Leaders from the G7 countries will end their festivities in Hiroshima centred on Russia and managing China following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appearance. The western leaders used the forums to implement new sanctions against Russia while increasing cash flow to the Ukrainian military. The talk will transition to China as the most robust Asian ally of Russia, as the leaders implicitly remind President Xi Jinping that if he bullies them or changes the status quo in self-ruled Taiwan or the disputed South China Sea, China will experience the same resolve as Russia's attempt to redraw Ukraine's borders.
Sinn Fein has overtaken its unionist rivals to become the largest party at local level in Northern Ireland for the first time. The Irish nationalist party, which wants to leave the UK and form a united Ireland, had already made a historic victory in last year’s Northern Ireland Assembly election. Sinn Fein also leads opinion polls in the Republic of Ireland ahead of national elections due in 2025. The polls saw the cross-community Alliance Party make limited gains, while hardline Traditional Unionist Voice failed to repeat the surge in its votes at the regional level.
Vietnam is becoming an increasingly appealing destination to Australian tourists due to the cheap living expenses and affordable flights. The number of Australians visiting Vietnam in the first quarter of 2023 increased by 14.4% compared to 2019, with 82,000 travelling there during that period. Increased flight capacities, specifically by low-cost airlines, have brought fierce competition to the Vietnam fares market. Increased competition has in turn lowered prices, with Vietnam trending high among Australians as of late. The average return economy flight from Australia to Ho Chi Minh City is currently about $886, keeping airfare costs below $1000.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met at the G7 summit in Hiroshima where Zelensky expressed his thanks for the G7’s support. A joint statement also reasserted its intention to decrease its economic dependency on China while specifically calling on the country not to engage in “interference activities”. China was warned must “act in accordance with its obligations” under treaties governing diplomatic relations and not to “conduct interference activities aimed at undermining the security and safety of our communities, the integrity of our democratic institutions and our economic prosperity”, which was added at Trudeau’s request.
Microsoft has said that China has approved its $69bn purchase of Activision Blizzard. This is significant as Activision Blizzard had stopped offering many of its games in mainland China earlier this year following a dispute with its local publishing partner, NetEase. Both the China and the European Union are set to give their consents to the deal, in contrast to the United Kingdom and US where authorities are attempting to block it. The EU conditionally cleared the purchase earlier this week, while British regulators rejected Microsoft's promises to try to prevent the destruction of competition.
Ex-British Gurkha hopes Everest climb will change disability perceptions
Reuters
23-05-21 03:53
Hari Budha Magar, a double amputee, has become the first above-the-knee amputee to conquer Mount Everest. The ex-Gurkha climbed the 8,848 metre mountain on prosthetic legs. Magar, who lost both legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010, said his ascent had raised awareness about disability. “I hope my climb will help change the perception of persons with disabilities. I would like to encourage all people to take to climbing any mountain of their choice,” he said.
The Group of Seven (G7) has sought “constructive” relations with China while criticising its human rights record and territorial claims. The G7 sought collaboration in areas such as climate change while also expressing concerns over Beijing’s growing influence, particularly in the East and South China Seas, and the crackdowns on freedoms in Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang. The club of wealthy democracies acknowledged the need for “de-risking and diversifying” rather than decoupling from China to ensure economic resilience in the face of their increasing “non-market policies and practices”. China rejected the G7 statement as interference in its internal affairs.
Garlic mustard and spongy moths: invasive species threaten biodiversity in N.B.
CBC
23-05-21 10:00
Invasive species are increasingly becoming a problem in New Brunswick, Canada, according to Kristin Elton of the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council, who warned that these species can compete with native species for resources, change the biochemistry of water and soil and even damage infrastructure. Many invasives have an advantage in that they emerge earlier and remain longer than native species, providing more time to establish themselves. These plants can also alter the composition of soil or water. As for dealing with these species, traditional treatments such as cutting or pulling out invaders can disrupt roots, causing more growth and making the problem worse. With regard to Japanese knotweed, a plant that can grow through concrete and the foundations of buildings, it may take years to reduce the plant's energy.
The popularity of Barnard Castle, where Dominic Cummings famously tested his eyesight, has surged, according to English Heritage. Visitor numbers in 2021 rose 20% compared to 2019, and owner Lord Bernard is planning to capitalise further by opening a restaurant, events space and market overlooking walled gardens in the Raby Castle grounds in 2024. In the meantime, strollers and dog walkers can explore the castle fringes for free and visitors can enter the castle for a fee, along with a forest adventure playground and temporary café in the grounds.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stated that China presents the world's greatest challenge to security and prosperity, but has insisted that the UK and other leading economies must not decouple from it completely. Sunak was speaking after a summit of the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Hiroshima, Japan. The PM said that the G7 aimed to reduce the challenges posed by China with a common approach and minimize the risk of economic coercion, rather than seeking to decouple completely. Last week, Sunak's predecessor, Liz Truss, visited Taiwan and argued that the West should not appease China. Truss represents a hawkish wing of the Conservative party that is opposed to Sunak's current approach to China.
Premier League champions Manchester City are set for their final league fixture at home against Chelsea. Manchester City secured a third-consecutive title after a winless game in the fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, and has since then also triumphed against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup Final and will play Chelsea again in the UEFA Champions League final. Chelsea's squad has not been in top form but could still surprise the top-placed team. Chelsea are dealing with several fitness issues, with N'Golo Kante missing the rest of the season due to an injury, Mateo Kovacic suffering an injury in the Nottingham Forest match, Ben Chilwell being an injury doubt and Mason Mount also a doubt for the club's remaining three games of the season. Manchester City will likely start Riyad Mahrez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden, while Chelsea could play Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile and Cesar Azpilicueta along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Bashiru Abdul Rahman, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling. With Manchester City already the Premier League champions, they should end the season in style.
