The city at the crossroads of France, Germany and Switzerland gears up amid global tensions over diversity and inclusion.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have planned to walk the streets of Basel “silently” to demonstrate against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.Local group Basel for Palestine urged its marchers not to make any “chants or slogans” as they walk across the Swiss host city on Wednesday on the anniversary of Israel’s creation as a state on May 14 1948.

Get ready Europe, the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is about to begin. Here's everything you need to know ahead of show week in Basel.

The countdown is on in Basel as the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 gets underway tonight, promising spectacle, surprises and more than a few sequins.

During the ceremony, protesters waved Palestinian flags and held signs reading "No applause for genocide" and "Singing while Gaza burns," a sign of frustration that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allowed Israel to participate in the competition.

Céline Dion returns to Eurovision in a video message as Swedish favourites KAJ secure spot in 2025 grand final.

Eurovision Song Contest began on Tuesday evening (May 14) with the first semi-final taking place in Basel, Switzerland

Rylan Clark joined Richard Arnold live from Basel ahead of the Eurovision final this weekend as he addressed the rumours on whether Celine Dion will make an appearance