Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, briefs the Geneva association of UN correspondents, Acanu, at WHO headquarters in Geneva, 29 April 2026. (Keystone/Martial Trezzini)

WHO says its finances are stable, but uncertainties loom. A year after the US exit from the global health body, the WHO says its finances are secure, for now. But with a lingering 15 per cent gap, rising inflation and growing economic uncertainty, will funding be sufficient to meet its needs?

🎤CULTURE CORNER. This week in Vienna, Europe’s most popular song contest takes centre stage as Eurovision marks its 70th edition amid unprecedented backlash.

When politics trump performance. The European Broadcasting Union, which is headquartered in Geneva and organises the contest, insists it’s non-political. But its decision to allow Israel to compete, despite accusations of war crimes in Gaza and its earlier suspension of Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, has prompted a wave of boycotts among broadcasters that typically take part.

This edition will feature 35 countries – the lowest in two decades, with Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain – one of its biggest financial contributors – sitting it out. (France24)

Off stage. Security will also be tight around the city as several pro-Palestinian demonstrations are reportedly planned throughout the week to denounce Israel’s participation. (Reuters)

Glow on. Despite the controversy, Eurovision’s appeal seems intact. Tickets for the final shows sold out in record time.

— Michelle Langrand