Rick Astley: 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me (‘I’m Good at Building Sheds’)

TV Rain, a youth-focused Russian TV station often critical of the Kremlin, was shut down by state authorities on Thursday, but its staff got in one last full newscast that ended in a symbolic protest.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has got himself a bit of a reputation for terrible time keeping.

NEW YORK -- Cable news viewership jumped during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Fox News Channel leading the way and CNN showing the most dramatic increases.CNN, Fox and MSNBC collectively averaged 6.4 million viewers in prime time between the start of the war last Wednesday and Sunday night. That's up from their January average of 4 million, the Nielsen company said.For the full day between Wednesday and Sunday, Fox averaged 2.32 million viewers, up 64% from the quieter news month of January.

It’s a daunting task to crack jokes during wartime, especially days after Russia has bombarded the Ukraine, however, SNL Weekend Update hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che were fearless and eloquent in their approach to the topic.

These daytime TV stars just can’t stay out of trouble!

The Eurovision Song Contest has made the decision not to allow any Russian contestants to take part in this year's Song Contest.The world has watched in horror as Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine this week, with explosions heard across major cities. And just hours after saying Russia was still able to enter, European Broadcasting Union has followed a recommendation by the Eurovision Song Contest's governing body to disallow the entry of any Russian acts during this year's competition, set to be held in Turin, Italy, in May.

invasion of Ukraine.The Eurovision organizers are the European Broadcasting Union, which announced Russia’s disqualification in a statement on Friday.“The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute.”“We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage,” they said.The Eurovision Song Contest is coming into its 66th year and is set to take place in Turin, Italy, on May 14. Ukraine will be represented by Kalush Orchestra in the music contest.Ukraine initially had implored the European Broadcasting Union to keep Russia away from the music competition amid the war and conflict between the two nations.A statement translated by NPR by the EBU was released on Thursday, noting how Russia was still eligible to compete.

As the world watches in horror and sadness at what is happening in Ukraine right now, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are making an official statement on the invasion.

Russia has been banned from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

NEW YORK -- For journalists, the confusion surrounding Russia's attack on Ukraine deepened the challenge of covering it — and made one CNN reporter's stumbling upon an airport under attack Thursday all the more remarkable.While Russia's invasion had been an ominous possibility for months, it unfolded with little reliable information from the attackers. Many reporters depended upon sporadic audio and video of bombs exploding in the distance, and details from Ukrainians and American intelligence, to try to tell the story of citizens in a Western-styled democracy suddenly plunged into war.CNN's Matthew Chance followed a tip from a Ukrainian source when he and a crew rushed to an airport about 20 miles outside the capital city of Kyiv.Russians had attacked, but by the time Chance had arrived, he was informed that Ukrainians had regained control of the airport.

Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry would bring the competition into “disrepute.''“The EBU is an apolitical member organisation of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service,’’ the union said on Twitter.

The New York Times.“I know that most people in Russia are against this war, and I am confident that the more people would talk about their real attitude to it, the faster we can stop this horror,” said Oxxxymiron in a statement (translated by the Times).“I cannot entertain you when Russian missiles are falling on Ukraine—when residents of Kyiv are forced to hide in basements and in the metro, while people are dying.”He is one of several other Russian musicians who have voiced their protest at the war. Kasta, Shym, Vladi, Khamil, Zmey, and Noize MC have all voiced their opposition to the attack on Ukraine.A post shared by Oxxxymiron (@norimyxxxo)Ukraine has officially severed diplomatic ties with Russia and declared martial law after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the neighbouring nation.Since Oxxxymiron’s post last night (February 24), Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that 137 people had been killed, with 316 more wounded.Troops from Russia crossed the Crimea border into Ukraine on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin gave the order for his invasion to begin.The actions of Putin, who has claimed that Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine and that his country’s actions amount to a “special military operation”, have drawn widespread condemnation from across the globe.Reactions to the situation in Ukraine from prominent figures in the worlds of music, entertainment and politics have been posted on social media, with the likes of Foals’ Yannis Philippakis, Bring Me The Horizon‘s Oli Sykes, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Yungblud, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Taika Waititi and Amanda Palmer all speaking out in support of Ukraine.

The Taliban has said that Russia and Ukraine should resolve its crisis through 'dialogue and peaceful means' in its first communication on the conflict.

K.J. Yossman Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have said they will not prevent Russia from participating this year.

The Eurovision Song Contest has said it plans to welcome performances from both Russia and Ukraine later this year, despite Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion. Competition organisers said that the annual competition was a "non-political cultural event" and seemed to dismiss the idea that Russia could be banned from the event due to its attack on neighbouring Ukraine.The 66th edition of the annual competition is due to take place in Turin in May after Italian rock band Maneskin triumphed during last year's contest.