UFC maintains links with Russian fighters and fighters connected to sanctioned Chechen warlord despite Ukraine invasion
CNN
23-05-17 07:33
Critics have raised questions about the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) decision to allow Russian fighters to compete following the country's invasion of Ukraine. The sport has a global fan base of over 700m, and UFC fighters in Russia have helped bring in approximately $50m in TV and sponsorship deals, according to John S Nash, an MMA and boxing financial analyst. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's recent posting of a video featuring UFC fighters Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje and Henry Cejudo has also prompted concern. Kadyrov has been sanctioned over allegations of human rights violations, and has expressed his support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Men who gain weight in their late teens and 20s may be more likely to die from prostate cancer later in life, according to research presented at the European Congress on Obesity. The study, which involved more than a quarter of a million men in Sweden, found that weight gain between the ages of 17 and 29 increased the risk of deadly prostate cancer. Previous research has suggested that obesity can also increase the risk of fatal prostate cancer, with the hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 implicated as a factor.
Weight gain in a man's late teens and 20s increases the risk of prostate cancer, according to early findings of an analysis of Swedish data. The study, which has yet to undergo peer review, analysed data on over a quarter of a million men, and found fatal prostate cancer was far more likely to occur in those who gained weight between the ages of 17 and 29. The research also found that while linkages between weight gain and general prostate cancer exist, those involving deadly forms depended specifically on weight gain during the early adult years.
BBC Radio 4 aired “21st Century Relaxation Tape” on Sunday, exploring the growing industry of detailed, relaxing sounds which have become increasingly popular in recording format and on open-source media platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. The team behind the programme argued that as technology and urbanisation make the world increasingly loud and chaotic, sound artists are helping listeners to calm themselves and enhance their concentration.
Holiday company Which? has compiled a list of destinations to observe the Northern Lights, featuring locations in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Canada and the US. Jet2 is said to be the best provider in terms of price and quality for Brits seeking a budget experience in Iceland. Tourism supplier Responsible Travel offers ecologically conscious sustainable travel packages. The site’s favourite is to Saariselka in Finnish Lapland. Discover the World offers an Ice Hotel in Sweden experience, while the Aurora Zone provides a city break in Tromso, Norway. Hurtigruten is listed as the best option for a Northern Lights cruise around Norway.
Transgender and non-binary performers from west Africa feature in this year's Brussels’ Kunstenfestivaldesarts, including Nadia Beugré's Prophetic (We’ve Already Been Born), which premiered last weekend and Adam and Amina Seid Tahir’s Several attempts at braiding my way home, both of which explore personal stories through dance. Beugré, from the Ivory Coast, creates complex personalities between the performers, exploring their showmanship and vulnerability, and the sense of community between them, with moments of make-up and clothing adding another layer to the performance. The 45-minute Several attempts features the only performer undoing braids clipped to their hair and weaving them into a carpet.
Turkey has complained to Germany over the detention of two Turkish journalists operating in the country. The two were detained briefly following a search operation, but were released without charge. Turkey accused the German police of harassment and intimidation against its media. Reports suggest the police operation was sparked in response to the Sabah newspaper's publication of information concerning an alleged supporter of President Erdoğan's opponent, Fethullah Gulen, living in Germany which may have violated Germany's privacy laws. Turkey has often complained about Gulen’s allies living in Europe or North America.
Chinese authorities have requested that foreign embassies in the capital avoid displaying "politicized propaganda", prompting concerns over the right to free speech. While no specific instances were cited in connection with the request, diplomats have acknowledged the move is a response to displays of support for Ukraine. Russia's actions in Ukrainehave failed to garner international support and by stopping such displays, China is cause for concern. However, foreign governments have so far shown little inclination to abide by the request.
The British and Dutch governments are creating an ad hoc international F-16 fighter jet coalition to help Ukraine to obtain the planes. TOP
The creation of an alliance between the countries comes after US President Joe Biden refused Kyiv’s request to supply F-16 jets. The coalition members include countries that do not have F-16s that Ukraine is interested in obtaining, with Germany’s deployment of supplies in the conflict area needed to be American-led.
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak will not ban Chinese cultural organisation Confucius Institutes, despite pledging to. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also promised last summer to close the country’s 30 institutes, which provide culture and language classes to international students. Critics allege they could be used by the Chinese Communist Party for espionage. However, a Downing Street spokesman said banning the institutes would be disproportionate, and that official concerns about their activities would be reassessed. The institutes have been prohibited in Sweden and funding restricted by the US.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has revealed he is making progress in persuading the West to supply his country with fighter jets. He has set his sights on getting US-built F-16 jets flown by several NATO nations – Britain and The Netherlands have pledged to help. While no western-designed jets have yet been donated, Poland and Slovakia have given Ukraine 27 Mig-29s to supplement its current fleet. However, Poland can't provide F-16s due to shortage. One alternative to the F-16 could be the JAS Gripen fighter jet produced by Swedish defence manufacturer SAAB.
