Global Protests, Legal Battles, and Shifting Alliances

The rise of US-style fried chicken shops in Britain, a separatist push in Canada, and the abandonment of oil tankers around the world are among the diverse stories making headlines. Additionally, thousands of businesses in Malawi closed in protest over tax changes, and the Christchurch gunman is seeking to appeal his convictions.

In Britain, the popularity of US-style fried chicken is transforming the British High Street, with chicken shops opening at a faster rate than other fast-food outlets, according to BBC Business. This trend, fueled by social media, is capturing the attention of young consumers like Sumayyah Zara Sillah, a nursing student who enjoys the food.

Meanwhile, the number of abandoned oil tankers and other commercial ships has increased significantly in the past year, as reported by BBC Business. One senior deck officer, identified as Ivan, spoke about the dire conditions aboard an abandoned tanker outside Chinese waters. "We had a shortage of meat, grain, fish, simple things for survival," he said, highlighting the impact on the crew's health and morale.

In Malawi, thousands of businesses closed in protest against new tax changes. Demonstrations across the country's four main cities led to a delay in the introduction of the new tax regime, which business owners feared would cripple their livelihoods, according to The Guardian.

Across the Atlantic, a separatist push in Alberta, Canada, is raising concerns. Secret meetings between unelected Albertans and US officials have been labeled as treasonous by some, The Guardian reported.

Finally, the Australian white supremacist who murdered 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019 is seeking to appeal his convictions and withdraw his guilty plea. The gunman claims harsh prison conditions affected his mental health, compelling him to admit to the crimes, according to The Guardian.