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Eurovision Contestants 2015: Greece

You've got to admire Greece and its strategic thinking: Choosing Maria Elena Kyriakou, a Cyprus-born singer, to represent the country is a very clever move indeed, and one that will without a doubt secure Athens a minimum of 12 points from the island. Ha, take that Angela Merkel! Of course, you could also be a killjoy and say it's pointless since Cyprus always gives Greece 12 points anyway ...

So, Maria Elena Kyriakou. A qualified teacher and divorced mother of three, she lives between Greece and Cyprus and runs a private tutoring program. Similarly to other candidates in this year's Eurovision, she took part in the Greek version of The Voice in 2014 and won the contest.

In Kyriakou's own words, her song "One Last Breath" is about love, heartbreak and is "very meaningful" to her. But news junkies like this writer will tell you that the song can also be interpreted as a barely hidden swing at Greece's creditors for the deadly austerity policies they've imposed. You be the judge.

Our vote:

Does it make you want to visit that country? 1.25/10

Was there enough glitter? 4.75/10

Ok to quit your day job? 1.75/10

OVERALL AVERAGE: 2.58/10

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FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

"Putin Has Lost The Power," The Zelensky Die Welt Interview

In an exclusive interview with German daily Die Welt, Volodymyr Zelensky comments on the power struggles inside the Russian government. At the same time, he accuses Russia of firing on rescue workers after the dam explosion, and offers harsh criticism for the UN and the Red Cross.

Screenshot of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talking during his interview with die Welt

Screenshot of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking with the German daily Die Welt.

Paul Ronzheimer

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes no mystery about what he believes is happening in Russia's government. "Putin has lost the power he used to have," Zelensky said in an interview with German daily Die Welt. "I think they're having a big internal scandal."

Stay up-to-date with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, with our exclusive international coverage.

In addition to the war on the battlefield, there is a "very serious" political battle "between different armies, both state and private," Zelensky said, referring to the relationship between the regular Russian army and mercenary armies, including the Wagner Group.

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