After two wildly different semi-finals, the stage is finally set for what feels destined to become one of the most unpredictable Eurovision Grand Finals in years. If Semi-Final One felt like a cautious warm-up, Semi-Final Two blew the contest wide open — and now the bookmakers, fan polls, and even long-held assumptions about the winner suddenly feel far less certain.

I was honoured to be invited by an ex-student of mine to her final degree presentation. I have known Lydia since she was a young girl in primary school, where she joined my art club, so it's been wonderful to be part of her journey through to adulthood and see everything she has achieved.

Over recent years, people have become far more proactive and informed when it comes to their health, with growing numbers seeking earlier answers and a better understanding of their wellbeing before concerns have the chance to escalate further.

Scotland’s wild and rugged islands include the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland - and the Shetland Islands situated between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway.

What exactly is a smallholding? If you Google 'smallholding', the definitions are endless: a piece of land that is bigger than a garden but smaller than a full-scale farm; a small piece of land used for farming; an agricultural piece of land which exceeds one acre but is less than fifty acres; or a small-scale farm.

When Karen Jones and her daughter Emma Lindsay launched NinetyOne Jewellery from a studio in North Yorkshire last autumn, neither expected to be unpacking stock at a John Lewis flagship store within six months. Yet, from 1 to 7 June, the pair will host a week-long pop-up at the retailer's Newcastle store — a milestone that many independent brands spend years working towards. Their route there is the kind of second-act story that has become increasingly familiar across the North: two women walking away from established careers to build something on their own terms. Karen, based in Stokesley, in her 60s, recently stepped back from a long career in nursing to commit to the business full time.

Jane Hawkes, the ‘Queen of Customer Service’ who runs the consumer advice website www.ladyjaney.co.uk says repeated posting on social media puts your complaint at risk of being lost and puts you at risk of scams. Jane suggests we get off social media to be successful when *one* makes a complaint.

Ahead of the release of her second album Could It Be You?, East London singer-songwriter Ella Clayton is entering a bold new chapter. The record captures the emotional complexity of modern relationships, self-doubt and personal growth through eleven intimate, soul-soaked songs.

Standing loud and proud on one of Liverpool’s earliest streets that dates back to medieval times is The Municipal Hotel & Spa. Opened around 3 years ago as a hotel, the Grade 11 listed building that dates back to 1868 was once home to the beating heart of Liverpool City Council.

The new Volkswagen ID. Polo is undoubtedly one of the most important small EVs for the UK, because it takes a familiar badge and turns it into an affordable electric hatchback aimed squarely at mainstream buyers.

What may initially have been dismissed by some as playful eccentricity has matured into a distinctive artistic voice — one capable of adapting to changing musical landscapes without losing its character. The album may not demand attention in a loud or dramatic way, but its warmth, sincerity, and understated craft make it one of the band’s most quietly rewarding releases.

Who could fail to be charmed by a Mozart horn concerto? All four were composed for Joseph Leutgeb (1732–1811), the Vienna-born virtuoso who built his reputation in the imperial capital before settling in Salzburg, where he and Mozart became firm friends – and the butt of some of the composer's most affectionate teasing.

Immersed in music since childhood, Fiaa Hamilton was just eight years old when she became a carer for her mother – a time when songwriting provided her with a therapeutic outlet of her own. Three years later she was in foster care, and music again proved to be important, this time as a way to express her emotions as her life changed so dramatically.

An episode of Doctor Who of several years ago featured a cameo role for Vincent Van Gogh. Uplifted from the Arles of the 1880s by the good doctor, and deposited in the present-day Musée d’Orsay, the artist is reunited with many of his canvasses at an exhibition curated by an art expert (Bill Nighy).

There is no denying that Järvi is a master of detail, and precision is again the hallmark here. He and the Bremen players conjure a sound world of real elegance and composure, and the minutiae are laid out with such clarity that the effect becomes quietly infectious. The result is the melodious young Schubert in the company of a conductor who has his own pronounced view of what the music wants to say.

