Libya’s first female Foreign Minister pressed to quit
The Guardian reports Libya’s first female Foreign Minister has come under pressure to resign. Najla El-Mangoush has also been subjected to personal abuse seven weeks into the job, after she called for Turkish troops and mercenaries to leave the country. Observers said the vitriol directed at the lawyer and human rights activist from Benghazi endangered her life.
EC President calls for solidarity
AFP quotes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for a “new form of solidarity and social justice between generations”. Speaking in Strasbourg at the ceremony for the launch of the Conference on the future of Europe, she said: “This pandemic has stolen our experiences and emotions, fun and friendships, the opportunity to grow, to learn and take risks. And it has led so many people to feel anxious, alone.”
Putin vows to defend national interests
RIA Novosti news agency reports President Vladimir Putin on Sunday vowed that Russia will “firmly” defend national interests and denounced the return of “Russophobia”, as the country marked the 76th anniversary of victory in World War II. His speech to thousands of soldiers and veterans on Red Square came at the start of an annual parade which saw more than 12,000 military personnel taking part, as well as some 190 pieces of military equipment and 76 fighter jets and helicopters.
EU contract with AstraZeneca not to be renewed
EU Internal Trade Commissioner Thierry Breton has told France Inter Radio the European Commission has not renewed its contract for the anti-COVID vaccines developed by AstraZeneca, beyond the expiration of the current contract, scheduled for the end of June. “We have not renewed the order after June,” he stressed. “We will see what happens”.
Maxi landing of immigrants in Lampedusa
Ansa reports more than a 1,200 new migrants have landed in Lampedusa on nine boats – the fifth “maxi landing” in a few hours. This brings the total of landings this year to 12,000. The leader of Lega, Matteo Salvini, has called for a meeting with Premier Mario Draghi, saying that millions of Italians were “in difficulty” because of the illegal immigrants.
Manchester United lose £200m kit deal
90 minutes says Manchester United have missed out on a lucrative £200m (€230.5m) training kit deal stretching over the next 10 years, after proposed sponsors, The Hut Group, revoked their contract agreement over concerns regarding the unrest between supporters and the Glazers. The Manchester-based company was set to collaborate with the Red Devils from this summer, but fans’ protests against the Glazer family, which include a plan to boycott any of the club’s commercial partners, have seen them perform a U-turn.
