Leaders of European Union countries, minus Britain, meet in Romania
Leaders of European Union countries, minus Britain, committed on May 9 to stick together “through thick and thin” to remain a key player in the world despite myriad problems facing the bloc.
“The world doesn’t sleep,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “We have to be innovative. We have to be strong, we have to be united.”
Amid Brexit negotiations that have preoccupied the bloc for the past two years and rifts over migration policy, the EU felt it needed a clarion call of unity and to reiterate its fundamental principles.
Britain is still nominally a member, but Prime Minister Theresa May remained in London, seeking a belated breakthrough to get the Brexit deal through the U.K. Parliament.
The other 27 nations are unhappy that Ms. May missed the original Brexit date, March 29. The departure date, now extended to October 31, means the bloc continues to be burdened by the drawn-out divorce talks.
In the Romanian President’s hometown of Sibiu, leaders as disparate as French President Emmanuel Macron and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban found a 10-point list of generalities they could all get behind.
They vow to maintain strong democratic rule of law principles, which many say have come under pressure over the past years in nations from Hungary to Poland.
In what they call “the spirit of Sibiu,” they promised to stick together as one in a global environment “to make the most of new trading opportunities and to jointly tackle global issues such as preserving our environment and fighting climate change.”
Prince Harry back at work after son Archie’s birth
Britain’s Prince Harry returned to work on May 9, three days after the birth of his son, to mark one year until the 2020 Invictus Games, the international sporting event he founded for military personnel wounded in action.
The games, during which veterans take part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing, will be held in The Hague next year.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, served in the British military, completing two tours in Afghanistan. The Invictus Games was first held in London in 2014.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan announced on May 8 they had named their newborn, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor .
Prince Harry, who was greeted by cheering fans and children, mingled with veterans as they practiced in a gymnasium, stopping at one point to try his hand at archery.
Israel's 71st Independence Day celebrations
Israel is celebrating 71 years since the country was founded as a haven for Jews in the aftermath of the Holocaust.
People flocked to parks and beaches to celebrate Independence Day, enjoying barbeques and watching air force flyovers. The celebrations started as Israel transitioned from melancholy Memorial Day for fallen soldiers a bittersweet confluence meant to remind the state what was gained from the sacrifice of war.
Israelis watch an air show during Israel's 71st Independence Day celebrations in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, but marks the holiday according to the Hebrew calendar. Palestinians commemorate it next week as the anniversary of their “nakba,” or catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands were uprooted in the war over Israel’s creation.
Russia marks 74th Victory Day
Russian honour guard carry a national flag, left, and a replica of the Victory banner during the military parade to celebrate 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told the annual military Victory Day parade in Red Square that the country will continue to strengthen its armed forces.
The parade marked the 74th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. It included about 13,000 servicemen and 130 pieces of military equipment, ranging from a T-34 tank — renowned for its effectiveness in World War II — to lumbering Yars ICBM launch units.
Putin said in his speech that “we have done and will do everything necessary to ensure the high combat capability of our armed forces.”
Uber, Lyft drivers switch off apps, protest across the US
Uber drivers protest next to the Charging Bull statue in New York's financial district on Wednesday. The protests arrive just ahead of Uber's initial public stock offering, which is planned for Friday.
Uber drivers protest next to the Charging Bull statue in New York's financial district on Wednesday. The protests arrive just ahead of Uber's initial public stock offering, which is planned for Friday.
Across the United States, drivers for ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft turned off their apps on Wednesday to protest what they say are declining wages at a time when both companies are raking in billions of dollars from investors.
Demonstrations took place in 10 U.S. cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, as well as some European locations like London. But they did not seem to cause much disruption and many riders were still able to hail a car with ease.
Swara Bhaskar campaigns for AAP candidate
Actor Swara Bhaskara campaigns for Aam Admi Party South Delhi candidate Raghav Chaddha at Kalkaji Area in New Delhi on Thursday.
Actor Swara Bhaskara campaigns for Aam Admi Party South Delhi candidate Raghav Chaddha at Kalkaji Area in New Delhi on Thursday.
Bollywood actor campaigned along with AAP candidate Raghav Chaddha in New Delhi.
Actors Swara Bhaskar, Prakash Raj, and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani have been campaigning for individual candidates across party lines in a bid to send 'good people' to the parliament.
North Korea describes missile firing as regular exercise
This Saturday, May 4, 2019, file photo provided by the North Korean government shows a test of weapon systems, in North Korea.
North Korea on Thursday, May 9, 2019, has described its firing of rocket artillery and an apparent short-range ballistic missile over the weekend as a regular and defensive military exercise and ridiculed South Korea for criticizing the launches.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency published a statement by an unnamed military spokesman who called South Korea’s criticism a “cock-and-bull story,” hours before senior defense officials from South Korea, United States and Japan met in Seoul to discuss the North Korean launches and other security issues.
A separate statement by a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman described the launches as a “routine and self-defensive military drill.”
South Korea’s presidential Blue House and Defense Ministry have raised concern that Saturday’s launches went against the spirit of an inter-Korean military agreement reached last year to cease all hostile activities and urged North Korea to refrain from acts that could escalate tensions. - PTI
Vote counting begins in South Africa
Vote counting begins at a polling station in Alexandra Township near Johannesburg.
South Africans voted Wednesday in presidential and parliamentary elections, with signs of a relatively low turnout and voters saying they were disillusioned by widespread corruption and unemployment.
(With inputs from agencies)
