FBI defends Kash Patel after report alleging he gifts custom whiskey bottles 07. May 2026 (20:00) Agency says FBI director ‘followed all applicable ethical guidelines’ in giving out personalized bourbon bottlesThe FBI said that agency director Kash Patel “followed all applicable ethical guidelines” after a report in the Atlantic alleged that he distributed customized bourbon whiskey bottles as gifts.In an article published on Wednesday, the Atlantic described Patel as travelling with a stock of “personalized branded bourbon” that he allegedly hands out frequently to people around him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prisoner accused of Lostprophets singer’s murder boasted to guards about fame, court told 07. May 2026 (19:56) Prosecution says Rico Gedel attacked Ian Watkins in HMP Wakefield then handed homemade knife to Samuel DodsworthA prisoner accused of murdering the disgraced former Lostprophets singer told guards they “could be talking to someone famous” after stabbing Ian Watkins in the head and neck with a homemade knife, a court has heard.Rico Gedel carried out the attack on Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, in his cell at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, on 11 October, Leeds crown court heard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran mocks Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ as adversaries wrestle over talks to end war 07. May 2026 (19:54) President indicated that deal had materialised but truth was that Saudi Arabia had stopped US use of its basesMiddle East crisis – live updatesWhen Donald Trump abruptly pulled the plug on “Project Freedom”, the scheme to open the strait of Hormuz, barely a day after it had been announced, he gave the impression that an opportunity for a peace deal had materialised that could not be missed.To the surprise of nobody who has been following the US’s recent adventures in geopolitics, Trump’s spin concealed a lot of the underlying reality. It turns out that Trump suspended Project Freedom after Saudi Arabia stopped the US military from using its bases or airspace to carry out the operation, which involved giving air cover to commercial shipping sailing through the strait. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Historic Oxford cinema under threat as Oriel College refuses to extend lease 07. May 2026 (19:54) The Ultimate Picture Palace opened in 1911 and is housed in a Grade II-listed building in need of renovationThe survival of one of the UK’s oldest independent cinemas is under threat while its landlord, the University of Oxford’s Oriel College, refuses to extend its lease to allow what its director says are vital renovations.The Ultimate Picture Palace in east Oxford opened in 1911, and has entertained generations of students and residents, including the Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. It sells tickets for its 106 seats through an old-fashioned box office window to patrons queueing on the street, and its screen is behind a manually opened curtain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Royal Navy tracks Russian frigate for one month off UK coast 07. May 2026 (19:09) Moscow steps up maritime presence in North Sea after UK threats to seize shadow fleet oil tankersBritain’s Royal Navy tracked and followed a Russian frigate every day last month as it sailed from the Atlantic to the North Sea, as Moscow steps up its maritime presence after UK threats to seize shadow fleet oil tankers.The Russian navy’s Admiral Grigorovich escorted six Russia-linked vessels during April, including at least three under economic sanction passing east through the Dover strait, while being watched continuously by four UK ships and helicopters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Meta sues Ofcom over fines regime for breaches of Online Safety Act 07. May 2026 (19:04) Facebook and Instagram owner claims charges should not be calculated based on a company’s global revenueMeta has launched a legal challenge against the UK’s media regulator over the fees and fines regime it is enforcing under landmark digital safety legislation.The Facebook and Instagram owner is claiming that Ofcom’s methodology for calculating the charges is flawed and should not be based on a company’s global revenue. Breaches of the Online Safety Act can be punished by fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue (QWR) or £18m – whichever is higher. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senate Democrats press top media regulator Brendan Carr to back off ABC 07. May 2026 (19:00) Senators sent letter to FCC chair, Brendan Carr, in protest at commission’s order last week challenging ABC’s licensesA group of prominent Senate Democrats sent a letter on Thursday to Brendan Carr, the Trump-aligned Federal Communications Commission chair, asking him to rescind the US media regulator’s order last week requiring ABC to apply early to renew its television licenses.The eight ABC-owned station licenses were not originally up for renewal until 2028 at the earliest and 2031 at the latest; now, the renewal requests must be filed by the end of May. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two men first in British history to be found guilty of spying for China 07. May 2026 (18:43) Chi Leung Wai and Chung Biu Yuen convicted over surveillance of dissidents in ‘shadow policing’ operationA UK Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official based in London have been found guilty of spying for China and surveilling dissidents through a “shadow policing” operation.Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 65, also known as Bill, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of assisting a foreign intelligence service, making them the first people in British history to be convicted of spying for China. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Worst year in memory’: parties describe climate of abuse on campaign trail for May elections 07. May 2026 (18:23) Candidates from across spectrum report abuse online and in person before local and devolved elections in England, Wales and ScotlandCandidates and political parties have described a climate of abuse in this year’s local and devolved elections, including death threats and intimidation while campaigning.Politicians from a range of parties have reported abuse and harassment in the lead-up to the elections in England, Scotland and Wales, with the Green party describing this year’s campaign as the worst in memory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man arrested near home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 07. May 2026 (18:04) Nofolk police arrest man on suspicion of public order offence and possession of offensive weaponA man has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of an offensive weapon near the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.Norfolk police said: “Officers were called to Wolferton shortly after 7.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2026) following a report a man was behaving in an intimidating manner in the village. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
