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In a stark address delivered as the cease‑fire in the Iran conflict teetered, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that the war will leave a permanent scar on the global economy, slowing growth beyond the IMF’s original projections for 2026. Georgieva noted that, had the hostilities not erupted six weeks ago, the Fund would have been poised to raise its 2026 growth outlook. Instead, even the most optimistic scenario now entails a downgrade, and a swift return to pre‑war conditions appears unlikely. The uncertainty surrounding the cease‑fire—exacerbated by divergent positions of Washington and Tehran—has already pushed oil prices higher, reflecting fears of continued disruptions to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for world energy supplies. According to the IMF’s upcoming World Economic Outlook, the conflict’s “scarring effects” will translate into lower living standards worldwide. The Fund had previously forecast global growth of 3.1% in 2026, a modest slowdown from 3.2% in 2025, buoyed by a tech‑driven investment surge. Georgieva emphasized that the war arrived when the economy was riding “considerable momentum” from technology investment and supportive financial markets. She outlined the mechanisms of damage: damaged infrastructure, supply‑chain interruptions, eroded confidence, and prolonged uncertainty over oil and gas production in the region. These factors will depress growth regardless of whether a peace agreement is ultimately reached. Georgieva highlighted that the most vulnerable will be net oil‑importing nations, poorer economies and small island states, which stand to feel the brunt of higher energy costs and reduced trade flows. She urged governments to avoid unilateral measures such as export bans or price controls, warning that such actions could "pour gasoline on the fire" and further destabilise markets. With many countries already carrying elevated debt levels and higher borrowing costs, the IMF chief called for targeted, temporary assistance to protect the most at‑risk households. She cautioned against broad tax cuts or blanket energy subsidies, which could stoke inflation and strain fragile public finances. Central banks, she added, should keep policy rates steady while remaining ready to act against inflationary pressures. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who also chairs the Financial Stability Board, echoed the IMF’s concerns, describing the conflict as a "very big shock" that has heightened market volatility. He stressed that the situation remains fluid and that policymakers must stay vigilant. Overall, the IMF’s message is clear: the Iran war will reshape the global growth trajectory for the foreseeable future, and coordinated, prudent policy responses are essential to mitigate its lasting impact.

Israel's attacks on Lebanon have intensified, with the country launching its largest and most destructive attack on Lebanon in years, killing at least 300 people and wounding over 1,100. The attacks have sparked widespread panic and overwhelmed hospitals in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.The escalation has significant implications for the US-Iran ceasefire, which was agreed upon just days ago. Iranian leaders are accusing the US of failing to uphold the truce and threatening to back out of it unless Washington restrains its ally, Israel. 'The U.S. must choose – ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both,' Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote on Twitter/X.The conflict has been fueled by Netanyahu's actions, who has sought to expand the conflict out of Gaza and into a wider war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israeli prime minister has undermined ceasefire talks and blocked potential deals, adding new conditions or changing his mind at the last minute. 'There is no ceasefire in Lebanon,' Netanyahu said in a recorded message, as Israel continued its attacks.The situation is volatile, with Hezbollah showing it is not as weak as Israel and the US had thought. The militia has fought pitched battles with invading Israeli troops and fired hundreds of rockets and drones at northern Israel. The conflict has forcibly displaced over 1.1 million people, many of whom are living on the streets.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his concern over Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon, emphasizing that they 'shouldn't be happening' and must stop immediately. During his visit to the Middle East, Starmer called for the Iran conflict to be a turning point for the UK's future security. In an article for the Guardian, Starmer outlined the need for a fundamental reset in the UK's approach to make the country more resilient, including boosting defense and strengthening ties with Europe. He highlighted the importance of not being drawn into offensive military action, while rebuilding European alliances and increasing defense capacity. Starmer's comments echo those of Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, and John Healey, the defense secretary, indicating a potential divergence between the UK and the US under Donald Trump over the Iran conflict. The UK has been adamant that the Strait of Hormuz must remain free of tolls or levies, contrary to Trump's suggestion of a 'joint venture' between the US and Iran. Starmer criticized Israel's intensified bombing in Lebanon, which has resulted in over 250 deaths. He emphasized that the issue is 'a matter of principles' and not a technical one, dismissing arguments that the attacks are not part of the ceasefire agreement. The UK's stance has been to support the ceasefire and advocate for the inclusion of Lebanon in the agreement. Starmer also emphasized the need for the UK to be closer to the EU on defense, security, trade, and energy to strengthen the economy and make it more resilient. He highlighted that the war in Iran must be a 'line in the sand' and that the UK's response will define its future for a generation.

