The June European elections are my first as a French citizen – and they’re in time to vote for the rising star of the left, Raphaël Glucksmann ..read more

Exclusive: Wopke Hoekstra says EU must press ahead with cutting greenhouse gases and use policy to bring about economic benefits Europe’s climate chief has warned against politicians trying to use the climate crisis as a wedge issue in the forthcoming EU parliament elections, calling instead for climate policy that will bring wider economic benefits. Wopke Hoekstra, the EU commissioner for climate action, said Europe had no choice but to press ahead with strong measures to cut greenhouse gases, whoever was in power, but added that more attention was needed to help businesses thrive in a low-ca ..read more

The solo artist Eden Golan has insisted the Eurovision song contest being held in Sweden is ‘safe for everyone’ amid protests against Israel's participation because of the war in Gaza. A journalist asked the finalist: 'Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and the public?' Golan was told she did not have to answer the question, but the Dutch entrant Joost Klein said: 'Why not?' Israel qualifies for Eurovision song contest final despite protests ..read more

Little indication of a change of Kremlin personnel but Ukrainian president moves against personal protection head after assassination plot Good morning and welcome to our live blog as the time passes 10am in Kyiv and Moscow. This morning Vladimir Putin has reappointed Mikhail Mishustin as Russia’s prime minister with Associated Press reporting that the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, will hold a session later today to consider his candidacy. It writes that his approval is “a mere proforma in the Kremlin-controlled parliament”. Ukraine destroyed all 10 drones as Russia launched an ov ..read more

It’s one thing to call for a boycott because of Israel’s entry, another to pile responsibility on the shoulders of pop stars Are you watching Eurovision this weekend? It used to be an innocent enough question. But it’s fast becoming a loaded one, as the silliest, frothiest, most joyfully kitsch event in music collides with a political crisis that it seems woefully ill-equipped to handle. Imagine a raucously drunken hen night, stumbling accidentally across a funeral procession. This is far from the first time the annual song contest has taken place under the shadow of war. But it’s the first ti ..read more

Thousands had marched against the country’s inclusion in Saturday’s final but Eden Golan’s entry was voted through Israel has made it through to the final of the Eurovision song contest, setting the stage for a tense and politically charged event in Malmö on Saturday. At Thursday’s second semi-final in Sweden’s third largest city, viewers from the competing countries backed the Israeli singer Eden Golan as one of the 10 entries to progress ..read more

Pop star thrills Paris crowds with songs from newest album The Tortured Poets Department Taylor Swift has added her newest album, The Tortured Poets Department, to an already packed setlist as she returned to The Eras Tour after a two-month break. Swift had described TTPD as “new works reflecting events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time – one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure”. In Paris on Thursday night she put it more succinctly: “Female rage, the musical ..read more

Warm welcome for Chinese president contrasts with rest of EU, with up to 18 cooperation agreements expected Hungary has rolled out the red carpet for Xi Jinping in a show of warmth that contrasts with wariness in the rest of the EU about China’s stance on trade, global politics and human rights. On the third and final stop of his first European tour in five years, Xi was given a ceremonial welcome by Hungary’s president, Tamás Sulyok, at Buda Castle, in Budapest, before talks with Viktor Orbán. The Hungarian prime minister, the EU’s longest-serving leader, has sought to deepen ties with Beijin ..read more

Vladimir Putin celebrated Victory Day in Russia, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in the second world war, with a display of patriotic pageantry. He praised his forces fighting in Ukraine and criticised the west for fuelling conflicts around the world ..read more

Court says irregularities in Colombian singer’s 2018 tax return did not indicate intent to defraud A Spanish court has shelved an investigation into an alleged tax fraud by the Colombian pop star Shakira, putting an end to her legal woes in the country where she once lived. Prosecutors had opened the case in July, alleging she had used a network of companies, some in tax havens, to cheat the tax office out of €6.6m (£5.7m) in 2018 ..read more