Is Britain really inching back towards the EU?

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Damian Grammaticas and Luke Mintz BBC News

On a warm morning earlier this month, a group of Metropolitan Police diplomatic protection officers sat in an anteroom off the ornate entrance hall in London's Lancaster House, sipping tea and nibbling chocolate biscuits, while upstairs a core group of European politicians discussed the future of European cooperation. It was an apt setting: everywhere you look in Lancaster House, there is evidence of the long, entangled histories of the UK and Europe. The double sweep of its grand staircase deliberately echoes the Palace of Versailles. Queen Victoria sat in these rooms listening to Frederic Chopin play the piano in 1848. Tony Blair hosted Russian President Putin here for an energy summit in 2003. The important issues on the agenda at the Lancaster House meeting, which was hosted by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, included the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, Europe's response to ensure the continent's security, and – for the first time since Brexit – a summit between the UK and the European Union, which will take place on 19 May. The British government believes it's a significant moment.

Reuters Before Brexit, UK prime ministers regularly visited Brussels for EU meetings

Before Brexit, British prime ministers would travel to Brussels four times a year or more for summits with the heads of the EU's institutions and its 27 member states. The haggling would go on late into the night. After Brexit those large summits stopped. Now, the Labour government, elected last year on a manifesto that promised "an improved and ambitious relationship with our European partners", envisages new and regular interactions with the EU. Monday's marks the first. Sir Keir Starmer will host the most senior EU leaders to launch a new "partnership". Pedro Serrano, the EU ambassador to London, has described it as the "culmination of enhanced contacts at the highest levels since the July 2024 [UK] elections". But what will it amount to? Is what's coming a "surrender summit" as the Conservatives warn; "the great British sellout" undoing bits of Brexit that Reform UK fear; or "a huge opportunity" the UK may be about to squander, as Liberal Democrats say? Or could it be an example of how, in Sir Keir Starmer's words, "serious pragmatism defeats performative politics" by delivering practical things that will improve people's lives?

Questions around a security pact

In those long, drama-filled nights of 2020, when the then-prime minister Boris Johnson was negotiating Brexit, the possibility of a Security and Defence Partnership was discussed. But the UK's main priority was diverging from Brussels. So nothing was agreed – a notable omission, some think. Now a new UK-EU security pact has been worked on for months, the plan is for it to be the centrepiece of what's agreed.

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said despite past tensions, 'we need to move forward with this partnership'

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, who is overseeing negotiations, was at the early talks at Lancaster House. "Our relationship has had some difficulties," she told me, but "considering what is going on in the world […] we need to move forward with this partnership." Yet some think the UK should not seize this outstretched hand. "The cornerstone of our defence is Nato," Alex Burghart, a Conservative frontbencher, told the Commons this week. "We know of no reason why Nato is insufficient." Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has his own view. "There's no value at all," he argues. "We do not want to be constrained by a bungling top-down bureaucratic military structure. Our defence is guaranteed by Nato." The government fires back on that point, arguing that a partnership will in no way undermine Nato; rather it will complement it, they say, because it will stretch to areas beyond defence, like the security of our economies, infrastructure, energy supplies, even migration and transnational crime. Some industry experts also believe that a security pact could boost the UK economy. Kevin Craven, chief executive of ADS Group, a UK trade association that represents aerospace, defence and security firms, is among them. Take, for example, the SAFE (Security Action For Europe) programme that is being set up by the EU, aiming to provide up to €150bn (£126bn) in loans for new projects. If the UK strikes a security partnership with the EU, then British weapons manufacturers could potentially access some of that cash. "There is a huge amount of interest from European partners," says Mr Craven. "One of the challenges for defence companies in the last couple of years, since the advent of Ukraine, is being able to scale up their own capacity to meet demand." He estimates the UK could boost the EU's defence output by a fifth.

The Liberal Democrat's Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller, similarly believes that a security pact is a huge opportunity for the British defence industry - but, he adds, "as importantly, it's a new strategic opportunity for the UK to be part of that ongoing conversation about how we arm as a continent". Others point out that the UK has already been working with the EU on defence ever since Russia's invasion of Ukraine – at Nato, and most recently via the so-called Coalition of the Willing. So, in practice, does it make huge amounts of difference to the UK's place in Europe? No, argues Jill Rutter, a former senior civil servant who is now a senior fellow at the UK in a Changing Europe think tank. "Because relations [on defence] have already been improving quite a long way." Some of those working on the partnership, however, argue that it will set in train new ways for the UK to engage and cooperate with its neighbours.

