Eurovision - Ukraine has announced it will not be taking part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest due to limited finances. "We don't want to do something badly, and we don't have the money to do something well," said Zurab Alasania, of the state broadcaster NTU. Mr Alasania said the broadcaster had to "optimise" its funds given the unstable financial and political situation caused by the conflict in east Ukraine. Ukraine came sixth at the event this year in Copenhagen.
Theatres At Risk - The Theatres Trust is "deeply disappointed" by the Government's announcement today that a Public Inquiry will not be held into the redevelopment scheme proposed for Brighton Hippodrome. Brandon Lewis MP, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, has rejected The Theatres Trust's request for call-in, and a 2,738-strong online petition, to the planning and listed building applications. The plans involve subdividing the Grade II* listed circus / variety theatre into an eight screen cinema and restaurant, as well as construction on the rear yard, preventing access to the Hippodrome theatre's get-in.
Mhora Samuel, director of The Theatres Trust said, "Brighton and the Hippodrome have been let down by this decision. Unless the developers reconsider their scheme we will have lost the potential to stage lyric theatre and performance in the Hippodrome's unique theatrical space. It could have been a real asset to Brighton's cultural scene.
"We accept the Minister's decision, and recognise that the applications will now be left to Brighton and Hove City Council to determine. However, we have always believed that the applications raised issues of national significance, given that the Hippodrome is a Grade II* listed building and a very rare national example of a circus / variety theatre."
Gramophone Awards - Classical flautist Sir James Galway has been honoured with a lifetime achievement prize at the Gramophone Awards in London. The 74-year-old virtuoso, nicknamed "the man with the golden flute", was hailed as "a true classical music superstar" as he collected his award. Conductor Sir Neville Marriner was also given a special honorary award. The outstanding achievement prize was created especially for the 90-year-old, who recently became the oldest conductor to appear at the BBC Proms. Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos was crowned artist of the year, 23 years after his last Gramophone award.
In The Saleroom - The customised chopper Peter Fonda rode in 1969 film Easy Rider is expected to fetch more than $1m (£613,000) when it goes up for auction next month. The motorcycle is being sold by Michael Eisenberg, a California businessman who once co-owned a themed restaurant with Fonda and Rider co-star Dennis Hopper. The 'Captain America' Harley-Davidson - a panhead chopper with a chromed hard-tail frame - is accompanied by three letters of authenticity.
Cat's Back - Cat Stevens - also known as Yusuf Islam - is to perform a series of dates in the US for the first time since 1976. The musician, who converted to Islam in 1977 and put his career on hold, will play six concerts in December. The British-born singer, who now lives in Dubai, is due to release a new album on 27 October - his first in five years.
A further six concerts around Europe
