Author: staff
The Spanish government is seeking to contain a scandal linked to EU pandemic funds, categorically denying that it used European money to pay pensions, as member states prepare for tough budget talks amid deep divisions over how funding should be allocated. An official in Madrid with direct knowledge of how EU funds are structured told Euronews that a technical matter is being instrumentalised in a way that is “simply false”, accusing the opposition of playing politics over what it describes as an accounting issue. A Spanish budget watchdog reported earlier this month that the government of Pedro Sánchez used budget…
By Tokunbo Salako with  Published on 15/05/2026 – 12:14 GMT+2•Updated 16:14 Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has announced details of its historic half-time show at the World Cup final in New Jersey this July. The climax of the highly anticipated sporting contest at the MetLife Stadium will feature a star-studded performance headed, no pun intended, by Madonna, Shakira and boy band BTS. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, it’ll be first time FIFA has staged a show during its flagship event. Keen to match the global reach and lucrative advertising pull of the American Football’s Superbowl, FIFA is taking a big page out…
The song that “moves me the most,” the German politician went on, “is ‘Ne partez pas sans moi’ by Céline Dion, which won [for Switzerland] in 1988. What a voice, what emotion.” And, from the more recent entries, “I think the energy in ‘Euphoria’ by Loreen in 2012 is unmatched!” The song won for Sweden, and Loreen went on to win the contest again in 2023. A spokesperson for European Council President António Costa said that his favorite Eurovision entry is Portugal’s 1974 chanson “E depois do adeus” by Paulo de Carvalho. While the song failed to win the contest,…
Published on 15/05/2026 – 18:13 GMT+2 Norway’s foreign ministry has defended a decision to revoke export licenses linked to a naval missile system for Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur warned that the move could impact confidence in European defense suppliers. The move had blocked delivery of the Naval Strike Missile system as well as launcher components that had been destined for Malaysia’s littoral combat ship program under the terms of a 2018 deal. The purchase had been planned as part of the Southeast Asian nation’s wider naval modernisation efforts. The Norwegian ministry on Friday said that while Oslo “greatly values its…
Swiss watchmakers Audemars Piguet have been creating timepieces since 1875. The company has plenty of innovations on its resume, including developing the first skeleton watch in 1934 and manufacturing some of the thinnest watches around. The firm’s latest challenge to convention is a collaboration with Swatch, known for creating playful, affordable watches. The bold move is part of Audemars Piguet CEO Ilaria Resta’s drive to push the boundaries of an industry whose reputation is often hampered by entrenched assumptions. She’s particularly passionate about breaking the narrative that watchmaking is a conservative, male-dominated art. Historic watchmakers create pop art timepieces Audemars…
“I am a great admirer of America,” Merz added, drawing laughter from the crowd, “but right now my admiration is not increasing.” The comments emphasize the growing rift between Berlin and Washington after weeks of public clashes between Merz and President Donald Trump. The German leader — who previously headed the Atlantik-Brücke, an influential network that promotes U.S.-German ties — told schoolchildren on April 28 that the American president had been “humiliated” by Iran and lacked a coherent strategy for the war that broke out in late February following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Three days later, on May…
Thirty-six countries, mainly from Europe, have signed up to a special tribunal to prosecute Russian President Vladimir Putin for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which will be headquartered in the Dutch city of The Hague. The joint pledge was formalised on Friday during the annual meeting of foreign affairs ministers of the Council of Europe, a human rights organisation that has taken the lead in addressing the jurisdictional gap left by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Ministers endorsed a resolution laying down the structure and functions of the management committee that will oversee the tribunal. Among its tasks, the…
Our Instagram feeds have changed a lot since the platform launched in 2010. Posts used to offer a glimpse into everyday life (admittedly with a heavy filter on top); nowadays, folks tend to only share their biggest wins and, of course, their holidays. It’s not just a case of people going to the same places, either – they’re also taking exactly the same photos. That’s why you’ll find queues near the blue domes of Oia, Santorini, or by the Itsukushima Shrine Torii in Japan, as people wait to secure the “perfect” shot. Barcelona is even creating a dedicated selfie zone…
Published on 15/05/2026 – 15:46 GMT+2 This colossal, immersive entertainment arena aims to transform Yas Island into one of the world’s most technologically ambitious cultural destinations. The project is backed by a USD 1.7 billion investment from the country’s Department of Culture and Tourism. Sphere Abu Dhabi is expected to open by the end of 2029 and the venue will sit between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, placing it at the heart of the emirate’s fast-growing entertainment district. With capacity for up to 20,000 spectators, the giant spherical venue is promising to offer more than a traditional arena experience.…
“By choosing ArgonOS, the BfV is sending a clear signal for European digital sovereignty,” Marc Henrichmann, chair of the parliamentary oversight committee for the German intelligence services, told POLITICO. “Whether ArgonOS can keep up in the long run will have to be demonstrated by its operational use. Performance must remain the primary criterion, not just the origin.” The decision comes amid a broader German debate over Palantir’s role in the country’s security infrastructure. Some German police forces already use the company’s software, and the German interior ministry is considering using it for federal forces. Critics have warned of risks to…