Resurrection of Dolton: Can Pope Leo XIV bring glory back to his hometown?

Resurrection of Dolton: Can Pope Leo XIV bring glory back to his hometown?

DOLTON, Il. – They said this village didn't have a prayer. And then Leo came along. Plagued by the tempests of drugs, murder, corruption and other vices of biblical proportion for much of the past five decades, residents in this tiny burg just south of Chicago areseeing a ray of divine hopein their most famous native son,Pope Leo XIV. "This brings back hope. We went from hell-land to holy land because it was a rough several years for our community," Kiana Belcher, a village trustee, told USA TODAY. "Even in the grocery store you can tell it's a different atmosphere. Right now the light is shining bright on Dolton." Pope Leo was born in Chicago but grew up in this tiny hamlet in the 1960s. Back then, it was a modest working-class enclave, known for hard-working people who prospered, then struggled in the Rust Belt. Along with the new landscape came many changes. The community by the 2000s became a symbol of dysfunction. Former "Super Mayor"Tiffany Henyardran the city into over $3.5 million in debt. Meanwhile themurder ratehit about 10 times thenational average. The story of Dolton is not just about Pope Leo, but about how communities in America change - and not always for the better, due to poverty, crime and lack of jobs. "It got so bad I eventually had to move my mom out of here, what with the crime," former Dolton resident Mike Geagan told USA TODAY. Geagan, 66, also served as an altar boy at the St. Mary of the Assumption parish at the same time as Pope Leo. Robert Francis Prevost- Leo's name before the papacy - grew up in a modest ranch house on 141st Place, less than a mile from the Catholic parish where he learned his faith, served as an altar boy and went to school. Leo's parents bought the 1,200-square-foot brick house in 1949 on a$42 monthly mortgage. Dolton has changed tremendously since when the future pope lived thereplaying priest. Leo's late father, Louis, was an educator who led a local school district. His late mother, Mildred, worked as a librarian and was devoted to the family's now-shuttered parish, St. Mary of the Assumption. The area began changing drastically in the 1990s after Leo had moved away and when steel mills and other factories where village residents worked closed. Chicagoans today regard it as an example of the type of malfeasance the city manages to avoid. Residents now hope that Pope Leo's election will bring the village redemption, starting with his old haunts. "This is going to be a landmark," said Geagan of sites where Leo grew up. "People are going to come from all over." A flood of pilgrims and other curious visitors began arriving at the little brick house where Pope Leo grew up within hours of the announcement of his election. The house is located at 212 E. 141st Pl., about a mile south of Chicago. Visitors came so quickly that local officials put out signs warning strangers not to park in front of houses and neighbors complained of sudden traffic. Beatific looks from visitors outside the house left next-door neighbor Donna Sagna "flabbergasted." "A sense of peace," she said incredulously of what they said they felt. "This was a house that was not peaceful at all." Sagna, 50, moved in about eight years ago and said for the first several years Leo's house and others around it were hotbeds of drug dealing and violence. Today several on the block are apparently vacant. Dolton police did not respond to requests for information about the block but Trustee Belcher said the area was considered the rougher part of the village. "That side of town is a little more impoverished," she said. Problems on the block are a microcosm of the entire village. Dolton had a dozen murders in 2023, Cook County Medical Examiner's office. About 20,000 people live in the village, meaning the homicide rate is about 10 times thenational average. According to census data, the average income in the area is under $30,000. About a fifth of the population lives in poverty. Dolton was founded in 1892, according to theEncylopedia of Chicago, and for half a century it remained small with a population of just a few thousand people. Then it went the way of many Rust Belt America towns, experiencing a massive growth in population before hollowing out as nearby factories closed. Dolton's boom