The Know Daily - Monday 15 May 2023

_{Monday 15 May ∙ Read in 5m 24s ∙ Listening to Shakira}

Seven baby capybaras have been born at a farm run by TV presenter Jimmy Doherty in Suffolk - and we think this video of the litter frolicking around will seriously brighten up your Monday. The mammals, which are originally from South America, join other exotic species on the farm, which was set up in 2002 with the aim of preserving the Essex pig breed.

🇺🇦 Ukraine latest

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the UK for surprise talks with PM Rishi Sunak, as part of a push for more military aid from European leaders ahead of a much-anticipated counteroffensive.

What do we know about the visit?
Not much so far. Zelenskyy has been meeting with Western leaders in recent days in an attempt to bolster support for Ukraine, and today tweeted that he would be seeing “my friend Rishi”.

The government has said that Sunak will today confirm the further provision of hundreds of air defence missiles and new long-range attack drones to fight the Russian invasion.

What have other European leaders promised?
France pledged additional military aid for Ukraine on Sunday after Zelenksyy arrived in Paris for surprise talks with the French president. President Emmanuel Macron’s office said that France will supply dozens of light tanks “in the weeks ahead”.

On Saturday, Germany promised Ukraine further arms deliveries worth €2.7bn, in what Sky News termed “a staggering change in position for Berlin” who expressed hesitancy over sending weapons at the start of the war.

And Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged unwavering support for Ukraine.

When will the counteroffensive take place?
Last week, Zelenskyy said that Kyiv still needs “a bit more time” before launching the counteroffensive, as the country awaits the delivery of promised Western military aid. This Saturday, he told reporters in Rome that Ukrainian forces are taking “very serious steps” to prepare for the military operation.

What’s its aim?
Zelenskyy has made it clear that the ultimate goal of the counteroffensive is to liberate all areas of Ukraine under Russian occupation, including Crimea. Top officials in Kyiv have conceded that this is unlikely to happen this year, the FT has reported.

Nevertheless, “much is still at stake for Ukraine”, added the paper. “A successful counter-offensive could change the course of the war, shifting momentum decidedly in Ukraine’s favour.”

🇹🇷 Turkey election: Votes are being counted in Turkey’s presidential election and a run-off between President Erdoğan and his main challenger looks likely. If neither rival secures 50% of the vote, there will be a second poll in a fortnight.

☀️ Sunscreen tax: Several UK cancer charities are urging the government to scrap VAT on sunscreen to make it more affordable. Around £1.50 of VAT is currently added to each bottle as sunscreen is classified as a “cosmetic” product.

🇹🇭 Thailand election: Sunday’s nationwide election received a record turnout ,with voters delivering what CNN described as a “powerful rebuke of the military-backed establishment that has ruled since a 2014 coup”.

📺 TV BAFTAs: The biggest night in the UK television calendar took place last night, with Kate Winslet and Ben Whishaw taking the gongs for best leading actress and actor respectively. See the full list of winners here.

🐽 Percy Pig showdown: An ice cream parlour in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, has changed the name of its Percy Pig ice cream after a “polite” request from Marks & Spencer. Fabio’s Gelato has renamed the flavour “Fabio’s Pig”.

Trivia answer: A) $2.4 billion, making Renaissance one of the highest-grossing tours of all time.

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