Eurovision in Vienna, but politics won’t let go: The 70th Eurovision kicked off with a turquoise-carpet parade and tight security, yet the week is dominated by the Israel row. Five countries—Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland—are boycotting over Israel’s Gaza war, while broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia say they won’t air the final. ** **EBU pressure and voting-manipulation claims: Organisers issued a formal warning to Israel’s broadcaster KAN after calls for viewers to “vote 10 times,” and the contest is still under scrutiny after reports of a large Israeli voting campaign in 2025. ** **RTÉ’s Father Ted swap: Ireland’s RTÉ will air a Eurovision-themed Father Ted episode instead of the final, drawing fresh backlash from comedian Graham Linehan. ** **Regional fallout: EU foreign ministers agreed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, with Hungary’s new leadership allowing the measures to move. Serbia nuclear decision next year: Serbia says it will make the call on the site and technology for a future nuclear plant in 2027, after IAEA-linked analyses. Local governance: Slovenia’s National Assembly approved 23 working bodies and appointed Špela Ocvirk as new secretary general.**