife, Italian actress Francesca Guidato.
Roberto Firmino of Liverpool has described how his fans’ chant ‘Si Senor, Give the Ball to Bobby’ has meant to him as it continues to echo around Anfield after his departure. “My children asked if I could put the song on so we could sing together,” said Firmino. “I don’t remember the first time I heard it but when I knew the fans had created a song for me I was very happy because it’s symbolic." Klopp will be hoping to grant sentimental farewells to James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Firmino as Klopp’s first great era comes to a close.
Tottenham’s Ryan Mason has defended forward Richarlison against ridicule by Premier League players Michail Antonio and Callum Wilson on their podcast. The Brazilian striker has managed only three goals in his debut season at Spurs, but Mason said his lack of confidence could be due to fitness issues and called his commitment to the team “his own pride and his own determination”. Mason said he disapproved of mockery between professionals, criticised both players for their behaviour and said he had hope that Richarlison could make an impact on his debut season before pre-season begins.
Investors are choosing emerging market local currency bonds over dollar assets, as inflation drops and attractive yield rates are offered. From January to April, emerging market hard currency bond funds were hit with a net withdrawal of $2.65bn, while $5.23bn was invested in local currency bond funds. According to fund flow data provider EPFR Global, this year JPMorgan’s emerging market benchmark for local currency government bonds has delivered a 6.8% total return - more than three times its hard currency counterpart.
Brazil's state-run oil company, Petrobras, plans to appeal the decision from the environmental protection agency, Ibama, which has prevented the company from drilling at the mouth of the Amazon river. Ibama blocked Petrobras's request for drilling citing discrepancies in environmental studies, inadequate measures for communicating with indigenous communities, and shortcomings in Petrobras's plan to protect the region's wildlife. The decision has rattled those within the Brazilian government coalition. Petrobras maintains it has complied with all licensing requirements and is confident about its exploration plan for the region.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is making the 9,000 km journey to Hiroshima to attend the G7, while also seeking support from leaders who have taken a neutral stance over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He hopes to reach out to India's PM, Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, two countries that have continued to trade with Russia despite sanctions imposed by the EU and G-7. Zelenskiy is keen to help Ukraine become influential in nations that the country has rarely connected with on a diplomatic level, described as "a significant diplomatic opportunity".
The former head of Brazil's Indigenous protection agency has been indicted by police for his alleged role in the murder of British journalist Dom Phillips. Phillips and Brazilian journalist Bruno Pereira were killed during a reporting trip in the Amazon rainforest last year. The charges against the former president and former vice-president of Brazil's National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai) agency were announced in relation to their failure to protect agency employees, including Pereira, in lawless areas like the Javari Valley. Three men were previously charged with the murders of Phillips and Pereira.
US President Joe Biden plans to discuss the situation in Ukraine with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Group of Seven (G7) summit this weekend. Biden plans to focus on the "sacrosanct" issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the discussions. Brazil and India have previously played a bridge-building role in relations with Russia and China, however, Lula angered the West last month by asking the US and European allies to stop supplying arms to Ukraine. The Brazilian leader has since toned down his comments. Biden also aims to discuss supply chain resilience, infrastructure investments and dealing with large debt burdens with the G7 summit attendees.
Leaders of the G7 countries and their invited guests, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam and Australia, are meeting in Hiroshima over the next few days. The likely topics for discussion include the Ukraine conflict, growing Chinese dominance and the threat to Taiwan as well as issues surrounding supply chains and economic and energy security. The prominent attendance of India, a country that chairs the G20 this year, is highlighted as likely to shine a spotlight on the developing world. However, many have asked why the focus of the summit is background noise, rather than on the nuclear threat signaled by North Korea's recent nuclear tests and missile launches.
Leaders at the G7 summit in Japan have held talks focusing on the deepening dominance of China and political tensions on the Korean peninsula. The likely impact on the Japanese economy of the UK's Brexit decision is also a significant concern. Top of the agenda was the situation in the Ukraine and issues related to economic security and supply chains. India's attendance, as chair of the G20, has highlighted the importance of the developing world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made several contributions to the talks, arguing for inclusive food systems to be created across the world. At a separate meeting, involving the leaders of Japan and Brazil, mention was made of the need for security council reform. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima, where he laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
Hong Kong's Kwoon Chung Southern won their first top-flight silverware by beating Lee Man 2-0 to win the Sapling Cup. The trophy, which requires teams to field three under-22 players, gave Southern consolation for collapsing in form and surrendering their third-place spot in their league to BC Rangers, who will replace them in the Asian Champions League. Lee Man, who were edged out for the league title by Kitchee, will play continental football next season. Southern's success in the game came from Stefan Pereira's double second-half goals.
The former head and deputy head of Brazil’s Indigenous affairs agency have been indicted by police for failing to prevent the murders of a British journalist and a Brazilian Indigenous expert in the Amazon rainforest last year. Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips disappeared from the Javari Valley in June 2022. Their bodies were found ten days later and three people were subsequently charged with their murders.
The Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Hiroshima this week has focused on the Ukraine crisis, as well as the growth of China and the associated rising threat to Taiwan. The discussions have incorporated a range of issues, including energy and economic security and supply chains. The attendance of nations such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia has ensured a focus on developing countries. Earlier this week, speaking at the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that the creation of a system focused on food security, particularly for “marginal farmers” must be given priority, and suggested that there was a need to strengthen global “fertilizer supply chains” while curtailing “the expansionist mindset controlling fertilizer resources.” The summit has also covered artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, and climate change. It had been hoped that discussion of global health issues would also feature. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The summit concludes today.
Brazil has felt pressure to meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy following the unannounced attendance of Zelenskiy to the G7 summit in Japan. Brazilian officials have said that the Brazilian delegation felt nervous about the event and considered it to be a “trap” scene. The Brazilian President Lula, who is attending as an invitee, was urged by French President Emmanuel Macron to meet with Zelenskiy. Some tensions may arise from Brazil’s more neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, feeling that both Ukraine, the US and EU share the blame for Russia’s invasion.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice on his return to the Fulham starting line-up in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Mitrovic had been serving a ban, but his goals ensured Fulham ended the season with a club-record 15 league wins, staying clear of relegation worries. Eagles attacker Wilfried Zaha missed the game with a hamstring injury, while teammate Joel Ward rescued a point with a late equaliser. Palace and Fulham can both look upon this season as a success, having avoided relegation comfortably, with the Eagles having won 12 games.
Manchester City has secured its third consecutive English Premier League title and the ninth championship in the club's 143-year history thanks to Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. City players will be presented with the league trophy following its match against Chelsea on Sunday, but the club is already focusing on the next two finals, including a matchup against Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3 at Wembley Stadium. City is aiming to become just the second team to capture the Premier League-FA Cup-Champions League treble, an achievement consecutively achieved only by Manchester United in 1999.
