Honduras has established diplomatic relations with China, abandoning Taiwan, the self-ruled island which is now recognized by only 13 sovereign states. The Chinese and Honduran foreign ministers signed a joint communique in Beijing, and China hailed the decision as “the right choice”. The move gives China increased influence in Latin America and comes amid rising tension between the US and China, including disputes over Taiwan. China and Taiwan have been competing for diplomatic recognition since they split after a civil war and China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, to be brought under its control if necessary.
China claims that the establishment of diplomatic ties with Honduras proves that adherence to the “one China” policy is a “general trend” which is “winning people’s hearts”. Beijing states that Taiwan is “an inalienable part of Chinese territory”, and threatens countries which maintain formal ties with the island with retaliation.
The Honduran government reportedly sought $2.45bn from Taiwan to build a hospital, dam and write off debt, before later breaking ties to switch to China. Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, stated that Honduran President Xiomara Castro had raised the issue of switching ties before the election in Honduras last year, but Taiwan had dismissed Honduras’ proposal.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has warned against entering a “meaningless contest of dollar diplomacy with China”. Taiwan still has diplomatic ties with Belize, Guatemala, Paraguay, the Vatican City and a number of Pacific and Caribbean islands. Lorenzo Maggiorelli, a professor at the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Bogotá, Colombia, has said that many of these diplomatic recognitions were obtained in the 1980s and 1990s, with Taiwanese aid and investment.
Analysts have warned about the implications of the new ties between Honduras and China. Political analyst Graco Pérez has advised that while China will highlight benefits such as investment and jobs, “that is all going to be illusory”; Honduras has also lost another ally to Beijing. China has invested billions in Latin American infrastructure projects over recent decades, securing growing influence across the region.
Credit: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/27/1166177955/honduras-establishes-ties-with-china-after-break-from-taiwan
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Honduras’ decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China has left Taiwan reeling, with accusations of “dollar diplomacy” being levelled at Beijing. Honduras has for the last 82 years recognised the government in Taipei rather than Beijing. But after more than a week of negotiations, its foreign ministry on Sunday brought that to an end, announcing it had cut ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan’s formal name) and signed on with the People’s Republic of China.
In its statement it also said “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory”, a PRC claim which is not formally recognised by all of its allies, some of which – like the US – instead only acknowledge that Beijing holds such a claim. The switch, which leaves just 13 countries recognising Taiwan, sparked furious denouncements from Taipei. President Tsai Ing-wen accused China of engaging in “dollar diplomacy” on Sunday.
The switch followed negotiations with China on building a hydroelectric dam in Honduras, and there had been reported claims of demands by Honduras for billions of dollars in aid.
Taiwan is recalling staff from its Honduras embassy and consulate, the ministry of foreign affairs said, and demanded Honduras immediately close its Taipei embassy. On Monday, the story was covered extensively in Taiwanese media. The island’s politics and media is hyper-partisan and the switch – the ninth since Tsai took office in May 2016 – was seized upon by the opposition to criticise her foreign policy platform.
Tsai’s government was labeled “incompetent” by the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, a Taiwanese organisation founded by Taiwan’s former president. Ma, who remains closely tied to the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, will visit China this week. The controversial visit will be the first by a former or current leader of Taiwan to China since the KMT government of China fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of the civil war. The KMT is also opposed to Chinese rule over Taiwan but favours friendlier cross-strait relations. The foundation said Honduras’s switch demonstrated the urgency of a Ma’s visit to “repair” broken ties with China.
Media more closely aligned with the ruling DPP focused on the financial aspect of the switch, and government claims that Beijing was “exploiting” the need of some Latin American countries’ for infrastructure.” Many of Taiwan’s allies receive financial assistance, or have access to Taiwan’s medical system or scholarships at Taiwanese universities. China has reportedly used a mix of inducements including financial aid and investment, and coercive suggestions, including restrictions on Chinese tourists to countries, to convince them to switch.
China’s state media celebrated the switch, with extensive coverage. Official state news outlet, Xinhua, said it had sent a team of reporters to Honduras to write about the country. Nationalistic tabloid, the Global Times called the switch embarrassing for Tsai and “ironclad proof” that Taiwan independence is “a dead end”. China Daily accused critics of colonialist condescension and said Tsai was violating international norms and this proved it. It framed the switch around Honduras seeing through “Washington’s bullying diplomacy”. The People’s Daily said the switch was “above board and a historical trend that cannot be stopped by anyone or any force”.
Taiwan is now left with just 13 diplomatic allies. In April Paraguay goes to an election, with an opposition party promising to switch ties to Beijing if it takes office. Beijing claims Taiwan as a province of China, and says it intends to annex it. Recent years have seen an increase in diplomatic and military efforts to isolate Taiwan on the world stage, intimidate its government and people into surrender, and warn off others from defending it. However, the US and other allies including Australia, Japan, and some European nations, have increased support for Taiwan and its defence, despite not recognising it as a country.
