Ukraine’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool: Is Moscow competing, can Russia vote and are they broadcasting it? May 12, 2023 The 67th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Liverpool this year after the UK was chosen to host on behalf of war-torn Ukraine. It is the first time the competition has been held in the UK for 25 years – and Russia will not be competing. Why is Russia absent from the contest? Russia, [...]
Tennis star Rybakina reaches ranking she’d have held if Wimbledon handed out points May 11, 2023 Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has risen in the WTA tennis world rankings to the position she would have held if the British Grand Slam had dished out ranking points. The 23-year-old player from Kazakhstan is now the world No6, a spot she was denied due to the ATP and WTA denying the Championships the [...]
UK donates long-range cruise missiles to help defence of Ukraine May 11, 2023 Ukrainians will have the “best chance to defend themselves” after the UK’s donation of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, the defence secretary has said. Ben Wallace confirmed that he and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had agreed to authorise the donation after continued Russian attacks on Ukraine. He told the House of Commons: “Today I can confirm [...]
Wagner Group: UK to put Russia mercenaries on proscribed terror list alongside ISIS May 10, 2023 The UK is set to designate Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group as a proscribed terrorist organisation, it is understood. The Times quoted a government source as saying the move was “imminent” and likely to be enacted within weeks after two months spent building a legal case. Proscription would make it a criminal offence to join Wagner, [...]
Tui: Shares down as travel giant eyes return to profit with strong summer getaway bookings May 10, 2023 TUI reported its revenues overtook pre-pandemic levels in its half year results this morning, as it cashed in on increased bookings and a boom in summer travel demand. The travel company reported revenues of £2.78bn (€3.2bn), a £870m (€1.bn) improvement on the previous year, with bookings hitting 12.9m across the winter and summer seasons. Losses [...]
UN Nuclear chief: “Potentially dangerous” situation near Ukraine nuclear plant May 7, 2023 The head of the U.N.’s nuclear power watchdog warned on Saturday that the situation around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear station has become “potentially dangerous” as Moscow-installed officials began evacuating people from nearby areas. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called for measures to ensure the safe operation of Europe’s largest nuclear plant [...]
Ukraine ‘downs Russian hypersonic missile’ May 6, 2023 Ukraine’s air force claims to have downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using Patriot defence systems recently acquired from allies. It is the first known time the country has been able to intercept one of Moscow’s most modern missiles. Air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that the Kinzhal-type ballistic missile was intercepted [...]
Arron heading Straight for a purple Patch at Sha Tin May 5, 2023 HONG Kong racing fans had better keep a close eye on the weather when Sha Tin hosts a highly competitive and interesting card on Sunday morning. Despite the temperature being in the high 20’s, the forecast rain and possible thunderstorms would surely change conditions underfoot if they were to materialise. That will be music to [...]
Is Bitcoin on track to take pole position as the wheels come off US banks? May 5, 2023 Jason Deane, resplendent in racing overalls, completes a circuit of the week's twists, turns and chicanery in the world of digital finance.
Penny Mordaunt accused of letting politics ‘get in the way’ in ongoing Aquind row May 4, 2023 Emotions in Portsmouth are certainly running high. In the latest development of an ongoing row, local MP Penny Mordaunt lashed out at Alexander Temerko, director of Aquind – a company who’s proposal to build a power cable between France and England was rejected by the government in 2022. After stressing her security credentials, Mordaunt said: [...]