Author: staff
Nine finalists have been announced for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the most prestigious English-language theatre prize for women and non-binary writers. The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is the longest-running prize in theatre that celebrates women+ writing in English. Founded in 1978 after Susan Smith Blackburn, an alumna of the Smith College in Massachusetts who died in 1977, it has annually recognised incredible contributions to the art form. Previous winners include some of the last half-century’s most influential writers, including later Pulitzer Prize-winners Lynn Nottage and Annie Baker, as well as some of Britain’s celebrated writers such as Caryl Churchill…
EU data shows that 4.6 billion low-value items — valued at under €22 and currently exempt from duty — reached European consumers directly last year, double the amount from 2023. 91 percent of such parcels come from China. “The rise in e-commerce imports to the EU market has brought with it many challenges,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement, calling for a “competitive e-commerce sector that keeps consumers safe, offers convenient products, and is respectful of the environment.” The Commission also called on the European Parliament and Council of the EU — representing national governments — to fast-track…
The revived contest, planned to take place in Moscow later this year, is Russia’s way of directly challenging Eurovision while promoting “traditional values.” Following Russia’s ban from competing in Eurovision in 2022 after the country’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has ordered the return of Intervision, a Soviet-era singing competition that last took place more than 40 years ago. On Monday 3 February, the Russian leader signed a decree directing officials to bring back the Intervision Song Contest in Moscow this year, with the goal of “developing international cultural and humanitarian cooperation.”While Eurovision has become a glitzy, global spectacle…
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been raging since February 2022, and Trump — who returned to the White House last month — has vowed he’ll bring hostilities to a quick end. “We are having discussions … already talking, yes,” Trump told reporters Sunday, without providing further details on who from his administration has been in contact with Moscow. When asked whether he had personally spoken to Putin, Trump said: “I don’t want to say that.” “We are having very serious discussions about that war. We’re trying to get it ended,” he added.
Police announced three men have being arrested over the drug seizure, which they say is a major blow to an organised crime group. Irish police say they have seized more than €14 million worth of illegal drugs, mostly cocaine, in a major operation in a small town in the country’s midlands.The swoop in Mountmellick, a community of around 5,000 people mainly known for its Georgian architecture and Quaker lacework, yielded 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis, which were discovered at a commercial premises.Another 17kg of narcotics was found in a car in Dublin, along with €25,000 in cash.According to…
Apple says it is ‘deeply concerned’ about EU regulations that allow a rival app store to promote the download of an adult content app for the iPhone. Apple has chided a newly available pornography app available on an alternative app store in the European Union. The Hot Tub iPhone app, described as an adult content browser, is not available on the official Apple app store but it can be found on AltStore PAL, an alternative marketplace available due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The app was described as the “world’s 1st Apple-approved porn app!,” in an X post…
“They need to be able to return to their homes and then start to rebuild them. They will need an awful lot of support from the international community to do that.” Reed was speaking after Trump used a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to vow that the U.S. would “take over the Gaza Strip” and own it “long-term” after Israel’s 15-month bombardment of the area, which followed the murderous Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel. Trump argued that Egypt and Jordan — who have publicly pushed back at an earlier hint of such…
Flights have been cancelled in Italy’s major airports due to nationwide strikes and a fire on Wednesday morning. Major airports in Italy already began cancelling flights on Tuesday in preparation for a nationwide day of strikes. Now, all air traffic at Ciampino Airport has been suspended due to a small fire that broke out on Wednesday morning.This fire is the latest disruption to Italy’s planned flights after airport handling staff organised a 24-hour union walkout due to ongoing disputes.Some trains and public transport in Milan and the rest of the Lombardy region have also been affected by a 23-hour strike…
“A shooting took place. The images from the surveillance cameras show that the suspects fled towards the Clemenceau metro station,” Sarah Frederickx, spokesperson for the Brussels South police, told POLITICO. “For security reasons we had to shut down the metro line. There are no victims,” she added. This story is being updated.
Toyota’s push also comes as worries grow around Asia about a potential trade war brewing after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliated with tariffs to take effect next week. Toyota is developing and making electric vehicles and EV batteries in China, under a new partnership with the Shanghai government, the Japanese car maker has announced.Toyota Motor Corp also revealed it will start producing batteries for EVs, hybrids and plug-ins at a new $14bn (€13.5bn) facility in North Carolina, with shipping starting for North American models in April.The moves highlight Toyota’s aggressive push in electric cars, a sector…