A “whistling” frog has moved into London Zoo’s Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians as part of efforts by global conservation charity ZSL and Ghanaian partners to save two rare species from extinction. The Atewa slippery frog (Conraua sagyimase) and Afia Birago’s puddle frog (Phrynobatrachus afiabirago) are found only in Ghana’s Atewa Hills Forest Reserve.

Ten years to the day since Tim Peake’s dramatic return to Earth, Britain’s most renowned astronaut will be returning to the National Space Centre to celebrate not only the milestone, but also the continuation of his inspirational legacy. Visitors can expect a truly immersive experience.

May is one of the most forgiving months to start gardening. The soil has had time to warm up properly, the risk of a late frost is largely behind us, and there is still plenty of summer ahead for plants to establish and get going. It is also the time of year when garden centres are at their best, well-stocked, and with staff on hand to help anyone who is not sure where to start.

Gemma Taylor’s career spans finance, technology and now logistics, driven by a focus on refining complex operations and making them more agile and fit for future trends. Born and raised in Sheffield, Taylor studied International Business, Finance and Economics at the University of Manchester before beginning her career in London at PwC, working in investment audits.

UK Minister praises GSE's 'significant progress' as Industry Accord signed in Vienna names platform alongside Google, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft

Under Armour: Challenging promotional trading environment in North America and lacks desirability among younger consumers.

Darlington’s railway heritage and future came together today (Friday 15 May 2026), as guests gathered to celebrate the culmination of the town’s multi-million pound station transformation. The launch event marked the completion of one of the most significant station investments on the East Coast Main Line in recent years.

Metrocentre, Gateshead is continuing its 40-year celebrations with the launch of a £2,500 Gift Card Giveaway to help raise funds for a new ‘birthday box’ appeal by long-standing charity partner, Feeding Families.

Households across the North East continue to feel the impact of financial pressures, according to new research from St. James’s Place (SJP), which reveals household wealth in the region – including savings, investments and physical possessions - stands at £103,934.

Ethan Daintith, a teenage electrical apprentice, is celebrating a major sporting milestone after receiving a callup to the Senior Men’s Great Britain Ball Hockey squad.

Relatives and patients affected by serious failings at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust have voiced growing anger at the continued delay to a promised public inquiry, with legal representatives at Ison Harrison warning that the lack of progress risks undermining confidence in the Government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.

Prostate cancer patient Neil Connolly, will be appearing alongside award winning writer and BBC Radio 4 comedian Jon Holmes in a brand new quiz style podcast to support prostate cancer patients.

Tyne Rivers Trust has announced that the photo competition for its 2027 charity calendar is now officially open for entries. Photographers of all ages and experience levels are invited to submit their favourite shots of the Tyne catchment – from sea to source.

Around half of higher-risk mental health patients in emergency departments were not properly observed during their stay last year. That’s according to new data published by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) today, 11 May, which is the first day of UK Mental Health Awareness Week.

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is now literally just around the corner. The bookies have been favouring Finland ever since Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkonnen romped to victory with Liekinheiten at this year's edition of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu. However, with 35 entrants competing to take the crown from Austria's JJ on May 16, there is plenty of new music to discover at this year's contest.

In a week when Cyprus’ tourist sector has been highlighting turnover drops of 50%+ following the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri several weeks back, I can report that I am just returned from this stunning Mediterranean island intact, suntanned (a slight exaggeration perhaps) and with not one missile or drone in sight!

I remember watching a television documentary in which George Martin, speaking quite matter-of-factly, referred to Yesterday as something he had ‘written’ - while a caption on the screen attributed the song to John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

The Mulgrave Estate has launched the Mulgrave Walks, a collection of three brand-new routes through some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in North Yorkshire. The three interlinked walks, The Mulgrave Way, Foss Mill Crossing and Guard House Way, are the brainchild of Lord Normanby, (the author Constantine Phipps), who owns the Mulgrave Estate.