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WEKU
WEKU
The Associated Press

The Eurovision Song Contest kicked off with pop and protests

Eurovision Eurovision Song Contest Martin Meissner Malmo Sweden Bambie Thug Eric Saade Israel Europe Russia
Baby Lasagna of Croatia performs the song Rim Tim Tagi Dim during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, on Tuesday. (Martin Meissner/AP)

MALMO, Sweden — Competition in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday in Sweden, with the war in Gaza casting a shadow over the sequin-spangled pop extravaganza.

Performers representing countries across Europe and beyond took the stage in the first of two semifinals in the Swedish city of Malmo. It and a second semifinal on Thursday will winnow a field of 37 nations to 26 who will compete in Saturday's final against a backdrop of both parties and protests.

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