{"id":3846,"date":"2026-05-28T11:39:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T11:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/28\/trump-threatens-to-blow-up-us-ally-oman-if-it-does-not-behave-over-strait-of-hormuz-first-thing\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T11:39:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T11:39:49","slug":"trump-threatens-to-blow-up-us-ally-oman-if-it-does-not-behave-over-strait-of-hormuz-first-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=3846","title":{"rendered":"Trump threatens to \u2018blow up\u2019 US ally Oman if it does not \u2018behave\u2019 over strait of Hormuz | First Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"867bec58-4e2b-4174-8ad1-8614448398a2\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rubio and Trump, with his eyes closed, sit at a table during a cabinet meeting, with flags and a red cap visible\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e7d60d7e2581903a947019b103b82afe411c5e67\/950_0_6881_5504\/master\/6881.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"371.94593809039384\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Donald Trump attending a cabinet meeting at the White House flanked by his secretary of state, Marco Rubio.<\/span> Photograph: Kent Nishimura\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"867bec58-4e2b-4174-8ad1-8614448398a2\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Donald Trump attending a cabinet meeting at the White House flanked by his secretary of state, Marco Rubio.<\/span> Photograph: Kent Nishimura\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">First Thing: Trump threatens to \u2018blow up\u2019 US ally Oman if it does not \u2018behave\u2019 over strait of Hormuz<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>President makes comments after reports Iran and Oman have discussed jointly charging a toll for ships. Plus, how \u2018balcony solar\u2019 could help fight rising energy costs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a casual aside during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Donald Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/27\/donald-trump-oman-threat-strait-hormuz\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">threatened to \u201cblow up\u201d Oman<\/a>, a US ally, if it failed to \u201cbehave\u201d over the reopening the strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There have been reports of talks between Iran and Oman about jointly charging a toll for ships passing through the crucial waterway, which was open before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/us-israel-war-on-iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">US-Israel war on Iran<\/a> but has been all but closed since.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe strait is going to be open to everybody,\u201d Trump said. \u201cNobody\u2019s going to control it. We\u2019re going to watch over it. We\u2019ll watch over it. But nobody\u2019s going to control it \u2026 Oman will behave just like everybody else. Or else we\u2019ll have to blow them up. They understand that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Oman has decades-long military and economic ties with the US. It has also mediated in the war, and has been attacked by Tehran.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What is the latest on a deal to end the war?<\/strong> Negotiations are continuing but the US earlier this week struck Iranian targets, reportedly killing four members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which prompted an apparent Iranian retaliatory attack on an American airbase in Kuwait.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What is happening inside Iran? <\/strong>Internet restrictions were partially lifted this week, revealing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/partial-lifting-of-internet-restrictions-reveal-iranians-anger-over-food-inflation\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">increasing anger from Iranians<\/a> over rapid food price inflation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"israeli-military-tells-residents-in-southern-lebanon-to-leave\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Israeli military tells residents in southern Lebanon to leave<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"3d6e198f-d8cd-48f0-a195-fe38139450ed\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Civil defence members carrying body in bag amid rubble\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2ccbd816a025fbf7a82e75bcb8d650fc0eb3ecf1\/181_0_3477_2784\/master\/3477.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.30716134598794\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"3d6e198f-d8cd-48f0-a195-fe38139450ed\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Rescuers remove a body from the rubble of a home hit by an Israeli strike near the town of Burj al-Shamali.<\/span> Photograph: Kawnat Haju\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Israel\u2019s military has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/israel-fires-airstrikes-lebanon-escalating-offensive\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">told residents across a swathe of southern Lebanon to leave<\/a> and head north, as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said his forces were escalating their offensive against Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on social media that all areas south of the Zahrani River, which runs about 25 miles (40km) north of the de facto Israel-Lebanon border, were considered combat zones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The warning came a day after Israel launched more than 120 airstrikes against Lebanon in one of the heaviest days of bombing in weeks. As of this morning, at least a dozen people <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/may\/28\/middle-east-crisis-trump-us-iran-war-lebanon-israel-strikes-latest-news-live?page=with%3Ablock-6a17fc628f085ed9af2551b4#block-6a17fc628f085ed9af2551b4\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">have been killed<\/a> in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, local media reported.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What is the humanitarian toll of the war?<\/strong> More than 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced in the latest round of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which began in March. At least 3,213 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the start of the war, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The office of Israel\u2019s prime minister reported that 23 Israeli soldiers and a defence contractor have been killed in or near southern Lebanon, and two civilians have been killed in northern Israel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What is life like inside Israel\u2019s \u201cyellow line\u201d?