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The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Malmo, Sweden, this year.

It’s a spiritual homecoming of sorts with Sweden’s supergroup Abba – who are the most famous band ever to come out of the contest – crowned the winners 50 years ago.

Loved and loathed in equal measure for its euro pop earworms, evocative power ballads, and eye-watering novelty acts, there’s no clear frontrunner for this year’s show – meaning it’s all to play for.

The political elephant in the room is of course Israel’s participation in light of the ongoing Gaza war, with many artists encouraged to boycott the event due to their participation.

As it stands, no act has withdrawn from the contest.

So, with 37 countries heading into the semi-finals ahead of a grand final featuring 26 songs on Saturday, who might we see take first place on the night?

The top three

Croatia is currently the country to beat, with Baby Lasagne (real name Marko Purisic) singing Rim Tim Tagi Dim.

The 28-year-old bleach-blonde frontman says the title doesn’t translate as anything, other than a catchy repeated riff, but a serious theme lies beneath the full-on performance.

Croatia's Baby Lasagna with Rim Tim Tagi Dim. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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Croatia’s Baby Lasagna with Rim Tim Tagi Dim. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

The song describes the tension of young Croatians leaving their homeland to seek better opportunities abroad, through the character of a farm boy who leaves his home – and his cat – to become a “city boy”.

Another hot favourite is Switzerland, with Nemo singing The Code.

The 24-year-old non-binary performer draws on their childhood opera singing to pull together an impressive song which scales rap, rock, drum ‘n bass and classical opera.

The message in this one is self-acceptance and the freedom for each one of us to live our lives openly and without fear of judgement.

Switzerland's Nemo with The Code. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
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Switzerland’s Nemo with The Code. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

Meanwhile, a song that’s been growing in popularity is Ukraine’s Teresa & Maria sung by Alonya Alonya and Jerry Heil.

Alonya, 28, is a well-known rapper in Ukraine, while Heil, 32, found fame on YouTube and appeared on the country’s version of X-Factor.

Utterly hummable, the folk-inflected anti-war song paying tribute to Mother Theresa and the mother of Christ has a strong heritage and shares a songwriter with Kalush Orchestra’s winning 2022 entry Stefania.

Ukraine's Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil with Teresa & Maria. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
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Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil with Teresa & Maria. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

In with a chance

Also in the running is Italy with Angelina Mango’s La Noia, which translates as “Boredom”.

The 23-year-old told Italian rock magazine Rockol that while boredom is often seen as a negative thing, she sees it as a time for self-discovery, adding: “Between a life of highs and lows and one of boredom, I will always choose one of highs and lows, but I will always leave myself time for boredom too.”

Italy's Angelina Mango with La Noia. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
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Italy’s Angelina Mango with La Noia. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

Meanwhile, Netherlands act Joost has by far the biggest earworm of the crop with Europapa – a song that will delight and infuriate in equal measure. Indeed, one early review of the song proclaimed it was so bad, it had the power to “put you off music forever”.

Despite the silliness of the happy hardcore-infused pop song and the OTT nature of his shoulder-pad-enhanced performance, 26-year-old singer Joost Klein had a heartbreaking inspiration for the song – the loss of both his parents by age 13.

Netherlands act Joost with Europapa. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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Netherlands act Joost with Europapa. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

The track is about an orphan who travels around Europe trying to find himself, as his father taught him to believe in a Europe without borders, celebrating the national food of each nation en route.

Host country Sweden is also seen as having a chance for back-to-back wins, represented by Norwegian twin brothers Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen performing their presumptuously titled song Unforgettable.

Sweden's Marcus & Martinus with Unforgettable. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
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Sweden’s Marcus & Martinus with Unforgettable. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

But Eurovision voters – made up equally of public votes and a jury of music experts – will of course be the judge of that.

Other notable mentions include France’s Silmane giving a heartfelt rendition of Mon Amour and Ireland’s Bambie Thug singing Doomsday Blue – a song she’s described as “an electro-metal breakdown”.

France's Slimane with Mon Amour. Pic: Corinne Cumming/EBU
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France’s Slimane with Mon Amour. Pic: Corinne Cumming/EBU

Ireland's Bambie Thug with Doomsday Blue. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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Ireland’s Bambie Thug with Doomsday Blue. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

What about the UK?

As one of the “Big Five” (the countries that contribute the most to the EBU along with France, Germany, Spain and Italy) the UK is guaranteed a place in the final. Plus, as the host nation, Sweden gets an automatic pass too.

This year the UK are represented by ex-Years And Years star Olly Alexander singing the dance-pop track Dizzy.

Performed in a glass box full of boxers, quirky choreography and a catchy refrain have placed it in the top 10, but we’re unlikely to be contenders for the top spot.

Indeed bookmakers reckon the UK are more likely to come last than nail the top spot.

