Italy turns to Kyrgyz shepherds to revive Sardinian farming
Financial Times
23-09-19 13:58
Italian farmers are looking to recruit shepherds from Kyrgyzstan to help revive the farming tradition in the island of Sardinia. Italy's agriculture trade group, Coldiretti, has signed a deal with the labour ministry in Biškek to transfer a group of shepherds and their families to deserted areas of Sardinia on special job contracts. Sardinia's economy has been hit by the departure of workers from inland areas as younger generations have moved to the mainland in search of jobs. The pilot project aims to recruit 100 Kyrgyz nationals with farming expertise to move to rural districts in Sardinia.
‘Militant’ doctors’ union blocked patients from NHS care during strikes, says Steve Barclay
Telegraph
23-09-19 13:44
The UK Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, has proposed "minimum service level" agreements to protect time-critical services, such as chemotherapy and dialysis, during doctors' strikes. This comes as the NHS prepares for the most extreme strikes in its history, with junior doctors set to join consultants on picket lines this week. During previous strikes, the British Medical Association (BMA) has repeatedly blocked local agreements to keep patients safe. The proposed legislation is unlikely to take effect until next year, at the earliest. The BMA is calling for a 35% pay increase for junior doctors, while consultants want a "credible pay offer."
Ryder Cup 2023: Date, venue, format and schedule for Rome
Telegraph
23-09-19 13:33
The Ryder Cup is set to take place from September 29 to October 1 at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club just outside Rome, Italy. Team Europe captain Luke Donald will be pleased with the performance of his players at the BMW PGA Championship, with Ludvig Aberg finishing in the top 10 alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, and Sepp Straka. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding LIV Golf and the Ryder Cup continues, with Sergio Garcia offering to pay £700,000 in fines to the DP World Tour and Dustin Johnson claiming he was snubbed by Team USA due to his LIV membership. The teams for the Ryder Cup have been announced, with Europe's six automatic qualifiers being Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, and Matt Fitzpatrick, and the six wildcards being Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Ludvig Aberg. Team USA's six automatic qualifiers are Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay, and the wildcards are Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, and Rickie Fowler. European golfers who joined the LIV Golf tour were not permitted to qualify for the Ryder Cup as they had to be members of the DP World Tour.
More mini-Putins are waiting in the wings across Europe
SCMP Opinion
23-09-19 13:00
The European Union's (EU) fight against Russia has created a breeding ground for far-right, nationalist politicians, according to Jake van der Kamp, writing in the South China Morning Post. As ordinary people suffer from economic hardships, their leaders are fighting a proxy war against Russia, which has become a bottomless pit, with austerity and cuts to social welfare programmes being imposed, and real hourly wages dropping in 22 EU countries. Van der Kamp argues that voters are increasingly blaming their own politicians and big corporations, many of which profit from the war in Ukraine, rather than Putin and the Russians, as they are told to do. He argues that the EU's fight against Russia is leading to a drift towards ultra-right-wing, xenophobic nationalism across Europe. This nationalism is more pronounced in countries such as Poland and Hungary, which are anti-Russian, but will not necessarily remain pro-Ukrainian. Van der Kamp calls for the EU to end its fight against Russia before the 2030s become the 1930s.
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Which nations move up?
The Independent
23-09-19 12:34
As the Rugby World Cup continues, The Independent has released their power rankings for each nation. France remains at the top of the list, despite a lackluster performance against Uruguay. Ireland moves up to second place after an impressive win against Tonga. South Africa drops to third place, mainly due to the injury of Malcolm Marx. New Zealand remains in fourth place, bouncing back from their opening night defeat with a big win against Namibia. Scotland is in fifth place, followed by England in sixth. Fiji jumps up to seventh place after defeating Australia for the first time in 69 years. Wales remains in eighth place, followed by Australia in ninth. Argentina is in tenth place, followed by Samoa in 11th. Italy is in 12th place, followed by Georgia in 13th. Japan is in 14th place, followed by Tonga in 15th. Uruguay is in 16th place, followed by Portugal in 17th. Chile is in 18th place, followed by Namibia in 19th. Romania rounds out the rankings in 20th place.
Ukraine: The Latest - Live from the UN General Assembly as Zelensky makes his case to world leaders
Telegraph
23-09-19 18:16
Ukraine is seeking support at the UN General Assembly in New York. President Zelensky will hold bilateral talks with other leaders, including the US President. There is criticism of the UN for its conduct in recent years and a sense that it has failed to be robust on certain issues. The war in Ukraine has also changed the dynamics of the EU, with Poland becoming a significant power broker and the EU developing its own foreign policy. The EU is now the single biggest donor to Ukraine.
