11 h. ago Eurovision controversy as contestant's open letter calls for one country's ban

This year's Eurovision Song Contest is looking to be one marked by controversy as over 70 former contestants sign a a letter accusing the EBU of "whitewashing" Israel's crimes

Politics

24 h. ago Why do UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany automatically qualify for the Eurovision final?

Why are these countries called the 'Big Five'? Well, we have the answer.

Politics

5 d. ago Reform UK councillor in hot water as calls to suspend him over 'Hitler' post ramp up

Joel Tetlow said he didn't mean 'any disrespect' when he compared small boat crossings in the Channel to Adolf Hitler invading European countries, but there are calls for him to be suspended

Events

7 d. ago UN experts demand action to avert ‘annihilation’ of Palestinians in Gaza – Middle East crisis live

More than 20 experts call on countries to act or ‘witness the slaughter of innocents’‘Desperate people’: Gaza faces wave of looting, theft and violenceThe Dutch government, seen as one of Israel’s most loyal allies in the European Union, is calling for an urgent review of the EU Israel association agreement, the basis for the EU-Israeli free trade agreement, the Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp told the Guardian.Veldkamp described the Israeli ban on the supply of aid into Gaza as “catastrophic, truly dismal” and in clear breach of international humanitarian law.You cannot starve the people of the Gaza Strip. It is against international law. It’s morally wrong. It’s dangerous. I don’t think it’s in Israel’s own interest. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago How Eurovision 2024 was wildest ever with act banned, booing crowds and huge blunder

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 was full of drama and controversy, which organisers will no doubt be hoping to avoid this year

Events

7 d. ago How the world responded to India’s strikes on Pakistan: ‘Hope it ends very quickly’

Allies of both countries call for restraint and diplomacy

Events

8 d. ago Former Eurovision contestants call for Israel and broadcaster KAN to be banned from contest

Exclusive: Over 70 former contestants have signed an open letter demanding the country and its broadcaster be excluded

Politics

2 w. ago Eurovision controversy as iconic item banned from glitzy extravaganza in Switzerland

Eurovision Song Contest fans can't wait for the competition to kick off in May, but they won't be seeing an iconic flag from the show on stage - because it's been banned

Events

2 w. ago African diplomats urge UK government to back bill to speed up debt restructurings

Exclusive: Countries are struggling to manage expensive loans, with much of debt transacted through LondonDiplomats from eight southern and east African countries have signed a letter calling on the UK government to support a private member’s bill that aims to speed up debt restructurings, after economic crises meant countries were unable to pay back loans.Poor countries’ economies have been hit by a series of global events in recent years, including the coronavirus pandemic, which reduced growth; the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which sent inflation soaring; and raised US interest rates, which have pushed up the cost of international loans to often unaffordable levels. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump claims China's President Xi called HIM amid tariffs drama and makes odd comparison regarding their chat

President Donald Trump claimed that China's President Xi Jinping called him amid the countries' tariff drama - as China continued to dispute that trade talks are happening.

Politics

2 w. ago ‘All options remain on the table’ for Ukraine support, minister says

Environment Secretary Steve Reed called for a ‘strong alliance of countries’ to help guarantee any peace deal will hold.

Politics

4 w. ago Europe's race to rearm is pointless if its adversaries are waging war online | Johnny Ryan

Ireland holds the algorithm off-switch. Ursula von der Leyen must force Dublin to use itEurope is scrambling to remilitarise. The European Commission is raising a €150bn (£129bn) defence fund and is calling on EU countries to invest €650bn (£561bn) more. Germany has cast aside its government debt limit to invest hundreds of billions of euros in defence. Poland will train every male of fighting age for battle, and envisages an army 500,000 strong. Latvia’s president has urged the rest of Europe to conscript citizens, as Latvia does. Even neutral Ireland is buying combat jets. No wonder Europe’s defence industry is booming. In just a few months, the share prices of several big weapons manufacturers have nearly doubled and doubled again. But, despite this new martial pulse, the continent is still sleepwalking towards disaster.Europe can harden its shell and sharpen its claws, but it has done little to protect its soft underbelly against political manipulation. The US is capitulating to...

Events