Lean times, tough choices: can Jim Chalmers meet the moment?
As the fallout from the US-Israel threatens to overshadow Labor’s agenda, the treasurer says this budget will be his most ambitious but also most difficult
· Patrick Commins
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Newest first · UTC+11:00To negotiate with China, Europe must first figure out what it wants
As Beijing seeks to influence Europe, Brussels must shape on its own competitiveness agenda and policy aims for engaging with China
· Kevin Broady
Trump claiming Iran war ‘win’ – here’s the reality
Keep independent journalism alive
· Christian Emery
Futures Rebound, Trade At All Time Highs On, What Else: Tech And Iran Optimism
US equity futures are higher and just shy of a new record, with technology names leading futures higher ahead of April jobs report, after Trump’s assertion that the Iran ceasefire is still holding despite an exchange of weapons between the US and Iran overnight, and a deep weekly loss for oil help futures regain pos…
· Tyler Durden
Iran seizes US-sanctioned tanker carrying Islamic regime’s oil in Gulf of Oman
Iran seized a US-sanctioned tanker carrying Iranian oil in the Gulf of Oman, the Islamic Republic’s army said Friday after American and Iranian forces clashed in the Strait of Hormuz.
· Emily Crane
Iran claims to have seized ‘offending’ oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims to have captured an oil tanker, Ocean Koi, in a “special operation” in the Gulf of Oman, saying the vessel was attempting to “disrupt oil exports and the interests of the Iranian nation”, according to state media.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Marco Rubio says U.S. expects Iran response on peace deal 'today'
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the U.S. is expecting a response on Friday from Iran on the proposal to end the war.
· Elsa Ohlen
ASEAN in Cebu: Solutions to Middle East crisis needed ASAP but nothing concrete yet
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· Tati Maligro
Daily life around the world, in photos
Palestinian children practice breakdancing outside a dance studio in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
· The Associated Press
Middle Israel: What's the plan? Israel needs a 'reconciliation government' - opinion
Politicians, said Emma Goldman, will promise you heaven before being elected, and once elected, will give you hell.
· AMOTZ ASA-EL
What we know about Iran’s response to the latest US ceasefire proposal
Iran has said it is reviewing a United States peace proposal that seeks to end the war, even as the two sides exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.
· Priyanka Shankar
Three injured as UAE engages two Iranian missiles and three drones | The National
Three people suffered moderate injuries after the UAE responded to further air strikes from Iran on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said.
· The National
UAE says air defences intercepted two missiles, three drones from Iran
The United Arab Emirates’ ministry of defence says its air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three UAV’s launched from Iran.
· Middleeasteye
Anger mounts after Tennessee Republicans redraw maps – US politics live
Legislature has eliminated the state’s one Democratic, Black-majority congressional district
· Yohannes Lowe
Iranian Army Commandos Seize Oil Tanker Over Export Disruption Claims
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iran has seized an oil tanker, accusing it of "attempting to disrupt oil exports and the interests of the Iranian nation."
· Tyler Durden
Bahrain expels three MPs after they voted against royal decree on citizenship oversight
Bahrain’s parliament has expelled three lawmakers after they voted against a royal decree removing judicial oversight in matters of citizenship, just days after dozens had their nationalities stripped in connection with the Iran war.
· Middleeasteye
Italia le dice a Rubio que Europa necesita a EEUU y viceversa en su visita de 2 días
ROMA (AP) — El ministro de Exteriores de Italia, Antonio Tajani, afirmó el viernes que le dijo al secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, que Europa necesita a Washington, y viceversa, mientras el principal diplomático estadounidense concluía dos días de conversaciones para recomponer las relaciones en …
· Giada Zampano
Israeli settlers new settlement outpost in West Bank
Israeli settlers established a new illegal settlement outpost northwest of the town of Bruqin near the occupied West Bank city of Salfit on Thursday, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, citing a local researcher.
