{"id":12539,"date":"2026-05-05T11:12:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T11:12:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/05\/first-thing-tensions-rise-over-hormuz-as-trump-threatens-to-blow-iran-off-the-face-of-the-earth-the-guardian\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T11:12:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T11:12:52","slug":"first-thing-tensions-rise-over-hormuz-as-trump-threatens-to-blow-iran-off-the-face-of-the-earth-the-guardian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/05\/first-thing-tensions-rise-over-hormuz-as-trump-threatens-to-blow-iran-off-the-face-of-the-earth-the-guardian\/","title":{"rendered":"First Thing: Tensions rise over Hormuz as Trump threatens to blow Iran \u2018off the face of the earth\u2019 &#8211; The Guardian"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"maincontent\">\n<p>Good morning.<\/p>\n<p>Donald Trump has again raised the stakes in the Gulf region with the Monday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/04\/shipping-bosses-nervous-trump-plan-to-guide-vessels-strait-of-hormuz-iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">launch of \u201cProject Freedom\u201d<\/a> to open a route through the strait of Hormuz. More than 800 ships and roughly 20,000 crew members remain stranded in the region.<\/p>\n<p>Just hours after the operation began, the US military said it destroyed six small Iranian boats and interceptedIranian cruise missiles and drones \u2013 a claim that was denied by Iran \u2013 and Iran attacked the United Arab Emirates with drones and missiles, setting the oil port of Fujairah on fire.<\/p>\n<p>Trump then threatened that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/04\/trump-iran-threat-us-vessels\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Iran would be \u201cblown off the face of the earth\u201d<\/a> if it attacked any US vessels in Hormuz.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Have any vessels made it out of the strait? <\/strong>US Central Command (Centcom) said two US-flagged merchant vessels had \u201csuccessfully transited\u201d the strait, but Iran has denied this claim. Late on Monday, the container shipping company Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vehicle carrier, left the Gulf. Shipping <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/may\/04\/strait-of-hormuz-donald-trump-us-navy-iran-shipping\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">industry experts remain skeptical<\/a> about whether vessels will be able to travel safely to and from the Gulf under Trump\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>This is a developing story.<\/strong> Follow the liveblog <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/may\/05\/iran-us-israel-lebanon-strait-of-hormuz-ships-oil-uae-latest-news-updates\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"us-supreme-court-expedites-voting-rights-act-ruling-allowing-louisiana-republicans-to-redraw-maps-for-midterms\"><strong>US supreme court expedites Voting Rights Act ruling, allowing Louisiana Republicans to redraw maps for midterms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"ad46613e-42b0-4a31-bee6-c4df7db06e94\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-2\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The US supreme court building \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/06cc46e017f4c6095e3f0ed3bb75141a838f3590\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>The court gutted section 2 of the Voting Rights Act less than a week ago.<\/span> Photograph: Gage Skidmore\/Zuma Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The US supreme court on Monday allowed a recent ruling that gutted a key part of the Voting Rights Act to take effect ahead of schedule \u2013 a procedural move that helps Louisiana Republicans redraw their congressional maps before this year\u2019s midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p>Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson strongly criticised the court for departing from its usual procedure of waiting 32 days to formally issue its judgment to the lower court. \u201cThe court\u2019s decision to buck our usual practice under Rule 45.3 and issue the judgment forthwith is tantamount to an approval of Louisiana\u2019s rush to pause the ongoing election in order to pass a new map,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>How will this play into the overall battle for Congress? <\/strong>Red states, including Alabama and Tennessee, are rushing to revise their congressional maps after the original supreme court decision. On Monday, Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, signed<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/04\/florida-new-congressional-maps-desantis\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> a gerrymandered congressional district map <\/a>into law that gives Republicans an electoral advantage in four additional races in November\u2019s midterm elections.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>How are Democrats fighting back?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/04\/democrats-house-majority-midterm-elections\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Eight candidates<\/a> have been added to their slate of top contenders vying to reclaim a Democratic House majority in November\u2019s midterm elections.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>When do voters head to the polls?<\/strong> Ohio voters will today <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/05\/ohio-primary-elections\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">select candidates<\/a> before November\u2019s midterm elections, including the candidates for Ohio\u2019s Senate special election. Indiana voters also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/05\/indiana-republicans-donald-trump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">go to the polls today<\/a>, with seven Republican state senators battling for re-election against candidates backed by Trump.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"20929e28-3227-4e2a-b0e8-3f8f7f4614ad\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-3\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A composite image of Blake Lively, wearing a flowered gown, posing on the red carpet against a backdrop of flowers, and Justin Baldoni wearing a blue and white flowered shirt. