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Executive Summary: A Cartoon’s Call to Scrutinise the Gas Profits Tax NarrativeThe Guardian’s opinion cartoon by Fiona Katauskas asks a stark question: are we being told the truth about the newly‑introduced gas profits tax, or is it another case of political gas‑lighting?The Tax Proposal and Its Public FramingThe UK government announced a levy on profits from gas extraction, positioning it as a fairness measure to capture windfall gains from rising energy prices. Official statements frame the tax as a tool to fund the energy transition and support households facing higher bills.Fiscal Numbers Behind the PolicyProjected revenue: £2‑3 billion annually (government estimate).Tax rate: 25 % on profits above a £30 million threshold.Expected impact on industry: modest reduction in net margins, but companies argue it could deter investment.Why the Narrative Matters for the Energy SectorBy portraying the tax as a simple fairness fix, the government sidesteps deeper debates about long‑term energy security, the role of fossil fuels in the net‑zero roadmap, and the competitive landscape for UK gas producers. Critics argue the framing obscures potential cost‑pass‑through to consumers and the risk of accelerating a shift away from domestic gas production.Looking Ahead: Potential Shifts in Policy and Market ResponseIf public scepticism grows, the government may need to adjust the tax design—perhaps by introducing rebates for low‑carbon projects or clarifying how revenues will be allocated. Conversely, a firm stance could signal a broader fiscal strategy to curb fossil‑fuel profits, influencing future climate‑related taxation across Europe.

Ukraine has formally requested that Israel seize the cargo ship Panormitis, alleging the vessel is transporting grain harvested from areas of Ukraine under Russian control. The appeal, voiced by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko on Telegram, adds a new flashpoint to the already strained Kyiv‑Tel Aviv diplomatic dialogue.Ukraine Requests Israeli Seizure of the Panormitis VesselKravenko said the ship, en route to the Israeli port of Haifa, contains grain “some of which was shipped” from Russian‑occupied regions. Kyiv has repeatedly urged Israeli authorities to:Board and detain the vesselSeize cargo documentationCollect grain samplesQuestion the crewThe request follows a day‑long exchange in which Israel dismissed Kyiv’s claims as “Twitter diplomacy”.Legal Claims and Israeli ResponseRoyal Maritime Inc., the Greek manager of Panormitis, asserts the cargo originates from Russia, citing certificates of origin. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that Kyiv’s request arrived late on Tuesday and is now under review by the relevant authorities, emphasizing the need for a formal legal petition rather than public statements.Impact on Grain Trade and Sanctions LandscapeThe dispute touches broader concerns about the flow of grain from occupied Ukrainian lands, a contentious issue since Russia’s 2022 invasion. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has threatened sanctions against entities profiting from such shipments, and the EU has signaled readiness to sanction “shadow‑fleet” vessels aiding Russia’s war effort.Should Israel act on Kyiv’s demand, it could set a precedent for other third‑country ports handling similar cargoes, potentially tightening the economic chokehold on Russia’s war financing.What Comes Next for Kyiv‑Tel Aviv Relations?Analysts expect a cautious Israeli legal assessment, balancing diplomatic ties with Israel’s strategic partnership with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine may pursue additional diplomatic channels, including appeals to the EU and UN, to pressure Israel and other transit states.Future developments will likely hinge on:Evidence presented by Kyiv regarding the grain’s originLegal outcomes from Israeli courts or maritime authoritiesInternational pressure from the EU and allied nations

Lead: In a stark warning to Moscow, the Tuareg‑led Azawad Liberation Front told French officials in Paris that its primary objective is the permanent withdrawal of Russian mercenaries supporting Mali’s military junta. The statement follows a multi‑city assault that killed Defence Minister Sadio Camara and saw rebels seize key northern towns. The Rebels’ Call for a Permanent Russian Exit Spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane of the FLA told AFP that the movement’s “objective” is for Russia’s Africa Corps to “withdraw permanently” from Mali. He framed the demand as a response to the junta’s reliance on Russian forces, which he said “supported people who committed serious crimes and massacres.” The rebels emphasized that their grievance is with the regime in Bamako, not with any foreign nation. Casualties and Territorial Shifts Since the Saturday Offensive Defence Minister Sadio Camara killed by a car‑bomb in Kati. Rebel alliance (FLA, JNIM, Fulani and Arab groups) captured Kidal, Sevare, and reported advances toward Gao, Timbuktu and Menaka. Russian fighters were observed leaving Kidal in trucks after a negotiated corridor to Anefis. Malian forces reclaimed Menaka and reported presence in Mopti and Gao. Regional Power Dynamics: France, Algeria, and the Sahel The appeal to France underscores the lingering influence of the former colonial power, which has urged its citizens to evacuate Mali. Algeria’s mediation reportedly facilitated the Russian pull‑out from Kidal, highlighting its role as a regional broker. Meanwhile, the continued presence of Russian mercenaries keeps the Sahel’s security calculus volatile, affecting EU and UN counter‑terrorism initiatives. What the Next Weeks Could Hold for Mali’s Security Landscape If the rebels maintain momentum, they may consolidate control over northern hubs and impose a “moderate form of Sharia law” as outlined by the FLA. A failure to secure a Russian exit could provoke further escalation, prompting renewed French or UN intervention. Analysts anticipate that the junta’s next move will be a decisive military push to “neutralise” armed groups, while diplomatic pressure on Moscow may intensify through Algeria and Western partners.