came around the same time Leo moved to the area when it nearly quadrupled in size. The village grew from 5,000 people in 1950 – the year after Leo's parents bought the family home – to 19,000 in 1960, according to census data. Chicago and Northwest Indiana formed an industrial hub then with plentiful factory jobs in everything from the steel mills behind the buildings making up the city's iconic skyline to car factories assembling the Fords cruising along Lake Shore Drive. Many factories beganclosing in the 1980sbut Dolton's outlook remained sunny. TheChicago Tribunereported in 1985 that Dolton's stability was "one of its charms" and no "major changes in the community" were expected. The average household income in 1980 was $27,000, or $107,000 in 2025 dollars, the newspaper reported. Dannie Lee, a Chicago native and retired railroad supervisor, moved to the village in 1989, a few years after the Tribune's sunny report. "It was cool for a couple years," said the 77-year-old. Then he began having brushes with neighbors that kept him "on his toes." Issues included drug dealing, attempted break-ins and other potentially volatile interactions. "I didn't know if we were going to have all-out war here or not," said Lee. "It was a rocky road from time to time." Dolton's problems, he said, began as plentiful factory jobs went away. "Most of those types of jobs are gone and some whole neighborhoods were dependent on those jobs," he said. "You can't emphasize that enough." Lee stayed despite bullet holes in his house because he felt his upbringing in Chicago public housing taught him to handle rough neighbors. He wasn't sure things were better elsewhere either as the impact of closing factories hit American small towns. "It's not just Dolton in that situation," said the retired Amtrak railroad supervisor. "Our entire region has similar problems. It's all over the country." Only Dolton has a blessing other towns don't, according to Lee: Pope Leo. "We're hopeful it'll bring some tourism. I admit I'm being greedy but we want Dolton to grow," Lee said. "I'm more optimistic now than I've ever been." People in Dolton are eager to think in terms of before Leo and after Leo. "To see he's from here where I lay my head every night, it makes me feel anything is possible," Sagna said. "God has a plan for all of us." Leo moved away for seminary school in the late '60s but his family held onto the house until 1996, according to Cook County property records. The inside of the house has changed significantly since Leo lived there. Current owner Paweł Radzik renovated the inside, according to photos of the inside shown to USA TODAY by neighbors. He tried selling the house for$219,000but took down the listing after Leo's election. Radzik plans to put the house up for auction on June 18, with a minimum price of $250,000, according to theChicago Tribune. The owner's real estate agentpreviously saidthat he hoped a new owner might turn it into a shrine or a restore it to how it was Leo lived there. Radzik did not respond to requests for comment. Almost everyone agrees they want it to become some sort of landmark. "The miracle on 141st Place," said Trustee Belcher. "It's an honor to have this type of attention. It's the beginning stages so we really don't know what will happen but we know we have a lot of people coming through to visit the town." Dolton officials and the owner of the house are still working out what's next for Pope Leo's old home. But neighbors haven't wasted a moment. Sagna plays Gregorian chant music to set the mood for visitors and often stands outside to chat. Another neighbor Marilyn Awong keeps candles lit on the steps leading up to the house. The eight little flames she said are a reminder that the Dolton resident was elected to the papacy on May 8. Awong, 71, also hopes that the building will become a protected landmark with programming that would provide a boost to her longtime community. In the meantime she's grateful that the pope has gotten her outside and chatting with neighbors. "A lot of times you don't even know who your next-door neighbor is," said Awong, a Trinidad and Tobago native who has lived in the area for over 50 years. "So I'm grateful that as a community we're finally coming together and talking with each other." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:The blighted town where Pope Leo grew up is hoping for a resurrection

