The US Supreme Court has voted unanimously to powerfully restrict the scope of lawsuits brought against internet companies. Parties that lost in lower court rulings against Alphabet, Facebook, Twitter, and Snap have all had their suits dismissed. The decision could curb attempts to force tech firms to take more responsibility for users' conduct online. The case focused on whether the Tech firms were liable under antiterrorism laws for allegedly providing “material support” to Islamist militants who killed Americans overseas.
The US Supreme Court has thrown out a case aimed at making Google and Twitter liable for videos that endorsed terrorist group Islamic State. Two similar but separate cases against the companies were considered. The Supreme Court upheld the Communications Decency Act's Section 230, which prevents websites from being held liable for content posted by users. The family of Nohemi Gonzalez, who was killed in a terrorist attack in Paris in 2015, had claimed Google shared advertising returns from YouTube videos containing Isis propaganda. The court rejected the case and related claims against Twitter.
Rafael Nadal has announced that a bad hip will force him to miss the French Open this year, marking the first time he has not participated in the tournament since winning the title in 2005. Nadal, aged 36 and a 22-time Grand Slam winner, has had injuries throughout his career, including bouts of knee and tendinitis problems. His absence is likely to create a more open field at the Roland Garros, and could be of particular benefit to Novak Djokovic, who Nadal defeated in last year’s final, and 13-time ATP tournament winner Stefanos Tsitsipas. The French Open has played an important role in Nadal’s career, with 14 of his Grand Slam titles coming at the event. The Spaniard recently revealed that he is not interested in breaking the all-time Grand Slam record, which is jointly held by him, Roger Federer, and Djokovic.
Fashion brands that become known for a single item must evolve to avoid being a one-hit wonder, according to designers featured in Sydney Fashion Week. Anna Piteira, founder of Blanca Studio, said it was a "curse" when brands that found success early in their existence were tagged as fads whose appeal faded. Piteira has diversified her range with knitwear, dresses and a matchy-matchy top-and-bottom line, and Blanca's runway display also featured jeans. Anna Hoang, of Anna Quan, called for evolving to remain exciting, even though minimum orders and sampling were expensive for small brands.
The founder of Blanca Studio, Ana Piteira, has said evolving a brand is crucial after experiencing success with a particular style. Piteira said her company hit both good and bad fortune following the response to her oversized, candy-striped shirt launched during lockdown. While the garment became popular and even viral, Piteira was mindful of creating an item that would become a trend or expose her brand to copycats. The solution was expanding the range to encompass dresses, knitwear and matching tops and bottoms, and to now include jeans. Anna Hoang, founder of shirting brand Anna Quan, says moving from a single-category product line can be difficult for small brands as minimum orders and sampling costs were barriers. Brands that play it safe by sticking with one category risk becoming fads or losing customers as seasonal trends change.
Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour could have a bigger impact on fashion trends this summer than even the catwalk, according to a report in The Telegraph. After the first show of the tour, Google data showed that searches for “metallic cowboy boots” had skyrocketed by 488%, while “silver bodysuit” was up 426%, a huge increase on the previous day. These figures reflect the impact of Beyoncé’s choice of fashion in popular culture. The star is wearing at least nine specially-designed outfits, with contributions from a large number of high-profile designers. The tour will run throughout Europe until 31 July.
US President Joe Biden's decision to prioritize Ireland and skip the coronation of King Charles III is no surprise, according to Tim Montgomerie in The Telegraph. He argues that Biden's attitude toward the UK has been sneering, arrogant and disrespectful, with deep roots in Ireland. Biden's animosity toward Brexit and adoration of the European Union also influence his treatment of Britain. Montgomerie concludes by saying that Biden is putting two fingers up to the monarchy, Great Britain, and its illustrious history and is no friend of the British people.
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the French Open after his hip injury failed to heal, and has said he expects 2024 to be his final year in professional tennis. As a result of his injury, Nadal is taking a few months off, without training, meaning he will miss not only the French Open, but also Wimbledon, and most likely the US Open before returning to action. Nadal has so far won 22 Grand Slam singles titles on his career and won 14 French Open titles, a record in the tournament's history.
Environmental legal charity ClientEarth is to challenge the decision by a London court to dismiss its lawsuit against Shell’s board over climate risk mismanagement. The group will ask the High Court to reconsider the decision, marking the first notable investor lawsuit against directors over an alleged failure to prepare for moves away from fossil fuels. Lawyers said that if judges allowed the case to proceed, it could encourage investors in other companies, including those funding carbon emitters, to litigate against boards that fail to manage climate-related risks adequately. Shell has described the claim as “utterly misconceived.”
Canadian B-boy Phil Wizard tops podium at Breaking for Gold World Series in France
CBC
23-05-19 00:01
Canadian B-boy Phil Wizard has secured a gold medal at the WDSF Breaking for Gold World Series stop held in Montpellier, France and gained 1,000 ranking points toward Olympic qualification. The top 14 B-boys and B-girls in the Breaking for Gold rankings will advance to the Olympic Qualifier Series next year, and the event's Olympic debut will be held in Paris in 2024.