UK's Olly Alexander with Dizzy. Pic: Corinne Cumming/EBU
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UK’s Olly Alexander with Dizzy. Pic: Corinne Cumming/EBU

Controversy this year

There have been calls on the European Broadcasting Union EBU to ban Israel from competing in the show, due to their ongoing ground offensive in Gaza.

An apolitical organisation, the EBU has said Israel will remain in the competition.

In comparison to Russia’s removal from the show back in 2022 due to its invasion of Russia, the EBU say Israel’s broadcaster Kan hasn’t broken any rules. They say Moscow was banned for using their broadcasting channels as a tool for political propaganda multiple times.

Israel's Eden Golan with Hurricane for Israel. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
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Israel’s Eden Golan with Hurricane for Israel. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

Normally strong Eurovision contenders, four-time winners Israel is represented by 20-year-old Eden Golan, and ranks in the top 10. But how the public will vote for them in the second semi-final heat on Thursday remains to be seen.

Golan’s song Hurricane was Israel’s third proposed entry after contest bosses rejected their first two songs over lyrics deemed political.

More than 34,000 people have been killed, and over 78,000 have been injured in Gaza since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s Hamas-led health ministry.

Israel retaliated after Hamas fighters killed more than 1,000 Israelis and took hundreds of hostages in attacks on 7 October last year.

Any other songs that have stirred up a fuss?

Spain’s entry, Zorra, by husband and wife act Nebulossa, has drawn controversy because its title can be translated as an anti-female slur.

While it’s been officially translated as “Vixen,” it’s a term used in Spain which would translate in the UK as “Bitch” or “Slut”.

Spain's Nebulossa with Zorra. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU
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Spain’s Nebulossa with Zorra. Pic: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

Lyrics include: “If I head out solo, I’m a bit of a bitch/ If I’m having fun, I’m the biggest bitch/…When I get what I want (bitch, bitch) /It’s never ’cause I deserve it (bitch, bitch) … Well, she’s been empowering herself, And now she’s a picture-perfect bitch.”

The Feminist Movement of Madrid has called for it to be withdrawn from Eurovision, saying it insults women and is not suitable for a family audience.

Singer Maria Bas has argued her lyrics describe how a woman is referred to as a “zorra” no matter what she does, and that the song highlights society’s double standards, reclaiming a word that is weaponised against women only.

Spain’s prime minister added his twopenneth this week, saying he liked the song and joking about how right-wing critics might have preferred the national anthem used during the Franco dictatorship as Spain’s Eurovision submission.

The hard-right Vox party hit back by saying Pedro Sanchez would prefer to listen to the communist anthem The Internationale.

The Eurovision semi-finals are on Tuesday and Thursday evening, ahead of the grand final on Saturday night.

Sky News will be in Malmo with updates, a live blog, and all the biggest news from the contest as it happens.

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Oasis fans may have been misled, watchdog says as it calls for Ticketmaster changes

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Oasis fans may have been misled, watchdog says as it calls for Ticketmaster changes

Ticketmaster may have misled music fans over Oasis concert ticket prices, a competition watchdog investigation has found.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has urged the online platform to change the way it labels its tickets and provide better pricing information to fans.

The CMA has been investigating the site following widespread complaints about the sale of Oasis gig tickets last year, which saw over 900,000 tickets purchased through the site.

Screengrab taken from the Ticketmaster.ie website at 0804 of their virtual waiting room as Oasis fans across the UK and Ireland who missed out on pre-sale tickets will be attempting to secure their place at the band's reunion concerts during Saturday's general sale. Issue date: Saturday August 31, 2024.
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Over 900,000 tickets were purchased through the Ticketmaster site

Liam and Noel Gallagher announced the band would reunite for a tour in 2025, but fans suffered various problems when trying to get tickets, including some ending up paying as much as £355 for tickets originally advertised for £148 on Ticketmaster.

The controversy prompted the CMA to look at how ‘dynamic pricing’ – a form of surge pricing – may have been used, and whether the sale by Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law.

While the investigation is still ongoing, the CMA said it is “concerned” Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law.

It said the company labelled certain seated tickets as “platinum” and sold them for nearly two-and-a-half times the price of equivalent standard tickets, without explaining why they were more expensive.

More on Liam Gallagher

“This risked giving consumers the misleading impression that platinum tickets were better,” it said.

Noel and Liam Gallagher pictured a Wembley Stadium in 2008. Pic: Zak Hussein/PA
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Noel and Liam Gallagher pictured at Wembley in 2009 – the year the band broke up. Pic: PA

It also found Ticketmaster did not inform fans that there were two categories of standing tickets at different prices, and there was no evidence that it used dynamic pricing.

“Many fans were under the impression that Ticketmaster used an algorithmic pricing model during the Oasis sale, with ticket prices adjusted in real time according to changing conditions like high demand,” the watchdog said.

