• Thu, May 15, 2025

by: AFP

Eurovision voting: when politics and kitsch converge

Groans and giggles typically greet votes at the annual Eurovision Song Contest, loved and mocked for its kitsch music and seemingly partisan outcomes. Political tensions persist in the Balkans, for example, "but the cultural connections seem to have trumped the political divisions", Dean Vuletic, author of "Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest" (2019), told AFP. "I would say that this is because these countries do share a music industry."

by: RepublicWorld

'New Coalition Govt is United in Tackling Unemployment,' Says South African President

by: dw

Media freedom: Diplomacy matters

Are multilateral initiatives for media freedom effective or mere rhetoric? Researchers asked journalists working in challenging media environments for their opinions about the Media Freedom Coalition.

by: KCUR

Chiefs and Royals stadium funding falls casualty to Missouri Senate breakdown

The governor's plan to convince the Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri hit a wall of resistance in the Senate — and was ultimately abandoned after Republican lawmakers cut off debate and forced through measures to ban abortion and repeal paid sick leave.

by: CNN

Video shows Newark mayor in handcuffs outside immigration detention center | CNN Politics

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested Friday at a federal immigration detention center where he has been protesting its opening this week, a federal prosecutor said.

by: CNN

Tensions rise between authorities and protesters outside ICE detention center | CNN Politics

Protests have continued outside Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, days after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for protesting at the site.

by: CNN

Takeaways from the Supreme Court arguments on birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions

The Supreme Court on Thursday seemed open to lifting a series of nationwide orders blocking President Donald Trump from enforcing his birthright citizenship policy even as several of the justices wrestled with the practical implications of allowing the government to deny citizenship to people born in the US.

by: CNN

What to know about immigration to the US, in charts and maps | CNN Politics

Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has made several moves to crack down on immigration, and one of his efforts could be considered by the Supreme Court on Thursday.

by: CNN

Live updates: Trump administration news, Mike Waltz, tariffs | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump is forging ahead with his domestic and foreign policy agenda as he pushes for trade deals. Follow for live news updates.

by: CNN

Whistleblower claims DOGE may have sensitive agency data | CNN Politics

Daniel Berulis and Andrew Bakaj join The Lead
  • Fri, May 16, 2025

by: BBC

North Yorkshire MPs to lobby government over new housing targets

A target of 4,144 new homes a year in North Yorkshire will put pressure on rural land, MPs say.

by: ABC7

Gov. Gavin Newsom tries to rebrand himself ahead of a potential presidential run

Gov. Newsom is a term-limited Democrat with national ambitions. He's been trying to appeal to the political center as he contemplates his next career move.

by: KCUR

Protesters at Missouri Capitol vow to fight back against Republicans on abortion and sick leave

After GOP lawmakers repealed parts of a voter initiative on paid sick leave and minimum wage, and added an abortion ban to the ballot, protesters say they will look at passing a constitutional amendment that legislators can't touch.

by: CNN

How proposed Medicaid changes would affect Americans, state-by-state | CNN Politics

CNN's Tom Foreman breaks down how Medicaid works, who it covers, and what states will be most affected if proposed GOP changes to the government program pass.

by: CNN

Hackers are using AI-made voice messages to impersonate senior US officials, FBI warns | CNN Politics

Hackers have been using AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior US government officials in an ongoing effort to break into the online accounts of current and former US officials, the FBI warned Thursday.

by: CNN

A trip to Rome for state officials. Paid for in part by companies they regulate. | CNN Politics

A group of US state officials flew free to Italy and stayed in a five-star Rome hotel thanks to a group funded by corporate interests. CNN's Kyung Lah reports.

by: CNN

March 10, 2025: Donald Trump presidency news | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump did not appear on camera today — a rarity for the commander in chief — as the US stock market plunged in the wake of the president not ruling out a recession.

