Cast

• Former U.S. national team striker Jozy Altidore has joined Telemundo, the official Spanish-language network, as a commentator for the upcoming World Cup. • Altidore expressed a bullish outlook on the U.S. Men's National Team, predicting that the squad is capable of making a deep run in the tournament. • This transition marks a significant shift for the former Toronto FC player from professional play to a high-profile broadcasting role.

With three weeks to go until the Makerfield byelection, where an Andy Burnham victory could change the direction of the Labour party, Pippa Crerar joins him on the campaign trail in Wigan and Leigh, speaking to voters on their doorsteps Continue reading...

Four-part TV documentary examines the aftermath of Operation Peyzac, where officers posed as music industry figures to gather intelligence on crimeIt was the undercover police operation that led to 37 people being jailed for more than 400 years in total after officers set up a fake recording studio and record shop on a north London housing estate.Now, a four-part television documentary has brought Operation Peyzac back under the spotlight, prompting renewed scrutiny of the tactics used by undercover officers and calls for the operation to be examined by the UK’s ongoing spycops inquiry. Continue reading...

• Analysts are providing short-term price forecasts for Gold (XAU/USD) covering the next 24 hours, one week, and 30 days. • The analysis utilizes a combination of technical chart patterns from H1 to H4 time frames, fundamental economic data, and social media sentiment. • Price movements are expected to be driven primarily by geopolitical developments and shifting investor sentiment.

• Good Morning Britain experienced a live broadcasting blunder when an explicit "c-word" was aired during a segment. • The incident occurred during a live broadcast featuring singer Delta Goodrem, where the production team failed to censor the language. • The error is significant as it represents a major breach of broadcasting standards for a morning program aimed at a general audience.

Commonwealth Bank economists expect 5% drag on home prices from tax changes, compared with Treasury forecast of 2%. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning and welcome to our live politics blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Krishani Dhanji with the main action.Australia’s youngest convicted murderer has been sent back to jail after a judge found him to have had complete disregard for his release conditions. The man, known only as SLD, stabbed to death his three-year-old neighbour Courtney Morley-Clarke on the Central Coast in 2001. More coming up. Continue reading...

• The OECD has lowered its 2026 global growth forecast, warning that ongoing conflict in the Middle East is damaging worldwide economic prospects. • A more severe economic shock is predicted if an effective ceasefire is not reached before 2027, though some impacts may be offset by tighter fiscal policies and the end of the NextGenerationEU recovery spending. • Specifically in the United Kingdom, growth is projected to drop from 1.4% in 2025 to 0.9% in 2026.

• King Charles hosted an honours ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, where several high-profile figures were recognized for their achievements. • Recipients included actor Idris Elba, comedian Meera Syal, and skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. • Dame Jayne Torvill, 68, noted that the timing of the award is "perfect" as it follows the duo's final professional ice dancing tour and retirement.

• The Asian Legends League 2026 is preparing for its upcoming season, with organizers releasing information regarding live streaming and television broadcast options. • Building on the success of Season 1, the tournament aims to achieve record-breaking global viewership and establish itself as a marquee event in the cricket calendar. • To ensure a celebratory atmosphere, the league is implementing a robust Anti-Discrimination Code to maintain high standards of sportsmanship.

All the latest results and updates as New Jersey, South Dakota, New Mexico and Montana also vote in primariesCalifornia elections: governor, LA mayor and Congress at stakeSign up for the Breaking News US emailVoters in six states have been casting their ballots in the US midterm election primaries. Here are some of the images from polling stations that have dropped on the news wires today:A wave of Democratic doctors, scientists and public health professionals across the country are seeking office in the midterm elections in a rebuke to Donald Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr’s health policies. Continue reading...

Ohio-based slider chain introduces Southwest Veggie Slider permanently after customer feedback for meatless optionVegetarians have a new reason to celebrate: White Castle has added a permanent meat-free option to its menu.On Monday, the Columbus, Ohio-based slider chain announced the launch of the Southwest Veggie Slider, featuring a crispy brown rice crust and a smoky chipotle- and barbecue-inspired veggie patty made with sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, onions and carrots. Continue reading...

Michael Grade dismisses impartiality concerns, saying rightwing channel faces same rules as BBC, Sky and ITNMichael Grade, the recently departed chair of Britain’s media watchdog, has accused broadcasters of being “embarrassed” by GB News because it covers the “agenda of the majority”.Grade, who has recently retaken the Conservative whip in the House of Lords after stepping down from Ofcom, said he was now able to give his real view on the rightwing broadcaster, which has faced repeated accusations of partial and misleading coverage. Continue reading...

Capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh comes despite a nominal ceasefire and shortly before talks due in the USIsraeli troops have captured a mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter of a century.The capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah members in the rugged area.Israel has expanded the scope of its operations in Lebanon sending troops across the Litani River, which previously served as a de facto boundary. Israel has designated the area from the Litani up to the Zahrani River a combat zone. Some residents have already left the area due to the intense strikes in recent days, but people remain in many of the area’s towns.Hezbollah overnight claimed two attacks targeting Israeli troops and a Merkava tank in the southwestern town of Bayada near the border. In recent days, the group has said it has clashed with Israeli troops in several towns just north of the river near Nabatiyeh and the castle.The Lebanese Health Ministry said the death toll in the country since March was 3,371, including civilians and combatants. The Israeli army announced Sunday that one of its soldiers had been killed the previous day by a Hezbollah explosive drone in southern Lebanon, bringing to 25 the number of Israeli military deaths since early March.US president Donald Trump said he had secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, as reports emerged he had sent a tougher peace proposal back to Tehran. Trump has said his priorities for any deal include stopping Iran from any nuclear weapon development and re-opening the blockaded strait of Hormuz.Benjamin Netanyahu said he has given orders to the Israeli army to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip in a move that threatens to torpedo an already fragile ceasefire and create catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the already devastated territory. Continue reading...