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 18, 2025

Resurrection of Dolton: Can Pope Leo XIV bring glory back to his hometown?

Resurrection of Dolton: Can Pope Leo XIV bring glory back to his hometown? DOLTON, Il. – They said this village didn't have a prayer. An...

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Russia launches largest drone attack against Ukraine since beginning of war, Ukrainian military says

Russia launches largest drone attack against Ukraine since beginning of war, Ukrainian military says

Russia has battered Ukraine overnight with its largest drone attack since the war began, Ukraine's military said Sunday, as Moscow intensified its military assault despite holding direct peace talks with Kyiv Friday. Russia launched 273 Shahed drones in one night, the Ukrainian Air Force said, predominantly targeting the central Kyiv region. A 28-year-old woman was killed, and three others including a four-year-old child were injured, according to Mykola Kalashnik, the governor of the Kyiv region. Ruslan Stefanchuk, the head of Ukraine's parliament, said in a social media post Sunday: "The air raid alarm lasted almost nine hours. This is what Putin's 'sincere desire for peace' looks like." The attack destroyed residential buildings, damaged a high-rise and set garages on fire, Stefanchuk wrote, adding: "This is terror in its purest form." The "massive attack" caused a number of fires, Ukraine's emergency services also said, adding that 55 rescue workers had been deployed. Elsewhere, Russian shelling killed one person and injured eight in the Donetsk region Saturday, according to the head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Vadym Filashkin. Russian drones also targeted the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, regional military chiefs said. Meanwhile, Russian forces have downed 75 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours, TASS, a Russian state news agency, reported Sunday, citing Russia's defense ministry. The latest assault comes after a Russian drone attack on a bus in Ukraine'snortheastern region of Sumykilled at least nine people and injured seven Saturday, just hours after the two countries met for the first direct peace talks since the early weeks of Russia's 2022 invasion. Thenegotiationsin Turkey failed to produce a major breakthrough. The two countries discussed a possible meeting between their presidents, a ceasefire and agreed a prisoner swap. The talks capped days of back-and-forth: Russia's President Vladimir Putin called for the face-to-face meeting but did not attend himself, instead sending a junior delegation after rejecting Ukraine's proposal of a 30-day ceasefire. During the talks, Russia demanded Ukraine cede land that was still under Kyiv's control, a source familiar with Friday's negotiations told CNN, a position Ukraine has long dismissed. The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Poland called Russia's stance in the talks "unacceptable." Donald Trump is set to speak with Putin Monday on ending the Ukraine war, the US presidentannouncedSaturday. Trump has previously said he doesn't think there will be a significant breakthrough on peace talks until he speaks with Putin directly. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Saturday that preparations were underway for a phone conversation between the two leaders. CNN's Victoria Butenko, Nick Paton Walsh and Olesya Dmitracova contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 18, 2025

Russia launches largest drone attack against Ukraine since beginning of war, Ukrainian military says

Russia launches largest drone attack against Ukraine since beginning of war, Ukrainian military says Russia has battered Ukraine overnight w...

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The morning-after pill is coming to a convenience store near you

