Author: staff
The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest officially begins in a few hours with the fun and festivities expected to be more camp and controversial than ever before as it once again becomes a stage for pomp, pageantry and politics. What was born as a festival to unite Europe after the World War II has become a battleground for countries using its spotlight to make a stand on political agendas. The 70th edition of the song contest being held in Vienna will already go down in history as perhaps the most divisive competition after months of protest over Israel’s…
Norbert Kettner, chief executive of Vienna’s tourism board, told POLITICO that security measures around the city are “much more intense” than the last time Eurovision was hosted here in 2015. “Yes, the security measures are extremely high. No big event in the free world can be made anymore without high security levels,” Kettner said, adding that the city is working to “protect people who want to celebrate peacefully, but also protect people who want demonstrate peacefully.” He added that across the week, the energy among fans from different countries has been “peaceful and moderate.” Eurovision’s organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has repeatedly underlined that the song contest is…
A huge police presence was deployed in London on Saturday two manage two opposing rallies, as well as football fans gathering for the FA Cup Final. Tens of thousands attended a demonstration organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, while another several thousand people gathered to commemorate Nakba Day, which marks the expulsion of some 700,000 Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948. Mustering in west London and ending with speeches near Piccadilly, it combined with an anti-fascism march organised by the Stand Up to Racism group. Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters were deployed along with at…
The robots, named Gabi, Seokga, Mohee and Nisa, walked through the Jongno district beside performers, dancers and long lines of illuminated lotus lanterns. Organisers said about 50,000 participants carried nearly 100,000 handmade lanterns during the annual procession linked to the Jogye Order, the country’s largest Buddhist sect. The robots, dressed in traditional monastic robes, will serve as honorary monks during this year’s celebrations. The parade formed part of a wider effort by South Korean Buddhism to modernise its image and attract younger followers in a rapidly changing society. Earlier this month, Gabi underwent a symbolic ordination ceremony at Jogyesa Temple…
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, initially set to expire Sunday, will be extended by an additional 45 days, the U.S. State Department announced on Friday after two days of talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations concluded in Washington. The political delegations will reconvene in early June with hopes to “advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote on social media late Friday. Additionally, the Pentagon is set to host talks with military delegations from both countries…
She suggested it was one of Russia’s tactics to threaten Moldova over its efforts to reintegrate Transnistria, a Moscow-backed region in eastern Moldova where Russian troops have been stationed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Since the war in Ukraine began, most of the people from the region took their Moldovan citizenship because they felt safer to have the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova and not the citizenship of Russia,” said Sandu, who was speaking at a security conference in Tallinn. Moldova was granted EU candidate status in 2022 and formally started negotiations to join the bloc in…
Following a complaint filed by the NGOs Trial International and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a French investigating judge is to look into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The dissident journalist, who was living in the United States, was murdered in 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. His body, which was dismembered, has never been found. US intelligence services had pointed to the direct responsibility of Mohammed bin Salman. In July 2022, during a visit to France by the Saudi crown prince, Trial International and Democracy for the Arab World Now…
Taiwan asserted its sovereignty Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump warned against Taiwanese self-determination following the American leader’s two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Taiwan “is a sovereign and independent democratic nation, and is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry’s remarks come as a swift rebuke against Trump, who said Friday that he was “not looking to have somebody go independent” when asked about whether the U.S. would come to Taiwan’s rescue in the event of an invasion by China. “And, you know, we’re supposed to…
Published on 16/05/2026 – 16:39 GMT+2•Updated 16:42 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kicked off the European leg of his official tour with a meeting with the Dutch King and Queen in The Hague. Modi is currently on a six-day trip across the Middle East and Europe that began in the United Arab Emirates and will later see him visit Sweden, Norway, and Italy, meeting a host of key leaders including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Modi met with the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, as well as a number of Dutch business executives, at the Huis…
His trip to France, as well as a previously announced June visit to Spain, showcases the Vatican leader’s interest in building ties with secular Catholic countries in Europe. It will be the first papal visit to France in 18 years. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the news Saturday, sharing on social media that “we are delighted that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his trip to France. This visit next September will be an honor for our country, a joy for Catholics, and a great moment of hope for everyone.” Macron visited the Vatican in April, where he extended…