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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.

Beijing (AFP) – Chinese share their views on the relationship between their country and the United States, ahead of talks between the two leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in the capital Beijing. Trump has landed in Beijing for a high-stakes summit, the first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade.

Tucson (AFP) – In the Arizona desert, the city of Tucson is preparing to host the Iranian football team for the World Cup. Despite the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, plans remain for Iran to take part in the football World Cup this summer, with its group stage games scheduled for Los Angeles and Seattle.

Bucharest (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges US President Donald Trump to discuss ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during meetings with leader Xi Jinping this week on a visit to China. Delivering a speech at the Bucharest Nine Summit in Romania, Zelensky says “we expect the issue of ending Russia’s war against Ukraine to be raised now as well while the president of the United States is in China.”

Cannes (France) (AFP) – As the Cannes Film Festival gets underway, devoted film fans armed with stepladders and boundless enthusiasm gather in front of the Palais des Festivals to secure viewing spots to see stars. “Every year it’s magic, ” says retiree Jo Morpelli, setting up his position.