FOREIGN

May outlines post-Brexit trade hopes as minister meet

Published

6 years ago

December 19, 2017

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday she wanted an “ambitious” trade deal with the EU after Brexit as she chaired the first detailed cabinet discussion on future ties, her spokesman said.

She told ministers she wanted a “significantly more ambitious deal” than the EU’s recent trade agreement with Canada — even as the bloc’s chief negotiator warned any deal would not cover Britain’s dominant financial services sector.

The cabinet meeting came four days after EU leaders approved an interim agreement on the terms of the separation, and agreed to move negotiations on to the next stage.

May wants Britain to leave the EU’s single market and customs union, but forge a new “deep and special economic partnership” with the bloc.

“The prime minister said it was clear what the cabinet’s objective was — a deal which secures the best possible trading terms with the EU, enables the UK to set rules that are right for our situation and facilitates ambitious third-country trade deals,” her spokesman said.

She ruled out replicating Norway’s membership of the European Economic Area, saying it would be “democratically unsustainable, because it would mean automatically adopting all EU rules without influence or a vote”, the spokesman said.

Instead, the prime minister said she “would be seeking a significantly more ambitious deal than the EU’s agreement with Canada”.

Officials have discussed the so-called “Canada plus” option, adding other economic sectors into the agreement.

However, the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned Tuesday that any deal would inevitably result in Britain’s banks and financial companies losing rights to trade across the bloc.

“There is no place” for financial services, he told The Guardian newspaper.

“There is not a single trade agreement that is open to financial services. It doesn’t exist.”

He said this was the consequence of Britain’s decisions, adding: “In leaving the single market, they lose the financial services passport.”

May said Britain needed to be “creative in designing our proposal”, adding that Britain “would be seeking a bespoke deal”.

However, no decisions have yet been taken and further government discussions are due “early in the New Year”, the spokesman said.

Some ministers favour continued alignment with EU rules after Brexit to maintain a close trading relationship, while others say leaving the EU is an opportunity for Britain to forge a new path.

Media reports suggest that rival camps are coming to agree on a middle way, where Britain would agree a new trade deal with Brussels but gradually move away from the bloc’s regulations.

The spokesman insisted the cabinet was “unified” behind the main principles of Brexit and the deal agreed last week on the financial settlement, expatriate rights and the future of the Irish border.

Guardian

FOREIGN

BTS Singer V Ties Bandmates J-Hope, Jimin And Suga With New Hot 100 Hit

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2024

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South Korea’s global superstars, BTS, are currently fulfilling their mandatory military service. But that hasn’t slowed them down. A dedicated fan base continues to propel V, one of the BTS members, to new heights on the American music scene.

While the group is focused on their national duty, this particular member’s solo work resonates with American audiences.

BTS’s influence remains strong, even with all seven members enlisted. This latest achievement proves that their music transcends borders and continues to captivate listeners around the world.

V, a member of the global phenomenon BTS, is making waves as a solo artist. His brand new single, “Fri(end)s,” hit the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart at a very impressive No. 65 in its first week.

This marks V’s fourth time landing a song on the Hot 100, and this time, it’s all him. BTS, as a group, has already achieved an incredible record with 27 hits on the chart. But V’s solo success ties him with three of his bandmates for another impressive feat.

With “Fri(end)s,” V joins J-Hope, Jimin, and Suga in the exclusive club of BTS members with four Hot 100 hits to their names.

However, the top soloist title goes to another BTS member. Jung Kook has a whopping six Hot 100 entries under his name. That’s just one slot ahead of K-pop legend Psy, who boasts five hits on the chart.

V’s solo journey on the Hot 100 began in 2022 with the release of “Christmas Tree.” The song gained significant traction during the holiday season, but its official chart debut came in the new year.

This strong debut for “Fri(end)s” is a great sign for V’s solo career. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how high the song can climb on the chart in the coming weeks.

