All posts tagged: Contest

The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final : NPR

The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Delta Goodrem from Australia performs the song “Eclipse” during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. Martin Meissner/AP hide caption toggle caption Martin Meissner/AP VIENNA — The final of the Eurovision Song Contest arrives Saturday, with tight security and rainy weather failing to dent the enthusiasm of fans, or the opposition of critics who think Israel shouldn’t be invited to the party. After a week’s buildup, acts from 25 countries will take to the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to battle for the continent’s pop crown. Millions of viewers around the world will cast judgment on a fiery Finnish violinist, a Moldovan folk rapper, a Serbian metal band and many more at Eurovision’s 70th anniversary event. The campy, colorful contest has been likened to the World Cup with songs instead of soccer. And like global sports, it often becomes entangled in politics. The contest has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over …

Why This Year's Eurovision Song Contest Has Already Faced So Much Controversy

Why This Year's Eurovision Song Contest Has Already Faced So Much Controversy

Published by Sam Flores

Israeli singer Noam Betta at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest The last two contests have undoubtedly been among the most contentious in Eurovision’s 70-year history – and this year’s event has already proved to be every bit as controversial. Israel’s continued presence at Eurovision despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza has faced backlash from many critics for some time, with the controversy prompting many of the competition’s key members to pull out completely ahead of this year’s event. For those who need a quick reminder of what the whole debacle is about, here’s a quick guide to what’s happened so far… Hang on – first of all, why is Israel even a part of the Eurovision Song Contest in the first place when it’s not even in Europe? Well, despite what the name might imply, a country doesn’t actually need to be in Europe to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. All a country does need is to be a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which Israel’s national broadcasters …

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final running order – Who is performing when?

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final running order – Who is performing when?

Published by Daniella Wilson

The biggest night in European music is fast approaching, with just days to go before the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final begins. The semi-finals saw 20 acts qualify for the grand final, along with the Big Four and host country already having an automatic spot in the final – but only one can win! Finland are the current favourites to win, but with another chance to impress the juries and audiences with their performances before the voting closes, anything could happen. Keen to know when your favourites will be gracing the stage? Scroll on for the running order of the Eurovision 2025 final. Eurovision 2026 grand final running order Sam Battle, aka Look Mum No Computer. Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images Below you can find the running order of the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Denmark, Søren Torpegaard Lund Germany, Sarah Engels Israel, Noam Bettan Belgium, ESSYLA Albania, Alis Greece, Akylas Ukraine, LELÉKA Australia, Delta Goodrem Serbia, LAVINA Malta, AIDAN Czechia, Daniel Žižka Bulgaria, Dara Croatia, LELEK United Kingdom, Look Mum No Computer France, …

Exclusive: Wes Streeting Allies Insist He Will Run In Labour Leadership Contest

Exclusive: Wes Streeting Allies Insist He Will Run In Labour Leadership Contest

Published by Sam Flores

British Health Secretary Wes Streeting walks through the House of Commons to attend the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP) Wes Streeting will definitely run in the upcoming Labour leadership contest, his allies have told HuffPost UK. It is the first confirmation that he plans to mount a bid to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. Supporters of Starmer have claimed that the former health secretary – who resigned with a ferocious attack on the prime minister yesterday – does not have enough support from Labour MPs to mount a challenge. Under Labour Party rules, any candidate must have the support of at least 20% of its MPs to make it onto the ballot paper. At the moment, that is 81 MPs. Starmer allies have claimed that Streeting currently only has 43 names, leaving him well short of the number required. They said that was why he did not formally trigger a contest when he quit the cabinet, as had been expected. …

UK Eurovision Act Claims BBC Gave Him 'Stress Test' To Prepare Him For Contest

UK Eurovision Act Claims BBC Gave Him 'Stress Test' To Prepare Him For Contest

Published by Sam Flores

Look Mum No Computer is representing the UK at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest Eurovision star Look Mum No Computer has shared that the BBC took measures to make sure he’d be able to cope with the “pressure” of the contest. Look Mum No Computer – the stage name of musician and YouTuber Sam Battle – is representing the UK at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest this weekend with his original song Eins, Zwei, Drei. Given how the UK has fared at the competition in recent years, it’s fair to say that picking up that mantle is not for the faint of heart, and in a new interview with BBC News, the performer opened up about how bosses wanted to make sure he was up to the challenge. “They gave me a stress test [to see] whether I could deal under pressure,” he explained, with the BBC describing him as flashing a nervous “should-I-be-saying-this” glance towards his press team as he made the revelation. “It’s nothing, really,” he added. “Just making sure that you don’t …