The morning-after pill is coming to a convenience store near you

Convenience stores are aptly named. They're stocked with essentials people need at all hours of the day or night, everything from a quart of milk to a package of condoms. But they haven't stocked contraception for women. That's slowly and steadily changing as an Oakland, California-based company, Cadence, has spent the last year stocking highway gas stations, corner delis and 24-hour convenience stores with its own emergency contraception brand called "Morning After Pill," which prevents pregnancy by delaying ovulation if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or a birth control mishap. The first morning-after pills, a single dose oflevonorgestrel, hit convenience store shelves in Texas in March 2024. Since then, according to company executives, the pills are in some 11,000 locations in 48 states. South Dakota and Hawaii are the last holdouts. A zip code search found the product everywhere from an E-Z Mart in San Antonio to a deli in Walla Walla, Washington. Kate Voyten, the company's senior vice president of commercial operations, said that Cadence, which is also seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for its over-the-counter regular birth control pill, is trying to make it easier for women to control their sexual health. "Our original goal was to transform contraception," she said. "Get it everywhere there is a condom." About one-third of all prophylactics for men are sold at convenience stores, she noted, and yet the stores "have nothing for females" except tampons and pregnancy tests. Over-the-counter emergency contraception is a safe and effective synthetic hormone that's meant to be used when a condom breaks, a regular birth control pill is missed, or no birth control is used. It works by inhibiting or delaying ovulation anddoesn't end an existing pregnancy or harm a fertilized egg that is already implanted in the uterus,according to the FDA. And it doesn't affect future fertility.Some patients may experiencea later or earlier menstrual period and short-term spotting, headache, nausea, and fatigue. Availability in stores such as 7-Eleven and Circle K comes even as legislators in some Republican-led states have indicated they want a new level of scrutiny for contraception. It's been nearly three years since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion and that decision — handed down by the court's conservative majority — led to many Republican states, including Texas and Tennessee, to criminalize abortion. The fallout from state abortion bans cut off somewomen's access to contraception, since many abortion providers that were forced to close also provided birth control. In particular, hormonal birth control, which includes emergency contraception, has been under increasing attack from the religious right. Amajor legal victory by a conservative Christian legal group in Texasrestricted minors' access to birth control in that state, and a Trump administration orderfreezing $65 million in family planning fundshasthreatened contraceptive access from Mississippi to California. While the Catholic Church has long opposed all forms of artificial birth control, leading anti-abortion groups such asStudents for Life of Americahave ramped up their campaigns targeting emergency contraception, intrauterine devices, shots, implants, patches and birth control pills. The groups falsely claim that these methods are "abortifacients" that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in a woman's uterus. In some states, such asSouth Carolina,Alabama,Texas, abortion is illegal as soon as an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube, even before the zygote travels to the uterus and implants. At the same time, some birth control products have become more easily available through online purchasing and over the counter,including Opill, which last year became the first non prescription birth control pill available in the United States. New methods of birth control have also come to market, including long-acting implants, patches and Phexxi, a hormone-free vaginal gel. Emergency contraception is available without a prescription, a fact that many women don't know,according to a poll conducted by KFF, a health policy research organization. Indeed, half of women who live in states where abortion is banned either incorrectly think emergency contraceptive pills are illegal in their state or say they are unsure, the poll found. Still, younger women aremore likely to report that they've used emergency contraception: 44% of women ages 15 to 24 and 40% of women ages 25 to 34. And online data shows that searches for emergency contraception often happen later at night, Voyten said. "And 7-Eleven is open," she said. Megan Kavanaugh, a principal research scientist with the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research group, said 99% of women of childbearing age in the United States have used some form of contraception, including natural family planning, "over the course of their lifetime," a trend that holds true across all demographics, including religious beliefs. Less than 1 percent of women use fertility awareness based methods. And the use of emergency contraception has also risen in recent decades. Researchers at KFF found thatone-third of women ages 15 to 49who have ever had sex with a male in the United States have used it. "People use EC for a lot of reasons," Kavanaugh said. "The condom fails, they haven't been using birth control or they may need to use it after sexual assault." Cost, however, can be a barrier for some women, she said, noting that over-the-counter products like Plan B One Step — another emergency contraceptive — can cost upwards of $50. "That's a prohibitive price point," she said. Condoms are inexpensive but usually outside the control of women having sex, Kavanaugh said. "It's all part of the misogyny that we live in that we price products differently," she said. Cadence's emergency contraception is priced around $25 per box for a one-time dose. A study of consumer behavior conducted by the manufacturer, Cadence, found that women questioned the quality and efficacy of a birth control product priced below $15, but products priced more than $30 were prohibitively expensive. Polling shows thata broad majority of Americans support contraceptionand opposeefforts to restrict its access. Still, getting help in preventing pregnancy can often be a challenge, said Dr. Amanda Bryson, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist at the University of California, San Francisco and an assistant professor of pediatrics. Bryson, who provides care to adolescents and young adults and is not affiliated with Cadence, said that those barriers can include a need for confidentiality, as well as a lack of transportation, financial means or health insurance. And even though emergency contraception is available without a prescription or age requirement, pharmacists often stock the product in lockboxes or behind the counter, requiring teenagers and young adults to seek out a store clerk. In convenience stores, the pills are generally stocked next to condoms, not behind the counter. Finding emergency contraception in rural areas can also be difficult, particularly in towns without a pharmacy or a drugstore. Bryson recalled one patient who called, after-hours, seeking emergency contraception. After counseling the patient, who had insurance, Bryson called in a prescription to a local pharmacy, but it was out of stock. Another pharmacy, however, had over-the-counter medication — for $50. The patient bought the pills there. "It shouldn't be this hard," Bryson said. "This young adult had information about EC, she had a physician who could counsel her, she knew she could reach me after hours, she had insurance, she was able to drive, and this was still an immense barrier." She added: "In situations similar to this one, having a lower cost pill in convenience stores with expanded hours could be really meaningful." "Taking care of your sexual health should not be stigmatized," Bryson said, adding that "availability and visibility" of birth control for women on convenience store shelves can help combat stigma. Cadence officials say they would like to expand their market on college campuses, and perhaps even to vending machines, noting that it is a "very profitable product." And though Plan B, a widely known emergency contraception brand, is not available in convenience stores, the medication is distributed at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and other retailers and can be delivered by UberEats, Doordash, and Instacart, according the company. While retailers in some areas "have objections about bringing in the product," those concerns are often overtaken by demand, Voyten said. "There are some who say, 'I don't believe in this,'" she said. "'But I know my customer needs it.'"

