As Vienna readies for the Eurovision Song Contest's provocative songs and glittering spectacle next week, the festival's 70th edition is unfolding under heavy security and an intensifying row over Israel's participation. The world's biggest live televised music event will feature contestants from 35 countries — the lowest total since participation widened in 2004 — after several countries, including Ireland, withdrew over Israel's war in Gaza. The semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday will narrow the field before Saturday's…

A 37-year-old Irish man identified by Spanish authorities as “one of the leaders” of the Hutch Organised Crime Group is set to fight efforts to send him back to Ireland, after appearing before a court in Lanzarote. Spanish police arrested the man yesterday under a European arrest warrant issued by the High Court in Dublin. Gardaí want him returned to Ireland, where he is sought to face criminal charges. He appeared by video link before a judge in Lanzarote this morning and was remanded in custody after refusing to consent to…

BAIDOA, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has wrapped up a several-day visit to Baidoa, a trip aimed at solidifying his political base and steering a tense leadership transition after federal forces seized the capital of South West State. Mohamud’s visit came after the March 29 resignation of regional leader Abdiasis Laftagareen, who fled to Kenya following the takeover of the city by heavily armed Somali National Army (SNA) troops backed by allied clan militias. The power shift has set off a fierce scramble…

In a surprising turn of events, James Cleverly, who served as the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary, has been dropped from the race to lead the party. Emerging victorious from the fray are Shadow Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick. They've successfully advanced to the final phase of this leadership contest. In the coming weeks, the party's wider membership will cast their votes, with the anticipated winner set to be unveiled on November 2. After a contentious fourth round of…

In Guinea, 10 of the 11 unsuccessful candidates for the presidential election on 18 October gathered in a collective to challenge the official results proclaimed by Ceni, which gave outgoing President Alpha Condé the winner in the first round. as reported from Conakry, Carol ValadeAt the headquarters of PACT, the party of…