#eurovision-2026

#eurovision-2026

Now in the fourth year of a war sparked by Russia's 2022 invasion, life in Ukraine is challenging in ways that only those that have lived through something similar can even begin to comprehend. It's the loss of a generation of men fighting and dying on the front lines; civilian deaths and injuries caused by indiscriminate drone and missile attacks; acute shortages and the manifold disruptions of everyday life, not least of the hopes and aspirations of young ballet students in a country with a proud tradition in this art form.

The final spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided this month. In Europe, several matches will determine which teams are one step closer to qualifying.

The 70th edition of the contest, which will culminate with a live show on Saturday 16 May, will feature 35 countries in total. However, five countries - Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain - will be boycotting this year's contest over the decision to let Israel take part.

We Roma are facing two evils here in the election, said Zvonko Golobic, who heads the Association for the Development of the Roma Community in the south-eastern town of Crnomelj. So the question is: who is less evil?

Formed in 1998 to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of ABBA winning Eurovision with 'Waterloo', teens Amit Paul, Dhani Lennevald, Marie Serneholt and Sara Lumholdt entered A*Teens as an ABBA tribute group. But after their slew of ABBA covers reached the top 40 around the world - 'Mamma Mia' hit number one in their homeland - the group decided to stick about for a bit, releasing original hit singles.

Wales is looking for a second-straight World Cup berth after a magical run in 2022 ended a 64-year drought. This is as prosperous a time for Welsh soccer as any, even without its greatest export, Gareth Bale. The Dragons reached the semifinals of the European Championships in 2016 and then advanced to the round of 16 in 2020.

Eurovision is a natural love for me, Goodrem says, pointing to the two greatest influences in her life: Olivia Newton-John and Celine Dion, who have both been on the Eurovision stage. To be chosen, she says, feels like a celebration of a career which has leapt from milestone to milestone and cemented her in Australian pop history.

Marco Carola remains one of electronic music's most respected selectors and he is joined by Dutch tastemaker Franky Rizardo, whose warm, groove-led house sound blends classic influences with modern club energy, while UK trio Mason Collective bring their infectious, bass-heavy house cuts and high-impact party ethos.

The Winter Oympics opening ceremony arrived shrouded in mystery. There wasn't a lot of advance publicity about what might happen, beyond a list of musical performers, heavier on popular classical names including Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang than pop stars and a quote from the event's creative lead and executive producer, Marco Balich, that it would eschew hi-tech and bling.

an Act of Killing-style re-enactment of the 1919 conquest of the Adriatic city of what is now Rijeka by a rag-tag army assembled by the proto-fascist dandy-poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. It was precisely the kind of quirky cinematic gem that the European film awards should be there to champion: a film ignored by the main festivals, about an overlooked but relevant episode in history.

The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe have announced the 40 shortlisted works for the 2026 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Awards, selected from a total of 410 nominations. The shortlist brings together projects from 18 countries and 36 cities, offering an overview of contemporary architectural production across Europe. Among the shortlisted works, France accounts for nine projects, followed by Spain with seven

England face a rematch with their Euro 2024 final conquerors Spain in the 2026-27 Nations League. The draw took place in Brussels on the day it was announced England head coach Thomas Tuchel had agreed a contract extension which takes in the Nations League and the European Championship on home soil in 2028. - FA: Tuchel's new deal not related to United job -England set pre-WC friendlies vs. NZ, Costa Rica

Harmony is the ability to transform our values into shared images, sounds and emotions,

The Eurovision Song Contest has shaped my life. It was my stage, my home, my springboard, and a chapter for which I am deeply grateful,