by: CNN

Jeanine Pirro sworn in as DC's top federal prosecutor | CNN Politics

The US attorney's office in Washington, DC, is hoping for a new era of relative calm as the top federal prosecutor in the nation's capital switches from one outspoken, controversial ally of the president to another.
  • Sat, May 17, 2025

by: dw

Hungary's Orban plans 'transparency law' to muzzle critics - DW - 05/17/2025

The ruling Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has proposed a law that could be used to ban political parties and media outlets.

by: Time

WorldPride Is About to Collide With Donald Trump's Washington

The massive, international LGBTQ Celebration is about to collide With Donald Trump's Washington.

by: CNN

Politico reporter on backlash writing about Biden's decline | CNN Politics

Holly Otterbein Politico's National Political reporter who covered President Joe Biden's reelection campaign, discusses her latest article, "The Biden Question Hanging Over The 2028 Field." She explains the potential impact to Democratic lawmakers based on how they dealt with Biden's fitness in 2024, and how it could affect them moving forward in their own elections.

by: NewsNation

Starliner astronauts avoid engaging in politics about their return

The astronauts have pushed back against claims they are "stranded" in space.

by: CNN

Officials across US government scramble to implement Trump's surprise Syria announcement | CNN Politics

When President Donald Trump announced the lifting of US sanctions on Syria during his trip to the Middle East this week, it marked a major policy shift that could reshape the region and triggered a scramble across the US government to implement the decision, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

by: CNN

May 16, 2025 - Trump Middle East trip and presidency news | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump is heading back to Washington, DC, after finishing a trip to the Middle East with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates that saw him reimagine alliances on the world stage.
  • Sun, May 18, 2025

by: CNN

Inside Kamala Harris' deliberations over her political future | CNN Politics

The 21st of July looms for Kamala Harris and the much smaller world of advisers left around her. It's the day she's set to lose the US Secret Service protection that former vice presidents are granted for six months — six months from the inauguration that she believed would be her own after Joe Biden gave her 107 days to win the 2024 election when he ended his reelection bid last July 21.

by: ThePrint

Belgium set for new government after months of negotiations -VRT News

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Political parties in Belgium on Friday agreed to form a broad government coalition, local broadcaster VRT News reported, ending almost eight months of complicated talks that

by: CNN

Former FBI Director James Comey interviewed by the US Secret Service | CNN Politics

Former FBI Director James Comey was interviewed by US Secret Service agents at their Washington, DC, field office on Friday afternoon, according to law enforcement sources.

by: CNN

GOP hardliner trashes Trump's agenda bill | CNN Politics

In a dramatic moment, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said he is opposed to the current House version of President Donald Trump's tax cuts and budget bill without additional cuts to spending. Roy's objection is a serious problem for House GOP leadership as they try to pass the bill next week with few votes to spare.
  • Mon, May 19, 2025

by: legit

$TRUMP dinner blurs lines between profit and politics

More than two hundred guests on Thursday will make their way to a ritzy country club just up the Potomac River from Washington, ready for a sumptuous dinner hosted by the president of the United States.

by: CNN

Federal judge overturns Trump's efforts to take over and cripple US Institute of Peace

A federal judge ruled Monday that the Trump administration unlawfully removed the board of the US Institute of Peace earlier this year and that subsequent actions taken by officials installed by the Department of Government Efficiency to cripple the agency are therefore "null and void.

by: Truthout

A Fraction of What We Pay in Fossil Fuel Subsidies Could Fund a Just Transition

Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies must be tied to new subsidies that raise living standards for working and poor people.

by: CNN

FBI director confirms federal probe into New York Attorney General | CNN Politics

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing the Democratic New York attorney general's real estate transactions, Director Kash Patel confirmed in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.

by: CNN

Vance explains what Trump will ask Putin on call | CNN Politics

Vice President JD Vance said that President Donald Trump will ask Russian President Vladimir Putin if he is serious about peace with Ukraine during their phone call.

by: CNN

Secret nose job allegations, 'Rolexgate,' and the curse of the Peruvian presidency

But in this country, presidential scandals - proven or alleged - are so commonplace that one of its prisons has housed four disgraced former leaders.
  • Tue, May 20, 2025

by: ThePrint

Protests in Manipur after security forces cover state's name on govt bus carrying journalists