The first date of Beyoncé's UK tour saw thousands of fans gather at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, with some attendees travelling from as far as Gloucestershire to see the singer's first UK tour in seven years. Fans have described the atmosphere as "buzzing," with one attendee saying that Beyoncé was being played "in every bar". The highly anticipated tour comes after Beyoncé toured Europe, with explosive shows that included video projections, animations, and robotic devices. A Forbes estimate predicted that the tour could earn the star upwards of £1.6bn.
Beyonce wowed fans in Cardiff with her electrifying performance on the first UK date of her Renaissance world tour, which saw the superstar perform tracks from her two-decade career. The show included extravagant outfit changes as well as robotic devices, silver moon rovers, and pyrotechnics. Fans said the atmosphere had been “buzzing” and described the event as “mind-blowing” and “memorable”. Beyoncé's tour is set to continue with performances at other UK venues including London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Murrayfield in Edinburgh, and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
The proposed Renters' Bill set out by the UK government has been criticised by landlords and Conservative supporters. The bill, which would eliminate so-called "no fault" evictions, letting renters stay without a contract for just one year instead of six months, and making landlords give three months' notice before raising rents, has led some landlords to claim they will sell their properties. A recent government survey found that almost one in three tenants were concerned about being made to leave their rented homes. One of the commenters in the Telegraph newspaper said that the bill deprived them of any meaningful sense in which their property would remain theirs, calling it "socialist nonsense". Another commenter said "economically, it is a total disaster".
Chelsea Women's captain Magdalena Eriksson has announced that she will leave the club at the end of the season after a six-year spell. The Sweden centre-back has helped the London team establish itself as the dominant force in the English game and is looking to lead Chelsea to a third straight Women’s Super League-Women’s FA Cup double before departing. Eriksson joined Chelsea in 2017 from Swedish team Linkopings and has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
Nusantara, a sustainable metropolis set to become the new capital city of Indonesia, is part of a growing trend globally – governments are increasingly constructing new cities to mitigate problems in existing ones. Nusantara is touted as an eco-city and pitch as a sustainable smart city built for civil servants, comprising electric buses and plant covered homes powered by renewable energy. The capital is being constructed in the province of East Kalimantan. Other significant examples include Naypyidaw, the political capital of Myanmar, Songdo, South Korea and Putrajaya. While new cities have limited potential to offer assistance to the vast majority of their respective nations in addressing climate change, this trend is set to intensify with climate change exacerbating existing problems, according to Dr. Sarah Moser, Director of the Urban Studies Program at Montreal’s McGill University. Environmentalists fear deforestation will threaten endangered species such as the orangutan, as well as displacing indigenous communities and risk of emerging infectious diseases have also been highlighted. Indications of widespread corruption and “greenwashing of the highest order” have also been highlighted.
Aston Martin has raised £500m ($687m) in capital from a new partnership with Chinese carmaker Geely, taking the value of the beleaguered luxury car manufacturer to £2.17bn. The proceeds will be used to support the firm’s push into electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure and brand expansion. It is the fifth fundraise since billionaire Lawrence Stroll took control of the company in 2020 and will also help pay off a portion of the firm’s £870m debt.
Ireland's foreign minister, Micheál Martin, says there must be "an open and honest" debate on the country's longstanding military neutrality and if Ireland should join NATO. Ahead of the public forum on the matter next month, Martin highlighted the war in Ukraine and modern threats like cybersecurity and attacks on undersea cables which have raised questions about Ireland's security. Ireland's military neutrality is protected by its constitution, however, a forum involving 1,000 citizens, experts, academic, and service personnel will meet between June 22-27 to decide whether the country needs to redefine or challenge its concept of neutrality.
Demand for battery minerals is increasing — how can we keep up?
CBC
23-05-18 16:36
Rapid growth in demand for battery minerals, including cobalt, manganese, nickel, and lithium, could prove an obstacle in the shift to a cleaner, electrified transport system, according to research from Cornell University. Heavy-duty vehicles, making up between 4% and 11% of the road fleet, would account for over 60% of demand for critical minerals. Researchers suggest electrification be prioritised for light- and medium-duty vehicles instead. PhD candidate Teresa Christiansen urged greater investment in developing methods for easily scavenging minerals following the end of a battery's life, or in recovering minerals from used batteries.
Ben Wallace, the UK Defence Secretary, has declared that Norway was “robbed” in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Liverpool on Saturday. Wallace expressed his admiration for Norway’s song, Queen of Kings, during a press conference with Norwegian minister Bjorn Arild Gram. Wallace went on to praise Norway’s support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Gram did not comment on the contest’s outcome, but thanked the UK for its support for Norway during the Second World War. Sweden won the competition with singer Loreen securing her second win.
