‘Little progress’ in stopping drug drones at HMP Manchester, watchdog says

• The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) May Chief Economists’ Outlook warns that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Middle East conflicts are severely damaging global economic prospects. • The report highlights a period of heightened uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions, persistent inflationary pressures, and the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains.

• A geopolitical crisis in the Middle East that began on February 28 has evolved into a global food security emergency, causing rising hunger in Africa and medical shortages in Afghanistan. • Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled roughly 20% of global oil shipments, have spiked crude oil prices and increased transport and supply chain costs.

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that urgent action is needed to prevent a global food security crisis caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. • FAO Director-General Qu Dongyan met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, and IFAD President Alvaro Lario in Rome to address these risks.

• Qatar has formally condemned Iranian attacks on civilian targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, labeling the actions a "grave violation" of national sovereignty. • The State asserts that these strikes breach the 1949 Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, specifically the principles prohibiting indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

Russians are increasingly tired of the conflict and the time to end it is now, Ukraine’s president tells his Russian counterpart in an open letterVolodymyr Zelenskyy, in an open letter to the Vladimir Putin, has called for a face-to-face meeting with the Russian president to end his war against Ukraine.The letter sets out Zelenskyy’s view of the four-year-old conflict and says that while Ukrainians’ resilience remains intact, most Russians have grown weary of its effects and are ready for peace. Continue reading...

Sky News host Andrew Bolt says MP ‘had no idea what Pauline Hanson’s policy was’ after politician said permanent residents could have homes ‘repossessed’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBarnaby Joyce has corrected himself regarding a key One Nation housing policy after telling Sky News his party would force permanent residents to become citizens or risk having their home repossessed.The Sky News host Andrew Bolt, who interviewed Joyce on Thursday night, later told viewers the bungle demonstrated Pauline Hanson’s party was “literally making up policy as it goes along”. Continue reading...

US secretary of state Marco Rubio says anyone providing services to sanctioned actors ‘is at risk of sanctions themselves’The United States has announced fresh economic sanctions on Cuba’s president and some of his immediate family, alongside members of the Castro family, in Washington’s latest ramping up of pressure on its communist-led neighbour.Among those targeted were the son and a grandson of former president Raúl Castro, who no longer holds an official position but remains a key figure on decisions about the future of the island. Continue reading...

Legislation would also sanction key segments of Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leadersThe House passed legislation Thursday that would aid Ukraine and sanction key segments of the Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leaders who warned the bill would undermine negotiations designed to achieve a comparable but stronger result.The 226-195 vote is a sign of impatience with Donald Trump’s approach to the war and represents the House’s second major foreign policy break with Trump this week. The day before, the House, for the first time, approved a war powers resolution aimed at halting US military action against Iran. Continue reading...

The invertebrates were likely destined for the pet trade, including as reptile foodMore than 100,000 live, exotic cockroaches have been seized from a commercial breeder in New South Wales in a record-breaking bust linked to the pet trade.Biosecurity officials seized the animals, which have a commercial value of up to $200,000, from a commercial breeder in Bathurst in the state’s central west this week. Continue reading...

Platner says claims in New York Times article of physical misconduct and offensive remarks ‘politically motivated’Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate, has rejected an explosive new report about his treatment of women, insisting that allegations of abusive behavior are “politically motivated”.Platner, a progressive running for election in Maine, was responding to a New York Times article published on Thursday that included an interview with a Republican operative who accused him of womanizing, physical misconduct and making troubling comments about rape. Continue reading...

US president’s appointee for acting director of national intelligence has sparked bipartisan criticismDonald Trump has suggested his controversial ally Bill Pulte will investigate “rigged elections” while serving as the country’s top intelligence official, as the US president continues to make unfounded allegations about voting.But Pulte, whom Trump appointed as acting director of national intelligence earlier this week, will only serve in the role temporarily, the president claimed on Thursday. Continue reading...

Blanche, whom Trump plans to nominate to replace ex-attorney general, served as Bondi’s deputy at DoJFormer attorney general Pam Bondi told lawmakers that Todd Blanche, the man Donald Trump has lined up to replace her, was “in charge” of the US Department of Justice’s controversial handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.Appearing before the House oversight and reform committee, which is investigating the late financier and convicted sex offender, Bondi also said she was “not certain of the extent” Trump knew about the crimes of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of Epstein who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex-trafficking crimes, before they became public. Continue reading...