Author: staff

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,…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

“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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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.…

Read More

“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…

Read More

Spanish football club FC Barcelona have declined to provide comment on accusations made by the Israeli defence minister towards its star player Lamine Yamal of “inciting hatred” against the country after he waved a Palestinian flag at a victory parade. Katz said the player’s gesture, made during Barcelona’s recent La Liga title celebrations, amounted to “inciting hatred towards Israel and the Jewish people”, adding that anyone who supports actions like Yamal’s should “ask themselves: is this humanitarian? Is this moral?” Israel’s defence minister also said that Yamal chose to do it “while Israeli soldiers were fighting the terrorist organisation Hamas,…

Read More

By&nbspEuronews Published on 15/05/2026 – 15:31 GMT+2 Five Italian divers died in the Maldives after disappearing during a scuba expedition near Vaavu Atoll, as authorities continued a difficult underwater recovery operation on Friday. Maldivian officials said the group, which included an instructor, was believed to have been exploring a deep underwater cave when the accident happened on Thursday. One body was recovered from around 60 metres below the surface, while the remaining four divers were believed to still be inside the same cave. “The cave is so deep that divers even with the best equipment do not try to approach,”…

Read More