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 18, 2025

The morning-after pill is coming to a convenience store near you

The morning-after pill is coming to a convenience store near you Convenience stores are aptly named. They're stocked with essentials peo...

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Scarlett Johansson Sings Parody of Billy Joel's 'Piano Man' to Mark the End of “SNL”'s Milestone 50th Season: Watch

Scarlett Johansson Sings Parody of Billy Joel's 'Piano Man' to Mark the End of "SNL"'s Milestone 50th Season: Watch

Saturday Night Live/YouTube Saturday Night Livecelebrated the end of its milestone 50th season during the May 17 episode, which saw Scarlett Johansson serve as the host and Bad Bunny as the musical guest The actress sang anSNL-themed parody of Billy Joel's "Piano Man" with other members of the late-night series' cast to mark the occasion SNL, created by Lorne Michaels, first premiered in October 1975 Saturday Night Livemarked the end of itsmilestone 50th seasonwith a bang! During the May 17 episode — which sawScarlett Johanssonserve as the host andBad Bunnyas the musical guest — the actress, 40, sang anSNL-themed parodyofBilly Joel's "Piano Man" with other members of the late-night series' cast. "It's 11:30 on a Saturday, finale of season 50 / It's chaotic and crazy, the whole week is hazy, but there's no place that I'd rather be," Johansson crooned. She was then joined by variousSNLcast members — includingBowen Yang,Sarah Sherman,Mikey DayandChloe Fineman, to name a few — to continue the tune, which even included one hilarious part about Sherman, 32, leaving. "Sing us a song as your monologue, the 50th season is through / It lasted forever, we did it together, and we got to spend it with you," the group concluded the tune to thunderous applause from the Studio 8H audience before them. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Saturday Night Live/YouTube SNL, created by Lorne Michaels, first premiered in October 1975. Over the years, the late-night comedy sketch series has amassed tons of awards — including dozens of Emmys and three Peabodys. Season 50 premiered in September 2024, withJean Smartas host andJelly Rollas musical guest. Other notable hosts this season includedAriana Grande,Michael Keaton,John Mulaney,Chris Rock,Paul Mescal,Martin Short,Mikey Madison,Jack Black,Jon Hammand more. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Some notable musical guests this season includedColdplay,Stevie Nicks,Billie Eilish,Chappell Roan,Shaboozey,Morgan WallenandLizzo. Meanwhile,Charli XCX,Timothée ChalametandLady Gagaall pulled double duty, serving as both the host and the musical guest during their respective episodes. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, PEOPLE released a special edition issue,SNL's Greatest Moments and the Stories Behind Them. Available now on Amazon and newsstands around the country, the 96-page magazine takes readers down memory lane to explore some of the show's most groundbreaking moments and offer other behind-the-scenes details. The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! In addition to rare photos, snapshots of iconic sketches and exclusive quotes, the issue also features an oral history from Michaels, 80, Dick Ebersol and other early players such asLaraine Newman,Chevy Chase,Garrett Morrisand more. Saturday Night Livewill return later this year on NBC. PEOPLE's special edition celebratingSNL's 50th anniversary isavailable now. Read the original article onPeople

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 18, 2025

Scarlett Johansson Sings Parody of Billy Joel's 'Piano Man' to Mark the End of “SNL”'s Milestone 50th Season: Watch

Scarlett Johansson Sings Parody of Billy Joel's 'Piano Man' to Mark the End of "SNL"'s Milestone 50th Season: Watc...

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Austria is awaiting JJ's homecoming after he wins Eurovision Song Contest with 'Wasted Love'

Austria is awaiting JJ's homecoming after he wins Eurovision Song Contest with 'Wasted Love'