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a565ad32a4afdc2e01713aef56517387833c1109\/0_0_1500_1200\/master\/1500.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>The legal spat between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is over.<\/span> Composite: AFP, NBC, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have settled their legal dispute from the production<\/strong> <strong>of their 2024 film It Ends With Us<\/strong>, putting an end <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2026\/may\/04\/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-settlement-it-ends-with-us\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">to a highly anticipated trial<\/a> before it began.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Zohran Mamdani and other local officials condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)<\/strong> after federal officers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/04\/zohran-mamdani-ice-police-protesters-clash-brooklyn\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">dragged a man out of a hospital building<\/a>, prompting a crowd of protesters to gather outside and clash with police.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>A US judge on Monday apologized for the <\/strong><strong>\u201clegally deficient<\/strong><strong>\u201d treatment <\/strong>of the man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/04\/judge-cole-allen-treatment-suspect-trump-assassination-attempt\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">accused of attempting to assassinate Trump<\/a> at the White House correspondents\u2019 dinner.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>The rapper<\/strong><strong> Kid Cudi<\/strong><strong> has fired <\/strong><strong>MIA<\/strong><strong> from his tour after the British artist went on a rant<\/strong> about being a Republican <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music\/2026\/may\/04\/kid-cudi-fires-mia-tour-republican-rant\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">on stage in Dallas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-70-of-voters-believe-climate-action-can-lower-the-cost-of-living\"><strong>Stat of the day: 70% of voters believe climate action can lower the cost of living<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"69a71693-40dd-4aa3-b55e-1c9ef2cf0247\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-4\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two climate activists hold up a yellow sign reading \u2018big oil profits, workers pay!\u2019 Behind them is a large globe. Another worker bangs a drum to the side. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/96daee949117ff818bd17a10b43d26e2a2008ce6\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>Climate activists block a highway ramp near the offices of the American Petroleum Institute (API) in Washington DC on 1 May 2026.<\/span> Photograph: Bryan Dozier\/Zuma Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>An influential group of progressives has put forward a \u201cworking-class climate agenda\u201d seeking to counter claims that climate policy is politically toxic amid a cost of living crisis. A recent survey found that 70% of voters \u2013 including 65% of Republicans \u2013 believe climate action can lower the cost of living, a finding that suggests working people may be receptive to green policies, they say.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"culture-pick-ex-vampire-weekender-rostam-on-what-it-means-to-be-iranian-american\"><strong>Culture <\/strong><strong>pick:<\/strong> <strong>Ex-Vampire Weekender<\/strong> <strong>Rostam on what it means to be Iranian-American<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"4ceb736a-795d-4e00-8517-94cdbe739a4f\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-5\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rostam Batmanglij holds an acoustic guitar while sitting between two other guitars against a backdrop of a faded American flag\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9cffe0a42ac657fe7a9c7a60965ab8e4eb79aab6\/206_0_2560_2048\/master\/2560.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>\u2018What is my relationship to the American flag? What is my relationship to American citizenship?\u2019 Batmanglij asks.<\/span> Photograph: Matthew Weinberger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Rostam Batmanglij explores his relationship with American culture and his American citizenship as an Iranian American <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music\/2026\/may\/04\/vampire-weekender-rostam-batmanglij-american-iranian\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">in his third solo album<\/a>, American Stories, fusing together Americana with sounds of the Middle East.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-the-man-who-blew-up-a-nuclear-power-station-and-disappeared\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: The man who blew up a nuclear power station and disappeared<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"5f1c8340-8427-4be8-be7d-675af3b05946\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-6\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An orange and black illustration of a man cycling away from two nuclear reactors that are cracking. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ffef4a0c240e7ce720c48fc7125ec03f079096cc\/0_0_3750_3000\/master\/3750.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>Rodney Wilkinson became the most wanted saboteur in South African history.<\/span> Illustration: Daria Lada\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In December 1982, Rodney Wilkinson <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/05\/the-man-who-blew-up-a-nuclear-power-station-koeberg-south-africa\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">set off four bombs<\/a> in the Koeberg nuclear power station<strong> <\/strong>in South Africa, in an act of defiance against the apartheid state that made him the most wanted saboteur in South African history. Then he got on his bicycle and rode away, disappearing for more than 40 years. How did he do it?