Boxing's place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games is uncertain following a long-running dispute between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Boxing Association. The IOC cut ties with the sport's governing body in 2019 over concerns about governance and fair judging, leaving the future participation of boxing in the Games in doubt. Boxing has appeared in every Olympic Games since 1904, but future participation could impact development and participation in the sport, particularly for women, for whom it was only added to the Games programme in 2012. The IOC has not yet confirmed boxing's inclusion in the Games.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has had his three-year sentence, which he received in March 2021, for corruption and influence peddling upheld by a French appeal court, which also maintained that he should be held under house arrest with an electronic bracelet and banned from public office for three years. Sarkozy, who has always denied the charges, plans to appeal the current decision with France’s highest appeal court, the Court of Cassation. The so-called Bismuth case is one of several legal cases pursuing Sarkozy, who also faces a retrial in November 2023 on allegations of illegal campaign financing. Former French President Jacques Chirac is the only former French President to have been convicted in a criminal trial.
Global temperatures are projected to cross the 1.5C rise limit above pre-Industrial levels within the next five years, according to the World Meteorological Organisation. The WMO also stated that there is a 98% chance that they will break the record for the hottest year by 2027. As previously reported, a rise of 1.5C will trigger increased negative impacts on the natural world and humans. Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General warned that global impacts will likely "have far-reaching repercussions for health, food-security, water management and the environment" and urged experts to prepare for them.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has lost an appeal against corruption charges but will now serve his remaining one-year detention sentence at home with an electronic bracelet. Sarkozy, who was accused of influence peddling and seeking favours from a judge in a case exposed by wiretaps, was banned from public office for three years. His lawyer said the defence would appeal the decision. The former president, who served one term, will also face a retrial on appeal from November 2023 in the so-called Bygmalion case. Sarkozy's team was accused of overspending twice the legal limit on his 2012 election campaign.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his appeal for conviction for corruption and influence peddling, meaning he will now wear an ankle monitor. The Paris Court of Appeals upheld his three-year prison sentence, with two years to be suspended. Sarkozy was found guilty of attempting to bribe a judge. His lawyers claim he is innocent and announced plans to appeal the decision to France's highest court. Sarkozy is also facing separate charges for accepting illegal campaign payments from Libya during his 2007 election bid. He was found guilty of illegal campaign financing in 2021.
Global Plastics Treaty Will Test Japan’s Clean Image
Diplomat
23-05-17 12:36
Japan’s position towards a new global plastics treaty, due to be discussed in May and June 2021 in Paris, emphasizes marine litter rather than strict recycling policy and regulation of plastic production. Although Japan is clean and tidy in appearance, its methods of keeping the streets clean are ineffective and environmentally harmful. Only 22% of Japan’s plastic is actually recycled, with the majority being incinerated under the banner of thermal recycling, adding to fossil carbon emissions causing global warming. Furthermore, 40% of the plastic that is recycled in Japan is exported, primarily to countries that lack adequate waste disposal facilities such as landfills, such as Malaysia. Despite this, Japan’s published position on the treaty prioritizes marine litter, rather than tighter regulation and practises regarding plastic production. A stronger approach towards plastic production and use is needed, involving recycling, reduction targets and agreed-upon global rules instead of voluntary measures.
France is surpassing Britain as a leader in Europe and making progress with its big business investment and tech start-ups. With infamous hurdles such as a 35-hour week, high taxes and lengthy lunches, British business leaders have dismissed the French efforts to improve. This couldn't be further from the truth and France is beginning to outshine great britain through reforms, pro business and pro innovation engagements — wooing global corporations such as Tesla and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to invest in France.
France is resisting EU targets regarding renewable energy out of concern that “low-carbon” hydrogen generated with electricity from atomic power plants will not be included. On Wednesday the EU’s 27 member states were due to agree on an overall target of 42.5% of renewable power in the bloc’s energy mix by 2030. Paris is promoting its nuclear industry, despite missing EU targets for the integration of renewables. Six pro-nuclear countries, including the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Hungary, backed France’s stance on Wednesday and other member states have raised concerns that behavioural precedents may be damaging to overall EU emission targets.
Andy Murray suffered a 6-3, 6-0 defeat against Stan Wawrinka in the second round of the ATP Challenger Tour event in Bordeaux. Murray, who turned 34 on Monday, had won his first title since 2019 earlier this month at a second-tier tournament in Aix-en-Provence. The Scot failed to capitalize on this form and was knocked out of the Italian Open in the first round by Fabio Fognini. Murray is expected to decide whether to compete on clay in Paris or begin his preparations early for the grass-court season ahead of Wimbledon.
Tennis player Rafael Nadal's participation at the French Open is in doubt due to an hip injury and he will announce his final decision on 17 May. The 14-time champion at Roland Garros has not entered any warm-up event before the tournament, and has withdrawn from competitions in Madrid, Monte Carlo and Rome while he continues his recovery. Nadal relinquished his world number one ranking last August, but he returned to a top five ranking last October.