Delays at the border

More contentious is the UK's desire to sign what's called a 'veterinary' deal to remove some border checks on food and drink. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Cabinet Office minister leading these negotiations, told the Commons this week that the objective to lower food and drink costs is in the manifesto, so there is a mandate for it. Inside the food industry, calls for reform have been growing. Julianne Ponan, whose firm Creative Nature makes vegan snack bars, exports to 18 countries but only a small proportion goes to the EU. She says this is because of the paperwork and inspections since Brexit. One of her employees had to carry samples in her luggage on a passenger flight to Spain for a meeting to make sure the food wasn't held up at the border, she says. "I think this will open up huge opportunities for businesses like mine."

European Photopress Agency A 'veterinary' deal to remove some border checks on food and drink has divided

But a veterinary deal may carry political danger. It would require the UK to align some of its rules on food and drink with EU ones, and move in-step with Brussels over time. And those rules are subject to oversight by EU courts. "I call it the surrender summit," says Andrew Griffith, the Conservative Shadow Business and Trade Secretary. Under this deal the UK would lose "our freedom to set our own rules", he adds. The Conservatives say they "fought long and hard" to "take back control of our laws, our borders, our money" – and that this should not now be reversed.

Step change or 'sell out'?

Reform UK has not held back in its language: "We think prepare for the Great British sell out. That's the bottom line, and it will be dressed up as a reset," Richard Tice says. "Why would you want to reset and get closer to a patently failing economic model? The EU is struggling even more than we are. We should be diverging as fast as we can away from that." But Labour's Thomas-Symonds dismisses these views as a "rehash of the arguments of the past". On the other end of the spectrum is the accusation that Sir Keir is far too cautious. Calum Miller of the Liberal Democrats says he knows of businesses "gnashing their teeth in frustration that they just can't exploit opportunities to work with and trade with Europe".

PA Media Some have accused Sir Keir Starmer of being too cautious

His party wants the UK to explore a Customs Union with the EU. It would make moving goods easier, but mean we couldn't sign our own trade deals. David Henig, a former senior trade negotiator, has been talking to both sides "hoping to help, to sort of navigate them in". "The summit is a step forward, not a step change," he says, "A slight deepening of the trade ties, rather than something dramatically new." A deal on food and drink checks would deliver very little, he believes, because food and drink is such a limited part of trade. "If you were, for example, aligning UK and EU rules on industrial products, you'd get a much bigger economic impact". Jill Rutter thinks that a veterinary deal would not prove "economically earth shattering" – but if it goes well, she argues that it could provide "early proof of concept" for further UK-EU cooperation.

'Tough it out' on fishing?

After Brexit, many British fishermen were disappointed when Boris Johnson's government agreed to let EU boats continue much as before, taking significant catches from UK waters. Those arrangements expire next year. The EU wants them extended. David Davis who, as Brexit minister, led some of the original negotiations for the UK, told me fishing was "totemic" for Brussels. London conceded too easily, he thinks. "Europeans got what they wanted first, and then we had a haggle from a weak position."

Getty Images Many British fishermen were disappointed when Johnson's government agreed to let EU boats continue much as before

So he adds, "If I was giving advice to the government, I would say, tough it out" and use fishing as a lever to seek concessions. But, as the UK found before, Brussels has cards to play. Much of the fish caught by British fishermen is sold to buyers on the Continent and the UK needs access to that market. Some EU coastal states, like France and Denmark, are prepared to drive a hard bargain, demanding that London concedes on fishing rights in return for things it wants. Early on, even signing the Security Partnership was being linked to agreement on a fishing deal. The haggling will be tough.

Immigration and youth mobility

And finally, there's an idea that has prompted much interest in recent months: a youth mobility deal, through which under-30s from the UK and EU could live and work in each other's countries. For a long time the government said there were "no plans" for such a deal – but earlier this month they changed course, with Labour's Thomas-Symonds saying that "A smart, controlled youth mobility scheme would of course have benefits for our young people". It's likely that would mean very limited numbers allowed to enter the UK, and only with a visa, for a limited time. Under those conditions, ministers hope it would not inflate net migration numbers. It's far from what the EU would like. The UK already has similar schemes with 13 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Japan. "When we are comfortable having those relationships, why are we so averse to having it with our nearest neighbours?" Calum Miller asks, "It just doesn't really make sense".