The Congressional Hearing United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has faced his first public questioning from Congress on the US-Israel war with Iran. Over hours of tense testimony alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Hegseth batted away questions about the long-term goals and timeline of war, which began with the US-Israel launching attacks on Iran on February 28. $25-billion Price Tag For the first time, the Pentagon publicly put the price tag of the war so far at $25bn, with Hegseth delivering an at-times caustic defence of US President Donald Trump’s policy. Hegseth also defended the White House’s historic request of a $1.5 trillion defence budget. Questions Over Iran's Nuclear Programme It was on the subject of Iran’s nuclear programme that Hegseth faced some of the harshest questioning, with lawmakers grilled the Pentagon chief on the war’s aims. Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat, seized on Hegseth’s apparently contradicting statements that Iran’s nuclear programme was “obliterated” following the 12-day war with Iran in 2025 and that it presented an imminent threat in the run-up to the most recent war. Don't Call it a 'Quagmire' In one of the most heated exchanges of the day, Hegseth bristled when Representative John Garamendi, a Democrat, called the war a “quagmire” and a “political and economic disaster at every level”. The Pentagon chief accused the lawmaker of “handing propaganda ⁠to our enemies”. No Quarter for Enemies? Moulton also asked Hegseth about his past statement that US forces would allow “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies”. The phrase has historically referred to killing enemy combatants, even if they have surrendered, a war crime under international and humanitarian law. Caine Appears to Give Higher US Death Toll The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also presented a stout defence of the war during his opening remarks, saying Iran remains “a weaker and less capable than they have been in decades”. During the statement, Caine referenced 14 members of the US military who had died during the war. To date, the Pentagon has only identified 14 casualties. Republicans Show Support While Democrats on the committee pursued a series of pointed questions, Republicans were generally supportive of Hegseth and the war. That is significant, as Friday will mark 60 days since Trump officially notified Congress of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, Trump is theoretically required to begin withdrawing troops after 60 days or receive congressional authorisation to keep fighting.

Lead: Musk’s Self‑Critique Sets the Tone for a High‑Stakes TrialElon Musk opened the second day of his lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI by calling himself a “fool” for funding the company, reiterating that the nonprofit was “stolen” and now threatens humanity. The courtroom drama in Oakland, California has drawn intense media attention and could determine the future structure of one of the world’s most valuable AI firms.Musk’s Day‑Two Testimony Reiterates ‘Stole a Charity’ ClaimMusk repeated his accusation that Altman “stole a charity,” arguing that OpenAI’s shift from a nonprofit to a for‑profit entity breached the original founding agreement. He described a 2015 conversation with Google co‑founder Larry Page that spurred his initial investment, and he highlighted email exchanges from 2017 that, in his view, showed Altman reneging on promises.Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers warned spectators against photography, threatening to close an overflow room.Musk’s lawyers presented emails praising his technical expertise and a document where Musk called OpenAI’s safety team “jackasses,” which he later framed as a joke.Financial Stakes: $134 bn Claim and Musk’s $38 m InvestmentThe lawsuit seeks the removal of Altman and co‑founder Greg Brockman, the reversal of OpenAI’s for‑profit structure, and $134 bn in damages to be redirected to the nonprofit arm. Musk’s own financial involvement includes:A reported $38 m contribution that OpenAI describes as a tax‑deductible donation.Quarterly payments of $5 m that continued after the initial funding.Claims that he funded OpenAI’s rent and operations while believing the entity would stay nonprofit.Implications for OpenAI’s IPO and AI GovernanceOpenAI is planning a public listing later this year with a target valuation near $1 tn. A court‑ordered restructuring or leadership change could derail that IPO, affecting investors and the broader AI market. The case also raises questions about:Governance mechanisms for hybrid nonprofit‑for‑profit AI entities.Potential precedent for future disputes over AI safety commitments.Investor confidence in companies that blend charitable missions with commercial ambitions.What the Next Weeks Could Mean for Silicon Valley’s Power BalanceWith a nine‑person jury expected to deliberate over roughly three weeks, the outcome may reshape the power dynamics between visionary founders and corporate governance structures. If the court sides with Musk, we could see:Reinstatement of a stricter nonprofit oversight model for OpenAI.Increased scrutiny of founder‑led AI projects and their funding sources.Potential ripple effects on other AI startups facing similar governance debates.Conversely, a ruling in favor of Altman would reinforce the current for‑profit trajectory, likely accelerating OpenAI’s market debut and solidifying its position as a dominant AI platform.

