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Let$k$be an algebraically closed field. We show that the Cremona group of all birational transformations of the projective plane $$ \mathbb{P}_{\mathbf{k}}^2 $$ is not a simple group. The strategy makes use of hyperbolic geometry, geometric group theory and algebraic geometry to produce elements in the Cremona group that generate non-trivial normal subgroups.

We discuss the problem of deciding when a metrisable topological group G has a canonically defined local Lipschitz geometry. This naturally leads to the concept of minimal metrics on G, that we characterise intrinsically in terms of a linear growth condition on powers of group elements. Combining this with work on the large scale geometry of topological groups, we also identify the class of metrisable groups admitting a canonical global Lipschitz geometry. In turn, minimal metrics connect with Hilbert’s fifth problem for completely metrisable groups and we show, assuming that the set of squares is sufficiently rich, that every element of some identity neighbourhood belongs to a 1-parameter subgroup.