Global News Roundup: Olympics Bids, Snowy Politics, and Separatist Movements

This week, news from around the world has been dominated by a diverse range of stories, from sports and politics to crime and social issues. In the UK, the North of England has launched a bid to host the 2040 Olympics, with leaders urging the government to support the proposal. Meanwhile, in New York, critics have been blaming the city's new socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, for the snow not melting, despite the fact that the temperature has barely risen above freezing. In other news, a mystery plaintiff has challenged the will of late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, potentially overturning his final wishes and affecting the inheritance of his vast fortune. In Russia, three suspects have been named in connection with the shooting of a high-ranking military figure, Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev. And in Canada, a separatist movement in Alberta has been making headlines, with some branding the push for independence as treasonous. Let's start with the Olympics bid. The North of England has a population of 15 million people, and leaders believe that hosting the Games would be a major boost to the region. Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has stated that it "wouldn't be fair or right" for London to host the Olympics for a fourth time, and that the North deserves a chance to shine. Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, had previously expressed interest in bidding for the 2040 Games, but it seems that the North is now taking center stage. Meanwhile, in New York, the snowy weather has been causing chaos, with some critics blaming Mayor Mamdani for the fact that the snow has not melted. The New York Post, a right-wing tabloid, has led the charge, claiming that "slushy streets" are "ruining travel for everyone." However, it's worth noting that the temperature has barely risen above freezing, making it impossible for the snow to melt. In other news, a mystery plaintiff has challenged the will of Karl Lagerfeld, the late fashion designer who passed away in 2019. The plaintiff is seeking to overturn Lagerfeld's final wishes, which could potentially affect the inheritance of his vast fortune. Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette, is reportedly not affected by the challenge, but the case could have significant implications for the designer's nieces and nephews. In Russia, three suspects have been named in connection with the shooting of Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev, a high-ranking military figure. The suspects include Ukrainian-born Russian citizen Lyubomir Korba, who is accused of carrying out the attack on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence services. Russia's Investigations Committee (SK) has stated that Korba arrived in Moscow in late December with the intention of committing a terrorist attack. Ukraine has denied any involvement in the shooting. Finally, in Canada, a separatist movement in Alberta has been making headlines. The movement, which is pushing for Alberta to join the United States, has been branded as treasonous by some. The movement's leaders have been holding secret meetings with US officials, which has sparked concerns about the implications for Canadian unity. While Quebec has a long history of separatist movements, the push for Alberta to join the US is a new development that has raised eyebrows across the country. Overall, this week's global news has been filled with intriguing stories that highlight the complexities and challenges of our world. From sports and politics to crime and social issues, there's no shortage of news to keep us engaged and informed.