On Saturday, Donald Trump said talks with Tehran were going well and an agreement to end the war was ‘largely negotiated’. On Sunday, the US launched strikes on Southern Iran. By Thursday, Donald Trump had circulated a draft peace agreement for the war with Iran among allies.This week, as the US-Iran deal remains in a precarious state, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group about why Trump keeps changing his mind on what to do to end the warArchive: AP, Reuters Continue reading...

• The EU's Spring Economic Forecast predicts a slowdown in economic activity across the European Union due to rising inflation. • This downturn is attributed to an energy shock triggered by the recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, which drove up energy commodity prices. • The situation is critical as it highlights the vulnerability of the EU economy to geopolitical instability and volatile energy markets.

• The German federal cabinet approved draft legislation on May 27, 2026, requiring streaming services and TV broadcasters to invest a fixed percentage of their annual turnover into domestic film production. • The measure aims to bolster the local creative industry by mandating financial contributions from major digital and traditional media platforms. • While the production sector has expressed cautious support, the digital industry has voiced concerns regarding the potential impact on business operations.

The public broadcaster launched an investigation into the former bikie’s involvement in a podcast sponsored by an online casinoFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal is no longer working for the ABC after an investigation into the former bikie’s involvement in a podcast sponsored by an online casino.The ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, told Senate estimates on Thursday Fazal’s employment had been “terminated” after the investigation. Continue reading...

The UN’s special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, on the war in Gaza, living under US sanctions and accusations of antisemitismFor a brief period this month, the human rights lawyer Francesca Albanese seemed to have some relief.In an extraordinary move in July last year, the Trump administration placed sanctions on the UN’s special rapporteur for Palestine – placing her alongside figures such as Vladimir Putin and Bashir al-Assad – over her engagement with the international criminal court. Continue reading...

• BTS won the prestigious Artist of the Year award at the American Music Awards held in Las Vegas. • In other industry news, Zee Entertainment is currently negotiating broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup, while Baby Yoda continues to drive box office success. • The entertainment sector saw a mix of cultural milestones, including a restaurant boom sparked by Bad Bunny's concerts and the passing of jazz legend Sonny Rollins at age 95.

• Zee Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it is in negotiations with FIFA to secure the broadcasting and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup in India. • The move coincides with the launch of Unite8 Sports, a new dedicated portfolio of sports channels designed to expand the company's athletic content offerings. • This strategic push highlights Zee's ambition to capture the growing Indian sports market and compete for high-profile international tournament rights.

• The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on June 11, marking the start of the world's largest sporting event. • Despite the proximity of the tournament, no official broadcaster or streaming platform has yet confirmed the media rights for the event in India. • This lack of confirmation leaves Indian football fans uncertain about how and where they will be able to watch the matches live.

Home red-light therapy devices have exploded in popularity as masks, body wraps and mittens promise to reduce wrinkles, redness and even acne. But do the claims stack up, and what other benefits are scientists investigating? Ian Sample hears from his co-host, Madeleine Finlay, and the consultant dermatologist Dr Jonathan Kentley. Kentley explains how the potential benefits of red light were discovered, how it is thought to interact with collagen in our skin, and what science has to say about its impact on our appearanceIs it true that … red light therapy masks prevent wrinkles?Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

• Creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jin has leaned further into his Korean roots for the second season of the hit Netflix series "Beef." • The move reflects a broader trend of "Koreanization" in global entertainment, alongside the massive success of projects like "Squid Game," "Minari," and "Pachinko." • This shift highlights the increasing influence of the Korean diaspora and the role of streaming platforms in bringing culturally specific Asian stories to a worldwide audience.

Can Andy Burnham do a better job than Keir Starmer? Is Makerfield more important for Reform than Labour? Can the UK rejoin the EU? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey answer your messages and emails Continue reading...

• FIFA media rights officials are visiting India this week to negotiate a broadcast deal for next month's World Cup. • No agreement has been reached yet because FIFA and Indian broadcasters remain in a deadlock over pricing. • The lack of a deal puts millions of Indian soccer fans at risk of missing the tournament entirely.

• Planetcast won a sports broadcasting award at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2026 for implementing an IP-first architecture. • The company's new technical approach streamlined operational workflows and significantly reduced overall complexity. • Separately, a Zurich study of six markets, including Australia and Malaysia, revealed that 60% of patients in Hong Kong delay medical treatment due to cost anxiety.

• NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan won an award for animation storytelling at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2026. • The winning animation follows the journey of a rural swordsman, focusing on themes of discipline, experience, and late-stage mastery. • Additionally, Eurovision Services was recognized with multiple wins during the same awards ceremony.

Temperatures expected to reach as high as 33C in southern England or Midlands on MondayAmber heat health alerts have been issued for the bank holiday weekend as record-breaking May temperatures as high as 33C (91F) are expected in parts of the UK.The alerts – which indicate a possible risk to life as well as potential damage to properties, significant travel delays and power cuts – were announced for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the east of England, London and the south-east, and will be in effect from 2pm on Friday until 5pm on Wednesday. Continue reading...