London (AFP) – A London event dubbed ‘Bald Fest’ offers free pints to people with smooth scalps and those willing to have a head shave in a bid to celebrate the hairless. “I’ve got a pint because I stumbled into a random event in London called ‘Bald Fest’ in Soho, and yeah, I’m getting shaved,” says one soon-to-be-bald participant. “The things you do for a free beer in a cost of living crisis”.
Jerusalem (AFP) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces now control 60 percent of the Gaza Strip, suggesting troops have expanded into more of the Palestinian territory than set out in an October ceasefire plan. “There were those who said: get out, get out. We did not get out. Today we control… how much? 60 percent. Tomorrow we shall see,” Netanyahu says at an event marking Jerusalem Day.
Seoul (AFP) – South Korean entertainment company Galaxy Corporation opens a robot themed park in Seoul — featuring boxing matches and K-pop performances by humanoid robots. “I naturally became interested in robots as well, and I began to think about what it would be like if this future where robots become part of our lives could be shared with young children,” says Choi Yong-ho, CEO of Galaxy corporation.
Santiago de Cuba (Cuba) (AFP) – Santiago de Cuba, on the eastern side of the island, is affected by a blackout with residents spending more time outside to get some natural light. The outage comes amid a deep energy crisis fueled by the United States’ blockade on Cuba. IMAGES
Hundested (Denmark) (AFP) – In the small Danish coastal town of Hundested, north of Copenhagen, 15 artists from around the world apply to final touches to their works for the 15th annual Sand Sculpture Festival. “Sand is like sketching paper,” says Lotte Oster, an artist from the Netherlands. The festival was launched in 2012 and has been growing since then, with up to 60,000 visitors expected this year. The sculptures use around 1,000 tons of sand, which is reused every year. “We have water and trees around,” says Christian Warrer, who founded the festival, “so we need some events so people could find us.”
Taipei (AFP) – Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council says Beijing’s “military intimidation” is threatening peace in the Taiwan Strait, as well as relations between China and the US. Deputy Minister of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council Liang Wen-chieh makes the comments after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Donald Trump that the issue of Taiwan could lead to conflict. “If maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the greatest common denominator between China and the United States, then the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) should restrain its acts of military intimidation,” Liang tells a press conference in Taipei.
Tokyo (AFP) – Japan’s leading potato chip maker Calbee is feeling the crunch from shortages linked to the Iran war, swapping its signature orange-and-yellow packets for black and white. A household name in Japan, Calbee is known for its savoury potato chips with an array of flavours from seaweed salt to soy sauce and butter. The company has said it will “revise the packaging specifications” and use just “two colours” in packaging for 14 product lines beginning later this month or in June.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – A Kyiv court detains a powerful former aide of President Volodymyr Zelensky — Andriy Yermak — on allegations of corruption in a high-profile graft probe that has roiled Ukraine. The court ruled to place Yermak in pre-trial detention for a period of 60 days, unless he posts bail of 140 million hryvnia (around $3.2 million). “I reject any accusations against me,” Yermak tells the court, adding, “I have nothing to hide.”
Riga (AFP) – Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina resigns after a key party in her coalition withdrew support in a row over Ukrainian drones that strayed into the Baltic nation. Silina sacked her defence minister Andris Spruds over the affair, which prompted nine of his allies to quit her ruling coalition. “Right now, what people need most is a sense of security,” she says.
Beijing (AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US President Donald Trump outside of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing ahead of talks that are set to tackle thorny issues, including Iran, trade and Taiwan. IMAGES
Beijing (AFP) – Donald Trump’s motorcade passes by as the US President heads towards the Great Hall of People in Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping for talks that are set to tackle thorny issues dividing the two superpowers. IMAGES
Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – The European Union urges its members to “ban conversion practices” targeting LGBTQ people, after over a million people signed a petition last May calling on the bloc to prohibit such methods. So-called conversion “therapies” involve methods that seek to change the sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of members of gay, lesbian, queer and trans people. The EU executive says it will issue a recommendation next year for member states to adopt national-level bans, but it would not be binding.