Reuters Voters care most about what they perceive as illegal migration and people coming here to study or to work are not a particular cause for concern, says one expert

Paula Surridge, a professor of political sociology at Bristol University, argues that public views on immigration are more nuanced than many people think. "Voters care most about what they perceive as illegal migration – small boat crossings and so on," she says, "People coming here to study or to work, particularly young people, are not a particular cause for concern" for most. "There will definitely be a group of voters that are upset [about potential deals], but they were never going to vote Labour." Of those who backed Labour in 2024, she adds, about three quarters previously voted Remain in the Brexit referendum. The political risk to the government of signing pacts with the EU is "smaller than it appears", she adds. Conservative pollster Lord Hayward is more cautious – and is concerned that a deal may pose a "bear trap" for the government if it's seen as providing free movement to young Europeans. "It will provide serious difficulties for them to come to an agreement on something which could easily be portrayed as EU membership 2.0."

'Making Brexit work'

Even before Sir Keir's upcoming summit on Monday, his opponents are raising that spectre. "All of his muscle memory has been to get closer to the European political union," says Mr Griffith. "I am worried about our prime minister, with that baggage, with those preconceived ideas, […] trying to negotiate a better deal with the EU." Richard Tice says his party could simply undo any deals with the EU. "If I'm right about our fears, and we win the next general election, we will just reverse the lot. The whole lot."

Getty Images "All of [the prime minister's] muscle memory has been to get closer to the European political union," argues one commentator

But Mr Thomas-Symonds is of the view that Monday will show the government is "not returning to the Customs Union, Single Market, or Freedom of Movement", all red lines it has pledged not to cross. Instead it will be about "making Brexit work in the interests of the British people".

Back at Lancaster House, the politicians have moved on, heading to more meetings in Albania and Turkey to grapple with the issues facing the continent. But in a quiet hallway in the house is a painting from the 1850s of the Duke of Wellington inspecting troops in London's Hyde Park. In it, he sits on a black stallion, raising his white-feathered hat to salute the cavalry - a tribute to the prime minister and military hero who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The upcoming summit won't be as momentous an event in the UK's complicated history with Europe. But a modern British leader about to plunge into the fray of European politics might pause for thought here – perhaps, for just a moment.

Starmer's scramble after 'Albania snub' and 'fastest growth' for economy

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The fallout from Albania's rejection of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's migrant deal dominated Friday's papers. The Times reports that after Albania's rejection, Britain is poised to enter talks with up to nine countries about plans to deport asylum seekers. Sharing the top slot is a photo of the Ukrainian suspect charged with arson over attacks at properties linked to the PM.

The Daily Mail says the PM has been "left squirming by Albania farce" and sums up the failed deal as a "humiliation" for Starmer as his plan to send asylum seekers to the Balkans "imploded on live TV". Elsewhere, the paper also touts an exclusive into the how Brooklyn Beckham and his wife "bonded with Sussexes over dinner".

"UK scrambles for new migrant deal in Balkans after Albania snub" reads the headline on the i Paper. It reports the PM is expected to begin talks today with countries thought to include Bosnia, Serbia and North Macedonia, which could act as return hubs for failed asylum seekers from the UK.

"Children to be taught to show some grit" leads the Daily Telegraph as the education secretary Bridget Phillipson and the health secretary Wes Streeting penned a story calling for children to be prepared for life's "ups and downs" in schools. Alongside, a large photo of the "Ukrainian charged over Starmer firebombs" also dominated the front page.

Britain's economy has expanded at its fastest pace in a year in the first quarter, the Financial Times reports. The paper calls it "a boost to Labour" before any impact from US President Donald Trump's tariffs. "Lost millions" in an arms deal that left Ukraine exposed also took top spot.

UK ministers plan to use new powers to block bosses Thames Water bosses from taking bonuses worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, the Guardian reports. Britain's biggest water company admitted this week they were in line for "substantial" bonuses linked to an emergency £3bn loan. Elsewhere, "Zelenskyy sends team for talks in Istanbul" with Russia is also prominent.