Japan’s proposal for the Asia Zero Emission Community was created to bring Asian countries together to solve climate challenges without hurting economic growth. Japanese officials have been pushing for the regional initiative more fervently following the Ukraine crisis which has marked a global debate around the pace of the world’s shift towards cleaner forms of energy. Asia accounts for roughly 50% of global carbon emissions and is home to the world’s youngest generation of coal power plants meaning it faces environmental issues distinct from Europe and North America, thus requiring a different pace in transitioning to meet climate targets.
Paul Scully, the science, industry and technology minister, and a London mayoral candidate, has become the first minister to support ending the tourist tax, a sales levy of 20% on all non-British visitors. Scully urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to model the benefits of VAT-free shopping, saying the current policy was costing London hundreds of millions of pounds in sales. He also argued that the tax was driving visitors to other European destinations. A new digitised version of VAT-free shopping for tourists was discussed in the mini-budgets of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng.
Peter Frankopan, a professor of global history at Oxford University and the author of "The Silk Roads: A New History of the World" and "The New Silk Roads: The Present and the Future of the World", spoke with journalist Benjamin Law for Good Weekend magazine about the role of religion in his life and for humanity, his commandments for writing, the inevitability of persecution and killing and global governance. He also spoke about UK politics, and while he has trust of the public, he doesn't have credibility in all areas and has no plans to run.
The Biden administration has reportedly informed European allies that it will not block their export of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. President Biden has previously expressed his opposition to the United States sending F-16s to Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a top item on the agenda at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, which President Biden is attending. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also attend the meeting, in person according to sources. During his visits to Berlin, Paris and London this week, Zelensky secured billions of dollars in new military support from European leaders, but experts say much of the weaponry pledged is unlikely to reach the battlefield until after the start of the upcoming counteroffensive, and Europe's ability to sustain such support remains unclear.
Leaders from the G7 nations are set to unleash new sanctions against Russia as they meet for a summit in Japan, though Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged for “pragmatic measures” to avoid circumventing sanctions imposed on Moscow. G7 leaders will discuss the possibility of an international peace summit over Ukraine at the meeting. The EU has suggested tracking the trade in Russian diamonds with a view to imposing restrictions at a later stage, while the UK has announced a ban on Russian diamonds and imports of metals from Russia in support of Ukraine. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden recently met Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to discuss ways of strengthening defence cooperation and counteracting coercive behaviour by China, with whom divisions are appearing within the G7, though leaders are expected to show a unified front regarding a common approach to dealing with the country based on shared values.
City after city around the world have seized the opportunity presented by the pandemic to improve conditions for cycling, launching new bike lanes and expanding existing networks. While many have since phased out, many are now permanent features and the scientific evidence shows an increase in the use of bikes for commuting and recreation. Examples include Washington DC, which now has over 100 miles of networked bike lanes. Austin Texas doubled its amount of protected bike lanes during the pandemic, while in the five years before the pandemic Montreal's cycling network grew by 34%. Paris was considered unfriendly to cyclists 25 years ago but has since turned that around, banning cars and offering subsidies to buy bikes. Incumbent mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, recently won reelection on a pro-green platform involving a plan to double the existing cycling network through the Réseau Express Vélo.
Leinster faces La Rochelle in the European Champions Cup final in Dublin on 22 May, with revenge on the Irish club's mind after its quarter-final loss last year. Ironic scheduling means the match will take place in Dublin after previous rounds were held across Europe. Meanwhile, Glasgow takes on Toulon in the Challenge Cup final.
The president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, has warned of the presence of Russia's Wagner mercenaries in neighbouring countries Mali and Burkina Faso and urged Western investment in his country. Niger, which is rich in natural resources and minerals, produces seven percent of the world's uranium supply and is becoming a focus of Western interest as an African security and economic partner. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in April and the country's president met with Emmanuel Macron in Paris and attended King Charles’ coronation in London. Bazoum stated that despite their presence in the region, he would "certainly not invite" Wagner to Niger. The Libyan-owned Wagner Group engages in lucrative commercial ventures in Africa and has a widespread military presence in the region. Some proceeds go to funding its operations in Ukraine, estimated to cost $100m per month. Climate change has also had a severe impact on the region, making it vulnerable to Islamist extremist recruitment. Bazoum has urged Western companies to invest in Niger, stating there is little incoming investment from countries such as France and the UK.
The “gardencore” style is a new fashion trend inspired by gardening. Amid growing isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, support of community gardening, being in the fresh air and the embracing of the nature has become popular across the UK and the world. Many gardeners and gardening enthusiasts have built up sizable followings on Instagram and the popular trend has now influenced people’s wardrobes. The look is grounded, rustic and utilitarian, with linen shirts, cargo shorts, workers' jackets, waxed-cotton gilets and sturdy shoes being encouraged as suitable attire. This trend appeals to those wanting to get back to basics and embrace an earthy aesthetic.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the G7 summit in Japan in person as the club of rich democracies seeks to ramp up pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Ukraine’s presidential office said it had told Japan’s Kyodo News a day earlier that Zelenskyy’s attendance had not been ruled out but would depend on the “situation on the battlefield”. G7 leaders are expected to announce new coordinated measures targeting Russia’s economy. It is anticipated the UK will ban the import of Russian diamonds, copper, aluminium and nickel and sanction 86 people and companies linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
