🔥The 9th Round of Easy Loan, Earn $40 Reward is in progress❗️ ⏰ Promotion Period: January 15th - Feburary 15th, 2025 👉 Register now and check more details at gate.io/campaigns/358

The Reykjavik Jedward might be my new favourite, though the longer on it goes the less I think so

Ooh the Dutch song is a strong winner so far for me.

Hmmm… so halfway through Eurovision and I think my top five are Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Finland. But it’s not a golden year.

The Bolognese Bowie might be my new leader. No Maneskin, though.

Can see why this is the bookies favourite

Sweden’s entry seemed to have a touch of It Ain’t Half Hot Mum about it. Rather fun

Love Shine a Light still knocks Waterloo into second place in the all-time Eurovision table for my money

Second half of Eurovision definitely stronger. Or is that the wine? My rankings: Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Greece, San Marino, Iceland, Norway, Estonia. Afraid UK is down at the other end with Lithuania and Ukraine. Now bring on Roger Federer for interval entertainment

Fanny Cradock and AJP Taylor debate French politics on “Parkinson”, 1972:

In case you missed Starmer’s EU press conference

This is a great opportunity for young people interested in gaining an insight into tennis journalism at two of the sport's most prestigious venues. I can personally attest to the generosity of Mike in helping younger journalists, and this is a fitting way to honour his memory.

The Times is soon to launch a Wednesday London newsletter curated by Andy Silvester. My weekly Sketches of London will be posted there (this week: visiting the Chelsea Pensioners' private flower show) as well as reviews, features, profiles. Sign up here: thetimes.com/uk/london/arti…

My latest Sketches of London piece goes to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea where, away from the crowds and celebrities at the Flower Show, I was given a tour of the Chelsea Pensioners’ own private gardens, raised beds and allotments thetimes.com/article/dd3b61…

If Stokes intended to motivate Crawley and Pope by implying that Bethell will return for the India Test series then it worked. But now they've both made big scores, against a weak attack, why should he come straight back, especially as he's only faced 39 balls in the IPL?

Told 8-yr-old son that we’re going to Lord’s next week and he enthusiastically asked: “To watch real tennis?” During lunch at last year’s Test we watched a tennis game and he loved it. Associates Lord’s with that more than cricket. Not sure if I’m delighted or a bit disappointed

Congratulations to Kent Rugby, who have won through to the County Championship final at Twickenham for the third year in a row. Will play Yorkshire or Lancashire on June 21. Free entry. Come and join me!

Really lovely to have all three of my former deputies on ⁦Times Diary⁩, as well as assorted elves and tipsters and their families, round for a garden party this afternoon. Thanks ⁦Kaya Burgess⁩ ⁦Grant Tucker⁩ ⁦Jack Blackburn 🇺🇦⁩ for putting up with me

My latest obituary for The Observer is on the "mad professor" record producer who gave Abba their distinctive sound. "He was as important to us as George Martin was to the Beatles," said Benny Andersson observer.co.uk/news/profile/a…

Fair to say that Oxford put together a more impressive field for chancellor. Disappointed there's no Portillo or Lidington in the list to counter the Hague v Mandelson battle. But winning the Boat Race matters more. cam.ac.uk/about-the-univ…

All nations have known long winless periods, but the French drought in Paris has felt very long, writes Patrick Kidd thecritic.co.uk/issues/june-20…