Whirlpool warns of ‘recession-level’ slump as Iran war and tariff ruling hit sales 07. May 2026 (20:18) Appliance giant slashes earnings forecast and hikes prices by 10% with another 4% spike plannedWith the war in Iran and economic concerns putting pressure on consumers and how they spend their money, Whirlpool is having to adjust to Americans delaying big-ticket purchases while also raising prices to help stabilize its North American business.The company known for brands such as KitchenAid, Maytag and its namesake, said that the Iran war led to a “recession-level industry decline” in America as consumer confidence collapsed in late February and March. Revenue dropped nearly 10% in the quarter as sales of major appliances in North America declined more than 7%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US and Iran close to temporary truce, Pakistani officials claim 07. May 2026 (20:13) Latest briefings float hope of basic deal that would keep peace and free shipping while further negotiations continueMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US and Iran are close to a temporary agreement to halt the war in the Middle East, officials in Pakistan claimed on Thursday, as diplomatic activity gathered fresh momentum after a near breakdown of the current ceasefire earlier this week.Officials on Islamabad said a very basic “interim” deal could be reached as early as this weekend and that Tehran was reviewing a US proposal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump shelved ‘Project Freedom’ after Saudis refused use of bases and airspace 07. May 2026 (20:05) Riyadh told White House it would deny access for operation to provide tankers military escort through strait of HormuzMiddle East crisis – live updatesA refusal by Saudi Arabia to allow the US to use its bases and airspace to provide a military escort for oil tankers passing through the strait of Hormuz lay behind Donald Trump’s decision to shelve the plan days after it had been launched.Riyadh told the White House it would not allow its Prince Sultan airbase to be used to mount the operation billed as Project Freedom, which the US presented as the successor to the bombing campaign called Operation Epic Fury. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
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)