· Middleeasteye
ICRC Rafah field hospital to receive major upgrade | The National
Equipment and materials have been finalised for an upgraded International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) field hospital in Gaza's southern city of Rafah.
· Nada AlTaher
Cathay Pacific to lower fuel surcharges for passenger flights by up to 14%
Decrease to take effect on May 16 and comes after airline raised surcharges due to higher fuel prices as Middle East war disrupted supplies
· Ng Kang-chung
Cathay Pacific to lower fuel surcharges for passenger flights by up to 14%
Decrease to take effect on May 16 and comes after airline raised surcharges due to higher fuel prices as Middle East war disrupted supplies
· Ng Kang-chung
‘Everything went black. Then fire poured down’: one man’s terror onboard a ship hit in the Iran war
In an exclusive interview, a seafarer describes the strike on the MKD Vyom in the Gulf of Oman that killed his friend and crewmate, Dixit Solanki
· Karenmcveigh
US jet fuel could be used in Europe to ease possible shortages
European airlines should use US-made jet fuel to combat soaring prices and limited supply caused by the US-Israel war with Iran, two major international airline bodies have suggested.
· Theo Leggett
Iran says redirects US-sanctioned oil tanker to its shores
Iran said on Friday it redirected a US-sanctioned oil tanker carrying Iranian oil back to its shores, though it was unclear from its statement why it had been targeted.
· Yonhap
ASEAN chair Marcos: Effects of Middle East crisis ‘to be felt for years to come’
CEBU, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. again emphasized how events across the world have impacted Southeast Asia, as he and other leaders gathered at the Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu for the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit retreat session on Friday, May 8.
· Acor Arceo
Bahrain expels three MPs after they voted against royal decree on citizenship oversight
Bahrain’s parliament has expelled three lawmakers after they voted against a royal decree removing judicial oversight in matters of citizenship, just days after dozens had their nationalities stripped in connection with the Iran war.
· Middleeasteye
EU tells airlines passenger rules maintained despite Iran crisis
The European Commission on Friday told airlines that the impact of the Iran war on the jet fuel market is not severe enough to allow airlines to charge passengers a fuel hike surcharge, or to avoid compensation payments for cancelled flights. All passenger protection rules remain unchanged, the commission said.
· Middleeasteye
UAE announces $49 billion in industrial deals at Make it in the Emirates summit | The National
The UAE announced Dh180 billion ($49 billion) in cumulative offtakes over the next decade during the Make it in the Emirates summit as part of the government's push to strengthen and broaden the country's industrial base amid Iran war driven uncertainties.
· Fareed Rahman
Live updates: Rubio meets with Italian leaders on Day 2 visit
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday. His visit was expected to be a fence-mending mission after weeks of tensions over the war in Iran in which US President Donald Trump has repeatedly bashed Pope Leo over his promotion of peace in the region.
Kehillat Israel Synagogue to reopen after damage from Palisades fire
The Kehillat Israel Synagogue is set to reopen for the first time since its damaging by the Palisades fire last January, with a rededication ceremony scheduled for next Friday.
· MICHAEL STARR
Mossad hunted Iran’s terror operatives abroad - so why are British Jews still under attack?
During the 2025 and 2026 wars with Iran, and with some attacks on Iranian agents in between, the Mossad and the IDF eliminated or busted not only local Iranian agents overseas, but many of their spymaster handlers in Iran itself.
· YONAH JEREMY BOB, MATHILDA HELLER
Iran army says seized oil tanker in Sea of Oman
Iran has seized the oil tanker Ocean Koi over an alleged attempt to disrupt Iran's oil exports, Iranian state media said on Friday.
· Middleeasteye
Three IDF soldiers moderately, severly wounded in two separate incidents in Lebanon
Two soldiers were moderately wounded, and an additional soldier was severely wounded in two separate incidents involving explosive drones launched by Hezbollah, the IDF confirmed on Friday.
