Trump’s decision to snub Theresa May at the G7 summit proves the ‘special relationship’ is dead

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Donald Trump won’t be formally meeting Theresa May at the G7 summit and described the gathering as a “distraction” ahead of his North Korea meeting.

Anyone who thinks the special relationship is still alive needs to realise it has gone way beyond what Ofsted would impose on a failing school – ie special measures. We are in the process of leaving the sensible people in the EU, throwing it all in, and one of the big replacements for all that reliable trading was to be the US – our special friend. Well now that special friend only wants to meet with the other leader.

Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

Every year, countless “non-target” animals including dolphins, birds, turtles and sharks are hauled up alongside fish in commercial fishing nets. They’re crushed to death, suffocated or thrown overboard to succumb to their injuries in the water. Altogether, more than one trillion fish and other sea animals die at the hands of humans each year. That’s about 143 sea animals for every human on earth.

The ecological impact goes well beyond this so-called “by-catch”. As giant fishing nets are dragged along the ocean floor, they tear up whatever stands in their way. Deep sea trawling is responsible for widespread damage to coral reefs and underwater mountains and as a result, the ecosystems that depend on these habitats are crumbling.

This reckless destruction of the ocean is both cruel and unsustainable. The good news is that delicious cruelty-free options including vegan fish fingers, faux-fish cakes and mock prawns are affordable and easy to find. So let’s celebrate World Oceans Day on Friday in a way that helps our oceans and shows respect for their inhabitants by leaving fish and other animals off our plates.

Jennifer White – Peta
London N1

Clone high streets have become the boring face of much of the UK and international shopping. There are rare survivors of flourishing shopping areas in the UK, such as Brighton, where the ability to find unknown but attractive shops evidently makes them popular and sustainable. I have little sympathy for landlords. They have long raked in ridiculous rents (£350 per square feet and more) for high street shops, while using their “anchor” stores to pull clients in while only charging them £20 per square feet. The property bandwagon will roll on. Many of the House of Fraser sites are freehold and, as large city-centre sites, have great value. With high ceilings and other benefits they will be converted to other uses. Someone will make a large profit. Badly, cynically designed shopping centres will either decline and close or invest in quality to survive. If they have the option.

When the Bluewater Shopping Centre opened it had a degree of vision in retaining a number of units at “sustainable” rents to enable local traders to provide interest and variety. The best high streets are also offering variety that means less clones and more choice. Yes, those shops are not cheap Primark-type offerings, but that is because the people working there require a decent living. These types of shops and “nice” cafes are what makes shopping pleasurable. Functionality will, largely, be the preserve of the internet unless and until landlords see more value in variety, quality and sustainability than short-term profit. Many towns seeing their banks and shops close will initially struggle, but this opens up opportunity for direly needed housing and community facilities that retailers have long ignored because profit was easier than sustainability and community involvement.

This will not be a comfortable transition, but it could be the start of something good. Watch out, fast food.

Michael Mann
Shrewsbury

It may sound as though extra competition for Premier League TV rights would be good and avoid monopolisation of access. However, in reality it means that football fans wanting to get access to all the games will have to pay out even more and subscribe to three, rather than two, greedy corporations. All of whom are desperate to recoup the insane amounts they have shelled out to the bloated Premier League with its ridiculously overpaid executives, managers and players.

Mike Margetts
Kilsby

I’ve just watched Nicola Sturgeon castigate Boris Johnson for his leaked Brexit comments, demonstrating just how weak Theresa May is. He’s an embarrassment throughout the world of politics and beyond. They all are, these Tory MPs.

Their attitudes and values belong in the 1930s. Anyone who is vulnerable is an easy target. Forget the jargon and specious posing, they attack the disabled, the mentally ill, ethnic minorities, single parents and people on benefits. Just what psychological theory underpins their attitude that the best thing for disabled people is to cut their benefits and force them into work with devastating results? No motivational theory that I am aware of. Get rid of normalised incompetence and policies based on bigotry.

Dr R Kimble
Leeds

The recent protests in Jordan have illustrated once again the urgent need to help it overcome the tremendous challenges it faces and deal with the humanitarian refugee crisis. The financial costs Jordan has incurred are truly staggering. As we warned on countless occasions Jordan has reached a boiling threshold. It continues to steadfastly grapple with myriad challenges from climate change and a dearth in water resources to global terrorism and substantial economic burdens. It cannot keep pace with the burgeoning population. The international community should punch above its weight and help in mitigating these humanitarian emergencies, while supporting Jordan in remaining an oasis of peace and serenity in the Middle East.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London NW2