Controversy, drama and dazzle: Join us live for the Eurovision 2025 grand final in Switzerland
Returning for its 69th edition, this year's event takes place in Basel, Switzerland following 25-year-old Nemo's win last year with their catchy tune 'The Code'.
A total of 26 contestants will perform in what has already proven to be another controversial edition. Contentions have ranged from complaints over the song lyrics of Malta's entry by Miriana Conte, to politically charged discussions about Israel's inclusion — over 70 former contestants signed an open letter demanding the country and its national broadcaster KAN be banned.
But this is an event that's nothing if not dramatic. While we gather our bingo cards and brace ourselves for the chaos, take a look at the Euronews Culture teams' final winner predictions and test your knowledge with our ultimate quiz.
Follow us along live below for rolling updates and increasingly wayward thoughts!
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Buzz Feed
03-08-2025
- Buzz Feed
43 Summer Products So Good, Everyone Will Want Them
A sand-removal bag filled with talc-free, reef-safe powder designed to absorb the moisture from sticky wet sand, leaving behind, well, dry sand, which is famously much easier to wipe off your body. A high ponytail baseball hat because I would never want you to have to sacrifice a cute hairstyle for the sake of shade. The discreet slot closes when not in use, so you can wear it normally as well. A Frutiger Aero Aqua Mouse filled with — oh hey, I found Nemo! Anyway, this retro, liquid-filled wireless mouse comes with a tiny floating clownfish and globe so you can keep the warm weather vibes going all year round. Pacifica's Wanderlust Spray Perfume Trial Set featuring five beachy scents — like Island Vanilla and Tuscan Blood Orange — you can mix and match or even layer together for the ultimate summer smell. Anyone who catches a whiff of you will chase you down to figure out how you smell like a perfect distillation of late summer evenings on the boardwalk. Or a Touchland body and hair fragrance that comes in a handy travel bottle so you can take your new signature scent with you on all your summer adventures. I know, I know: Aren't they the hand sanitizer company? But in all fairness, their scents are shockingly amazing, and who wouldn't want to smell like Rich Pistachio, Peachy Lychee, or Cashmere Woods? A set of Sea Bands for anyone still working on getting their sea legs. They apply pressure to a specific acupoint on your wrist, which many reviewers say is the key to a successful, barf-free boat trip. Other, more queasy boaters are gonna be jealous. An iridescent oyster claw clip complete with a "pearl," making it the pinnacle of summer fashion. Anyone up for a dozen oysters and a bloody mary by the docks? A 3-in-1 Lego set — it has everything you need to build three eye-catching, summer-ready critters. The 288-piece set can be rearranged to make a flamingo, axolotl, or cockatoo, which can be moved into different poses. Costing less than $25, it's a pretty solid deal compared to most Lego kits. A solar-powered frog figurine with a lantern that lights up when the sun sets. Guests will love having a lil' friend welcome them with a cozy glow each night, especially now that the days are starting to get a little shorter again. :( A giant pretzel for anyone looking for something more interesting than a pool noodle to sit on while lounging in the water. Hopefully, the other swimmers won't be too salty when you show them up! A rechargeable 3-in-1 hand fan that not only cools you down but also offers a flashlight and power bank. Consider this multitasker your first line of defense against the endless cruelties the summer sun hurls at you. Or a stroller fan sporting bendable legs that can wrap around the bars to provide a cooling breeze your toddler is sure to appreciate. On top of keeping your little one cool, it can also be used at outdoor tables, chairs, or anywhere that has a pole for the bendy fan to cling to. Black Girl Sunscreen's Make It Pop Sungloss with SPF 50 to moisturize and give your pout a summery pop. Wear it alone or over your favorite lipstick — either way, your lips will be protected. Have you ever seen sunburnt lips? You do NOT want that. A handheld watermelon slicer ready to turn melon halves into grabbable slices in seconds flat. It works for cantaloupe and honeydew as well, meaning you'll definitely be the one to volunteer to bring the fruit at the next outdoor hang. Your wrist with thank you for this thing! A "disposable" camera that offers the same spur-of-the-moment fun, but without the waste. The camera is made with recycled materials, has an automatic flash, and shoots on 33-mm film. Just take your pics, mail the camera back for reuse, and wait for your photos to develop! A pack of bug bite patches to help kids — and let's face it, adults — stop scratching themselves raw. These patches contain hydrocolloid, aloe, and witch hazel to soothe itchiness and put a barrier between the bite and scratching nails. Groovy Fruit, a summery variation from the beloved NeeDoh fidget toy line. The orange, banana, and strawberry toys are non-sticky and have the *perfect* amount of give, securing themselves a place in the stress ball hall of