Transport secretary blasts rail unions for 'cynically targeting FA Cup final and Eurovision'

Mike McCahill Guest Contributor The theme of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, ‘United by Music,’ announced both the annual musical extravaganza’s all-embracing intentions and its status as a joint endeavor. With 2022 winners Ukraine unable to host in Kyiv due to the war, the U.K. – last year’s runners-up, thanks to Sam Ryder’s soaring “Space Man” – stepped in to reinstall this ever more spectacular circus (along with multiple Ukrainian creative personnel) in Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles. A declaration that this was to be the glitziest of collabs was served via a prologue that paired Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, reworking last year’s winning entry “Stefania”, with the Princess of Wales, apparently providing piano accompaniment from within Windsor Castle. Soft power-a-go-go.

Season 2 of Apple TV+’s Foundation will debut globally on July 14 with one episode, followed by new episodes weekly, every Friday.

A global drinks giant has been called on to stop selling Scotch whisky in Russia.

Ariana Madix will sit down in the clubhouse hot seat when she joins Andy Cohen next week for her first interview after her name blew up in headlines in March as news broke of Tom Sandoval’s cheating scandal.

EXCLUSIVE: Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Movie Film), two-times Cesar Award nominee Jean Reno (Leon), Ty Simpkins (Jurassic World) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) are attached to star in action movie Birdseye, which The Exchange will be launching for international sales ahead of the Cannes market.

Rita Ora had viewers in awe as she 'slayed' during an interval performance at the first semi-final of the of Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on BBC One. The pop superstar wowed with a selection of her greatest hits as she took to the stage in Liverpool, the host city in the UK on behalf of Ukraine.

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is almost upon us and the excitement is truly building.

Pussy Riot, Alice Glass and Boys Noize have collaborated on a brand new song – watch the official video for ‘Chastity’ below.The track comes along with a video by Lil Internet and is a sugary hit of danceable synth-pop.Discussing the track in a statement, Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova said: “This song will put the patriarchy in a tiny cage and throw the key out.”Watch the video for ‘Chastity’ below.The new material follows Glass’ debut solo album, ‘PREY//IV’, which NME described as “a cathartic, horror-infused creative reclamation” for the former Crystal Castles singer.Last year, she shared a new song called ‘Lips Apart’ while midway through her ‘Trauma Bond’ tour of North America.That year, Glass also asked Machine Gun Kelly to apologise for what she described as “predatory behaviour towards underage girls”, stemming from comments that Kelly had made in old interviews.Tolokonnikova, meanwhile, has reportedly been identified on a list of Russian authorities’ “most wanted” criminal suspects.According to the Associated Press, Tolokonnikova – a founding member of the feminist punk group, which has long been controversial in their native Russia for their incitive protests against Vladimir Putin’s regime – was first spotted in the Russian Interior Ministry’s database of criminal targets in March. The revelation reportedly came via Russian news outlet Mediazona, which was co-founded by Tolokonnikova.It’s said that Tolokonnikova’s listing in the database shows her wanted for “criminal charges”, however these are not disclosed in any significant detail.

Birthday bling! Raquel Leviss splurged on a lightning bolt necklace — like the one Tom Sandoval wears — on Vanderpump Rules before news broke in March that she and the TomTom cofounder were hooking up.

Perth and District Pipe Band is in fine spirits as the organisation celebrates 130 years.

Ange Postecoglou is hopeful that Alistair Johnston will be fir in time for the Scottish Cup final.

Cops probing SNP funds hunted for a women’s razor and a wheelbarrow at Nicola Sturgeon’s home.

finally returning with season 3 on May 4, fans are about to get a double dose of Brandon Scott Jones. Not only does he play Curtis on the HBO Max series, but he has recently enjoyed breakout success as Isaac on the CBS comedy , which wraps its second season on May 11.

The Super Bowl for Bravo fans. The trailer for the season 10 finale of Vanderpump Rules has arrived, and it does not disappoint.

Emily Longeretta Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton and Diplo closed out the 2023 Stagecoach Festival — and made the 106-degree heat well worth it. Early Sunday evening, Brooks & Dunn took the Mane Stage, returning to the desert for the first time in 13 years. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn played a 14-song, hour-long set, which included their biggest hits — “Brand New Man,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Neon Moon,” “My Maria” and “Red Dirt Road,” to name a few. Early on, the pair hit a bit of a technical glitch while performing “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” with the music cutting out. The pros didn’t pause, continuing on until it was figured it out behind the scenes.

Gabby Logan has called for stigma to be taken out of divorce, saying it is wrong for people to feel like failures. The TV presenter, who has been with her husband Kenny for 23 years, believes men and women should stop feeling "shame" when a marriage ends. Gabby turned 50 on Monday and says the landmark birthday has encouraged her to reassess her life and take a midlife "gap year".

At 3pm on Saturday, June 3, Manchester United and Manchester City will face each other in an FA Cup Final for the first time. And just to add to the prestigious occasion Wembley stadium will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has put Bandidos, a thriller series about an underwater heist, into production.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez took to social media to celebrate the Reds' FA Cup semi-final victory after missing the clash through injury.

Teachers' leaders today issued a last-ditch plea for crunch talks with ministers to avert this week’s strike.