Israel's success in the public vote at last weekend's Eurovision Song Contest has prompted calls from a string of countries to examine the results and voting system. Singer Yuval Raphael came top of the viewer vote on Saturday with her ballad New Day Will Rise, but finished second overall to Austria when jury scores were also taken into account. Broadcasters in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Iceland and Finland have since raised concerns or questions about the public vote, with some requesting an audit. Eurovision organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said the vote had been independently checked and verified, that they took any concerns seriously.

May 22, 2025 02:09 UTC

Wales' first minister has been accused of missing a key promise on NHS waiting times. In December, Eluned Morgan pledged to cut the numbers waiting two years or more for planned treatments, external from 24,000 to "about 8,000" by spring. Despite falling to the lowest point since April 2021, March's figure stood at 8,389 with the majority - 5,747 - in the health board for north Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr. Opposition parties said this meant the target had been missed. There was a drop from February's figure of 15,500 amid a £50m investment but the figure is still well above NHS England which had just 147 people waiting two years or more.

May 22, 2025 01:25 UTC

The impact of FTA on scotch whiskeyBritish liquor company Diageo Plc plans to reduce Scotch whisky prices in India in the higher end of single-digit percentage range as a result of the recently announced India-UK free trade agreement . The global leader in spirits anticipates that the FTA implementation will be completed in fiscal 2027, which will ultimately benefit consumers in the world's largest whiskey market. Several liquor companies are already selling at lower-than-ideal prices to make up for high taxes. “Brands and labels will still need to register annually state by state, with licence fees paid. There are opportunities, but they will not necessarily be easier to access.”The IWSR also highlighted concerns around minimum import pricing and non-tariff barriers.

May 21, 2025 21:25 UTC

Phillips Hobbies in March is a finalist in the 'best bricks & clicks' category at this year’s Small Awards. Founded by George Phillips in 2016, Phillips Hobbies specialises in model railways, diecast collectables, plastic kits, jigsaw puzzles, and related toys. George Phillips, director of Phillips Hobbies Limited, which is based in March (Image: George Phillips) George Phillips, director of Phillips Hobbies, said: “Being shortlisted for the 'best bricks & clicks' business came as a surprise and is a real honour. “This award celebrates small businesses that successfully combine physical and digital channels — and that’s exactly what I’ve worked hard to build with Phillips Hobbies. “But, thanks to the incredible support from the community, more hobbyists are discovering Phillips Hobbies every month."

May 21, 2025 20:03 UTC

Major allies sent Israel a sharp warningBritain said yesterday that it was suspending trade talks with Israel over its plan to escalate the war in Gaza and its blockade of humanitarian aid to Palestinians already at risk of famine. On Monday, Britain, France and Canada demanded that Israel stop this “wholly disproportionate” escalation. Their appeal amounted to the sharpest condemnation yet from some of Israel’s most powerful supporters since the war began 19 months ago. The message made clear that Israel’s conduct of the war, the high death toll and the abysmal humanitarian conditions were pushing the allies to the limits of what they would tolerate. “If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,” Britain, France and Canada warned in a joint statement.

May 21, 2025 17:20 UTC





The Times has named this Welsh area as the perfect place for a ‘gourmet mini break’The Vale of Glamorgan is probably one of the most crowd-pleasing spots in Wales when it comes to easy walking options, activities and glorious views, with everything from stunning seaside's to open countryside and within easy reach of cities, it ticks all the right boxes. But it’s also recently been getting some love for its foodie offerings. According to The Times, the Vale is emerging as “the surprising rising star of the Welsh food scene”, making it an ideal spot for a “gourmet mini break.”The paper has praised the region’s growing number of award-winning restaurants and artisan producers in an article written by journalist Sarah Baxter. -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob BrowneLater in the piece, Sarah encourages food lovers to stay at Llanerch Vineyard in Hensol which is the UK’s first vineyard hotel, and enjoy tastings from its cellar. With the Welsh rolling hills providing an incredible backdrop, the scenery is immaculate.