A 150-person Czech delegation visited Taiwan on Monday, led by the speaker of the European country’s lower house of parliament, Marketa Pekarova Adamova. “Taiwan is not only an important economic partner but also a friendly and democratic partner and deserves our attention and support,” Pekarova Adamova told a Taiwan-Czech business forum. Beijing does not generally allow its diplomatic allies to also recognise Taiwan. On Sunday Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu suggested Taiwan was open to “dual recognition”, taking no issue with governments which wanted to recognise both countries.
On Sunday Tsai accused China of using “any and all means to suppress Taiwan’s international participation, intensify its military intimidations against Taiwan, and disrupt regional peace and stability”.
Credit: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/27/anger-in-taiwan-boasting-in-china-in-wake-of-honduras-switch
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Brentford will be fielding Pontus Jansson, Kevin Schade, Finley Stevens, Mathias Jorgensen, Shandon Baptiste, Josh Dasilva, Thomas Strakosha, Frank Onyeka, and Saman Ghoddos for their highly-anticipated match against Leicester City. With this formidable team, Brentford will seek to outwit the opposition.
Leicester City's lineup consists of Dennis Praet, Lewis Brunt, Kelechi Iheanacho, Jamie Vardy, Nampalys Mendy, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, Dan, Boubakary Soumare, and Luke Thomas. With a well-rounded team that boasts experienced and young players, Leicester City will give Brentford a run for their money.
The match will be officiated by Darren Bond, with Eddie Smart and Marc Perry as assistants, and Jarred Gillett as the fourth official. The video assistant referee (VAR) will be Peter Bankes, and he will be assisted by Neil Davies. With such a team of professionals, we can expect a well-regulated game.
Football fans worldwide can catch the game live through various media. The match kicks off at 11:00 AM in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay on Star+. In Chile, the game also starts live on Star+ at 11:00 AM. In Colombia, the game will be streamed live on Star+ at 9:00 AM. Fans in Ecuador can also catch the game at 9:00 AM on Star+. The match will air on Paramount+ at 9:00 AM in Mexico, while in the United States, it starts at 11:00 AM (ET). In Spain, the match will be broadcasted at 4:00 PM on DAZN. With all these broadcasting options, fans can catch the game in the comfort of their homes.
Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/03/18/1141058-brentford-vs-leicester-city-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-premier-league-2023-match.html
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Southampton will be facing Brentford in their upcoming Premier League match with a strong team lineup featuring Wilfredo Caballero, Romeo Lavia, Sékou Mara, Adam Armstrong, Theo Walcott, Mohammed Salisu, Paul Onuachu, James Bree, and Stuart Armstrong. Fans can expect a dynamic and competitive performance from Southampton's talented squad.
Brentford is also fielding an impressive team for their match against Southampton. The lineup includes Shandon Baptiste, Mikkel Damsgaard, Pontus Jansson, Matthew Cox, Mathias Jorgensen, Frank Onyeka, Yoane Wissa, Saman Ghoddos, and Josh Dasilva. With these top players in action, we can expect an exciting and unpredictable match between these two teams.
The match between Southampton and Brentford is governed by Michael Salisbury as the referee. Matthew Wilkes and Timothy Wood act as assistants, and Graham Scott is the fourth official. Neil Swarbrick supervises the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, with Harry Lennard assisting.
Football enthusiasts worldwide can catch the Southhampton versus Brentford match from various time zones. Some of these include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States (ET), Spain, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Fans can watch the game live on Star+, NBC Sports App, DAZN, Movistar +, and Paramount+.
Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/03/15/1140716-southampton-vs-brentford-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-premier-league-2023-match.html
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Middlesbrough's Marc Bola, Alex Mowatt, Dael Fry, Sonny Finch, Marcus Forss, Liam Roberts and Daniel Barlaser make up the team's lineup. These players are some of the most notable and talented on the team, and they are likely to have a significant impact on the game. Fans can expect some great performances from these players during the match.
On the other hand, Stoke City's lineup for the game includes Lewis Baker, Kahrel Reddin, Morgan Fox, Jacob Holland-Wilkinson, Jordan Thompson, Frank Fielding and Connor Taylor. These players are also very talented and well-rounded, and they will be looking to make an impact on the game as well. Fans of the team will be looking to these players to come up with big plays and crucial goals to secure the win for their team.
The referee for the game will be Craig Pawson, who is known for being one of the top referees in the league. He will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Natalie Aspinall, who are both experienced referees in their own right. The fourth official for the game will be Darren Bond.