Manchester City will look to end their successful Premier League season with a victory over struggling Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s team secured their third consecutive Premier League crown when Arsenal were defeated by Nottingham Forest. They are also still in contention for a treble, having advanced to the Champions League final in a 4-0 win over Real Madrid. Chelsea are dealing with various fitness issues, with N’Golo Kante set to miss the rest of the season, while Mateo Kovacic, Ben Chilwell, and Mason Mount are all doubts for the final three games of the season. Manchester City are expected to win 3-1.
An initiative called “champing” is allowing the public to stay overnight in England’s empty churches in an attempt to raise money for the Churches Conservation Trust, which manages church sites. 1,500 people spent the night in churches last year alone: increasing revenue for an underfunded organisation. Champing allows visitors to book a stay in one of 18 churches listed either as “unused” or “still hosting regular services”. Champers receive a collection of essentials upon arrival including a kettle, bottled water, biscuits and a bottle opener. Visitors are also permitted to bring their own bedding and can order a breakfast hamper to be left at the church doors. Whilst the initiative offers a unique look at some of England’s most ancient buildings, it also serves to provide an alternative solution to maintaining the historic sites that would otherwise be left empty. An X factor finalist hopes to boost the sport of “mourn-along” singing by leading champing-inspired church visits which include the singing of popular tunes.
Supermarket bosses fear they will face having to place “not for EU” labels on individual packs of food, cases and supermarket shelves under post-Brexit plans, which follow discussions with officials. Some fear that millions of shelf edge labels may have to be replaced, although government officials are expected to publish guidance on labelling shortly. “Not for EU” labels will be phased in from October on meat and dairy goods under the Windsor framework designed to ensure the same goods are available in shops across the UK. The British Retail Consortium has warned that traders do not have “sufficient detail” about requirements.
Iran has claimed it is fully capable of securing regional waters in cooperation with other regional actors after a Western allies' show of unity against Iran in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was called "theatrical" by Tehran. The claim came as two Iranian warships finished an eight-month trip around the world and docked in the south of the country. On the other hand, two days earlier, the Middle East-based navy commanders of France, the United Kingdom and the United States toured the Strait of Hormuz.
Turks overseas have begun voting in a run-off election between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Polling suggests that Kilicdaroglu has gained the support of those living in the UK, Southern and Eastern European states, including the Balkans, Finland and Sweden. Turkey has 3.4 million voters overseas, accounting for about 5% of the total electorate, and the votes of more than five million Turkish people resident in Europe may also influence the election. The second round of voting will take place domestically on 28 May.
Canada defeated Kenya 12-7 in a relegation playoff final on Sunday to remain a core team on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Kenya was reduced to six men when John Okeyo received a sin-bin for an international knock-on. The Kenyans’ relegation means that from next season, only 12 teams will compete in the elite sevens competition. Japan became the first team to be relegated after last week’s tournament in Toulouse, France. The other three teams - Uruguay, Canada and Tonga - will have to take part in their respective regional sevens championships to qualify for the 2024 Challenger Series and climb their way back to the top tier. The Canadians’ 12th status on next season’s world series ensures the country remains on course for the 2024 Olympics. Canada, Kenya and Uruguay finished with 2-1-0 records in the relegation round-robin. Tonga finished 0-3-0.
Sinn Fein, which wants Northern Ireland to unify with the Republic of Ireland, has made significant gains in Northern Ireland's local elections and repeated the success it achieved in last year's assembly elections. It is now the largest party in Northern Ireland, taking 144 of 462 local government seats, up from 105 in the previous election. The Democratic Unionist Party won 122 seats, while the centrist Alliance Party secured 67. Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, established under 1998's Good Friday peace accord, has been stalled for over a year. The DUP left the government in protest at a post-Brexit customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Sinn Fein's Vice President Michelle O'Neill said her party's success was a mandate for Northern Ireland's government to get "back to business".
Northern Irish politics has been mired in gridlock over the issue of customs checkpoints. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a border with an EU member state, and the decision to impose new trade arrangements on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK angered the DUP, which maintained that it undermined Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom. A deal was reached in February 2022, known as the Windsor Framework, to ease customs checks and other hurdles for goods moving to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
The DUP refused to accept the deal and remains outside of the power-sharing government. Sinn Fein won the largest number of seats in Northern Ireland’s assembly in May 2022, beating the DUP for the first time and signalling voter frustration at the failure of political leaders to end the political gridlock. The gains of Sinn Fein will be a new challenge for the UK government, which has been criticised for its lack of attention to Northern Ireland.
Leeds United is facing relegation from the Premier League after a 3-1 loss to West Ham left the club two points adrift of 17th-place Everton with only one game left to play. The defeat came despite Rodrigo firing Leeds ahead in the first half, and leaves Sam Allardyce’s rescue mission looking unlikely to succeed. The veteran manager was hired in a last-ditch bid to avoid relegation but has been unable to pick up enough points. Leeds needs to beat Tottenham next week and hope other results go its way to stand any chance of survival.
The Conservative Party has received its largest donation for more than 20 years from Egyptian-born billionaire Mohamed Mansour. The £5m gift reversed a drop in donations following Boris Johnson’s exit from the prime ministerial post and defections to Labour by previous conservative donors. Mansour highlighted his faith in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s ability to foster economic growth as a key reason for his gift. Figures from the Electoral Commission released last December indicated that between July and September, Labour donations surpassed those to the Conservatives for the first time in over a year, £5.4m to £3m.
