President Zelensky blocked from addressing viewers at Eurovision Final

UK director Molly Manning Walker’s first film How To Have Sex won the top prize in Cannes Un Certain Regard on Friday evening.

A road in Manchester city centre was blocked off on Monday afternoon (May 22) after a car was left crushed in a smash.

Christopher Vourlias U.S. writer and political advocate Dane Waters and “Superpower” co-director Aaron Kaufman announced the launch of a new global nonprofit group, Humanity for Freedom, Monday in Cannes. The organization is dedicated to the fight against authoritarian governments through educational and advocacy work. The group’s global kick-off event, 72 Hours for Freedom, will feature screenings around the world of “Superpower,” the documentary about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, co-directed by Kaufman and Sean Penn. The event will take place in over a dozen countries on six continents, starting in London on June 6 and wrapping in Washington, D.C., June 8, including stops in Rome; Tbilisi, Georgia; Sofia, Bulgaria; Abuja, Nigeria; Tokyo; Sydney; and Buenos Aires.

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Kamala Harris showed off her new vinyl records earlier this week and shared some of her favourite artists.The politician had been shopping in Home Rule Records in Washington, D.C.

Following an admittedly disappointing result at last night’s Eurovision Song Contest, the UK has got behind our entry, with Mae Muller’s I Wrote A Song heading for the Top 10 for the first time.

Eurovision Song Contest final was the most watched grand final in the competition’s history, the BBC has said.The final of the competition, which was held in Liverpool, attracted an average of 9.9 million viewers, with a peak of 11 million. This represented a 63 per cent share of the audience overall.The last ratings peak occurred in 2011 when an average of 9.5 million watched.

Eurovision entrant Mae Muller has issued a statement in response to a disappointing result in last night’s (May 13) finale, which saw the UK finish second from last.Sweden’s Loreen was crowned the overall winner in the final, after earning a score of 583 points. Sweden were the bookies favourite to win ahead of the final in Liverpool, with Loreen’s song ‘Tattoo’ having odds of 4/9 on bet365 to win on the day of the grand finale.The win made Eurovision history, with Loreen becoming the first woman to win the competition twice, following her victory in 2012 with the track ‘Euphoria’.After the jury votes, Sweden stood in first place at 340 points.

Eurovision Song Contest, after earning 583 points. Sweden was favourite to win ahead of tonight’s final in Liverpool, with Loreen’s song ‘Tattoo’ having odds of 4/9 on bet365 to win.Loreen becomes the first ever woman to win Eurovision twice, following her victory in 2012 with the track ‘Euphoria’.After the jury votes, Sweden stood in first place at 340 points.

After King Charles and Queen Camilla’s video cameo during the first semi-final of the 2023 Eurovision, the Saturday grand final featured another royal appearance during the epic performance of last year’s winning song, “Stefania,” by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, which opened the show.

Eurovision presenter Rylan Clark shared an emotional message ahead of the final. Rylan, who has provided the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals commentary on BBC One this week with Scott Mills and will host the grand final commentary on BBC Radio Two, took to Twitter to post some heartfelt words. "Whatever happens tonight, seeing The whole UK embrace @Eurovision as much as I love it has been the most beautiful part of the journey this year. Welcome to the party x" Rylan, 34, typed on the social media platform.The UK is hosting the contest for a record ninth time in Eurovision history, this year on behalf of Ukraine who won the 2022 contest with Kalush Orchestra's Stefania. Traditionally, the 67th Eurovision Song Contest would have been held in the country of the winners.

The Eurovision Song Contest is widely known for its fiendishly complex voting system. To make things more complicated, the European Broadcasting Union, which produces the competition, has made some tweaks for the 2023 edition. Ahead of the grand final on Saturday night, here is a refresher.

The UK’s Mae Muller has said she is “ready to get this show on the road” ahead of today's Eurovision final, after it emerged Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky had been barred from addressing the event. After months of preparation, the 25-year-old singer from north London will finally perform her track, I Wrote A Song, for the international voting public.

K.J. Yossman Ukrainian leader President Zelenskyy has reportedly been barred from making an address during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday. The Times of London reports the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the contest, turned down Zelenskyy’s request on the grounds that it would politicize the event. “The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation. As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event,” an EBU spokesman told the Times. “This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest. The request by Mr Zelenskyy to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event.”

Eurovision Song Contest is back in the UK for the first time since 1998.Taking place at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, this year’s contest is being held on UK shores after last year’s winner, Ukraine, were unable to host due to the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia.Eurovision 2023, however, will still have Ukrainian elements with singer Julia Sanina, frontwoman of Ukrainian rock band The Hardkiss, hosting the event alongside Graham Norton, Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham and Alesha Dixon.Of the total 37 countries from across Europe and Australia who are competing in the contest, 26 will perform in the final: the top 10 winners from each respective semi-final, the Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) and Ukraine.UK viewers can watch the Eurovision 2023 Final live on Saturday May 13 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8pm BST.Along with hosting parts of the show, Norton will share UK commentary duties with former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc.In the US, the final will be available to stream via Peacock from 3pm ET/12pm PT on Saturday May 13.

Ukraine was unable to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest due to the war taking place inside the country. Now President Zelensky has been banned by the host BBC and other international broadcasters from addressing the huge audience at the event. 

Young Noa Kirel is representing her country Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with her upbeat song Unicorn, which she co-wrote and co-composed. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter wowed at the first Eurovision semi-finals on May 9 and successfully advanced to the grand final which will be taking place on Saturday 13 May.

Eurovision Song Contest have been left feeling emotional after a clip of the late Paul O’Grady was shown during the first semi-finals.The performance is believed to be O’Grady’s last television appearance and was shared during the semi-final rounds of the iconic singing competition, following permission being granted from his family.The actor, comedian and television presenter was much-loved for his show For The Love Of Dogs, as well as for his frequent pantomime performances and long-running character Lily Savage. His death was confirmed earlier this year (March 28).The news of his passing came midway through the ongoing UK tour of musical Annie, which he was starring in, and just days after he signed a new contract with Boom Radio station.

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