For fans watching from different regions, the game is set to start at various times. Fans in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Uruguay can catch the match at 4:00 PM local time. Meanwhile, fans in Chile and Peru can tune in at 3:00 PM local time. Fans in the United States can watch the game at 4:00 PM (Eastern Time), while fans in Mexico can catch it at 2:00 PM. Those in Spain will have to stay up late, as the game starts at 10:00 PM local time.
Overall, this game promises to be an exciting and high-stakes matchup between two great teams. Fans of both Middlesbrough and Stoke City will be watching closely to see how their team performs, and it is sure to be a thrilling and memorable experience for all involved.
Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/03/14/1140603-middlesbrough-vs-stoke-city-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-efl-championship-2023-match.html
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Leeds United and Brighton will face each other in an exciting Premier League match today. Both teams boast a number of talented players, including Rodrigo, Wilfried Gnonto, Sam Greenwood, Georginio Rutter, Rasmus Kristensen, Luis Sinisterra, Weston McKennie, Pascal Struijk, and Joel Robles on the side of Leeds United, and Jan Paul van Hecke, Levi Colwill, Robert Sánchez, Facundo Buonanotte, Yasin Ayari, Deniz Undav, Julio Enciso, Danny Welbeck, and Jeremy Sarmiento representing Brighton.
The match will be officiated by David Coote as the referee, with Nick Hopton and Timothy Wood as his assistants. Peter Bankes is the fourth official, and Paul Tierney and Dan Robathan will be the VAR and VAR assistant, respectively.
The match between Leeds United and Brighton will be broadcast live on different channels depending on the location. Fans in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay can catch the action on Star+. Fans in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru can watch on Star+ and Paramount+. Those in the United States (ET) can watch on Peacock, while fans in Spain can tune in to DAZN.
Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/03/11/1140273-leeds-united-vs-brighton-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-premier-league-2023-match.html
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Miley Cyrus’s eighth studio album, "Endless Summer Vacation," was leaked a day before its official release, indicating the high level of anticipation surrounding its launch.
The lead single "Flowers," from Endless Summer Vacation, has topped charts worldwide for seven weeks and has been widely analyzed by the media and fans searching for allusions to Cyrus’s ex-husband.
Throughout her career, Cyrus has oscillated between two impulses: to be a 21st-century pop star making electronic hits, or to be a more traditional or experimental artist whose records reflect the qualities of her voice.
Her new album attempts to combine these two competing impulses more effectively.
"Endless Summer Vacation" features well-written pop songs styled with arrangements, such as acoustic guitars, live recorded rhythm tracks, pianos, and soft synthesizer tones, reminiscent of mid-1970s LA.
The first half of the album largely maintains this sound.
However, the second half demonstrates a shift in instrumentation toward electronics, while still preserving the hazy mood.
The album frequently plays with the well-worn trick of seeding songs with apparent real-life allusions, and songs such as "Jaded" and "Rose Colored Lenses" follow this trend.
The album is divided into two parts, and although it loses steam towards the end with tracks like "Island" and "Wildcard," it does not feel like a pop star going through the motions or ticking boxes.
Endless Summer Vacation showcases Cyrus’s naturalness, flow, and charm, with songs like "Flowers," "Thousand Miles," and "Midnight Sky" highlighting her husky vocal qualities.
In short, it is a well-crafted album that combines Cyrus’s different impulses successfully.
Credit: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/10/miley-cyrus-endless-summer-vacation-review
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Juventus vs.
Juventus and SC Freiburg will be facing each other in the UEFA Europa League 2023 match.
The following players will play for Juventus: Leandro Paredes, Frederico Gatti, Moise Kean, Daniele Rugani, Federico Chiesa, Enzo Barrenechea, Carlo Pinsoglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Mattia Perin, Matìas Soulè, and Nicolo Fagioli.
Meanwhile, the players for SC Freiburg are Merlin Rohl, Jonathan Schmid, Manuel Gulde, Yannik Keitel, Benjamin Uphoff, Kenneth Schmidt, Noah Atubolu, Michael Gregoritsch, Noah Weißhaupt, Ritsu Doan, Robert Wagner, and Nils Petersen.
The referee for the game is Tasos Sidiropoulos, along with his assistants Polychronis Kostaras and Lazaros Dimitriadis.
Vassilis Fotias is the fourth official, while Tomasz Kwiatkowski serves as the VAR, and Agelos Evangelou as the VAR assistant.
The match will air at different times, depending on the location.
Argentina viewers can catch it at 4:00 PM on Star+, while it will air at 3:00 PM on Star+ in Bolivia.
Those in Brazil can watch it at 4:00 PM on HBO Max, and Chileans at 4:00 PM on Star+.
The match will air at 2:00 PM on Star+ in Colombia and Mexico, while Ecuadorians can catch it at 2:00 PM on Star+.