ENTERTAINMENT

Ariana Grande Surpasses Tie With Travis Scott, Reaches Justin Bieber’s Chart Record

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2024

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Ariana Grande is dominating the Billboard charts this week. Her brand new album, “Eternal Sunshine,” has skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the biggest album debut of 2024 so far. Ariana Grande’s new single, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love),” also rocketed to the top of the Streaming Songs chart in the US. This chart tracks the most-played songs each week, considering both audio and video streams across major platforms.

This chart success isn’t just a one-off win for her. This feat marks Ariana Grande’s sixth time leading on the Streaming Songs chart, officially breaking her tie with rapper Travis Scott. Previously, both artists were locked in a four-way tie for third place with five chart-topping hits each. Now, Grande takes the solo bronze medal position, pushing Scott down to fifth.

Ariana Grande Reaches Justin Bieber’s Chart Record | Fab.ng

Ariana Grande now shares the number-two spot with pop superstar Justin Bieber. Both singers have snagged six No. 1 hits on the Streaming Songs chart. But Ariana Grande achieved her latest win much more recently than Justin Bieber.

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Drake continues to dominate the streaming song chart. He has 20 No. 1 hits, a record no other artist has even come close to matching.

Following Drake is Taylor Swift, who has secured an impressive eight No. 1 hits on the Streaming Songs chart. She’s poised to add to her tally soon with the upcoming release of her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department.”

Ariana Grande has been on a roll this year, scoring two new No. 1 hits already. Her latest track, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love),” debuted at the top spot, following the success of her previous chart-topper, “Yes, And?” These two new hits join her previous four leaders: “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings,” “Positions,” and the collaboration with The Weeknd, “Die For You.”

FOREIGN

House Of The Dragon’ Season 2 Drops Premiere Date

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2024

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Get ready for fire and blood! HBO released two thrilling trailers for the highly anticipated second season of “House of the Dragon” on Thursday.

These action-packed “duelling trailers” offer a glimpse into the brewing Targaryen civil war, packed with conflict and drama.

The trailers confirm that Season 2 premieres on Sunday, June 16th.

The prequel series to the smash-hit “Game of Thrones” takes viewers back 200 years to explore the history of Daenerys Targaryen’s ancestors. The Targaryen family, known for their mastery of dragons, is on the brink of war, and these trailers showcase the intensity of the coming conflict.

The first season of “House of the Dragon” premiered in August 2022 and was a massive success, capturing the attention of a reported 29 million viewers each week.

The movie is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.” It dives into a brutal civil war within the Targaryen dynasty.

The story centers on Rhaenyra Targaryen, who defies tradition by being named heir to the Iron Throne, a position typically held by men. Rhaenyra faces opposition from the very beginning. Her initial close friend, Alicent Hightower, becomes her stepmother after marrying King Viserys, Rhaenyra’s father. This marriage strains their friendship and sows the seeds of future conflict.

The Targaryens, known for keeping their bloodline pure, are also infamous for marriage within the family. In this case, Rhaenyra is married to her uncle, Daemon Targaryen, a powerful and unpredictable warrior.

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King Viserys dies in the course of the movie. This tragedy leads to trouble. Aegon, Rhaenyra’s half-brother, steps forward with the claim that he, not Rhaenyra, should be king. Alicent, now firmly on Aegon’s side, fuels the flames of war.

Supporters have formed behind each heir, creating clear factions. Those who back Rhaenyra are known as the “Blacks,” while Aegon’s supporters are called the “Greens.”

Adding to the chaos is Aegon’s violent brother, Aemond. Aemond’s actions escalate the conflict to a horrifying new level, leaving one of Rhaenyra’s sons dead by the end of season one.

This brutal act ignites a fire of vengeance in Rhaenyra, setting the stage for a bloody war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

The intense rivalry between these two sides promises a thrilling and ruthless battle for ultimate power. The show has even released separate trailers for each faction, further amplifying the excitement for fans

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