Author: staff
The Commission’s €1.8 trillion budget proposal does not say “we are cutting NGOs.” But, if cuts happen, they will come through structural design, fewer dedicated funding lines, weaker earmarks, and more money routed through national governments. Civil society coalitions warn it could be slow defunding dressed up as simplification. No clear defenders The MFF reorganises the EU budget from 52 programmes to 16, folding cohesion, social, and agricultural spending into 27 national partnership plans. The protected headings are defence, competitiveness, and digital and green transitions. Civil society is not one of them. “We are in a moment of changing priorities…
By Javad Hashemi with AFP Published on 15/05/2026 – 12:12 GMT+2 Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who vowed to ensure a state monopoly on weapons amid growing US pressure to dismantle Tehran-backed groups. The parliament in Baghdad voted in favour of al-Zaidi’s government and programme just a few weeks after he was designated Iraq’s youngest prime minister at 40, following months of political deadlock. Al-Zaidi’s programme includes “reforming the security apparatus by restricting weapons to state control and strengthening the capabilities of the security forces”, state news agency INA quoted the parliament media office…
By Christina Molle with AP Published on 15/05/2026 – 11:41 GMT+2 LVMH has found a buyer for the Marc Jacobs brand, which is passing to US group WHP Global — a brand management company whose portfolio includes Vera Wang, G-Star and Toys ‘R’ Us. After nearly 30 years with LVMH, Marc Jacobs has been acquired by WHP Global, the group headed by Bernard Arnault announced in a press release on Thursday. The financial terms were not disclosed, though the transaction is believed to be worth between $850m (€726m) and $1bn (€854m), according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. The deal is…
By Tokunbo Salako with  Published on 15/05/2026 – 12:14 GMT+2 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 of…
“They defended Ukraine in Mariupol and at Azovstal, in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kyiv sectors, and at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant,” Zelenskyy added. Trump announced earlier this month he had brokered a three-day ceasefire, which included the prisoner exchange deal between Kyiv and Moscow. But Russia’s Ministry of Defense made no mention of a U.S. role when it confirmed 205 Russian soldiers had returned home Friday, crediting the United Arab Emirates with having provided “humanitarian mediation efforts.” President Zelenskyy thanked “everyone working to bring our people home.” This is the second time the U.S. brokered…
Published on 15/05/2026 – 12:01 GMT+2 Denmark’s Queen Margrethe has undergone an angioplasty procedure after being admitted to hospital this week for chest pain, the palace said in a statement on Friday. The court said the queen had “a balloon dilation of a coronary artery” at Copenhagen’s main hospital Rigshospitalet, where she was admitted on Thursday. The queen, who has been a chain smoker for much of her life, was in “good condition” but would remain in hospital for “a few more days,” the palace said. Margrethe, who abdicated in 2024 and turned 86 on 16 April, attended Sweden’s King…
The death toll from Russia’s large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine, one of the largest attacks in the past four years, rose to 24 people, Ukrainian emergency services said on Friday. Dozens of others were injured. The attack, which primarily targeted the capital Kyiv, began as a rare daytime attack on Wednesday and continued into Thursday. The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 675 attack drones and 56 missiles, mainly at Kyiv, adding its air defence units had downed 652 of the drones and 41 missiles. The attack targeted homes, residential apartment blocks and other civilian infrasturcture. In…
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday that Barcelona star Lamine Yamal had made Spain “proud” for waving a Palestinian flag at a victory parade that sparked Israeli accusations of “inciting hatred.” The 18-year-old forward drew attention for brandishing a Palestinian flag during an open-top bus parade through Barcelona on Monday as the Catalan giants celebrated their second straight La Liga title. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz lashed out at the Spain star on Thursday, saying he chose to “incite hatred” against his country. “I hope a great and respected club like Barcelona distances itself from these remarks and…
Keir Starmer woke up in No.10 Downing Street this morning, but for how much longer? After a week of turmoil, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has finally made his move, and the roadmap to a British leadership change is suddenly visible. Here’s what you need to know: Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is seeking a return to Parliament via a by-election in Makerfield triggered by MP Josh Simons’ resignation). If he wins, the path to challenge Starmer becomes clear. Labour’s ruling NEC officers are expected to meet today to decide if they will allow Burnham to run. But this is…
Published on 15/05/2026 – 11:06 GMT+2•Updated 11:08 Vienna is hosting its 70th anniversary, but the “United by Music” motto is under its heaviest strain yet. Let’s look what’s behind the glitter. With only 35 participating countries, the lowest level since 2003, the competition is struggling to survive the grit of real-world geopolitics. Europe is witnessing its largest boycott ever, with five nations, so Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland, pulling out over Israel’s inclusion. And in a move of direct protest, Slovenia has replaced the live broadcast with a documentary series titled “Voices of Palestine.” Even inside the arena,…