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Austrians were getting ready Sunday to welcome back home and celebrate classically trained singer JJ, who won the 69thEurovision Song Contestfor their country with "Wasted Love," a song that combines operatic, multi-octave vocals with a techno twist. The 24-year-old countertenor, who sings at the Vienna State Opera, was expected to land at Vienna's airport in the afternoon and hold a press conference in the evening. JJ, whose full name is Johannes Pietsch, was Austria's third Eurovision winner, after bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst in 2014 and Udo Jürgens in 1966. "This is beyond my wildest dreams. It's crazy," said the singer when being handed the microphone-shaped glass Eurovision trophy after his win in the Swiss city of Basel on Saturday night. "All of Austria is happy" Austria's leaders were among the first to congratulate JJ. On Sunday morning, the country's president, Alexander van der Bellen, celebrated JJ in a video posted on X. "What a success! What a voice! What a show!" he exclaimed. "All of Austria is happy." Chancellor Christian Stoecker wrote on X: "What a great success — my warmest congratulations on winning #ESC2025! JJ is writing Austrian music history today!" The Vienna State Opera also expressed joy over the win. "From the Magic Flute to winning the Song Contest is somehow a story that can only take place in Austria," opera director Bogdan Roscic told the Austrian press agency APA. Several Austrian cities were quick to show their interest in hosting next year's contest. Innsbruck Mayor Johannes Anzengruber told APA that "not everything has to take place in Vienna. ... Austria is bigger than that," and the towns of Oberwart in Burgenland and Wels in Upper Austria also threw their hats into the ring. JJ himself said Saturday night he hoped that Vienna would get the next ESC which he would love to host together with his mentor, Conchita Wurst. A nail-biting final Israeli singer Yuval Raphaelcame second at an exuberant celebration of music and unity that was shadowed by the Gaza war andrattled by discordover Israel's participation. JJ won after a nail-biting final that saw Raphael scoop up a massive public vote from her many fans for her anthemic "New Day Will Rise." But she also faced protests from pro-Palestinian demonstrators calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest over its conduct of thewar against Hamas in Gaza. At a post-victory press conference, JJ said the message of his song about unrequited romance was that "love is the strongest force on planet Earth, and love persevered. "Let's spread love, guys," said JJ, who added that he was honored to be the first Eurovision champion with Filipino heritage, as well as a proudly queer winner. Eclectic and sometimes baffling The world's largest live music event, which has been uniting and dividing Europeans since 1956, reached its glitter-drenched conclusion with a grand final inBaselthat offered pounding electropop, quirky rock and outrageous divas. Acts from 26 countries — trimmed from 37 entrants throughtwo elimination semifinals— performed to some160 million viewersfor the continent's pop crown. No smoke machine, jet of flame or dizzying light display was spared by musicians who had three minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, picked the winner. Estonia's Tommy Cashcame third with his jokey mock-Italian dance song "Espresso Macchiato."Swedish entry KAJ, which had been favorite to win with jaunty sauna ode "Bara Bada Bastu," came fourth. Several highly praised singers who had been tipped to win fell short, including French chanteuse Louane and soulful Dutch singer Claude. The show was a celebration of Europe's eclectic, and sometimes baffling, musical tastes. The war in Gaza clouded the contest This year's contest was roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel's participation. Raphael — a survivor of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on a music festival in southern Israel that triggered the Gaza war — was met by a mix of cheers and boos as she sang. Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said a man and woman were stopped as they tried to climb over a barrier to the stage at the end of her song. It said a crew member was hit by paint thrown by the pair. Raphael's team said she was left "shaken and upset." The Oct. 7 cross-border attacks by Hamas militants killed 1,200 people, and roughly 250 were taken hostage into Gaza. More than 52,800 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests both took place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year's event in Sweden. Hundreds of people marched through Basel just before the competition, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Boycott Israel." Basel police said Sunday that the protest had not been authorized and that three officers and one protester were injured. Earlier on Saturday, a group of Israel supporters had gathered in Basel's cathedral square to root for Raphael and to show that "Jews belong in public spaces in Switzerland," Zurich resident Rebecca Laes-Kushner said. She said that "this is supposed to be about music, not about hate." The European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, which runs Eurovision, tightened the contest's code of conduct this year, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of "universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity" and its political neutrality. Eurovision director Martin Green told reporters that the organizers' goal was to "re-establish a sense of unity, calm and togetherness this year in a difficult world." He said all 37 national delegations "have behaved impeccably." —— Grieshaber reported from Berlin.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 18, 2025

Austria is awaiting JJ's homecoming after he wins Eurovision Song Contest with 'Wasted Love'

Austria is awaiting JJ's homecoming after he wins Eurovision Song Contest with 'Wasted Love' BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Austrians...

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