Canada's Silfab to set up solar cell factory in South Carolina
Reuters
23-09-19 17:57
Canadian solar equipment manufacturer Silfab Solar is set to invest $150m in a new solar cell manufacturing plant in South Carolina. The facility, located in Fort Mill, will have an annual production capacity of 2 GW of cells and 1.2 GW of modules. The plant is expected to start operations in Q3 2024 and will create 800 jobs. Silfab currently has manufacturing capacity totalling 1.6 GW at its two factories in Washington state and one in Toronto. The move comes as several solar equipment makers have committed to expanding their US production following the passage of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which incentivises domestic manufacturing of clean energy components.
Europe is relying on global stimulus to save it – that may be a fatal miscalculation
Telegraph
23-09-19 17:45
Europe is banking on the US and China to lift global demand high enough to pull the eurozone out of stagnation, but this strategy is likely to be less successful this time around, warns Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in The Telegraph. The European Central Bank has raised rates 450 basis points over the last year, despite the industrial recession spreading to services across the eurozone. Furthermore, the ECB’s latest quarter point rise in rates last week to 4% “is more than it looks”, with the full impact of the triple-barrelled tightening not being felt until 2024 and beyond. Meanwhile, China’s “property bust is probably close to touching bottom”, but there will be no V-shaped recovery and no return to the old reflexes of extreme credit leverage. The collective belt-tightening in China raises the risk of an intractable slump, which would increase pressure on China to export the slump through a currency devaluation and a beggar-thy-neighbour trade policy, warns Evans-Pritchard.
Top-ranked Canada to face No. 14 Finland in Davis Cup quarterfinals in November
CBC
23-09-19 17:35
Canada will face Finland in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup this fall. The draw was held in London, and Canada was matched up against Finland, while Serbia will play Britain, the Czech Republic will meet Australia, and Italy will face the Netherlands. Canada defeated Australia in 2022 to win the Davis Cup for the first time in its history. Finland secured its spot in the quarterfinals after upsetting the United States and Croatia. The winner of the Canada-Finland tie will face either Australia or the Czech Republic in the semifinals. Canada holds the top position in the Davis Cup rankings, while Finland has jumped to No. 14.
The recent flooding caused by Storm Daniel in Libya has highlighted the country’s lack of a functioning state and the challenges faced by competing political factions. The collapse of two dams in the eastern coastal region of Derna, which caused widespread devastation, was due to negligence and lack of maintenance. The disaster should serve as a wake-up call to Libya’s ruling elite to change course and focus on stabilizing the country. Western governments must also prioritize efforts to support Libya and press for political leaders to hold elections in order to prevent the country from becoming a failed state.
Explainer: Venture Global LNG contract fight with European customers
Reuters
23-09-19 18:25
Venture Global LNG has sold over 200 LNG cargoes worth around $18.2bn since March 2022, with more than 130 going to Europe, 30 to Asia and 40 to Central and South America and the Caribbean. However, the company is also facing arbitration cases over claims it has unfairly deprived companies such as Shell, BP, Edison and Repsol of the supplies under long-term contracts for its Calcasieu Pass export plant in Louisiana.
The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar: A timeline of events
The Globe and Mail
23-09-19 22:02
The killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia has escalated tensions between Canada and India. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Canadian authorities have credible intelligence linking Nijjar's killing to Indian government agents. In response, Canada expelled an Indian diplomat, and India retaliated by denying the accusation and expelling a Canadian diplomat. The issue of Sikh activism has long strained relations between the two countries, as Canada is home to a large Sikh population and is a major hub for the Khalistan movement, which seeks to create a Sikh homeland in India's Punjab state. India has outlawed the movement and views it as a threat to national security. The accusation made by Trudeau has further strained relations, with India describing the allegations as "absurd" and accusing Canada of supporting the Khalistan movement. The incident comes after months of escalating tensions between the two countries, including the cancellation of trade talks and a tense exchange between Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit.
Jordan Spieth announces birth of second child. He’s now a girl dad
Associated Press
23-09-19 21:29
Jordan Spieth, a three-time major champion and member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, missed the team's scouting trip to Italy because his wife gave birth to their second child. Spieth's wife gave birth to a girl named Sophie on September 12, shortly after the team returned from Italy. This will be Spieth's fifth appearance in the Ryder Cup, tying him with Rickie Fowler for the most on the U.S. team. Spieth and his wife also have a son named Sammy, who was born in November 2021.
