Eurovision final opens in Vienna despite boycotts by five countries (opens in new tab)

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest reaches its final Saturday, May 16, in Vienna, with 25 acts scheduled to perform at the Wiener Stadthalle under tight security. Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia are not taking part, objecting to Israel’s participation during the Gaza war. Israel’s entrant, Noam Bettan, qualified for the final after performing “Michelle” in the first semifinal, where some audience members booed and shouted during quieter moments of the song. Pro-Palestinian...