Amazon announced that, effective 20 May 2026, it will stop delivering software updates to Kindle and Kindle Fire devices launched in 2012 or earlier. The decision targets a range of models, from the original 2007 Kindle to the first‑generation Kindle Paperwhite and early Kindle Fire tablets. According to the company, owners will retain the ability to read books already stored on their devices, and their Amazon accounts will remain usable through mobile and desktop applications. However, a factory reset on the affected units will render them inoperable for new purchases, borrowing, or downloads. Amazon is offering discounts to encourage users to upgrade to newer hardware, acknowledging that many of the devices have been supported for 14‑18 years. The move has ignited a wave of criticism online, with users describing their still‑functional e‑readers as being reduced to "paperweights" and accusing the retailer of fostering large‑scale waste. Ugo Vallauri of the Restart Project—a UK‑based repair advocacy group—told the BBC that manufacturers often cite performance improvements when ending support, but this does not justify "soft‑bricking" millions of functional devices. He estimates the impact could affect roughly 2 million e‑readers, representing about 3 % of Kindle users, potentially creating more than 624 tons of e‑waste. Tech analyst Paolo Pescatore described the decision as "understandable from a security and support perspective," noting that the hardware of these older models was not designed for today's data‑intensive services. In summary, Amazon's phase‑out underscores the tension between extending product lifespans and keeping pace with rapid technological advancement, while raising environmental questions about the fate of legacy devices.

The son of a British couple detained in Tehran on espionage charges has called on Keir Starmer to prioritize their case in the “very opportune moment” of a ceasefire in the Iran conflict.Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were arrested while on a five-day trip across Iran in January last year and have been held in Evin prison for 15 months.As Starmer visits the Gulf to discuss efforts to uphold the ceasefire, the couple’s family have called on the prime minister and the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, to raise the case in all diplomatic discussions.Lindsay’s son, Joe Bennett, said: “If peace is genuinely part of the agenda, then that has to include the release of innocent people. I don’t see how it can be peaceful and that’s the case.”The 31-year-old said it was a “very opportune moment” for the prime minister, and the government should “take courage” from the release this week of two French citizens. Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris had been detained in Iran for almost four years on espionage charges and were also held in Evin prison before they were released but barred from leaving Tehran.“Macron was incredibly vocal, he was championing above all else, and I think that’s where we can take some courage and have a look at how do we apply that kind of pressure in the right way,” said Bennett. “There’s a genuine opportunity for resolution here.”The UK government has faced claims that it is in denial about the extent of hostage-taking by foreign states and has failed to fulfil its promise to appoint a special envoy to combat the issue.Bennett has been campaigning for the couple’s release with significant cross-party parliamentary support. Despite several meetings with the foreign secretary, and a hearing into their case held by the all-party parliamentary group on arbitrary detention and hostage affairs, he said there had been no visible progress in 15 months.On Thursday morning, Bennett spoke with his mother in Evin prison. The past 48 hours had been tumultuous, he said, after a supposed ceasefire was agreed on Tuesday, little more than an hour before a self-imposed deadline by Donald Trump, who had threatened Iran’s “whole civilisation” would die if it did not meet his demands.The comments made Bennett feel “pure fear” until news of the two-week ceasefire was announced. The potential for peace talks had given the couple some hope that “they’ll be fought for” by the UK government, he said.“Yvette Cooper called it unjustifiable and that she would be fighting relentlessly to get them home. I need to see signs of that,” said Bennett.Despite a UN legal submission, significant cross-party parliamentary support, and several meetings with the foreign secretary and a hearing into their case by UK parliamentarians from the APPG on arbitrary detention and hostage affairs, he said there has been no visible progress to date towards securing their release.A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “The UK government continues work to safely return Craig and Lindsay to the UK.”