Lazio goalkeeper Provedel scores late equalizer in 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in Champions League
Associated Press
23-09-19 21:12
Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scored a stoppage-time equalizer in their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, earning his team a 1-1 draw. Provedel met a cross from Luis Alberto with a glancing header to secure the late goal. This was Provedel's Champions League debut and he expressed his joy at scoring, although he noted that the team only gained one point and did not win the match. Lazio fans also welcomed back Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, who had previously played for Lazio and won the Serie A title with them in 2000. Lazio had more chances throughout the match, but Provedel's goal secured them a draw.
Japan's new jet fighter alliance pushes limits of defense policy
Nikkei Asia
23-09-19 21:00
Japan's largest maker of jet engines, IHI, is recruiting engineers to design advanced stealth engines for a sixth-generation fighter plane as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The GCAP is a tri-nation project involving the UK, Italy, and Japan, with the aim of developing a future Japanese air force. The project is politically sensitive in Japan, a largely pacifist nation with strict constitutional limits on arms production and exports. However, recent changes in the global security environment have led to increased interest in the defense sector, with more young people becoming attracted to work in the defense business.
The GCAP is the flagship project of the Japanese government’s proactive defense policy, which seeks to transform Japan’s pacifist legacy in the face of an increasingly threatening international environment. To succeed, the government will need to reconsider the restrictions placed on defense projects by the country’s constitution. The government is also considering revising long-standing restrictions on arms exports, allowing the GCAP aircraft to be sold abroad. However, this would require a change in Japan’s interpretation of the pacifist constitution and could face opposition from the public and political parties.
The GCAP project is a challenging and complex endeavor, as it involves three countries with different military goals and approaches. Negotiations have been slowed by disagreements over who makes what and where, as well as disagreements over the export of GCAP aircraft to other countries. However, the project presents an opportunity for Japan to acquire the independent capability to develop an aircraft engine, which has been a top priority for the country. The GCAP aims to develop a fighter jet that can network with other military assets, locate enemy aircraft before being detected, and shoot them down using a range of weapons.
The San Carlo Opera House in Naples is currently experiencing a dramatic dispute between two individuals who both claim to be its rightful general director. The conflict began when Stéphane Lissner, the general director of the opera house, was terminated after turning 70. Lissner challenged the decision, and a labor court recently ruled in his favor. However, the theater board has announced its intention to appeal the decision, meaning the future of the opera house remains uncertain. Critics argue that the dispute has damaged the reputation of the theater and Italy as a whole.
Milan may not offer the best running routes compared to other major cities, but it still has plenty to offer for running enthusiasts. The city has a variety of parks, green areas, historic routes, and paths along canals that provide opportunities for runners to explore and experience the Italian culture. While runners may have to contend with narrow pavements, uneven surfaces, and heavy traffic during commuting hours, many locals and visitors remain undeterred, as running around the city is still considered the best way to discover it. Some recommended running routes in Milan include Parco Sempione, CityLife, the city centre, Boscoincittà, and Naviglio Grande.
Sex on the brain? No, men are most likely thinking about the Romans
The Independent
23-09-20 12:32
TikTok is currently buzzing with a viral trend where women ask their partners how often they think about the Roman empire. The trend was inspired by a Swedish gamer and has garnered surprising responses, with many men claiming to think about the Roman empire once a day or at least once a week. The article's author, who has an interest in ancient Rome, shares their own collection of books on the topic and recounts a trip to Italy to visit a historical site related to the Roman empire. They also mention how even in England, reminders of the Roman empire are present through architecture.
Disease-carrying mosquitoes to plague London by mid-century, experts warn
Telegraph
23-09-21 09:47
London could see aggressive, disease-spreading mosquitoes in the summer months by the middle of the century, according to researchers in the UK, US, and Israel. The report predicts that the city will become suitable for Aedes aegypti, or the “yellow fever mosquito”, for between one and five months a year by 2060. The insects carry diseases including Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. The study is the first to take into account natural climate variability as well as human-driven warming. The Aedes aegypti mosquito has already been found in Cyprus and its cousin, the tiger mosquito, is well established in 13 European countries.
What’s worse than China’s weak growth? Stagflation in Europe
South China Morning Post
23-09-21 09:30
The OECD has warned that the global economy faces weak growth prospects and risks tilted to the downside. Two major concerns highlighted were the weaker-than-expected recovery in China and the impact of increasing interest rates on global growth and trade. The OECD urged central banks to maintain restrictive policies until there were clear signs of lower inflationary pressures. The report also highlighted the risk of stagflation, with Germany's economy predicted to contract and core inflation in the eurozone remaining above 5% for the past year. These economic divergences pose a threat to the eurozone.
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