Basel (Switzerland) (AFP) – Just hours before the Eurovision Song Contest grand final, organisers are still keeping tight-lipped on whether former winner for Switzerland Celine Dion, now in fragile health, might make an emotional appearance. “Father Christmas exists, and you’ll have to wait and see,” Eurovision director Martin Green tells a press conference in Basel.
Río Indio (Panama) (AFP) – In around thirty motorized canoes, some 400 farmers sail down the Indio River, whose waters will be impounded in an artificial lake to ensure the fresh water supply to the Panama Canal. The farmers are protesting the construction of the new reservoir, which will force about 2,500 people to leave their homes. In response to the protest, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) says it wants to maintain “direct communication channels with communities, organizations, and local authorities.”
Cannes (France) (AFP) – Bono is joined by a group of Ukrainian soldiers on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival, at the premiere of Andrew Dominik’s out-of-competition documentary, ‘Bono: Stories of Surrender,’ about the journey of the U2 singer. The Irish rock star announced Hollywood star Sean Penn, a vocal advocate for Ukraine, had “brought us some friends from the actual trenches”, before the two posed with the troops. “I just want to thank you because you’re keeping us free,” Bono said.
La Paz (AFP) – Protesters clash with police as supporters of Bolivia’s former leader Evo Morales march to the electoral court in La Paz, demanding he be allowed to run for a fourth term in August elections. Morales, who is wanted on charges of trafficking a minor, has been holed up in Cochabamba for the past seven months, guarded by supporters to prevent his arrest. The ex leader has vowed to make a public return to lead the march on La Paz and file his presidential candidacy, despite being legally barred from running.
Hadera (Israel) (AFP) – With its golden sand and blue waters, the beach front in central Israel looks like any other stretch of Mediterranean coast, but a closer look reveals something unusual peeking through the rippling surf: black shark fins. Barak Tzach, a 45-year-old father of four was killed by a shark last month, as spectators on the beach screamed in terror. All that was left were his bones, rescuers told AFP.
Tirana (AFP) – European leaders laugh at AI-generated images of themselves as babies saying “Welcome to Albania!” in different languages during the opening of a summit of the European Political Community, hosted by the Balkan country.
Beijing (AFP) – China says it hopes that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine — the first direct talks in more than three years — would reach a “fair, lasting” deal.
Tirana (AFP) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk talk to the media in Albania following a call with US President Donald Trump. They discuss Russia ignoring demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Chancellor Merz says their diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine “unfortunately failed”, while President Macron says that it is “unacceptable” for Russia’s President Putin to ignore ceasefire demands, and to have excluded the US at ceasefire talks in Istanbul.
Barcelona (AFP) – FC Barcelona fans gather on Las Ramblas to celebrate their team’s 28th La Liga title, after they defeated local team Espanyol 2-0. The win means second place rivals Real Madrid won’t be able to gain enough points to reach the title spot. A goal by 17-year-old star player Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona secure the win.
Romania (AFP) – In the villages of Romania’s Danube Delta, near the border with Ukraine, frustration with the authorities and a sharp decline in tourism have led many locals to voice their support for far-right leader George Simion. Simion advocates for Romania becoming “neutral” in relation to the Ukraine war, and has said he would cut military aid to Kyiv. Simion gained almost 41 percent of votes in the contest’s first round — double the score of his rival in Sunday’s run-off, pro-EU centrist candidate Nicusor Dan.
Poonch (India) (AFP) – Global fears that nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan were on the brink of a full-blown war reached fever pitch this month as the two sides exchanged missiles, drones and artillery strikes over four days. A ceasefire has since brought relative calm to the region and families are starting to return to their homes while schools are reopening.
Montevideo (AFP) – The coffin of former president Jose “Pepe” Mujica leaves for a private cremation ceremony, after two days of lying in state at Montevideo’s Legislative Palace. Mujica died on May 13 at the age of 89, after a year-long battle with cancer. IMAGES
