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Gary Neville criticises PM after fan accused of racism at Manchester derby
Commentator said Boris Johnson’s language around immigration fuels racism in society and football
Football commentator and pundit Gary Neville blamed Boris Johnson’s election rhetoric on immigrants and immigration for fuelling the number of racist incidents in British society and sport.
Neville was speaking after the Manchester derby, which saw United defeat City 2-1. The result, however, was overshadowed by an incident during the second half of the game that appeared to show a City fan making a monkey gesture towards a United player.
Continue reading...Joshua takes revenge on Ruiz in Saudi Arabia rematch
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US is losing the battle for Pacific power
If anything demonstrates the interconnectedness of the 21st-century world, it is how a decision made in the Solomon Islands, population 650,000, in the remote South Pacific, can affect the behaviour of powerful countries on the other side of the globe. That, in a way, is exactly what happened last week when Nato leaders met in London. Top of their agenda was Donald Trump’s demand that Europe pay more for its defence. But why is the US so exercised about so-called “burden-sharing”? In part because, these days, it is looking west, not east.
The US has identified China, not Russia, as the biggest strategic, economic and potential military rival to its global leadership. Barack Obama, who was dubbed the “Pacific president”, formalised this shift with his 2011 “pivot to Asia”, which prioritised the region.
Continue reading...When China came calling: inside the Solomon Islands switch
The Pacific nation’s decision to sever ties with Taiwan reverberated around the world and has had far-reaching consequences inside the country
The market in Auki is a hive of activity. Fisherman offer fresh yellowfin tuna, mackerel and parrot fish, swatting away flies with banana leaves. Stalls are coloured by tropical fruits and the floral dresses of Solomon Islands women who have arrived from villages to sell their produce.
Some of the best produce found in the market, which is located in the capital of the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands, comes from Adaliua Taiwanese Farm, situated three kilometres away. There, plump pawpaw and watermelon grow, surrounded by coconut palms. When the Guardian visits, one man uses his machete to slice a pineapple, using banana leaves as a plate to share the fruit.
Continue reading...China and Taiwan offered us huge bribes, say Solomon Islands MPs
Politicians say they were offered hundreds of thousands of dollars for their support before country switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing
Solomon Islands politicians allege both China and Taiwan offered bribes of hundreds of thousands of dollars to gain their support during a diplomatic row that rocked the country earlier this year.
In September the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, formally severed ties with Taipei and established relations with Beijing, ending the country’s 36-year relationship with Taiwan.
Continue reading...Mexico, U.S. draw closer to finalising USMCA – source
Joshua takes back heavyweight titles on unanimous points decision
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Anthony Joshua beats Andy Ruiz Jr to reclaim heavyweight world titles
Anthony Joshua goes the distance to win world titles back from Andy Ruiz Jr
• Two judges scored fight 118-110 for Joshua, third called it 119-109
On the night when rain and wind spat and scudded across Saudi Arabian desert, Anthony Joshua whipped up a minor storm of his own to win back his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles from Andy Ruiz Jr.
In their first encounter in June, the Mexican-American had been able to disrupt the validity of boxing’s oldest and most indomitable laws – that a good big fighter usually beats a good smaller one – by stopping Joshua in seven. This time the tables were turned as the Briton used his eight-inch reach advantage and improved footwork to much better effect claim a wide points victory.
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