EU Commission: two firefighting aircraft to Cyprus
The European Commission will reinforce Cyprus’ firefighting fleet with two aircraft this summer, amid increased risks of forest fires.
sweden
Nemo’s Eurovision win fires up Swiss advocates for non-binary rights
Swiss advocates for non-binary rights celebrated Nemo’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, urging authorities to recognize those who identify as neither male nor female. Nemo, a Swiss musician using they/them pronouns, won the contest in a politically charged night in Malmo, beating out Croatia’s Baby Lasagna. The victory comes after the Swiss government rejected proposals for a third gender option in official records. Sibel Arslan, a Green Party lawmaker, praised Nemo’s win and highlighted the relevance of enabling non-binary designations. An Ipsos poll revealed that 6% of Swiss respondents identified as transgender or non-binary, the highest proportion among surveyed countries. Nemo’s winning song, “The Code,” describes their journey as a non-binary person. Despite public opposition, the youth wing of the Green Liberal Party called for Switzerland to break with binary gender designations.
A new generation of batteries may bolster the EU, ’s green ambitions
– Sodium is being used to develop rechargeable batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
– Sodium-ion batteries are based on more abundant and safer materials than lithium-ion batteries.
– Europe aims to increase its share of global battery-cell production to 25% by 2025.
– Sodium-ion batteries could be cheaper for storing energy in homes, power tools, and small vehicles.
– Sodium-ion batteries offer the prospect of cheaper and cleaner energy for households in Europe.
Switzerland breaks the Eurovision code as Cyprus finishes 15th
Switzerland won Eurovision 2024 in Malmo, beating Croatia. The winning song, “The Code,” was performed by Swiss rapper and singer Nemo, who expressed hope for peace and dignity. Israel’s entry faced protests due to the conflict in Gaza.
Eurovision chaos: Ireland a no-show for dress rehearsal as French act sends anti-war message [VIDEO]
![Eurovision chaos: Ireland a no-show for dress rehearsal as French act sends anti-war message [VIDEO]](https://ch.jfdi.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/eurovision-chaos-ireland-a-no-show-for-dress-rehearsal-as-french-act-sends-anti-war-message-video.jpg)
Ireland, along with Greece and Switzerland, did not appear during the parade at the start of the Family Rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Bambie Thug, representing Ireland, was absent from the stage, citing an urgent situation requiring attention from the organisers. The European Broadcasting Union is currently discussing necessary actions in response to the absence. France’s act Slimane stopped his performance midway to send a peace message, chanting “United by music yes, but for love, for peace.” The Eurovision contest has been thrust into political conflict with protests calling for Israel’s exclusion and demands for changes to Israel’s entry lyrics.
Cyprus ignites Eurovision stage with dazzling performance [VIDEO]
![Cyprus ignites Eurovision stage with dazzling performance [VIDEO]](https://ch.jfdi.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cyprus-ignites-eurovision-stage-with-dazzling-performance-video.jpg)
Cyprus participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, with Silia Kapsis performing the song “Liar.” The 17-year-old singer impressed fans with a dance track composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos and lyrics by Elke Tiel. Kapsis wore white trousers and a glittering top, accompanied by four dancers, and delivered a powerful performance with impressive 3D graphics displayed on LED screens.
Malmo braces for Eurovision final and fresh protest
Malmo is preparing for the Eurovision grand final, amidst security threats and protests over Israel’s participation. Bookmakers predict Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Israel’s Eden Golan as top contenders to win. The event has drawn thousands of visitors to the city, with protests from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022, while the 26 contestants in the final include representatives from various countries. The event is seen as a way to unite people and have a good time together.
Who do we really trust in Cyprus?
Fact: In 2010, an EU study stated that just three in 10,000 Cypriots ‘had no relatives’.
Greece through to Eurovision Grand Final
Marina Satti from Greece advanced to the Eurovision Grand Final with her song “ZARI” after a captivating performance.
Bank of England moves closer to first rate cut since 2020
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to keep interest rates at 5.25 per cent, with Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden and Swati Dhingra voting for a cut to 5 per cent. The BoE hinted at a potential rate cut in June and emphasized the importance of upcoming economic data releases. Governor Andrew Bailey expressed optimism about the direction of inflation.