Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Authorities in Sweden were bracing for pro-Palestine protests over Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, which began in the city of Malmo on Tuesday.
Israel's entrant, Eden Golan, is competing with the song Hurricane, which initially went under the name October Rain. The artist was forced to tweak the original version, which appeared to contain references to the deadly attacks cled by Hamas on October 7 in the south of Israel.
The fallout continued on Tuesday night, when Swedish singer Eric Saade wore a keffiyeh, commonly used by people who want to show support for Palestine, prompting a statement from the European Broadcasting Union to say it regretted the politicisation of the event.
The broadcasting union also told Ireland's first Eurovision Song Contest finalist since 2018 to change their face-paint message, which translated to the word ceasefire, in a nod to the situation in the Gaza Strip.
“The writing seen on Bambie Thug’s body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event," a spokeswoman for the EBU said.
“After discussions with the Irish delegation, they agreed to change the text for the live show.”
Swedish armed police patrolled outside the concert venue over fears of unrest due to the European Broadcasting Union's decision not to bar Israel's participation, despite the country's military action in Gaza leading to rising tensions.
Police stepped up security but said no direct threat had been made against the event, which will run until Saturday.
“The threat assessments are primarily for the security service, but we can state that Sweden as a country is on a four on a five-point terror threat level scale,” police spokesman Jimmy Modin said.
“And, of course, we include this in our planning work with the security measures that we’re taking for the Eurovision Song Contest, but it’s important to note that there’s no direct threat to Eurovision.”
A pro-Palestinian march is due to be held on Thursday when Israel competes in the second semi-final.
“The demonstrators are going to march from one square to another square in Malmo,” Mr Modin added. “We anticipate that there’s going to be a lot of people joining this demonstration so there might be disturbance to traffic.”
Denmark and Norway have also sent officers to help police the event.
“We can’t rule out something could happen,” Mr Modin said. “We are very well prepared for this event. I don’t think [people] have to be worried about going to Malmo.”
Artists in Finland have led calls for Israel to be banned and the UK's entrant, Olly Alexander, joined others in signing an open letter accusing Israel of genocide.
Ahead of the contest, Israel's artist said she only wished to unite people.
“I come here to show my voice, to share my love, my gift from God and to hopefully make people feel something and leave a mark in their souls and to unite by music,” she said.
“It's up to the people what to do. They have the right to speak their voice, but I'm focusing on my part, which is giving the best performance, and on the good vibes, the good people.
“It's a super important moment for us, especially this year. I feel honoured to have the opportunity to be the voice of my country.”
The UK's Foreign Office warned that there was a possibility of “an increased number of protests in Malmo during Eurovision week.”
“Where more than one protest happens at the same time, on opposing issues, clashes can occur,” it said. “Protests can block access routes. Avoid demonstrations wherever possible and follow the advice of the local authorities.”
The EBU has issued a statement acknowledging the heightened tensions at this year's event but urged people to support the artists.
“The European Broadcasting Union acknowledges the depth of feeling and the strong opinions that this year’s Eurovision Song Contest – set against the backdrop of a terrible war in the Middle East – has provoked,” it said.
The artists are restricted from making political messages during their performances and could face penalties for doing so.
It will be the 68th version of the world's biggest song contest, which is being held in Sweden following the success of Swedish singer Loreen with the song Tattoo last year.
Sweden has won the song contest seven times.
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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England Test squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
Punchy appearance
Roars of support buoyed Mr Johnson in an extremely confident and combative appearance
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
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THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