May 21, 2025 16:49 UTC

• Spurs end 17-year trophy wait with Europa League final win over Man UnitedWhen did Tottenham last win a trophy? “We’ve reached two FA Cup finals, won one, and we’ve won the League Cup and lost a Europa League final [in 2021],” Fernandes added. • How to watch the Europa League final free of charge in the UKHow can each team exploit weaknesses? The Times spoke to some Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United fans, about their epic passages to Bilbao. • Planes, trains, camper vans: Spurs and Man United fans’ epic Bilbao tripsTottenham vs Man United in Europa League finalHello and welcome to our live coverage of the Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

May 21, 2025 16:35 UTC

A charity is seeking to raise millions of pounds to recruit more specialist nurses to address the unmet needs of people with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s UK has launched what it describes as its largest-ever fundraiser – the Nurse Appeal. "Without a Parkinson’s nurse at their side, we know that many patients struggle to manage their condition" Nick BrydenIt is aiming to raise £9m over the next three years to fund Parkinson's nurses and other specialists. The charity warned that currently, one in five people with Parkinson’s in the UK do not have access to a specialist Parkinson’s nurse. “But unfortunately, right now, there simply aren’t enough Parkinson’s nurses and healthcare professionals for everyone who needs one.

May 21, 2025 16:28 UTC

1. BUSINESS APPOINTMENT APPLICATION: General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, former Chief of the General Staff at the Ministry of Defence. As Chief of the General Staff, there is a risk associated with the influence and contacts within government that General Sir Patrick gained as a result of his time in government service. The Committee would also remind General Sir Patrick that he must be clear that any views provided are his own personal views, not those of the UK MOD. General Sir Patrick must inform us if and when he takes up employment with this organisation, or if it is announced that he will do so. Separately, the Permanent Secretary of the MOD has written to General Sir Patrick to remind him of his duty of confidentiality, including that:

May 21, 2025 16:09 UTC

🔊 Listen to thisThe Houser brothers who co-founded Rockstar Games are some of the richest people in the UK and have made even more money despite GTA 6’s delay. Sam and Dan Houser who created Rockstar Games and led development on most of the games re-entered the list in 312th position. From left to right: Rockstar’s Sam Houser, Aaron Garbut, Dan Houser and Leslie Benzies. Sam is still Rockstar Games’ president running the company as they are set to release GTA VI. 2018 saw it make $383m in royalties; most of the royalties go to the Houser brothers.

May 21, 2025 15:57 UTC

THE SUNRoma want Nuno Espirito Santo to walk out on Nottingham Forest and come to Serie A. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo explains what happened at full time in the game against Leicester where it appeared that owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received a mega offer from an unnamed Brazilian club ahead of the Club World Cup. Disabled Manchester United and Tottenham fans have hit out at the 'insulting' number of wheelchair and accessible tickets available for their Europa League final clash. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Managers Hansi Flick and Simone Inzaghi lauded Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal after his Champions League performance against Inter Milan.

May 21, 2025 15:35 UTC

Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now.

May 21, 2025 14:47 UTC

In the summer of 1963 hundreds of people began to gather in the streets on the approach to Harlem’s Salem Church, and many more hung out of windows, keen to catch a glimpse of that Sunday’s preacher. Dr Martin Luther King Jr was on his way. King had already become a symbol of the civil rights movement and within a few weeks would deliver one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century. And he had just a few days earlier been rehearsing some of its themes and rhetoric, telling audiences of his “dream”, one in which his children would be judged “on the content of their character, not on the colour of their skin”. On this day in Harlem there were the usual cheers

May 21, 2025 13:17 UTC

The European Union approved a new package of sanctions on Russia on Tuesday, targeting covert oil exports, days after the top E.U. The push comes as questions mount about how the United States will approach future sanctions. After a call between President Trump and Mr. Putin on Monday, the White House backed off its demand that Russia declare an immediate cease-fire. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said at a news conference that it was unclear whether the United States would join with Europe in stepping up sanctions. nations have imposed extensive sanctions on Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

May 21, 2025 12:04 UTC

A GP practice set up a community health service in a foodbank. This initiative won the Nursing in Primary Care category in the 2024 Nursing Times Awards. Abstract To improve access to primary care and reduce health inequalities, a GP practice secured funding for an advanced nurse practitioner to develop a one-stop community health shop in a local food bank. Citation: Shearer R (2025) Community drop-in service to improve access to primary care. We received funding from the primary care network to run the service as a four-hour weekly session for six months.

May 21, 2025 10:28 UTC