fame. L'Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water bringing you silkier hair in just eight seconds. On top of a wave of hydration, it also adds shine and decreases frizz and static. Prepare for an interrogation because no one will believe how well your hair is standing up to summer humidity. Or a deep-conditioning hair mask promising smoother, shinier, and stronger hair, even if you're fighting against bleached, dry, or damaged locks. It can even handle Florida levels of humidity! People will be chasing you down to know your hair secrets. A freezable wineglass for those ultra-hot days when the wine heats up faster than you can drink it. The built-in cooling gel keeps drinks so cold, you'll be happy for the insulating band to protect your hand. A set of special stickers that tell you when it's time to reapply sunscreen. Cover it (and your skin, of course) with sunscreen, and the sticker will turn clear. When it turns purple, you know it's time for another generous coating of sun protection. Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Body Butter made with shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil to hydrate after overdoing it in the sun. Reviewers say it smells great (like coconut) and helps prevent peeling or dryness. A laptop tent because sun glare is the number one reason why we're not all working from beach. The reflective fabric creates a little dark room for your computer to prevent overheating and sun glare. Now you can actually see the email you're writing and not accidentally type, "Best regrads." Julep Eyeshadow 101 — a creme-to-powder waterproof pencil over 42,000 people love because it's easy to apply and has vitamins C and E for a little skincare boost. The fast-to-apply formula comes in a ton of neutral *and* playful summer hues, like lavender and papaya. Grab the mint shade and live your best Aquamarine life. A mosquito repeller that works in 15 minutes to scare away buzzing pests in a 10- to 15-foot radius. It releases an odorless repellent into the air that's people- and pet-friendly. Just think: no sprays, no stinky bracelets, no gross candles — just like being safe indoors. An angelfish fanny pack for anyone looking to fish for compliments. It's made with water-repellent fabric, so feel free to sit in the splash zone at the aquarium. A special can opener that takes the entire top off to create a cup-like shape. Think of the next-level hosting you can do with this! Ice cream floats in Coke cans, cute cocktails, drinks with ice, etc. A "beach blouse" for anyone looking for a versatile cover-up that hides your delicate shoulders from the sun. It's lightweight and so effortlessly chic, you could easily wear it off the sand as well! An Aerflo System that lets you carbonate water *ON THE GO!* That means you can take a fizzy drink with you, and when you run out, you can refill at a water fountain and fizz it up for round two. Each refillable capsule makes four bottles' worth, so you can stay hydrated in this heat. A hair-lightening spray to brighten up hair by TWO shades or more! Spritz a little of this citrus and chamomile spray onto damp hair, then activate it with heat-styling tools. I recommend blow-drying and hitting it with a curling iron or straightener for the best results. Over 7,000 5-star raters love it because it's less harsh than bleach and even works on dark hair. A bottle of Coppertone shimmering sunscreen offering just a subtle sprinkle of glitter, meaning people might briefly mistake you for a vampire. Plus, the SPF 50 will ensure you just sparkle like a Twilight vampire instead of burn like a True Blood one. Or Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow with SPF 30 if you're looking for some extra protection on your summer adventures. It's lightweight, absorbs quickly, smells coconut-y, and leaves you with a radiant glow that will make even the sun jealous. Liquid I.V. electrolyte drink mix in a variety of exciting, summer-ready flavors ranging from watermelon to pina colada. Besides being delicious, the electrolyte powder is formulated to help hydrate faster than plain water. It also just tastes good so you might be more likely to drink more in general. L'Oréal Paris BB Cream, a green-tinted formula that combats redness through the power of color theory. It doesn't stop there — it also works to even complexion, hydrate with vitamin E, and set the perfect stage for you to apply your makeup on. Your pink-cheeked friends will wonder how you're breezily surviving 95+-degree weather. Or an ultra-affordable E.l.f. color corrector that comes in a ton of shades to help counteract different types of discoloration, like redness and dark spots. Mix and match to create the perfect foundation for the rest of your compliment-magnet makeup routine. A set of limited edition Band-Aids with cute, summery floral designs because who said a papercut can't be a fashion statement? Ogx Argan Oil of Morocco Curl-Defining Cream for curls so bouncy you'll be jumping for joy (and to show them off). The argan oil-boosted formula moisturizes and tames frizz (nice try, summer humidity!) while adding a level of volume and shine you'd normally expect from a much higher price point. Whether you tell people how you achieved this level of hair perfection is up to you. A candle boasting a summery scent reminiscent of cucumber, cut grass — and tennis balls! Your guests are gonna come in and be like, "why does your home smell like tennis?!" A L'Oreal glow-enhancing lotion that'll have you feeling like the Baby Sun from Teletubbies. Mix this glycerin-infused illuminator with your favorite moisturizer or foundation, wear it as a makeup base, or use it as a highlighter for that coveted lit-from-within look. If you aren't sick of compliments yet, you're about to be! A UPF 50 beach tent to create a lil' den-like area for the sun-fearing beachgoers among us. It has room for up to 10 people (depending on what size you get), folds up nicely for easy traveling, and promises not to easily blow away in the wind like some umbrellas I know. 