Europe

EU Unity Urged as Germany Enforces Border Controls on Migration

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called Friday for migration to be tackled jointly by member states as she hosted new German leader Friedrich Merz, whose government has moved to turn back asylum seekers at its borders. "Migration is a common European challenge and it needs a common European solution," the commission president told a news conference ...

Beirut 1945: De Gaulle Is Near

Before becoming the leader of Free France, the founder of the Fifth Republic or the symbolic figure of Gaullism, Charles de Gaulle was an officer stationed in the Levant, where he lived, commanded, observed. Lebanon always held a special place in his worldview—a relationship shaped by history, war and a certain idea of France. Between 1929 and ...

Unveiling Eurovision: Secrets Behind the Rules You Didn't Know

The Eurovision Song Contest evokes a world of intrigue with its song rules, and system of semi-finals, juries and votes that draw out the drama until a winner is crowned. Here is a look at how the competition is put together, how artists are chosen and how the voting system works: Organizers The competition is organized by the European ...

1945 Revisited: Memory Still at War, 80 Years On

This Thursday, May 8, marks a day of remembrance. Across the globe, heads of state, veterans and institutions will honor the heroes and victims of the Second World War. But behind the wreaths, anthems and solemn speeches lies a deeper truth: memory is not just remembered, it is contested and increasingly weaponized. Eighty years later, the war is ...

Basel: a City at the Heart of European Culture

With a population of 180,000, Switzerland's third-biggest city after Zurich and Geneva straddles the River Rhine and sits right on the northern border with both France and Germany. Basel's location played a major role in its growth and continental importance through the ages. From May 11 to 17, it will be a center-stage in Europe again as it ...

Syrian Leader to Meet Macron in First European Visit

The Syrian president, Ahmad al-Chareh, arrived in Paris this Wednesday and was received by French president Emmanuel Macron for a first and controversial visit to the West. On this occasion, he is expected to call on Macron to punish those responsible for the "abuses" that have tarnished the image of the Islamist coalition in power since ...

'Bombshell' OPEC+ Output Hike Hits Oil Price

Oil prices slumped on Monday after eight OPEC+ members announced a sharp increase in production, while Asian stocks treaded water in thin trade with major markets closed. The output increase of 411,000 barrels a day announced by Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other members of the oil cartel on Saturday added to concerns about over-supply. The ...

Leverkusen Draw Hands Kane’s Bayern Bundesliga Title

Bayern Munich were crowned German champions for the 34th time on Sunday, giving striker Harry Kane his first major trophy, after second-placed Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at Freiburg. Bayern's 3-3 draw at RB Leipzig on Saturday, when the Bavarians came from two goals down to take the lead before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser, meant defending ...

AfD Designated as "Far-Right Extremist": Is a Ban on the Party Coming ?

Germany's domestic intelligence service on Friday designated the rising far-right party AfD as an extremist group, handing authorities greater powers to monitor it and fuelling calls for it to be banned. The anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) swiftly slammed the move as a "heavy blow" to democracy, just months after they won second ...

Africa's Cardinal Turkson is Continent's Papal Frontrunner

Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson is seen as one of the Church's most influential men from Africa, where Christianity is quickly growing -- and which some believe could be the birthplace of the next pope. The 76-year-old born into a humble family of 10 children is the first clergyman from the west African country to receive a red hat, having been ...

Power Progressively Comes Back in Spain and Portugal After Massive Outage

Lights flickered back to life in Spain and Portugal early Tuesday after a massive blackout hit the Iberian peninsula stranding passengers in trains and hundreds of elevators while millions saw phone and internet coverage die. More than 60 percent of Spain's national electricity supply had been restored by the end of Monday, the REE power ...