The Federal Reserve's Decision The United States Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady at 3.5 to 3.75 percent as inflation and pressure on the labour market during the US-Israel war on Iran weigh on the global economy. The central bank announced its decision, which was largely in line with economists’ expectations, on Wednesday, wrapping up the last two-day policy meeting led by Chairman Jerome Powell. Market Expectations and Inflationary Pressures CME FedWatch, which tracks the likelihood of monetary policy decisions, had a 100 percent expectation that the central bank would maintain rates. Inflationary pressures on oil markets and a stagnant labour market have weighed on the central bank’s decision-making. The US Department of Labor is set to release its latest jobs report next week. Economic Outlook and Future Implications “Developments in the Middle East are contributing to a high level of uncertainty about the economic outlook,” the central bank said in a statement. “Job gains have remained low, on average, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months. Inflation is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices.” Leadership Transition at the Federal Reserve The decision comes as Kevin Warsh, Trump’s replacement to succeed Powell, was confirmed by the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday in a party-line vote, advancing his candidacy to the full Senate.

The Incident French racing driver Romain Grosjean has angered animal rights group PETA for “flippant” comments after hitting a bird while testing for next month’s Indianapolis 500. Grosjean's Comments The driver, who survived a fireball crash during the 2020 Formula One Bahrain GP, described the bird strike at around 230 mph in graphic terms this week. “I still have blood on my race suit, there were pieces of the bird on the rollbar. I couldn’t see where I was going any more, there’s plenty on the aero screen,” he said. “The helmet stinks, the seat stinks. I didn’t get any chicken for lunch; I just walked past it.” PETA's Response Mimi Bekhechi, the senior vice-president for PETA UK and Europe, accused the 40-year-old of lacking empathy. “Birds have feelings, apparently more than Grosjean does, considering that he seemed more concerned with his car, helmet, and suit – all replaceable – than the smash-up of this unsuspecting bird,” Bekhechi said in a statement. Previous Incidents It’s not the first time Grosjean has struck an animal on a racetrack. In 2018 during practice for Formula One’s Canadian Grand Prix, a groundhog got on the course as Grosjean drove through the 13th turn. The Future The Indianapolis 500 is on 24 May. Grosjean drives for the Dale Coyne Racing team.

Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a reported four‑year ban imposed by the Football Association for a positive meldonium test.Mudryk Files Appeal to CAS Over Four‑Year Doping SuspensionThe appeal was submitted in February 2026 and confirmed by a CAS statement on Wednesday. CAS said it has received the appeal, that the parties are exchanging written submissions, and that a hearing has yet to be scheduled. The FA has declined to comment, and Chelsea has said it will let the process run its course.Key Figures, Transfer Details, and TimelineFour‑year ban – would keep Mudryk out of competitive football until December 2028 if upheld.Provisional suspension began after a failed drugs test in November 2024 while on international duty with Ukraine.Transfer fee – £89 million when he joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.Performance stats – 10 goals in 73 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.Appeal timeline – appeal filed February 2026; CAS statement released April 29 2026; hearing date pending.Impact on Chelsea, Ukrainian Football and Anti‑Doping PolicyThe case puts Chelsea in a difficult position, as the club cannot field Mudryk while the appeal is pending and must manage squad depth without one of its high‑value assets. For the Ukrainian national team, the suspension removes a key attacking option ahead of upcoming qualifiers. The FA’s anti‑doping policy, under regulation 77, mandates a four‑year ban for non‑specified substances like meldonium unless intent can be disproved, highlighting the strict liability framework in English football.Possible Outcomes and Timeline for Mudryk’s ReturnIf CAS reduces the sanction, Mudryk could be eligible to play as early as 2027, potentially re‑joining Chelsea for the next season. A full up‑hold would keep him sidelined until the end of 2028. The next steps include written submissions, a hearing date, and a final award, which could be delivered within a few months after the hearing, shaping the player’s career trajectory and Chelsea’s transfer strategy.