Imphal, May 20 (PTI) Major political parties and media organisations of Manipur on Tuesday criticised the security forces for allegedly stopping a government bus with journalists on board and covering the name of the state written on its windshield. The media groups also said that because of the "harassment" caused to journalists, they will observe […]

by: Charter97

Musk Has Said He Will Cut Back On His Donations To Politics

Billionaire and head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Ilon Musk has said he will cut back on his political donations - thereby dealing a blow to the Republican Party from which current President Donald Trump was elected. This was reported on May 20 by Vloomberg.

by: Yahoo

Bluegrass Politics: Meet the Herald-Leader journalist covering KY political scene

Horn, who has been tracking Kentucky politics and state government since 2021, will report on the state's Congressional delegation and federal elections as the newspaper's new senior politics ...

by: Salon

The next stage of our democracy crisis: competitive authoritarianism

America's democracy is rapidly collapsing. Examining its present state offers clues to prevent catastrophe

by: Townhall

Watch: How the Trump Administration Is Circumventing California's 'Sanctuary' Policies

by: Patch

4 Recent Head-Scratching Moments From CA Governor Newsom

"Either bravery or lunacy." Gavin Newsom's shift to the middle.

by: CNN

Justice Department opens investigation into former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo | CNN Politics

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor and a top candidate for New York City mayor, following a referral from congressional Republicans who accused Cuomo of lying during an investigation of his administration's Covid-19 response, a person briefed on the matter said.

by: ThePrint

'Intimidation in order to silence'- Nitasha Kaul hits back at govt's decision to cancel OCI

'No system is perfect. If a democracy is acting authoritarian, I am duty bound as an academic to say that it's no good for those experiencing it', Kaul, an author and a professor at the University of Westminster in London, told ThePrint.

by: CNN

New book details cover-up of Biden's declining health | CNN Politics

Jake Tapper reports

by: CNN

As Musk steps back, DOGE moves forward with more cuts, sweeping agency changes | CNN Politics

Elon Musk's prominent role in President Donald Trump's White House appears to be fading, but the tech billionaire's brainchild — the budget-slashing Department of Government Efficiency — is poised to continue its work after his departure.
  • Wed, May 21, 2025

by: BBC

BCP Council considers creating new level of government

A plan for community councils in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole plan splits residents.

by: KY3

New government plaza in Christian County hopes to move government offices and attract new businesses

Christian County leaders purchased more than 39 acres of land near Missouri 14 and 25th Street in Ozark in 2021. The goal was to not only build fresh government offices, but to also add commercial development.

by: ThePrint

Cong leaders 'belittling' govt's efforts in race to gain popularity in Pak: BJP

New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday flayed the Congress over its allegation that the government decided to send multi-party delegations to various countries to divert public attention from "tough questions", saying nationalism has completely vanished in the opposition party. The ruling BJP also lashed out at other constituents of the opposition INDIA […]

by: Politico

Capitol agenda: Sprinting toward a megabill vote

Eurovision voting: when politics and kitsch converge

Groans and giggles typically greet votes at the annual Eurovision Song Contest, loved and mocked for its kitsch music and seemingly partisan outcomes. Political tensions persist in the Balkans, for example, "but the cultural connections seem to have trumped the political divisions", Dean Vuletic, author of "Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest" (2019), told AFP. "I would say that this is because these countries do share a music industry."
The Eurovision Song Contest, held in Liverpool, England, on behalf of Ukraine, showcases a blend of music, politics, and kitsch, drawing millions of viewers globally. The event, known for its campy performances and elaborate staging, also serves as a platform for political statements, as seen with Ukraine's victory in the previous year amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Voting in Eurovision combines jury and public votes, with the latter often influenced by diaspora communities and political sympathies, leading to controversies over fairness and bloc voting. Despite these tensions, the contest remains a celebration of diversity and unity, with participants and fans embracing its unique mix of serious competition and lighthearted entertainment.

Read the Full AFP Article at:
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/eurovision-voting-politics-kitsch-converge-064034801.html