The ceasefire deal between Iran and the US has been hailed as a significant achievement for China, which has been actively working to promote de-escalation and an end to hostilities in the region. Beijing's powerbrokers are being credited with pushing Iran towards agreeing to the ceasefire, bolstering its status as a regional mediator.In China's tightly censored domestic media, articles basking in the glory of China being the grown-up in the room at a time of international crisis were allowed to circulate. China's role in the negotiations was confirmed by US President Donald Trump, who told the Agence France-Presse news agency that he believed China had got Iran to agree to a ceasefire.However, some analysts are sceptical about how influential China could actually have been in the late-night discussions. The deal is advantageous to Iran, and encouraging the regime to agree to it would have been like 'pushing an open door', according to one analyst. Nicholas Lyall, a senior researcher at Trends, a research and advisory firm in Abu Dhabi, said: 'In terms of whether China had to do much pushing of Iran for it to agree to the temporary ceasefire, and whether Iran was swayed by this reported Chinese effort, it's essential to clarify what Iran has actually agreed to.'Officially, China has not confirmed or denied reports that it played an active role in the Islamabad negotiations. At a press conference on Wednesday, the foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said only that China 'had been actively working to promote de-escalation and an end to all hostilities'. China's economic interests are also at stake, as the risk of a global recession and soaring fossil fuel prices poses a threat to the Chinese economy, which is heavily dependent on exports.Analysts are even more sceptical of the idea that China might act as the guarantor of any ceasefire agreement in the Middle East. Song Bo, a fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, said: 'China doesn't have a direct stake with any of the parties in the Middle East. Acting as a guarantor for a ceasefire would be an extremely high-cost diplomatic undertaking, and I don't think China would commit to that easily.'

The Israeli army carried out 100 simultaneous attacks across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, resulting in 254 people killed and more than 1,000 others injured, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense Directorate.The attacks have raised concerns about the potential impact on the US-Iran ceasefire, with the situation being closely monitored by international observers.The Israeli attacks have caused extensive damage in Beirut's Corniche El-Mazraa area, with a residential building lying in ruins and surrounding structures showing heavy damage.

Oil tanker workers stuck in the Gulf for six weeks are reaching their limit, with mental health concerns escalating due to the prolonged standoff. A crew member, who spoke to the Guardian, revealed that the situation is becoming increasingly unbearable.The worker, one of 20,000 seafarers trapped by Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, expressed frustration and despair, stating that any hope of being freed had evaporated. The crew member's tanker is anchored near dozens of loaded tankers, with many feeling unwilling and unable to traverse the strait, even if a ceasefire allowed them to do so.90% of the crew on the tanker want to exercise their right to refuse to sail, citing safety concerns. The situation has taken a toll on the crew's mental health, with one member suffering a 'mental breakdown' and being checked on regularly by colleagues.The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has received about 1,000 inquiries from seafarers on 300 different vessels, with 20% seeking repatriation. The union and other organizations are trying to provide support, but the situation remains dire.The shipping companies are expected to find new crew members willing to work in hazardous areas, offering double pay and promotions. However, the workers stuck on the tankers hope that their vessel will be taken to anchorage to allow new crew to take their places.The situation has reignited calls for shipowners to replace their crews with mariners willing to offer relief, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.

Semyon Bychkov's Czech Philharmonic Mahler cycle, released as a box set by Pentatone, has been gaining attention since 2022. The latest addition, featuring symphonies 6, 7, 8, and 9, solidifies its place in the pantheon of great Mahler recordings.The Sixth Symphony is notable for its relentless tread, which Bychkov tames with a considered approach. The 'Alma theme' shines with inner fire, and the slow movement is a serene, shimmering piece.The Seventh Symphony, often considered problematic, is remarkably convincing under Bychkov's meticulous direction. The tempi and transitions in the long opening movement feel natural, and the nocturnal movements are rich with imaginative detail.The Eighth Symphony stands out as one of the finest in the catalogue, with a superbly recorded and strongly cast performance. A highlight is the moment at the end of the first movement where the eight choral lines soar in unison.The Ninth Symphony showcases the architectural arc of the piece, with the catastrophic collapses in the opening movement resolved in the spiritual release of the finale. The Czech Philharmonic's playing, especially the woodwind, is impeccable throughout.