😒 A coconut lip scrub that uses jojoba and avocado oil to help soften lips and leave them smelling like a tropical getaway. Name a scent more summery than coconut. I'll wait! A pack of fruit-shaped ice packs, which may look like fidget toys, but are actually perfect for keeping food cold, numbing bumps and scrapes, soothing toothaches, etc. Prepare to have parents calling you when their kids tell them about your kid's amazing packed lunch sitch. Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub that gently exfoliates, leaving skin feeling fresh, smooth, and smelling delicious. If you're trying to decide what scent to try first, may I suggest the summer-ready Desert Haze? Reviewers love this smoky, floral "loud" scent (jasmine, raspberry, musk, etc.) so much that it sold out repeatedly. Once you try it, you'll forget all about the more expensive brands.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Yahoo
Allan Ahlberg, British children's author of 'Funny Bones' and 'The Jolly Postman', dies aged 87
Celebrated British children's author Allan Ahlberg has died aged 87, his publisher Penguin Random House has confirmed. Ahlberg wrote 150 books, including beloved titles like 'The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters', 'Funny Bones', 'Burglar Bill', 'Peepo!' and 'Each Peach Pear Plum'. He worked with his first wife, Janet, an award-winning illustrator, for these classics – which sold millions of copies around the world. The prize-winning 'The Jolly Postman', published in 1991, has sold over six million copies. In Euronews Culture's The Books That Made Us, we described "The Jolly Postman"'s 'wild and varied characters' and the happiness that decries from reading such a joyful book. After Janet's death in 1994, he worked with other illustrators like Raymond Briggs and then went on to collaborate with his daughter Jessica for books like 'Half a Pig'. Ahlberg also made headlines in 2014 when he refused a lifetime achievement award because it was sponsored by Amazon, which was facing criticism over its tax arrangements. Francesca Dow, head of children's literature at Penguin Random House, said: "Allan was one of the most extraordinary authors I have had the privilege and pleasure to work with. His brilliant books – so many of them created with his late wife, Janet, the highly talented illustrator – have been described as 'mini masterpieces'.' She added: "Allan's are some of the very best – true classics, which will be loved by children and families for years to come. Dear Allan, we will all miss you enormously." Fellow children's author Michael Rosen said in a tribute on X: "You were a pioneer of great children's literature, both in picture books and poetry. You were clever, funny and wise. My children loved your books. So did and so DO I." Born in Croydon in 1938, Ahlberg was adopted into a working-class family living in the West Midlands town of Oldbury. He worked as a postman and gravedigger before training to become a teacher at Sunderland Teacher Training College, where he met Janet. Ahlberg is survived by his wife Vanessa, daughter Jessica and stepdaughters Saskia and Johanna.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
The confluence of JJ's ‘Wasted Love,' the Coldplay kiss cam, and the end of my long-term relationship
Lately, I can't stop listening to JJ's 'Wasted Love,' the emotive, operatic anthem that won this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The first time I heard it, something in me cracked, and it's been haunting me ever since, particularly now. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. JJ, a.k.a. Johannes Pietsch, is a young gay Austrian-Filipino opera singer who blends classical vocals with electronic dance beats in a way that feels both ancient and painfully modern. In 'Wasted Love,' he sings from a place many of us probably know all too well, of having so much love to give and then, suddenly, no one there to receive it. 