The Metro leads with "Staggering cost of benefit fraud claim clangers" as more than £9bn of taxpayers' money has been overpaid in benefits, mostly through fraud. Sharing the front page is Tom Cruise's latest Mission Impossible film, hailed as "impossible to resist" even if the "script's a bit silly".

"Taxigate" looms large on the Sun's front page as it scores an exclusive interview on the dispute between Foreign Secretary David Lammy and a cab driver.

The Daily Mirror asks "do you know what happened to Maddie" as it promotes its exclusive interview with the chief suspect in the Madeleine McCann case. The paper sums up his response with "a smirk, but no reply".

The Daily Express says "Mum deserves 'peace of mind' in right to die fight" as Rebecca Wilcox urges MPs to back Dame Esther's call for assisted dying choice. Sharing the top spot, an update on the King's health say Charles is on "better side" of cancer battle.

"Her Maj Yappy and Glorious" reports the Daily Star as it reveals Queen Elizabeth has been talking to Fergie from beyond the grave through her corgis. The Duchess of York says "I'm sure it's her" when the dogs "go woof woof".

MPs call for year-long delay to farm inheritance tax

6 minutes ago Share Save Malcolm Prior • @NewsMPrior Rural affairs producer Share Save

Malcolm Prior/BBC The policy to tax inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m from April 2026 saw farmers hold tractor protests across the UK

Farm inheritance tax changes should be delayed by a year and alternative schemes that will not harm small family businesses need to be properly considered, a committee of MPs has warned. Government plans to tax inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m at a rate of 20% – half the usual rate – saw protests across the UK after they were announced in the Autumn Budget. In a report released on Friday, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee said the changes were made without "adequate consultation, impact assessment or affordability assessment". The government said its inheritance tax reforms were "vital" and its commitment to farmers was "steadfast".

Efra's report said the tax reforms "threaten to affect the most vulnerable" but delaying the implementation of the policy until April 2027 would give those farmers more time to seek "appropriate professional advice". National Farmers' Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw said a delay "doesn't take the terrible pressure off older farmers". He said the policy remained "fundamentally unfit, destructive, badly constructed and must be changed". The government says the changes will only affect the wealthiest 500 farms each year, but the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) estimate that up to 70,000 farms could be affected overall. The committee also warned that the government's sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) environmental payments scheme "affected trust in the government" and left many farmers "at risk of becoming unviable". When the SFI scheme, which more than 50,000 farm businesses are signed up to, was closed in March, the NFU described it as another "shattering blow" to farmers. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has since announced it will allow SFI applications that were in progress within two months of its closure. But the committee said that lessons should be learned and that "a restoration of trust is urgently required".

Getty Images The closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive was said to be a "shattering blow" to farmers

One in 10 have no savings, financial regulator says

56 minutes ago Share Save Kevin Peachey Cost of living correspondent Share Save

Getty Images

Millions of people are walking a financial tightrope, with one in 10 UK adults saving no money at all, a major report has concluded. This leaves many exposed to economic shocks and vulnerable to rising bills, according to the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Financial Lives survey. Moreover, anxiety and stress levels were relatively high, particularly among those burdened by debt. But the regulator said the situation had not worsened since the start of the cost of living squeeze and free help was available for those facing trouble.

Snapshot of our money

The FCA's Financial Lives survey is a benchmark for the state of the nation's finances, with nearly 18,000 people questioned about how they deal with money. The findings suggest that 13 million people - a quarter of the UK adult population - have low financial resilience. That means they have debts that are hard to manage, low savings, and have missed a series of bill payments. This was unchanged when compared with the previous Financial Lives survey, published in 2022, despite the pressure caused by inflation and rising essential bills on personal finances. Some 10% of those asked had no cash saved at all. Another 21% had less than £1,000 tucked away. Other key findings in the wide-ranging report include A total of 2.8 million people have persistent credit card debt

Nearly 12 million people feel overwhelmed or stressed dealing with financial matters, including 40% of adults with credit or loans saying they suffer anxiety and stress

Some 3.8 million retirees are worried they don't have enough money to last their retirement

Difficulties getting to a bank branch face nearly 10 million people "Our data shows that finances are stretched for many - with some unable to save for a rainy day," said Sarah Pritchard, from the FCA.