China's special envoy for Eurasia, Li Hui, will visit Brussels as part of his European tour, which began in Kyiv on 11 January, before passing through Warsaw, Paris, and Berlin, and concluding in Moscow. According to reports, Li added Brussels to his itinerary after being told that Kyiv would not accept any proposals leading to territorial loss. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said the country will not “accept any proposals that would involve the loss of its territories or the freezing of the conflict”.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has criticised photographers for the pursuit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “reckless and irresponsible.” The Duchess of Sussex claimed that six blacked-out vehicles and accompanying drivers from unidentified sources endangered both her convoy, and “near collisions” with NYPD officers and passers-by during the two-hour chase. Metropolitan Police have denied any reports of injuries with Adams emphasising both the dangers of photography pursuits in the city and his own experience of Princess Diana’s death after a high-speed chase in Paris.
Leaders from the Group of 7 (G7) countries are to meet and discuss the global economy this week at the annual G7 summit in Japan. However, the US’ nearing debt default of two weeks may be cause for concern. President Joe Biden hopes to promote an optimistic tone after the White House sent two special aids to negotiate with Republicans to raise the debt. Upcoming discussions are also set to focus on Ukraine and China. European allies are pressing the US administration to give American-made F-16 jets to Ukraine after gaining territory around the city of Bakhmut. Nevertheless, the Biden administration is worried about escalating the situation and the potential costs and time issues that would arise. Discussions on China will focus on handling the threat of its economic, technological and military rise. The summit will also include talks on how to stabilise the global economy and limit devaluations of currencies.
As the Group of 7 summit opens today, global leaders will discuss how to keep the international economy stable amidst growing uncertainty. Two major issues on the agenda are Ukraine and China. However, the most pressing threat to the global economy may be the US economy. With less than two weeks remaining to pay its bills, a default would jolt its own economy and those of the other G7 countries. In an attempt to address the issue at home, President Biden has cancelled the second part of his planned trip, which included visits to Papua New Guinea and Australia. Analysts warn that fears of an unreliable and dysfunctional America will be revived in that region where the US has only recently started to rebuild trust and momentum.
There is a growing chance that the planet will warm to more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels within the next five years, according to the United Nations arm the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In 2015, the nations of the world committed to prevent such a rise in temperatures in the Paris Agreement. In 2017, the WMO estimated that there was a 48% chance that this target would be breached, but this estimate has now increased to 66%. The WMO has said it is almost certain that one of the next five years will be the hottest in human history.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic is out of the Italian Open following his defeat against Denmark’s Holger Rune. His performance was uncharacteristically poor, and his below-par physical condition suggested health issues were affecting him. Djokovic is going into this year’s French Open without having reached a clay-court semi-final, which is untypical for him. With Rafael Nadal absent from the tour since January, a couple of emerging favourites – Rune and Carlos Alcaraz – are being talked about by bookmakers. Nadal’s withdrawal from Roland Garros is expected to be announced soon. This year’s Italian Open won’t feature a final without Djokovic or Nadal for the first time since 2004. Murray’s defeat against Wawrinka in the second round of the ATP Challenger Tour event in Bordeaux further adds to his downward slide in the tennis world. Meanwhile, Djokovic might be closing his tennis centre in Belgrade following news that Romanian billionaire Ion Tiriac’s licence has been taken back.
Barclays is said to be planning a major push to grow business in Paris, with the aim of expanding its headcount in the city by around 200 people over the next two to three years. The bank already has around 300 employees in the French capital and plans to move to larger premises next year. In March, Paris overtook London as Europe’s largest stock market with the UK capital now $250bn (£204bn) smaller than the French equivalent. It lost its place as Europe’s largest centre for trading equities for the first time last year when Paris overtook it.
Leaders of the G7 countries – the US, Japan, Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Canada – face several challenges as they gather in Hiroshima. The global economic outlook is unstable, while Russia continues its actions in Ukraine and China expands its economic and strategic growth. The G7 will need to address several issues, including enlisting middle countries such as those in Africa, and addressing China without creating undue confusion. Moreover, with concerns around nuclear proliferation and use re-emerging, the monitoring architecture of nuclear arsenals needs to be maintained to avoid future use of nuclear weapons. Finally, as global temperatures continue to rise and heatwaves become deadlier, coordinated responses and the regulation of cryptocurrency will become increasingly important.
Hong Kong's World Number 1 female fencer, Vivian Kong Man-wai, will lead Hong Kong's women’s epeeist team as they compete in the World Cup in United Arab Emirates. The women’s epeeist team have the chance to earn points towards their Olympic bid as a team, not just through the individual event. The Hong Kong squad will compete with South Korea and China, ranking first and fifth respectively for the chance to compete in the Paris Olympics in 2024. Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan, Chan Wai-ling and Coco Lin Yik-hei also compete for Hong Kong in the women’s epeeist team.
French director Catherine Corsini appeared on the red carpet at Cannes for the premiere of “Homecoming”, a drama featuring a nanny travelling to Corsica with her teenage daughters after leaving 15 years earlier under tragic circumstances. The film made headlines earlier this year when French funding organisation, the CNC, withdrew €680,000 ($749,000) of subsidies over the non-disclosure of a sex scene involving a minor. The CNC is responsible for France's promotion of cinema. Corsini told media that the scene was cut. The French curator also said that it would bankroll about 55 films directed by women in 2021.