<\/strong> The Guardian\u2019s William Christou, in Kfarchouba, Lebanon, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/lebanese-villagers-life-southern-lebanon-israel-yellow-line\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">spoke to the villagers living in fear<\/a> of nightly raids and daytime bombings from the Israeli military occupying their land.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"world-almost-certain-to-endure-record-hot-year-by-2030-un-warns\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>World almost certain to endure record hot year by 2030, UN warns<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"7401d80f-33b2-4765-bce5-c1e14ec96acc\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Person with bucket on head walks across cracked mud\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7a90dbdf002acd49d5e18623156506bc3722e046\/345_0_3750_3000\/master\/3750.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"7401d80f-33b2-4765-bce5-c1e14ec96acc\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Southern Vietnam in 2024, the hottest year ever recorded globally.<\/span> Photograph: Nhac Nguyen\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A record-breaking hot year is almost certain by 2030 as the climate crisis intensifies, the UN\u2019s World Meteorological Organization <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/may\/28\/climate-impacts-spiralling-more-record-global-heat-warns-un\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">has predicted<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">With an El Ni\u00f1o event expected later this year, the global temperature record could fall as soon as 2027.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are continuing to rise, trapping more heat and creating more extreme weather. Global heating is estimated to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2025\/oct\/29\/rising-heat-kills-one-person-a-minute-worldwide-lancet-countdown\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">take one life every minute<\/a>, with the toll likely to rise unless emissions fall rapidly.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What does the report show?<\/strong> It predicts an 86% chance that at least one year between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the hottest ever recorded. There is a 75% chance that the average temperature for the five-year period from 2026 to 2030 will be more than 1.5C above the preindustrial average.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"f8706ec0-9330-4e19-b478-d7f25194311e\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Head and shoulders of Joe Biden \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/64bfde2e4a3b8ac0cf50ea54d9abfa14f9bbd4a1\/0_0_3124_2500\/master\/3124.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.1139564660691\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"f8706ec0-9330-4e19-b478-d7f25194311e\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Joe Biden in January 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Bloomberg\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Jill Biden said she was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/27\/jill-biden-joe-biden-stroke-trump-debate\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">worried her husband, Joe Biden, might have suffered a stroke<\/a> <\/strong>as she watched him during his 2024 presidential debate, a poor performance that ultimately led him to withdraw from the race.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Five people stuck in a flooded cave in central Laos since 19 May have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/five-villagers-found-alive-in-laos-cave-as-search-continues-for-two-missing\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">found alive<\/a>,<\/strong> rescuers said, but two others are missing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Lawmakers in Hungary have voted overwhelmingly <\/strong><strong>to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/hungary-mps-vote-remain-member-icc-overturn-decision-viktor-orban-peter-magyar\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">remain a member of the international criminal court<\/a>,<\/strong> reversing a decision by the previous government of Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-who-chief-calls-for-drc-ceasefire-to-tackle-ebola-outbreak-as-suspected-deaths-reach-246-people\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Stat of the day: WHO chief calls for DRC ceasefire to tackle Ebola outbreak as suspected deaths reach 246 people<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"600cb7f9-dd4e-4741-a8c3-1a7014d67eee\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Congolese soldiers stand inside burned frame of tent\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6d71bcab9a8e240ae722af07541fd0740dab93dc\/264_0_6610_5289\/master\/6610.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.0673222390318\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"600cb7f9-dd4e-4741-a8c3-1a7014d67eee\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Congolese soldiers stand inside the remains of an Ebola isolation tent burned down by \u2018unidentified individuals\u2019 in Mongbwalu, DRC.<\/span> Photograph: Michel Lunanga\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/who-chief-tedros-calls-for-drc-ceasefire-ebola\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">called for an immediate ceasefire<\/a> in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday to help tackle the Ebola outbreak. There have been 1077 suspected cases and 246 suspected Ebola deaths during the current outbreak, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/emergencies\/alert-and-response\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">WHO data shows<\/a>. It comes asthe Trump administration said it is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/27\/trump-administration-ebola-quarantine-kenya\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">building a quarantine and treatment center<\/a> in Kenya for Americans affected, instead of bringing them home.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-filter-recommends-tips-on-how-to-cat-proof-your-home\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>The Filter recommends: Tips on how to cat-proof your home<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"9ab9f695-9f73-4761-9229-c4b9a59ffa7c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A cat lying on the couch. It is gray with yellow eyes.