Author: DW

The European Union on Monday sent an official complaint to the Swiss-based European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, over its refusal to let contestants wave the bloc’s flag at this year’s final in the Swedish city of Malmo. “Such actions cast a shadow over what is meant to be a joyous occasion for peoples across Europe,” European Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas wrote to in a letter to the EBU. “With the EU being targeted by malicious and authoritarian actors, EBU’s decision contributed to discrediting a symbol that brings together all Europeans,” he added. EU asks…

A livestream portal between Dublin and New York was temporarily shut down after “inappropriate behaviour” in the Irish capital.Thousands of people have visited the two-way portal, which allows people on either side to see and interact with each other. And while there have been a number of wholesome moments – including Irish dancing and even a proposal – a handful of people have behaved “inappropriately”, Dublin City Council has said.Videos on social media have shown people on the Irish side flashing body parts, and displaying images of 9/11 and swear words on phone screens.A woman was also escorted away by…

It’s a question that has arisen time and again: Is the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) political? The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) , which organizes the competition, has repeatedly insisted that the ESC is only a cultural event with no place for politics. Its rules clearly state that political statements or even slogans aren’t allowed at the competition. Netta from Israel won in 2018 with a clearly feminist songImage: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS/dpa/picture alliance This rule might be especially difficult to enforce this year. Following the Hamas terror attacks in October 2023 and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Israel has been criticized for its military campaign’s impact on the civilian population in Gaza. Israel…

The  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is relying on its partners in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to neutralize the M23 rebel group in Congo’s conflict-hit east.  Tensions flared in March 2022 when M23, after a decade of relative calm, attacked Congolese army positions near the border between Uganda and Rwanda, causing locals to flee for their safety.   The SADC Mission in Congo, known as SAMIDRC, started deploying in December after Congo — one of SADC’s 16 members — sought support under the bloc’s mutual defense pact.  But the SADC’s capacity to restore peace and security in eastern Congo is in question. UN…

Sadegh Zibakalam, a distinguished former political science professor and prominent critic of the Iranian regime, has been detained and sentenced to jail, according to Iranian media reports. The charges against Zibakalam were related to spreading “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic, as reported by the Iranian judiciary’s news website Mizan. The report said Zibakalam will serve at least 18 months. He is to be sent to Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, where numerous political prisoners, including human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, are incarcerated. Mohammadi and other Evin inmates have reported accounts of torture and other human rights abuses taking place…

Tyson Fury’s dad John Fury was left with a bloody face after he headbutted a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s entourage during an ugly clash at a media event.The build-up to the undisputed world heavyweight clash turned ugly in Riyadh on Monday as rival camps had to be separated by security at a hotel, where media activity was being held. During the incident, ahead of the fight on 18 May, John Fury headbutted a member of his son’s rival’s entourage.Following the incident, John was left with a large cut on his forehead.Blood continued to flow from the wound despite the 59-year-old’s…

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s memoirs will be published on November 26, the publisher, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, announced on Monday. It comes nearly three years after the end of Merkel’s 16-year tenure and her thoughts will be spilled across some 700 pages. What we know about Merkel’s memoirs The book, titled “Freedom. Memories 1954 — 2021,” will be published in over 30 countries, Kiepenheuer & Witsch said.  In her memoirs, Merkel looks back “on her life in two German states — 35 years in East Germany (GDR), 35 years in reunified Germany,” the publisher said. Merkel was born in Hamburg, northwestern Germany, in 1954 but moved with her…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored his support for Ukraine at a meeting with the prime ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland on Monday. “We stand united in our support for Ukraine in its defence against the ongoing Russian aggression,” Scholz said in Stockholm. “We will continue to provide our support to Ukraine for as long as it takes.” The Swedish government said earlier that the leaders would “discuss security policy issues such as hybrid threats, civil preparedness and new technologies.” Scholz calls on Europe to support Ukraine Scholz announced that Germany would send a third Patriot air defense system to Ukraine…

Star witness Michael Cohen on Monday appeared at a New York criminal court to testify at former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial. Cohen told jurors that Trump personally approved a hush-money payment to bury a porn star’s story of a sexual encounter before it could derail his 2016 campaign. “Just do it,” Cohen said Trump told him, instructing him to figure out the best way to pay adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 (€120,000) to keep quiet about an alleged 2006 liaison, which he denies. Cohen worked as an executive and lawyer at Trump’s New York-based real estate company…

He is the puppet master of Georgian politics – a man of fabulous wealth and extraordinary power.  And Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili is the focus of intense opposition as unrest sweeping his country reaches boiling point. From humble origins, he left Georgia to accumulate immense wealth in Russia through close ties with Putin’s chosen few, the kleptocratic elites who have helped themselves to the country’s riches in return for complete loyalty to the Kremlin.He is said to be worth at least $5bn (£3.98bn), a third of his country’s GDP.After returning to Georgia, he acquired enormous influence in his homeland. He…