Triumph

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to remain in office following a victory by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the Saxony-Anhalt state election. • Conservative leader Friedrich Merz stated that his CDU party was shaken to its very foundations by the election results. • The outcome threatens the long-standing firewall, a policy where mainstream parties refuse formal cooperation to prevent the far right from taking power.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for economic reforms following a landslide regional election victory by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. • The AfD is now positioned to potentially form the first far-right state government in Germany since the Nazi era. • This political shift creates pressure on the German government to address migration and economic instability to maintain stability in Europe's largest economy.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his commitment to unpopular economic reforms on Monday following a landslide regional election victory by a far-right party. • The winning party is now positioned to potentially form the first far-right state government in Germany since the Nazi era. • This political shift puts pressure on the leadership of Europe's largest economy to balance necessary fiscal changes with rising right-wing sentiment.

Friedrich Merz said his conservative CDU was shaken ‘to its very foundations’ after far-right victory in Saxony-AnhaltA “shocked” and chastened Friedrich Merz has vowed to stay in office despite the far right’s triumph in a state election that has brought anti-immigrant, pro-Kremlin politicians within striking distance of power.The German chancellor, appearing ashen-faced in front of reporters in Berlin, said on Monday that the landslide victory by the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt had shaken his conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) “to its very foundations”. Continue reading...

• The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party became the strongest political force in a recent regional election. • The party sought an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern alone and bypass the refusal of mainstream parties to form coalitions. • This result forces the incumbent governor's party, the CDU, to determine how to handle a legislature where the AfD holds the most power.

• Smriti Mandhana led India Women to a 137-run victory over Hong Kong during a Group A match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 on Thursday. • Mandhana scored a record 124 runs off 64 balls at the Dubai International Stadium. • This dominant win secures a strong start for India in the tournament's group stage.

• The film "It Ends" has won a prestigious major award, bolstered by a high critical reception with a 92% critics score. • Despite the critical acclaim, the film faces a sharp divide with general viewers, reflected in a significantly lower audience rating of 47%. • This disparity highlights a common tension between professional critics and public perception regarding the film's execution or themes.

• Amy Hunt secured her third gold medal of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham as part of the British women's 4x100m relay team. • Both the British men's and women's 4x100m relay teams claimed victory, cementing a dominant performance for the host nation. • In the women's 400m, Norway's Henriette Jaeger won gold with a time of 49.04, finishing a full second ahead of Poland's Natalia Bukowiecka.

• The film *Disclosure Day* has won a prestigious major award, marking a defining achievement for the production. • Since its June 2026 release, the movie has maintained strong reception with a Certified Fresh 80% critics score and a 70% audience rating. • This victory cements the film's status as one of the standout artistic achievements of 2026 amidst strong competition.

Newcastle-born Davies wins in GlasgowFollows earlier gold in 10,000m Rose Davies has roared to a landmark track triumph at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming the first woman ever to complete the 5,000m and 10,000m double.The Newcastle-born 26-year-old dropped to her knees in joy after winning the shorter distance on Friday morning (AEST) at Scotstoun Stadium after a battle royal with her Australian teammate Jessica Hull. Continue reading...

• Russia launched a deadly attack near Odesa, Ukraine, contributing to ongoing conflict and regional instability. • In legal news, Mexican drug kingpin Ismael Zambada has been sentenced in the United States, marking a significant blow to organized crime networks. • Spain achieved a notable sports victory by defeating Argentina in soccer, while Hungary progressed with its presidential nomination process.

• Spain won the World Cup after a match that extended into extra time, defeating Argentina in a victory described as a triumph for the sport. • Spain entered the final with a dominant defensive record, conceding only one goal in 630 minutes of play and controlling their semi-final against France. • Argentina reached the final through a series of narrow escapes, requiring extra time against Cape Verde and Switzerland and late goals against Egypt and England.

• Actress Roh Yoon-seo has successfully debuted in her first historical drama, *The East Palace*, portraying a palace lady named Saenggang who possesses the ability to hear spirits. • The series has achieved significant commercial success, currently ranking in the top 10 of Netflix's charts in South Korea. • This role allows Roh to demonstrate her versatility as a performer by transitioning from modern roles to a period piece.

• European stock markets remained stagnant as positive momentum from ASML's AI-driven success was offset by negative reactions to IBM's recent performance. • The market tension highlights a conflict between the booming artificial intelligence sector and broader corporate instability within legacy tech giants. • This volatility reflects investor uncertainty regarding whether AI growth can sustain a wider market rally amidst mixed corporate earnings.

• European stock markets remained stagnant as positive momentum from ASML was offset by negative developments surrounding IBM. • ASML's recent gains, driven by the ongoing artificial intelligence boom, were countered by "shockwaves" stemming from IBM's performance or outlook. • This tug-of-war between two major technology players highlights the volatility and sensitivity of European indices to the AI sector's stability.

• The article examines whether the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) can transition from electoral success to effective governance, drawing on the political history of the region. • It contrasts the legacy of the previous administration, which is credited with strong GDP growth, expanded electricity access, and digital governance, against criticisms of weakened press freedom and institutional independence. • The analysis highlights the tension between prioritizing economic stability and infrastructure development versus maintaining political pluralism and democratic norms.

• The 2026 LGBTQ+ drama-romance film *Drunken Noodles*, starring Laith Khalifeh, has won a prestigious major award following critical acclaim. • The film has achieved a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting its high quality and artistic success. • This recognition is significant as it demonstrates that daring, unconventional narratives can achieve both cultural impact and critical success in a competitive market.