“The CMA has not found evidence that this was the case. Instead, Ticketmaster released a number of standing tickets at a lower price and, once they had sold out, then released the remaining standing tickets at a much higher price.”

Downing Street has said “everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets” for music and sport events.

Asked what message the prime minister had for fans affected by the Oasis sale, a Number 10 spokesman said: “In general terms, the chance to see your favourite musicians or sports teams live is something that all of us enjoy, and everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets.

“But for too long, fans have had to endure the misery of touts hoovering up tickets for resale at vastly inflated prices. We’ve also seen cases where a lack of transparency has meant customers have been caught unawares by last minute price rises for high demand events.”

The spokesman said there would be a full response to a consultation issued in due course.

At the time of the backlash, a spokesperson for Ticketmaster said: “Fans can resell their Oasis tickets at the full price they paid through Ticketmaster or Twickets.”

The gigs kick off this July in Cardiff, running until September when the band will perform two final Wembley Stadium shows.

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Laurence Fox charged with sexual offence

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Laurence Fox charged with sexual offence

Laurence Fox has been charged with a sexual offence, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

The charge, which has been brought under section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, relates to an image that was posted on social media in April last year.

The act makes it illegal to intentionally share sexual images of someone without their consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, or humiliation, or for sexual gratification.

Narinder Kaur reported the image to police last year. Pic: PA
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Narinder Kaur reported the image to police last year. Pic: PA

Presenter Narinder Kaur – who has waived her right to anonymity – alleges the image shows her as she got out of a taxi in 1996, and was taken without her knowledge and consent.

Kaur, 52, reported the image when it was shared online, triggering an 11-month investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

She has previously said she felt “violated, humiliated and degraded” by the incident.

Fox, 46, who has recently attempted to enter the world of politics, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 April, where he is expected to enter a plea.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison and could be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

The Metropolitan Police told Sky News in a statement: “A man has been charged with a sexual offence following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

“Laurence Fox, 46, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 April charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

“The charge relates to an image that was posted on social media platform in April 2024.”

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Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal detained by Israeli military after being beaten up, say activists

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Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal detained by Israeli military after being beaten up, say activists

An Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker has been held by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank, according to activists.

Hamdan Ballal had earlier been beaten up by Israeli settlers who were among dozens who attacked the Palestinian village of Susya in the Masafer Yatta area and destroyed property, said the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence.

The activist group said Mr Ballal suffered a bleeding head in the assault, and as he was being treated in an ambulance, he and another Palestinian man were detained.

“We don’t know where Hamdan is because he was taken away in a blindfold,” said 28-year-old Josh Kimelman, who was at the scene.

Hamdan Ballal is detained in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Pic: Raviv Rose via AP
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Hamdan Ballal is detained in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Pic: Raviv Rose via AP

During the incident, around 10-20 masked settlers reportedly attacked Jewish activists with stones and sticks, smashing car windows and slashing tyres. One settler swung his fists at two activists before the pair rushed back to their vehicle, video provided by the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence showed.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement to Sky News that on Monday night “several terrorists hurled rocks at Israeli citizens, damaging their vehicles near Susya”.

The IDF also said a violent confrontation then broke out involving “mutual rock-hurling between Palestinians and Israelis at the scene”.

“IDF and Israeli Police forces arrived to disperse the confrontation, at this point, several terrorists began hurling rocks at the security forces,” according to the statement.

“In response, the forces apprehended three Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks at them, as well as an Israeli civilian involved in the violent confrontation. The detainees were taken for further questioning by the Israel police. An Israeli citizen was injured in the incident and was evacuated to receive medical treatment.

“Contrary to claims, no Palestinian was apprehended from inside an ambulance.”

Hamdan Ballal with fellow No Other Land filmmakers after their Academy Award success. Pic: AP
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(L-R) Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham with their Oscars. Pic: AP

Best documentary

Mr Ballal is one of the co-directors of No Other Land which won the best documentary Oscar this year.

The film follows Masafer Yatta residents as they struggle to stop Israel’s army from demolishing their villages.

No Other Land has two Palestinian co-directors, Ballal and Basel Adra, both Masafar Yatta residents, and two Israeli directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.

Read more from Sky News:
What happened to Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

West Bank areas ‘turning into mini-Gaza’

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank in Israeli military operations during the Gaza war, and there has also been a rise in settler attacks on Palestinians.

There has also been a surge in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

Red Cross office damaged

Meanwhile, in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, a Red Cross office was damaged by an explosive projectile.

The Israeli military said its forces fired at a building belonging to the charity after identifying suspects and sensing a threat.

But it admitted it had opened fire due to an incorrect identification.

“The structure’s ownership was unknown to the force at the time of the shooting,” the military added.

No one was injured, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which said the attack had a direct impact on its ability to operate.

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