How to vote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 online

How to vote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 online

Published by Daniella Wilson

The time is now – get voting for your favourite at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The 2026 competition has officially gone underway, with the first 10 acts now through to the grand final and tonight, the next 10 will be decided. Earlier this week, those in the United Kingdom weren’t able to vote but tonight, the voting will soon open! Of course, UK residents won’t be able to vote for their own entry – but if you’re wanting to know how you can vote, we have all the information you need below. How to vote via the app for Eurovision 2026 Audiences tuning into Eurovision 2026 will be able to cast their votes via the official Eurovision app during the semi-finals and grand final. The app is available to download for iOS, Android and Windows users, and if you vote in the app you’ll also get a special message from your favourite performers! How to vote in Eurovision 2026 from a non-participating country In 2023, the decision was made to allow viewers watching in …

Politics Home Article | How Will A Labour Leadership Contest Work?

Politics Home Article | How Will A Labour Leadership Contest Work?

Published by Sam Flores

Keir Starmer’s rivals are preparing to launch a contest for the Labour leadership (Alamy) 5 min read14 May A leadership contest to oust Keir Starmer as prime minister looks imminent, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting having resigned, an MP standing aside to allow Andy Burnham to potentially return to Parliament, and more than 90 MPs having called on Starmer to stand down or set out a timetable for doing so. Starmer’s rivals are lining up to launch a leadership contest. Streeting has published his letter to Starmer announcing his resignation from the Cabinet, writing that he had “lost confidence in your leadership” and that it would be “dishonourable and unprincipled” to stay in post. Former deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has said she had settled her unpaid council tax bill of £40,000, and her allies have briefed that she would be prepared to stand in any leadership contest if needed. Labour Greater Manchester mayor Burnham – who served as a minister during the Blair and Brown governments – has also announced his …

Hollywood A-lister makes surprise cameo at Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Hollywood A-lister makes surprise cameo at Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Published by Daniella Wilson

This year marks the Eurovision Song Contest 70th anniversary, and the competition has been pulling out all the stops to celebrate the landmark milestone. During tonight’s semi-final, the show opened with an emotional tribute, demonstrating the seven-decade history of Eurovision through a film portraying the life of a couple set against the backdrop of the world’s biggest live music show. But that wasn’t all! Prior to Italy’s performance, the show showed messages from former contestants and fans of the song contest, reflecting on what Eurovision meant to them. And there was one pretty famous fan and contestant (kind of), as Will Ferrell made a surprise cameo during the video messages. In a short clip, Ferrell said: “One word for Eurovision? Let me think… what could it be? I know, joy!” Will Ferrell. Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic Interestingly, Will Ferrell has an amusing history with Eurovision having starred and co-wrote musical comedy film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. The Netflix movie follows Icelandic singers Lars (Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) as they are given …

Eurovision 2026: Bosses Address Israel Eurovision Song Contest Asia Reports

Eurovision 2026: Bosses Address Israel Eurovision Song Contest Asia Reports

Published by Sam Flores

Eurovision organisers have addressed recent reports in the press suggesting that Israel could leave the competition in the near future to compete in an upcoming version specifically for countries in Asia. Current Eurovision rules state that any country whose national broadcaster is part of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) can compete in the annual song contest, which is why Israel has been part of it since 1973, despite not being in Europe. Back in March, the EBU announced it was putting together the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, which is due to take place in Thailand towards the end of 2026. Following the announcement, the Israeli outlet Ynet claimed on Monday that discussions had recently taken place at the EBU about Israel being removed from its currently-held place in the competition moving forward, so that it can take part in Eurovision Asia instead. The article cited “two sources” who claimed that after the idea was “raised and discussed”, it was met with “partial opposition” from countries who’ve already agreed to take part in Eurovision Asia. Israel’s …