<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"-or-this-the-battle-to-flip-ohio\"><strong>\u2026 or this: The battle to flip Ohio<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"e5be43b7-2b7d-43a5-adcd-09fa5ca761ee\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-7\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A man mows a green strip of lawn next to a line of houses, some with American flags out front, in Middletown, Ohio. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2493f4cad4763256382a1dabb505851e57e3c4cb\/0_0_4456_2971\/master\/4456.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.69995511669663\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>Some people in Ohio say they\u2019re tired of timeworn political promises.<\/span> Photograph: Scott Olson\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ohio lies at the center of Democrats\u2019 hopes of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/04\/ohio-senate-race-sherrod-brown-jon-husted\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">retaking control of Congress in the midterm elections<\/a> and hobbling Trump\u2019s legislative agenda. They\u2019re hoping that voters, frustrated with rising gas prices and the war in Iran, will vote against the Republicans who supported Trump\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-the-point-of-no-return-for-new-orleans\"><strong>Climate check: The \u2018point of no return\u2019 for New Orleans<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"8b82e323-2479-48cd-820f-7ebde3ce3f16\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-8\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An aerial view of the streets of New Orleans in deep water after Hurricane Katrina.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8b57e9379868c36a7d4ef87c011431873c0099ad\/0_0_2100_1400\/master\/2100.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.66666666666663\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>Rising sea levels and the rampant erosion of wetlands in southern Louisiana will swallow up the New Orleans area within a few generations, a study concluded.<\/span> Photograph: Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>New Orleans may be surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico before the end of this century, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/04\/new-orleans-sea-levels-relocation-climate-crisis\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">study has concluded<\/a>, with rising sea levels and the rampant erosion of wetlands threatening to swallow up the city within decades. The study\u2019s authors are recommending that the process of relocating residents out of city begin immediately.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-the-met-gala-red-carpet\"><strong>Last Thing: The Met Gala red carpet<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"41edb548-f709-4649-9d9c-43fad38fc7f6\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-9\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sabrina Carpenter poses in her costume dress made out of film from the film Sabrina. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7910f14f1cee978ceaa90e731501d34d843d53d2\/0_0_5371_3580\/master\/5371.jpg?width=445&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.6114317631726\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2026 Met Gala.<\/span> Photograph: Mike Coppola\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cFashion is art\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/fashion\/gallery\/2026\/may\/05\/met-gala-2026-red-carpet\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">at the 2026 Met Gala<\/a>, with stars such as Hailey Bieber and Kim Kardashian wearing sculpted numbers while others such as Gigi Hadid choosing to turn their bodies into a canvas. This year\u2019s event was funded by honorary chairs Jeff Bezos and Lauren S\u00e1nchez Bezos, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/fashion\/2026\/may\/04\/jeff-bezos-amazon-met-gala-protest-fashion-show\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">prompting protests<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"4c0c7269-327f-490b-8085-eee0762aa57a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"EmbedBlockComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{\"html\":\"<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/email\/form\/plaintone\/4300\" height=\"52px\" data-form-title=\"A different kind of daily email\" data-form-description=\"Sign up and get a daily US news briefing from the Guardian\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" class=\"iframed--overflow-hidden email-sub__iframe js-email-sub__iframe js-email-sub__iframe--article\" data-form-success-desc=\"Thanks, you'll start getting the US morning briefing soon.\" title=\"Sign up for the US morning briefing\"><\/iframe>&#8220;,&#8221;caption&#8221;:&#8221;Sign up for the US morning briefing&#8221;,&#8221;isTracking&#8221;:false,&#8221;isMainMedia&#8221;:false,&#8221;source&#8221;:&#8221;The Guardian&#8221;,&#8221;sourceDomain&#8221;:&#8221;theguardian.com&#8221;}&#8221;><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\">\n<p>Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<p>First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"get-in-touch\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link \"http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Good morning. Donald Trump has again raised the stakes in the Gulf region with the Monday launch of \u201cProject Freedom\u201d to open a route through the strait of Hormuz. More than 800 ships and roughly 20,000 crew members remain stranded in the region. Just hours after the operation began, the US military said it destroyed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12540,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12539","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12539"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12539\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12539"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12539"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12539"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}