Official Tokyo Olympics partner calls for cancellation

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper, an official partner of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has called for the Summer Games to be cancelled citing risks to public safety and strains on the medical system from the COVID-19 pandemic. Poll after poll has shown the majority of the public is opposed to holding the Games this summer. Meanwhile, the Nomura Research Institute estimates that a possible cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics would cost about €13.8 billion. 

UN to meet on Belarus

The New York Times reveals the UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting later this evening on Belarus following the hijacking of Ryanair’s passenger plane. Diplomatic sources made it known that EU members want the meeting behind closed doors. Western countries accuse Belarus of hijacking the Ryanair plane that was rerouted over a supposed bomb threat and Roman Protasevich and his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega ended up in detention. 

Biden plea on Police Reform Bill

The New Daily says President Biden has privately met relatives of George Floyd, whose death a year ago led to worldwide protests against racism and police brutality. Floyd’s sister boycotted the meeting, saying he “broke a promise” to enact police reform legislation by the anniversary of her brother’s death. During the meeting, President Biden urged the US Congress to pass the Policing Reform Bill quickly. 

Biden, Putin to meet on June 16

Bloomberg reports President Biden will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva on June 16, the first summit between the two leaders since the American President took office. The meeting will follow Biden’s participation in G-7 and NATO summits in the UK and Brussels. It comes amid sharp disputes over election interference, cyberatttacks, human rights and Ukraine. 

Pope moves pre-seminary from Vatican

The Vatican Press Office announces that the Pope has decided that, as of September, the Preseminary would move from its headquarters outside the Vatican City, to “a suitable place”. The preseminary is where alleged abuses of altar boys took place in the past and on which there is a process underway in the Vatican and another will open next week at the Court of Rome. 

Man Utd  favourites to win Europa League

Manchester United can cap off its 2020/21 season by winning the Europa League as they take on Villarreal in the final this evening. This would be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first piece of silverware as Manchester United boss if they win. The Red Devils are odds-on favourites to win the clash. Villarreal boss and former Arsenal man Unai Emery is a master of this competition, having won it three times as Sevilla manager.