Finnish politicians have long used saunas, relaxed but exposing, as an ideal setting for hard talks, a practice known as “sauna diplomacy.” KAJ wear drab suits onstage in tribute to Urho Kekkonen, a long-serving Finnish president who famously deployed the technique in talks with Finland’s overbearing neighbor the Soviet Union.

It is day 5 at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest media centre in Basel, Switzerland. Tonight fans from Europe, Australia and beyond will discover what the

Israel has competed in Eurovision for more than 50 years and won four times. But last year's event in Sweden drew large demonstrations calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza.

It’s a moment that would have been unthinkable 19 months ago, when Raphael was nearly murdered on the darkest day in Israel’s modern history.

It’s a bit of a mouthful, but the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is a marvel as unique as its name: it’s the only airport with exits in two countries. And, technically, it’s the only place on Earth where you can land in three countries at once.

Klavdia from Greece performs the song “Asteromata” during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Klavdia from Greece performs the song “Asteromata” during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest,

Despite the efforts of its organizers, the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel is not free of politics. An overview of an unusual start, protests against Israel's singer and controversial songs.