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b5c138c9e8ccaad2a1ebdb5f19dd59105dc8e901\/200_0_5020_4016\/master\/5020.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-6\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"9ab9f695-9f73-4761-9229-c4b9a59ffa7c\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Can you save your couch from landfill?<\/span> Photograph: Tetiana Vitsenko\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">For the Filter US, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter-us\/2026\/may\/25\/products-to-protect-furniture-from-cats\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Marissa Miller checked out<\/a> 10 items to pet-proof a home, such as a water fountain, a calming diffuser and a built-in scratching post \u2013 which has \u201ccompletely saved my couch from ending up in a landfill\u201d, she says.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-saint-levant-the-pop-star-from-gaza-caught-between-passionate-fandom-and-bitter-disapproval\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: Saint Levant \u2013 the pop star from Gaza caught between passionate fandom and bitter disapproval<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"701d28aa-ce73-4a75-981a-e2fbb0fb609a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Saint Levant in concert waving Palestinian flag\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6fc8b4f8e1b24f9ab4dfc85ea20e06354329dac6\/833_0_4167_3333\/master\/4167.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"355.9359251259899\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-7\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"701d28aa-ce73-4a75-981a-e2fbb0fb609a\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Palestinian singer and musician Saint Levant in Paris, 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Sadaka Edmond\/Sipa\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">His detractors say he should not be making pop music in times of war and destruction. His millions of fans say he has given them permission to celebrate their culture and their cause. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/news\/2026\/may\/26\/saint-levant-the-pop-star-from-gaza-caught-between-passionate-fandom-and-bitter-disapproval\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Nesrine Malik writes about Saint Levant<\/a>, the 25-year-old musician from Gaza.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-how-balcony-solar-could-help-fight-rising-us-utility-costs\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Climate check: How \u2018balcony solar\u2019 could help fight rising US utility costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"3a0cf4e3-7122-477d-9ca6-811a8e4fc4f2\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A man holds a solar panel on a balcony.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ab484d591e02ea285658424ae5ae49dc557ccbbd\/362_0_2391_1913\/master\/2391.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.0372229192806\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-8\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"3a0cf4e3-7122-477d-9ca6-811a8e4fc4f2\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">A \u2018balcony power plant\u2019, as it is known in Germany.<\/span> Photograph: Climate Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Since 2020, US residential energy prices have surged by about 30%, according to the US Energy Information Administration. But while the US has been slow to adopt personal solar technology, in Germany it has become a cultural phenomenon \u2013 known as <em>Balkonkraftwerk<\/em>, or \u201cbalcony power plant\u201d. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/may\/27\/balcony-solar-panels-rising-utility-costs\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Ben Tracy reports<\/a> on the potential US impact of \u201cbalcony solar\u201d on energy bills.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-what-are-the-best-world-cup-uniforms-for-2026\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Last Thing: What are the best World Cup uniforms for 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"de804a1e-070b-4475-acb4-2af62ef62d82\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-9\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Montage with William Saliba in the France home kit and Ryan Christie in Scotland away.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8b6f9a3c9dc11522c55b04275701a73d47b43981\/1_0_2499_2000\/master\/2499.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.1424569827931\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-9\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"de804a1e-070b-4475-acb4-2af62ef62d82\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The Japan away kit with, left, William Saliba in the France home kit and Ryan Christie in Scotland away.<\/span> Composite: Guardian Design\/Nike\/Adidas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">With the World Cup only two weeks away, Lauren Cochrane, a senior Guardian fashion writer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/fashion\/gallery\/2026\/may\/27\/world-cup-of-kits-who-are-the-winners-for-2026\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">looked at the teams\u2019 top jerseys<\/a> \u2013 from riffs on much-loved favourites, to new entries with the potential to become classics.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"8a23d741-f939-4a4d-ade8-be021e236d67\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\" class=\"dcr-1vu3ut5\">\n<div class=\"dcr-p9o6z7\">Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">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\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/guardian-us-briefing\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">First Thing newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Trump%20threatens%20to%20%E2%80%98blow%20up%E2%80%99%20US%20ally%20Oman%20if%20it%20does%20not%20%E2%80%98behave%E2%80%99%20over%20strait%20of%20Hormuz%20%7C%20First%20Thing&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/28\/first-thing-trump-threatens-oman-strait-of-hormuz?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F28%2Ffirst-thing-trump-threatens-oman-strait-of-hormuz&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/28\/first-thing-trump-threatens-oman-strait-of-hormuz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Donald Trump attending a cabinet meeting at the White House flanked by his secretary of state, Marco Rubio.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":3848,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3846"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3846\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}