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Basel (Switzerland) (AFP) – Austria’s JJ wins the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest with his operatic song “Wasted Love”, triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into Sunday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel on 357 and Estonia on 356. JJ gave Austria its first victory since Conchita Wurst’s triumph in 2014 with “Rise Like a Phoenix”. – COMPLETE VIDI4769463_EN

Vatican City (AFP) – Around 200,000 people including world leaders US Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky gather at the Vatican for the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV. During the mass the US-born pontiff called to stop exploiting nature and marginalising the poor. Many Catholics wonder what direction Pope Leo XIV might take the Church in after the death of Pope Francis.

London, Kentucky (United States) (AFP) – Residents of London, Kentucky dig through debris of roofless houses, some without walls, as they inspect the damage left by a tornado. More than 25 people in the southern US states of Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri since the tornadoes and severe storms began on Friday. 200,000 homes have been left without power, authorities said. The United States saw the second-highest number of tornadoes on record last year with nearly 1,800, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Further storms are forecast for the coming days.

Basel (Switzerland) (AFP) – Just hours before the Eurovision Song Contest grand final, organisers are still keeping tight-lipped on whether former winner for Switzerland Celine Dion, now in fragile health, might make an emotional appearance. “Father Christmas exists, and you’ll have to wait and see,” Eurovision director Martin Green tells a press conference in Basel.

Río Indio (Panama) (AFP) – In around thirty motorized canoes, some 400 farmers sail down the Indio River, whose waters will be impounded in an artificial lake to ensure the fresh water supply to the Panama Canal. The farmers are protesting the construction of the new reservoir, which will force about 2,500 people to leave their homes. In response to the protest, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) says it wants to maintain “direct communication channels with communities, organizations, and local authorities.”

Cannes (France) (AFP) – Bono is joined by a group of Ukrainian soldiers on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival, at the premiere of Andrew Dominik’s out-of-competition documentary, ‘Bono: Stories of Surrender,’ about the journey of the U2 singer. The Irish rock star announced Hollywood star Sean Penn, a vocal advocate for Ukraine, had “brought us some friends from the actual trenches”, before the two posed with the troops. “I just want to thank you because you’re keeping us free,” Bono said.

La Paz (AFP) – Protesters clash with police as supporters of Bolivia’s former leader Evo Morales march to the electoral court in La Paz, demanding he be allowed to run for a fourth term in August elections. Morales, who is wanted on charges of trafficking a minor, has been holed up in Cochabamba for the past seven months, guarded by supporters to prevent his arrest. The ex leader has vowed to make a public return to lead the march on La Paz and file his presidential candidacy, despite being legally barred from running.

Hadera (Israel) (AFP) – With its golden sand and blue waters, the beach front in central Israel looks like any other stretch of Mediterranean coast, but a closer look reveals something unusual peeking through the rippling surf: black shark fins. Barak Tzach, a 45-year-old father of four was killed by a shark last month, as spectators on the beach screamed in terror. All that was left were his bones, rescuers told AFP.

Tirana (AFP) – European leaders laugh at AI-generated images of themselves as babies saying “Welcome to Albania!” in different languages during the opening of a summit of the European Political Community, hosted by the Balkan country.

Beijing (AFP) – China says it hopes that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine — the first direct talks in more than three years — would reach a “fair, lasting” deal.

Tirana (AFP) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk talk to the media in Albania following a call with US President Donald Trump. They discuss Russia ignoring demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Chancellor Merz says their diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine “unfortunately failed”, while President Macron says that it is “unacceptable” for Russia’s President Putin to ignore ceasefire demands, and to have excluded the US at ceasefire talks in Istanbul.

Barcelona (AFP) – FC Barcelona fans gather on Las Ramblas to celebrate their team’s 28th La Liga title, after they defeated local team Espanyol 2-0. The win means second place rivals Real Madrid won’t be able to gain enough points to reach the title spot. A goal by 17-year-old star player Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona secure the win.