· SHIR PERETS
Al Nassr v Al Hilal: Ronaldo v Benzema and all you need to know ahead of Saudi Pro League title decider | The National
The top two in the Saudi Pro League face off on Tuesday in a game being billed as the biggest club match in the Kingdom's history.
· Steve Luckings
Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese town kills two
Israeli strikes on the southern Lebanese town of Toura killed two people and wounded five others on Thursday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.
· Middleeasteye
Trump’s looming defeat in Iran is a personal and political crisis | Robert Reich
Trump’s ego cannot accept a humiliating loss, and we are already seeing the effects of his failure playing out
· Robert Reich
Military force has got the US nowhere with Iran – here is what a realistic negotiation would look like | Christopher S Chivvis
Making a deal means the US finding a position that doesn’t threaten the Iranian regime’s survival. The alternative is a prolonged and damaging stalemate
· Christopher S Chivvis
UN's Francesca Albanese receives top civilian honour in Spain for condemning Gaza war | The National
The Spanish government has awarded Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Palestine, one of its highest civilian honours for her work “documenting and denouncing violations of international law in Gaza".
· Lemma Shehadi
FBI’s lack of progress on Israeli killing of journalist ‘troubling’: CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded a “public progress update” from United States authorities on the FBI probe into the Israeli military’s killing of Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, 51, who was shot dead in the occupied West Bank in 2022.
· Al Jazeera Staff
US, Iran clash in Hormuz as war escalates: What happened, why it matters
The United States and Iran have exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting fears that the already fragile ceasefire between the warring nations could collapse.
· Priyanka Shankar
Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US
Friday, May 8, 2026 | 21 Iyar, 5786
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Civilian, three IDF soldiers indicted for spying for Iran prior to enlistment
A civilian and three IDF soldiers were indicted Friday after being arrested in March on suspicion of maintaining long-term contact with Iranian intelligence operatives and carrying out security-related tasks at their direction before their military enlistment, the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and Military Police confirm…
· SHIR PERETS
More than half of Lebanon population depends on aid, EU official says
More than half of Lebanon's population depends on humanitarian aid, a European Union official said on Friday, as Israel continues its attacks on the country despite a ceasefire in the two-month-long war on Lebanon.
· Middleeasteye
UAE sends Trump's Board of Peace '$100m' for training of new Gaza police force
The United Arab Emirates has disbursed $100m to the US-backed "Board of Peace" to finance the training of a Palestinian police unit destined for the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported, citing diplomatic sources.
· Middleeasteye
UAE sends Trump's Board of Peace '$100m' for training of new Gaza police force
The United Arab Emirates has disbursed $100m to the US-backed "Board of Peace" to finance the training of a Palestinian police unit destined for the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported, citing diplomatic sources.
· Middleeasteye
Toyota sees 20 percent drop in annual profit as Iran war weighs
Toyota forecast a 20 percent decline in profit for the current financial year on Friday, as cost and supply uncertainties stemming from the Iran war weigh on earnings even as robust demand for its hybrid models powers sales growth.
· Middleeasteye
Middle East crisis live: Trump insists ceasefire is intact after Iran and US exchange fire in Hormuz
The US said it carried out strikes on Iranian military targets after an attack on three American destroyers in the strait of Hormuz
· Taz Ali, Mark Saunokonoko, Graemewearden
China reports attack on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz
China’s foreign ministry said on Friday that an oil products tanker carrying Chinese crew was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed deep concern about vessels affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
· Middleeasteye
Iraq denies US claims deputy oil minister helped Iran evade sanctions
Iraq's oil ministry has denied US accusations against its deputy minister, who the United States hit with sanctions over alleged support to Iran, as Washington escalates pressure on Baghdad to break with Iranian-linked groups.
· Middleeasteye
Oil climbs and stocks drop as Strait of Hormuz escalation threatens US-Iran truce | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on US-Iran war
· Sarmad Khan