Buy now, pay later surges

The report also suggests that the use of buy now, pay later has risen significantly in recent years. Some 40% of lone parents and 35% of women aged between 25 and 34 use these deferred credit products, which remain unregulated. Overall, nearly half of adults have outstanding unsecured debt, where the money borrowed is not backed up by assets. The FCA said the median average amount of debt outstanding among those with debt was £6,300. Among 18 to 34-year-olds with debt, the median average amount of debt outstanding was £12,500. But, after excluding student loans, that dropped to £1,300.

Sarah Pritchard and Matt Dronfield say people should ask for help

Debt advisers say they routinely speak to people with mental health issues, which either result in financial difficulties or are caused by money worries. They say it takes courage to pick up the phone to ask for help, but free debt advice is available and has no impact on someone's credit score.

How to deal with money worries

What time is the Eurovision 2025 final and who is in it?

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EPA-EFE/Shutterstock UK entry Remember Monday perform during a Eurovision dress rehearsal

The Eurovision Song Contest is back - this time in Basel, Switzerland. The UK's entry this year is Remember Monday - a country-pop trio who will perform their song What The Hell Just Happened.

What is the Eurovision Song Contest?

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual televised competition organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The theme for the 2025 edition is "Welcome Home", as the first contest was held in Switzerland in 1956. Songs must be original and no more than three minutes long. They cannot have been released or publicly performed before 1 September 2024. Lead vocals must be live, with no lip-syncing or auto-tuning allowed and a maximum of six singers and dancers.

How to watch the Eurovision final

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The French contestant is Louane, who gave a heartfelt performance in dress rehearsals

The grand final of the contest will take place in St Jakobshalle, an indoor arena in Basel, on Saturday 17 May. It will be broadcast live on TV on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 20:00 BST, hosted by Graham Norton. You can also listen on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, hosted by Scott Mills and Rylan Clark. Inside the arena, the international Eurovision coverage will be hosted by presenters Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer and Michelle Hunziker.

Which countries take part in Eurovision?

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Czech Republic's Adonxs performs as part of preparations for Eurovision 2025

A total of 37 countries are taking part in Eurovision 2025 - all but one took part in last year's contest in Malmö, Sweden. Montenegro returns to the competition this year for the first time since 2022, replacing Moldova - which withdrew because of financial and logistical challenges. Most Eurovision countries are European, but Australia takes part every year, after being invited to join Eurovision's 60th anniversary celebrations in 2015. Australia, however, cannot host if it ever wins. Other non-European countries including Israel participate because they are members of the EBU. Russia has been banned since 2022, following its invasion of Ukraine. Your guide to all 37 Eurovision songs

Why is the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland?

Switzerland is playing host to Eurovision 2025 after contestant Nemo won the 2024 contest with the song The Code. Nemo is due to appear as a guest performer this year too, despite accusing the contest of not supporting artists enough in 2024. This is the third time that Switzerland has hosted Eurovision. Its contestant this year is Zoë Më, with the song Voyage. Eurovision failed to support us amid rows, winner says

PA Media Swiss Eurovision entry Zoë Më

Who is in the Eurovision final?

The "big five" nations who provide extra financial support to Eurovision get an automatic qualification for the final. These are the UK, Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Switzerland also gets a golden ticket to honour last year's victory. In the first semi-final on 13 May, Céline Dion, who won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, delivered a pre-recorded message celebrating the "beautiful" return of the contest to Basel. These countries qualified from the first semi-final: Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm

Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato

Iceland: VÆB – RÓA

Netherlands: Claude – C'est La Vie

Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter

Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA

Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado

San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia

Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu

Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray The following countries qualified from the second semi-final: Armenia: PARG – SURVIVOR

Austria: JJ – Wasted Love

Denmark: Sissal – Hallucination

Finland: Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME

Greece: Klavdia – Asteromáta

Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise

Latvia: Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi

Lithuania: Katarsis – Tavo Akys

Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son (pictured above)

Malta: Miriana Conte – SERVING And here are the unlucky 11 who were knocked out: Australia: Go-Jo – Milkshake Man

Azerbaijan: Mamagama - Run With U

Belgium: Red Sebastian – Strobe Lights

Croatia: Marko Bošnjak – Poison Cake

Cyprus: Theo Evan – Shh

Czechia: ADONXS – Kiss Kiss Goodbye

Georgia: Mariam Shengelia – Freedom

Ireland: EMMY – Laika Party

Montenegro: Nina Žižić – Dobrodošli

Serbia: Princ – Mila

Slovenia: Klemen – How Much Time Do We Have Left

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Australia's Go-Jo performs the song 'Milkshake Man' in Eurovision rehearsals

When is the second Eurovision semi-final?

