Freedom

After 88 days of near-total blackout, first reactions to the return of partial connectivity were not celebratoryAfter 88 days of near-total internet blackout in Iran, long-delayed messages, images and poems flooded phones and social media feeds at about 5pm on Tuesday, when still-limited connectivity flickered back to life.The first reactions, however, were not celebratory. Many new posts were threaded with scepticism, anxiety and anger. Continue reading...

In a rare public appearance, Meta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams warned of ‘networks of powerful elites’ using wealth and influence to silence dissenting voicesMeta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams and the late Virginia Giuffre have jointly won the Freedom to Publish prize at this year’s British book awards, marking the first time the award has been shared.Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook executive, was recognised for Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism, her bestselling memoir about her years inside Meta, formerly Facebook. The book makes allegations about the company’s internal culture and practices, including its approach to political influence, China and the wellbeing of teenagers. Meta has disputed the claims. Continue reading...

• Reporters Without Borders has documented the first significant and prolonged decline in press freedom in the United States in modern history, directly attributing deterioration to Trump's return to office. • The organization reports that Trump has attempted to pressure media companies to soften coverage and install administration-allied leaders in key positions. • The concerning trend reverses a century of gradual press freedom expansion, marking a critical moment for media independence and democratic institutions.

President indicated that deal had materialised, but truth was that Saudi Arabia had stopped US use of its basesWhen 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...

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...

• US President Donald Trump announced a pause on 'Project Freedom,' his plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, following 'great progress' in talks with Iran announced on May 6, 2026. • Trump cited 'very good talks' with Iran in the last 24 hours and hopes for a permanent peace deal, with Iran reviewing a US proposal via Pakistani intermediaries. • The decision came after backlash from Gulf allies notified in advance, amid Trump's prediction that the war in Iran 'will be over quickly' while insisting Tehran cannot have nuclear weapons.

• Pakistan's Prime Minister expressed gratitude to President Trump for pausing a military operation dubbed 'Project Freedom' targeting Iran, signaling diplomatic progress in ongoing Middle East tensions. • Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the operation is 'over' but emphasized that addressing Iran's nuclear material remains a critical priority for the administration. • The pause reflects Trump's broader strategy to negotiate a comprehensive deal with Iran while maintaining pressure on its nuclear program, with discussions ongoing about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.