• Tseng Jing Hua and the series "Agent From Above" secured major victories at the 2026 Global OTT Awards held in South Korea. • The production "City Founding Pioneer" also earned final nominations for Best Writer and Best Asian Contents, highlighting the strength of Taiwanese regional storytelling. • These wins underscore the growing international competitiveness of Taiwanese content and the success of TAICCA's efforts to promote local talent globally.

Starmer appeared ruthless in banishing the influence of Jeremy Corbyn, and winning power – but far less certain on how to wield itFew would describe him as a dramatic man, but Keir Starmer’s political career has been almost Shakespearean in its trajectory: a mere 11 years to enter parliament, lead Labour to an election win many assumed was impossible and then, inside the final two years, throw it all away.His demise is, of course, a reflection of an unprecedented era, one in which voter loyalties were atomised, a two-party hegemony fractured into five, and for the first time ever Labour faced a coherent threat on its left as well as its right. Continue reading...

• Linkin Park delivered a triumphant headline performance at the Download Festival, successfully ignoring external noise and criticism. • The rock and metal event also featured high-profile headlining sets from Limp Bizkit and Guns N' Roses. • Ginger, described as the epitome of the festival, received a rapturous response from the crowd while emphasizing a celebration of life.

Other western acts have attempted to crack country’s music scene since singer’s breakout success in 2018One week after announcing she was “cancer free”, the British pop star Jessie J did what any recovering patient would do and travelled thousands of miles around the world to perform for an audience of more than a billion people.On 29 May, the singer-songwriter, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, belted out a stage-rattling rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way on the stage of Singer, a hugely popular Chinese singing competition similar to The Voice. She also performed her new song, California, briefly adapting the lyrics to change California to Changsha, the Chinese city where Singer is hosted. Continue reading...

Joe Mantello’s stark revival of Arthur Miller’s classic drama takes home six awards, while Ragtime and Schmigadoon! pick up musical winsTony awards 2026: red carpet looks and the best of the show – in picturesTony awards 2026: full list of winnersA stripped-back take on Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman dominated this year’s Tonys, winning six awards, while Lesley Manville and John Lithgow took home lead acting trophies.Death of a Salesman was named best revival of a play, with the award-winning director Joe Mantello praising Miller’s story as one that “still talks to us through time”. Star Nathan Lane accepted the award on behalf of the cast, and called it a play that “continues to teach us who we are as humans and Americans”. Continue reading...

From watching their team win to watching their mayor in the nosebleeds, residents are feeling hopefulNew York City, hardly a city deprived of energy, is having a moment. In the past two weeks, the bars have been even more packed than usual. Several nights a week, usually at around 11pm, there has been a seemingly synchronized honking of horns.Walking around the city, it doesn’t take long to find out why. People wearing New York Knicks jerseys are high-fiving each other, and Knicks flags fly from cars, windows and bodegas, as people celebrate the team reaching the NBA finals – and having the chance to overcome five decades of (mostly) failure. Continue reading...

• World No. 14 Loh Kean Yew defeated HS Prannoy in a second-round men's singles clash at the Singapore Open on May 28, 2026. • The match concluded in three games, with Loh winning 21-18, 16-21, and 21-15 after Prannoy struggled in the final set. • The victory took place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, allowing the home-favorite star to advance further in the tournament.

Senator Jack Reed says at hearing that defense secretary failed to give Trump accurate picture of war in IranUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailPete Hegseth has failed to give Donald Trump an accurate picture of the war on Iran while resorting to “dangerously exaggerated” statements to create an inaccurate picture of a US military triumph, a senior Democrat told a Capitol Hill hearing on Thursday.Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Senate armed services committee, told Hegseth, the defense secretary, that far from victory, US citizens were having to bear the cost of a war they did not support in the form of increased fuel prices. Continue reading...

Design among projects before US Commission of Fine Arts as lawsuits challenge scale and impactDonald Trump’s design for the triumphal arch he wants built at an entrance to the US capital comes up for a review and possible vote on Thursday by a key federal agency. It is one of several projects the US president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his lasting footprint on Washington.Trump said on social media that the arch “will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World” and a “wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!”. Continue reading...

Golfer puts spotlight on Rosie and Gerry McIlroy’s sacrifices to support his dream in emotional victory speechIn a sport filled with pushy parents the McIlroys do things differently: Rory McIlroy had to push his parents to attend the scene of his greatest triumph.Rosie and Gerry McIlroy feared their presence might jinx their son’s defence of the Masters, so they planned to steer clear of Augusta National. Continue reading...

West End spectacular about Michael Bond’s beloved bear wins seven prizes, while Rachel Zegler, Rosamund Pike, Paapa Essiedu and James Graham are all recognisedIt was a night of sweet victory for Michael Bond’s marmalade-loving bear as Paddington: The Musical dominated the Olivier awards on Sunday. Amid the tuxes and gowns of a glittering ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the duffle coat-wearing bear got his sticky paws all over seven prizes including best new musical.The award for best actor in a musical went to the duo who play Paddington: James Hameed provides the lovable hero’s voice and is the remote puppeteer while Arti Shah performs in the furry costume. The show’s baddies, Tom Edden (as the busybody Mr Curry) and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (as Millicent Clyde, who wants Paddington to literally get stuffed), won best supporting actor and best supporting actress in a musical respectively. Luke Sheppard was named best director for the production, which also picked up awards for costume design (Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar) and set design (Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward). Continue reading...