This takes place on Thursday 15 May. It is being broadcast on BBC iPlayer, BBC One, Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 20:00. You can also watch it on the BBC News website live stream. This is the running order: Australia: Go-Jo – Milkshake Man

Montenegro: Nina Žižić – Dobrodošli

Ireland: EMMY – Laika Party

Latvia: Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi

Armenia: PARG – SURVIVOR

Austria: JJ – Wasted Love

United Kingdom: Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened?

Greece: Klavdia – Asteromáta

Lithuania: Katarsis – Tavo Akys

Malta: Miriana Conte – SERVING

Georgia: Mariam Shengelia – Freedom

France: Louane – maman

Denmark: Sissal – Hallucination

Czechia: ADONXS – Kiss Kiss Goodbye

Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son

Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise

Germany: Abor & Tynna – Baller

Serbia: Princ – Mila

Finland: Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME

Who is the UK entry Remember Monday?

Reuters Two of the three members of Remember Monday during a dress rehearsal

Girl band Remember Monday are made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele. They will be performing a song titled What The Hell Just Happened, full of harmonies and pop melodies. The band formed at school in Farnborough, Hampshire, and appeared on TV talent show The Voice, in 2019. Lauren and Holly-Anne have also appeared in West End shows like Phantom of the Opera and Six: The Musical. They'll be hoping to turn around the UK's fortunes, after the last two contestants Olly Alexander and Mae Muller both finished at the bottom end of the table in 2024 and 2023 respectively. Remember Monday: 'The closer we get, the hungrier we become'

UK's Eurovision Song Contest hopefuls revealed

Why is Israel's Eurovision entry controversial?

More than 70 former Eurovision contestants, including Britain's Mae Muller, have signed an open letter demanding that Israel's public broadcaster KAN be banned from the contest, alleging that it was "complicit in Israel's genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza". Eurovision, which has always billed itself as non-political, has resisted calls for Israel to be excluded. Yuval Raphael, Israel's contestant this year, told BBC News she was "expecting" to be booed during her performance. The inclusion of Israel sparked controversy last year, when its contestant Eden Golan also faced boos during a rehearsal and thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue. Golan was also forced to change the lyrics of her entry, titled Hurricane, to remove references to the deadly attacks by Hamas on Israel, on 7 October 2023.

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Israel's entry Yuval Raphael performs during rehearsals

The last major music event Raphael attended was the Nova festival, in Israel, when it came under attack by Hamas gunmen during the 7 October attacks and more than 360 people were killed. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel by gunmen led by Hamas that day, and 251 were taken hostage. During Israel's ensuing military campaign in Gaza more than 53,000 people have been killed, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. 'I've practised being booed', Israel's Eurovision entry says

Ireland asks Eurovision organisers for discussion over Israel

Chaotic build-up to Eurovision 2024 as thousands protest

How does Eurovision voting work?

Masters champion Rory McIlroy ended 10 shots behind leader Jhonattan Vegas on day one of the US PGA Championship.

Venezuela's Vegas, 40, birdied five of his final six holes to set the pace at seven under and hold a two-shot advantage over American Ryan Gerard and Australian Cam Davis.

Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley both impressed in their opening rounds at Quail Hollow.

Englishman Donald shot a bogey-free 67 to sit in a group of five players three off the lead, while Bradley, who will skipper the United States team against Europe in September's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, dropped his only shot at his final hole to finish at three under par.

McIlroy, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning at Augusta National in April, managed just two birdies in his three-over-par round of 74.

The 36-year-old was playing in the same group as world number one Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Xander Schauffele, who finished at two under and one over respectively.

All three struggled at times, but Scheffler birdied two of his final three holes to keep himself in touch.