The FCC Probe and Free Speech BacklashPresident Donald Trump's administration has initiated a review of broadcast licenses for multiple ABC channels, a move that has ignited fierce criticism from free speech advocates across the political spectrum. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday that it would compel eight local ABC channels to file for early license renewal, citing diversity measures that potentially amount to "unlawful discrimination." However, critics have immediately pointed to the timing of the review, which comes directly after Trump and his wife Melania called for the firing of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel over a controversial joke."The FCC's unconstitutional threats against ABC are the latest confirmation that Chairman Brendan Carr has weaponised what should be an independent agency in service of Donald Trump's personal political agenda," Clayton Weimers, executive director of Reporters Without Borders in North America, said in a statement. "The FCC has no authority to revoke ABC's licences just because the president can't take a joke."The Kimmel Controversy and Presidential ResponseThe probe follows a joke made by Kimmel at an "alternative" White House correspondents' dinner on his show. The comedian said: "Our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow." The remark drew immediate condemnation from the Trumps, who called for Kimmel's termination after the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association gala dinner in Washington, DC.On Monday, Kimmel dismissed the outrage over the joke, stating that it "obviously" was not a call to violence. "[It] was a joke about their age difference and the look of joy we see on her face every time they're together. It was a very light roast joke," he said on his Jimmy Kimmel Live! show.In a twist of events, Kimmel later highlighted a comment Trump himself made about his own age during a speech welcoming Britain's King Charles. The president told his wife that they "won't be able to match" his parents' record of 63 years of marriage. Kimmel aired Trump's joke on his Tuesday night show and quipped, "Wait a minute. Did he just make a joke about his death? My god. He should be fired for that."Bipartisan Criticism and Constitutional ConcernsThe FCC decision has sparked rare Republican criticism of the Trump administration, with US Senator Ted Cruz denouncing the review. "It is not government's job to censor speech, and I do not believe the FCC should operate as the speech police," Cruz told the outlet Punchbowl News.Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez called the agency's move against ABC "unprecedented," "unlawful" and "bound to fail." "This is the most egregious assault on the First Amendment that we have seen from this FCC," Gomez told CNN.US Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, wrote on X: "Must be a total coincidence that the FCC launched this probe right after Jimmy Kimmel told another joke Trump didn't like. The FCC can try to dress this up however they want, but this is just another flagrant attempt to silence Trump critics & stifle free speech."Amnesty International USA also accused the FCC of using authoritarian tactics. "The agency must start taking its responsibility to respect freedom of the press and freedom of expression seriously," the rights group said in a statement.Disney's Response and Historical ContextABC's parent company, Disney, has defended its stations, stating they "have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public‑interest programming." The company expressed confidence in its qualifications as licensees under the Communications Act and the First Amendment.This is not the first time Trump and his allies have targeted Kimmel. Last year, ABC briefly suspended Kimmel after the FCC threatened to take action against the network over commentary by the comedian suggesting that the killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk may have been a Republican. Kimmel subsequently returned to his show after an outcry from free speech advocates.Efforts to revoke broadcast licenses typically face significant legal and administrative challenges, often turning into years-long processes. The last time the FCC succeeded in revoking a broadcasting licence over a station's content was in 1969 – a local TV channel in Mississippi that was accused of discriminating against African Americans during the civil rights movement.Broader Implications for Media and Political DiscourseThe probe against ABC comes amid a broader pattern of the Trump administration targeting critics and dissenting voices. As a candidate, Trump vowed to "restore free speech," but since returning to the White House for a second term in January 2025, his administration has been accused of pushing to silence dissent, particularly Palestinian rights advocacy.Last year, the Trump administration launched a campaign to deport non-citizens – including foreign students and legal permanent residents – over criticism of Israel. More recently, federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against former FBI director James Comey, a vocal critic of Trump, over a social media post that was interpreted as a threat against the president.Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche denied the charges were politically motivated, but critics view the pattern of actions against media figures and political opponents as part of a coordinated effort to suppress dissent and consolidate power.Legal Challenges and Future OutlookLegal experts predict that the FCC's probe against ABC will face immediate and sustained legal challenges, likely based on First Amendment protections. The Communications Act requires that license renewal decisions be made "in the public interest," a standard that has traditionally been interpreted to include protecting free speech and preventing government censorship of broadcast content."This is bound to fail in court," predicted media law professor Eric Segall. "The Supreme Court has consistently held that the government cannot punish speech simply because it finds it offensive or disagreeable. The FCC's actions here appear to be a transparent attempt to punish a network for content critical of the president."The outcome of this case could have significant implications for media freedom in the United States, potentially setting precedents for how future administrations interact with broadcast media and whether the FCC can be used as a tool for political retribution against critical news organizations.