'Now that you're gone, all I have is wasted love, this wasted love,' JJ sings. Is a love that ends wasted love? Or is it something to keep close to your heart so that it is always cherished? And is it the time spent on love, rather than love itself, that's really wasted? Precious time, with precious memories, that get erased when love fizzles out. There's something else too, something that cuts deeper the more I listen. The song seems to embody the very essence of the relationship I'm mourning. On one hand, there's the soaring elegance of opera, timeless, grounded like a relic. That's me. And there's a pulsing, contemporary dance beat, youthful, futuristic, boundless. Seventeen years between us. I was the opera. He was the beat. Somehow, for a long time, we made music. But the end now consists of the immense pain of an archetypal tragic opera, 'Wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted … love,' JJ pleads. I've been with the love of my life for the last 17 years, with the last couple of years admittedly a question mark. He's still young and building a new life, while I am begrudgingly aging, with some hiccups. I'm 61. I workout gruelingly to stay in shape, and like everyone else my age, I think I look 10 years younger than I am. But still. Underneath my optimistic, sunny veneer lies a true fatalist, perpetually convinced that when something is good, it will inevitably be yanked away. I don't know whether it's because my dad died in my arms when I was 12, so there's a consistent fear of abandonment, or because I feel I don't deserve the good things in life. Perhaps it's a combination of both. Over three years ago, he broke up with me for the first time. Casually, or so it seemed. I was shattered. I attempted suicide. I didn't do that because of him. That's a misconception. I tried it because I too was done with me. I don't think he ever really came back after that moment. Despite making positive changes in my life since that dark day, I've been in denial. I'm stubbornly clinging to something that's been slowly slipping through my fingers. He has a new degree, and he's starting a new job and a new life. He deserves it. I, on the other hand, am being pushed to the precipice of the autumn of my life. Am I now a cautionary tale? Older, alone, and staring down the one fear I wrote about when I turned 55, that is, of dying a lonely man? Throughout my life, I always wanted to get married and have a long life with someone. He never wanted to get married, so I held on to the foolish wish that maybe he'd change his mind. Coincidence or not, I just launched a book I coauthored about marriage equality. The irony hasn't been lost on me. I was writing about the kind of binding love I craved and never had, and most likely never will. Last week, a tech CEO famously got caught on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert near Boston with his company's head of HR. They were warmly embracing, and then all hell broke loose. He's married with two kids. He was publicly affectionate with someone other than his wife. I watched the video in agony instead of laughing at it and the memes it generated. To me, it was awkward, messy, and human. It was also lethal. My thoughts were consumed by who was on the other side of either of those two people. For the CEO, I imagined that his wife would be grieving deeply and agonizingly contemplating the end of their relationship. What a horrible position to be in, realizing it was all falling apart. That's what it feels like when love leaves you. You don't think about redemption or therapy. You think about the house of cards that is love, tumbling down. 'Love is fleeting' is not an overused axiom. When it's alive, it's Godlike. And when it goes away, it's satanic. I've been thinking about the kiss cam moment too while listening to 'Wasted Love' on a constant loop. Trying to make sense of it all. Understanding that when love collapses it forces us to face questions we don't want the answers to. Deniability over culpability and compatibility Were the last 17 years, for me, wasted love? Was I fooling myself, thinking we'd grow old together? Was I so afraid of aging alone that I purposefully missed the signs,or ignored them that love would turn on me? And, was it all just a waste of time? After all is said and done, I'm right back where I started. Like everyone else who has faced these questions, I don't know what to do next. I don't know how to move forward. 'Now that you're gone, can't fill my heart with wasted love,' JJ sings. Is love ever truly wasted? Maybe all those years with someone meant something simply because we felt love so deeply that it's impossible to try to make that disappear. Too many photos, too many reminders. Too many 'You have memories to look back on today.' The remembrances are all-encompassing and all-consuming. That's why it's so tough to let go when you're holding on for dear life. Heartbreak can make you feel like you're adrift in a vast, cold ocean, unsure of where you will land. "I'm an ocean of love. And you're scared of water. You don′t want to go under. So you let me go under,' JJ relents. If I've learned anything from JJ's music and my own life, it's that there is power in giving voice to pain. In making beauty from sorrow. In admitting the truth, even when it hurts. Playwrights and screenwriters create comedy and drama about lost love. Musicians sing about it. And I can write about it, and that does provide a speck, albeit only a speck, of solace. But it's something. Because somewhere out there, someone else is listening to the same song, feeling the same ache. And maybe they'll know they're not alone. If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at or text START to 678678. Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride. This article originally appeared on Advocate: The confluence of JJ's 'Wasted Love,' the Coldplay kiss cam, and the end of my long-term relationship Solve the daily Crossword
