Author: DW

Hungary’s premier-in-waiting, Peter Magyar, is keen to secure a return to the European Union mainstream and is moving quickly to mend fences.  Part of that mission is a plan to have the country ready to join the euro by the end of the decade. Some, including the governor of the central bank, suggest that timeframe could be overly ambitious, given that outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban will hand over a sluggish economy and a fiscal mess.  But if euro accession is approached in the right way, Hungary could see significant benefits. Back to the European Union mainstream Meeting the requirements of euro adoption will be a daunting task for the incoming government. Magyar’s Tisza party has little room…

Mexico will end the school year more than a month early, the country’s education minister has announced, as it prepares to host the World Cup amid a scorching heat wave. Education Secretary Mario Delgado made the announcement in a social media post on Thursday, prompting a wave of criticism amid fears about the impact on education and concerns from parents who will need to find alternative childcare. On Friday, President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared to backtrack, saying the schedule was merely a proposal. But Delgado doubled down during an event in the northern state of Sonora. “We’re going to end the school year on June 5…

Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Fatherland” is one of the most anticipated films among the 21 titles vying for the prestigious Palme d’Or this year.  The Polish filmmaker returns to Cannes after winning the festival’s best director award in 2018 with “Cold War.” The historical romantic drama set between Communist Poland and Paris went on to win the top European Film Awards and earn multiple Oscar nominations. Pawel Pawlikowski’s ‘Cold War’ also won the People’s Choice Award for Best European FilmImage: Britta Pedersen/dpa/picture alliancePawlikowski’s new film is another exploration of the early Cold War period. It’s framed as a road movie undertaken by Thomas Mann (played…

The European Commission has moved to block EU funding for Chinese-made solar technology over fears it could pose a security threat to Europe’s power grid and even cause major blackouts.  The decision, which was confirmed on May 4, reflects growing concern in Brussels that Europe’s dependence on Chinese green technology is making the bloc vulnerable to security threats. The commission’s funding ban is focused on solar inverters, which are often described as the brain of a solar power system. These solar inverters are the devices that convert solar energy into usable electricity. They are connected to the internet and can often be accessed…

Colombian pop superstar Shakira has shared a minute-long clip of a new song, writing on social media: “From Maracana Stadium, here is “Dai Dai,” the FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026.” In the video clip, she appears on the field of Brazil’s iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where Shakira drew a vast crowd for a free concert last weekend. Holding the “Trionda,” the official World Cup match ball, she sings one verse in English with Nigerian artist and Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, harmonizing with her. “Knew from the day you were bornHere in this place, you belongYou’ve been…

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna hasn’t even started yet — and yet it has been at the center of heated debates for months. At issue isn’t so much the spectacular pop shows themselves as the political tensions that, despite the competition’s long-standing claim that it is apolitical, are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.  The last time the Austrian capital hosted the Eurovision Song Contest was in 2015. This year, on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, the contest returns from May 12-16 to a city that stands for culture and diversity. Expectations are high, as the contest aims to bring people together and send a message of openness.…

The European Commission has moved to block EU funding for Chinese-made solar technology over fears it could pose a security threat to Europe’s power grid and even cause major blackouts.  The decision, which was confirmed on May 4, reflects growing concern in Brussels that Europe’s dependence on Chinese green technology is making the bloc vulnerable to security threats. The commission’s funding ban is focused on solar inverters, which are often described as the brain of a solar power system. These solar inverters are the devices that convert solar energy into usable electricity. They are connected to the internet and can often be accessed…

The wait for a first Champions League title since 2020 goes on for Bayern Munich after holders Paris Saint-Germain knocked them out at the semifinal stage. A 1-1 draw in Munich on Wednesday completed a 6-5 aggregate win. After a breathless 5-4 first leg defeat in Paris that has already been labeled one of competition’s greatest games, Bayern soon found themselves two down in the tie. Ousmane Dembele delivered the early blow, the former Borussia Dortmund forward lashing home in the third minute after some smart work from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Holders PSG showed in the French capital that they are…

Should widespread fears materialize, flying could become a nerve-racking ordeal for passengers in the coming weeks and months. If, as a result of the Iran war and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, jet fuel begins to run short, significant disruptions to air traffic are likely. Both the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have recently issued stark warnings to that effect. Airlines transfer price spike to passengers The jet fuel shortage is already affecting air travelers: Amid the sharp rise in kerosene prices, numerous airlines worldwide are passing at least part of the increased costs on…

Six years ago, an almost unknown German pharmaceutical firm developed the first approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and changed the course of a global pandemic. BioNTech, which had spent over a decade developing mRNA for cancer with little commercial interest, partnered with Pfizer to roll out its Comirnaty coronavirus vaccine in record time, propelling the company and its founders to global fame. Today, however, the Mainz-based biotech firm is facing a harsh reckoning. Numerous studies show COVID vaccines saved millions of lives globally during the pandemicImage: Robert Michael/dpa/picture alliance The firm announced Tuesday it was closing production sites in Germany and Singapore, cutting costs after a €532 million ($627…