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EU Clamps Down on Russian Travel with Stricter Visa Rules

                                      EU tightens rules for multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russian passport holders The European Union has introduced tougher visa restrictions for Russian nationals, ending the practice of granting multiple-entry permits. Under the new rules, Russians will need to apply for a fresh visa each time they wish to enter the bloc. Officials say the change is aimed at tightening security and preventing misuse of travel privileges. The move comes amid heightened concerns over migration, sabotage, and other risks linked to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Exceptions will remain in place for certain groups, including dissidents, independent journalists, human rights defenders, and family members of EU citizens. Transport workers may also qualify for short-term multi-entry visas to keep essential services running. EU leaders emphasized that tr...
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Canada’s Budget Hits a High Note: Eurovision on the Horizon

JJ, representing Austria, winner of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, holds the trophy during the Grand Final, in Basel, Switzerland, on May 18. The federal budget teased Canada's potential participation in Eurovision, leaving fans wondering whether the country will actually enter the contest.

Canada’s 2025 federal budget contained a surprising cultural twist: a line item mentioning CBC/Radio-Canada’s exploration of joining the Eurovision Song Contest. While the budget focused heavily on economic measures, defence spending, and civil service cuts, this unexpected inclusion has sparked curiosity across the country.

The government announced a funding increase for CBC/Radio-Canada, part of which will support efforts to expand Canada’s cultural footprint internationally. Eurovision, organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is one of the world’s largest televised music competitions, drawing over 100 million viewers annually. Though traditionally limited to European nations, non-European countries like Australia have successfully joined, paving the way for Canada’s potential entry.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has reportedly taken a personal interest in the idea, seeing Eurovision as a chance to showcase Canadian talent on a global stage. Canada already has a history with the contest: Céline Dion famously won Eurovision in 1988, representing Switzerland. This precedent highlights how Canadian artists have long been intertwined with the competition, even if the country itself has never participated.

Supporters argue that Eurovision could be a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy, boosting Canada’s visibility abroad and giving Canadian musicians a new platform. Critics, however, question whether such an initiative belongs in a federal budget already facing a significant deficit.

For now, Canada’s Eurovision journey remains in the exploratory phase. Talks with the EBU are underway, but no official commitment has been made. Still, the mere mention of Eurovision in the budget has already struck a chord, blending fiscal policy with pop culture in a way few expected.


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