2 h. ago The events that led to countries boycotting 2026 Eurovision over Israel

The 2026 contest will be held in Vienna

Politics

3 h. ago BBC backs decision to let Israel join Eurovision 2026 as four countries pledge to boycott event

Ireland, Spain and Netherlands lead action protesting at Israeli conduct in war with Gaza

Politics

3 h. ago Four countries pull out of Eurovision 2026 after Israel is allowed to compete

Multiple countries, including Ireland, have chosen to boycott Eurovision 2026 after the European Broadcasting Union decided to allow Israel to compete in the competition

Politics

3 h. ago Netherlands, Spain and Ireland among countries set to boycott Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete

Belgium and Iceland’s broadcasters are now reviewing their position and will make a decision in the coming days, it is understood

Politics

4 h. ago BBC supports decision allowing Israel’s Eurovision participation amid boycott

Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia announced they will boycott the singing competition, after the general assembly in Geneva on Thursday

Politics

4 h. ago Strictly star 'out of their comfort zone' in major career update after withdrawing from BBC series

The BBC dancing competition contestant was only seen taking to the dancefloor in the 2025 series' launch show

Politics

4 h. ago Eurovision 2026 in chaos as four countries boycott over Israel

Four countries have announced they will not participate in Eurovision 2026 after Israel's involvement was confirmed

Politics

5 h. ago Congratulations and condemnation as RTE withdraws from Eurovision

Groups and individuals have reacted to the broadcaster’s decision not to participate in or air Eurovision in 2026.

Politics

5 h. ago Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 as Israel cleared to compete

Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands pull out after decision not to hold vote on Israel’s participationIreland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands will boycott next year’s Eurovision after Israel was given the all-clear to compete in the 2026 song contest despite calls by several participating broadcasters for its exclusion over the war in Gaza.No vote on Israel’s participation was held on Thursday at the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the body that organises the competition. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Ireland and Spain pull out of Eurovision as Israel allowed to participate

After two years of controversy, a decision on whether Israel should take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest has been made, and some countries are already boycotting

Politics

5 h. ago Ireland among countries boycotting Eurovision Song Contest 2026 over Israel

In September, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia threatened to withdraw unless Israel was excluded over the war in Gaza.

Politics

5 h. ago Multiple countries boycott Eurovision 2026 after Israel allowed to compete

The announcements came after European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s role in the contest amid its conduct in Gaza

Politics

6 h. ago Ireland, Holland and Spain vow to boycott Eurovision after contest refuses to ban Israel

European Broadcasting Union members decided on Thursday not to call a vote on Israel's participation, amid protests over the way its government conducted its war in Gaza .

Politics

6 h. ago Eurovision 2026: Several countries WITHDRAW as Israel allowed to compete

Several broadcasters around Europe have said they will boycott Eurovision next year after Israel was given the go-ahead to take part in the competition

Politics

6 h. ago Multiple countries boycott Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete next year

The announcements came after European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel's role in the contest amid its conduct of the war in Gaza

Politics

9 h. ago Ali Faqirzada is an Afghan refugee. He deserves to stay in America | Francine Prose

In a more reasonable, more compassionate country, we would thank Ali Faqirzada for how much he has done on behalf of his people and our ownOn 14 October, Ali Faqirzada – an Afghan refugee, a resident of New Paltz, New York, and a computer science student at Bard College – arrived for an interview at a federal immigration office on Long Island. He was applying for political asylum, a designation for which he was – and remains – a perfect candidate.In his native country, Faqirzada had assisted the American government and Nato with projects designed to improve the lives of Afghan women and help them get an education. But after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the ministry where he, his mother and sister had worked was bombed by the Taliban, and one of its employees was murdered.Francine Prose is a former president of PEN American Center and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Family of Salisbury Novichok victim Dawn Sturgess condemn inquiry's 'unanswered questions' as it finds Vladimir Putin ordered attack on Sergei Skripal 'to show Russian power'

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, pictured here with daughter Yulia, was poisoned by Novichok at his home in Salisbury. A report today found Putin authorised the hit as a show of Russian strength.

Events

9 h. ago John Swinney slams Nigel Farage’s remarks on Glasgow schoolchildren as 'racist'

John Swinney condemned Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader claimed one in three Glasgow schoolchildren do not speak English as a first language, calling the remarks “simply racist”.

Politics

10 h. ago Eurovision members facing major decision over Israel's future at contest as boycott threats loom

Countries including Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands have threatened to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to remain in the competition.

Politics

13 h. ago 'Appalling' treatment of savers must end: Reeves urged to commit to pensions tax lock to stop panic withdrawals

Labour must make 'a clear commitment to tax stability' to pensions savers after uncertainty in the build-up to the Budget led to surge in early withdrawals, the boss of AJ Bell has said.

Economics