November 16 ➡️ the latest #Eurovision headlines

LITHUANIA – Eurovision Afterparty which was set for mid December has been cancelled. Lots of 2018 participants were announced as guests but Ieva Zasimauskaitė announced through the social media that the event unfortunately cancelled.

BELARUS – Belarusian singer Dmitry Koldun today, November 11, will perform in the occupied Donetsk. The concert is carried out in connection with the elections of a new leader of the militants Donbass. The concert will be held in the Central square of the city. Participation will also take the Russian singer Julia Mikhalchik. The celebration will be held under the auspices of the Russian center, and the entrance for those who wish to be free. Occupants are also invited to come to the concert to inhabitants of Ukraine-controlled part of Donetsk region.

ISRAEL – And while KAN is mum on who are the finalists for the job, media reports have offered up some surprising and intriguing names. Among the names circulating are TV host Erez Tal, actress, host and producer Noa Tishby, supermodel Bar Refaeli and actress Ania Bukstein, best known internationally for her role on Game of Thrones. Assi Azar, the co-host of the Kochav Haba TV series – which selects Israel’s Eurovision contestant each year – also showed up for an audition, as did mentalist Lior Suchard, who is a fixture on American late-night television. Sources in KAN are reportedly rooting for news anchor Geula Even-Saar to be considered for the job, though she has limited entertainment experience. And a half dozen other Israeli TV hosts and actors also showed up to audition for the role that will expose them to millions of viewers around the globe.

SWEDEN – Viktor Frisk (know from Melodifestivalen participation with Samir) spoke about his mental health. “There are many young guys who feel bad that they can’t live up to the macho stereotype. I think it’s important to highlight that question and help young people realise that sometimes it’s okay to be crazy, but you must still understand that there is something better and that there is always a light inside the darkness to help you out.” Viktor has published a book about his story.

GERMANY – Aly Ryan, BB Thomaz, Linus Bruhn, Gregor Hägele, lilly among clouds and Makeda are named among the composers for Unser Lied für Israel. But more names (familiar ones) are in the list. Thomas Stengaard, the Danish author of Germany’s 2018 entry, 2013 Danish entry and more. Tim Schou, the former frontman of A Friend in London who participated in the 2011 Eurovision entry. Axel Ehnstrom or Paradise Oskar, the 2011 Finn entrant. Laila Samuelsen, participant in Norway’s MGP I 2016 and Nisse Ingwersen with Nina Müller kwon from the composing team of Germany’s 2018 entry.

SWEDEN – HLina Hedlund of Alcazar is tipped to enter the 2019 Melodifestivalen. If this happens it would bee her 6th participation.

SPAIN – Extension of submission deadline and changes in the Eurovision Gala trouble the Spanish fans as they indicate a scandal. According to Bluper, Toni Prieto’s worry is that an unknown composer might “win it all”, and wants to make sure that the well-known and established composers are given a chance. According to the new rules, all songs submitted by unknown authors will be judged by a five member jury panel, consisting of two OGAE members, one member of RTVE Digital and two music industry professionals, who will then select the best 10 songs. Apart from this, another jury panel of five – consisting of two members from the RTVE Management, one member of RTVE Digital, and two professors of the OT Academy will listen through all the songs submitted by well-known composers, and select additional 10 songs. It is worth noting that this sudden change comes shortly after two composers have been invited as the fourth judge in the previous two Galas – Carlos Jean and Brisa Fenoy (who also co-wrote “Lo Malo”), both of who expressed their interest in submitting songs to the competition.

CROATIA – HRT confirmed that thee DORA Final will take place on February 16. Opatija and Zagreb are the cities possibly hosting the three day event.

IRELAND – Niamh Kavanagh and Ryan O’Shaughnessy star in Ireland’s Junior Eurovision music video.

UNITED KINGDOM – Celebrating 70 years of Israel’s independence and over 70 years of British Airways flights to Eurovision destination Tel Aviv, Eurovision 2018 winner Netta will be taking part in a one-night-only, exclusive British Airways charity event ‘A Night With Netta’ at British Airways HQ!

SPAIN – Ruth Lorenzo has revealed she submitted a song for the Eurovision Gala.

ITAlY – Local media claim that Nek, Paola Turci, Arisa, Giusi Ferreri, Ultimo, Loredana Bertè, Irma and Riki (from Amici di Maria De Filippi) are some of the names to participate in the 2019 Sanremo Festival.

UNITED KINGDOM – Niki French, the 2000 UK entrant, releases new disco album. The 12-track album includes eight original songs written by the likes of Charlie Mason, Peter Wilson, Michael Jay and Gordon Pogoda, and four classic tracks, updated and remade into Nicki’s unique sound.