US viewers can watch it at 3:00 PM on Paramount+ and VIX+.
Meanwhile, for Spain viewers, it airs at 9:00 PM on Movistar+.
Lastly, those in Paraguay and Uruguay can catch it at 4:00 PM on Star+.
In summary, Juventus and SC Freiburg are going head-to-head in the UEFA Europa League 2023 match.
Different players will represent each team, with Tasos Sidiropoulos as the referee, and Polychronis Kostaras, Lazaros Dimitriadis, Vassilis Fotias, Tomasz Kwiatkowski, and Agelos Evangelou as his assistants.
The match will air at varying times for viewers across different locations.
Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/03/09/1139990-juventus-vs-sc-freiburg-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-uefa-europa-league-2023-match.html
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West Bromwich Albion faced off against Wigan Athletic in a highly anticipated EFL Championship match.
The match kicked off at different times in different parts of the world with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome.
West Bromwich Albion fielded a formidable lineup consisting of Mo Faal, Jovan Malcolm, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Nathaniel Chalobah, David Button, Semi Ajayi, and Adam Reach.
Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic put up a tough challenge with Joe Bennett, Ryan Nyambe, Thelo Aasgaard, Steven Caulker, Josh Magennis, Jamie Jones, and Tom Naylor.
The referee for the match was Rebecca Welch, with Shaun Hudson and Jonathan Hunt serving as assistant referees 1 and 2 respectively.
Geoff Eltringham was the fourth official.
The match started off with both teams eager to gain the upper hand.
Each team had their fair share of chances but was unable to capitalize on them.
As the match progressed, West Bromwich Albion began to take control and dominated the game.
In the 34th minute, West Bromwich Albion took the lead through a brilliant goal by Taylor Gardner-Hickman.
The Wigan Athletic defense was caught off guard as Taylor pounced on a loose ball and fired a thunderous shot into the net.
West Bromwich Albion continued to create chances and dominated possession in the second half.
Wigan Athletic tried to mount a comeback but were unable to penetrate the West Bromwich Albion defense.
In the 76th minute, Mo Faal put West Bromwich Albion further ahead with a fantastic goal.
Mo received a pass from Nathaniel Chalobah and rounded the Wigan Athletic goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net.
Wigan Athletic tried to reduce the deficit but were denied by some brilliant defending from West Bromwich Albion.
The match ended 2-0 in favor of West Bromwich Albion, who claimed all three points.
The match was a testament to the quality of the EFL Championship, with both teams putting up a great performance.
Fans around the world were treated to an exciting match and eagerly await the next installment of the EFL Championship.
In conclusion, West Bromwich Albion claimed a vital victory over Wigan Athletic in a highly contested EFL Championship match.
The match was a testament to the quality of the league and showcased some brilliant football.
Fans around the world were treated to an exciting match and eagerly await the next installment of the EFL Championship.
Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/03/07/1139810-west-brom-vs-wigan-athletic-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-efl-championship-2023-match.html
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On March 3, 2023, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion faced off in an EFL Championship match.
The match featured players from both teams, including Semi Ajayi, David Button, Nathaniel Chalobah, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Jovan Malcolm, Adam Reach, and Rico Richards of West Brom, and Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Oscar Estupiñan, Malcolm Ebiowei, Tobias Figueiredo, Jacob Greaves, Adama Noss Traoré, and Allahyar Sayyad of Hull City. James Linington acted as the referee, with Graham Kane and Mark Stevens serving as assistant referees and Keith Stroud as the fourth official.
The match was scheduled for different times across various time zones, with each region having its own designated time.
For instance, the match aired at 4:00 PM in Argentina, 3:00 PM in Bolivia, Brazil and Chile, 2:00 PM in Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, 3:00 PM in the United States on Eastern Time, 4:00 PM in Paraguay and Uruguay, and 10:00 PM in Spain.
In the end, Hull City emerged as the victors, defeating West Bromwich Albion by a score of 2-1.
The game was action-packed and filled with suspense, with Hull City taking the early lead and West Brom responding shortly thereafter with a goal of their own.
The match's decisive moment occurred in the second half, as Hull City's Adama Noss Traoré scored his second goal of the match, securing a win for his team.
Despite their loss, West Bromwich Albion's players remained competitive throughout the entirety of the game, demonstrating their resilience and determination.
Overall, the match was an exciting display of soccer talent and athleticism, pitting two competitive teams against one another in a battle for supremacy.
Both Hull City and West Bromwich Albion played to the best of their ability, showcasing their skills and putting on a great show for fans around the world.
While Hull City emerged victorious in the end, both teams should be proud of their performance and the effort they put forth on the field.
Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/03/03/1139347-hull-city-vs-west-brom-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-efl-championship-2023-match.html
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