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live Trump set to address the public; UAE confirms missile and UAV activity across country - Middle East conflict on 8 May

The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, though both sides signalled they did not want escalation. The clashes come as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a proposed deal to end the war while leaving key disputes, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved for now.

Tehran threatens 'crushing response' after U.S. and Iran clash in Hormuz

11:18

View from Iran

Tehran threatens 'crushing response' after U.S. and Iran clash in Hormuz

Iran confirmed on Friday its Armed Forces responded to, what Tehran is calling, the U.S. Navy’s violation of the ceasefire. It said Iranian ships and civilian areas were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening.

UAE countering Iranian air attack after Trump says ceasefire still in effect

08:06

Middle East conflict

UAE countering Iranian air attack after Trump says ceasefire still in effect

U.S. ally the United Arab Emirates said its air defences were engaging missile and drone threats from Iran early on Friday in a further test of the shaky, month-long ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

12:08

Hantavirus

Singapore isolates cruise passengers linked to deadly hantavirus outbreak

Singapore has isolated and is testing two of its residents who travelled aboard a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Thursday.

13:09

Hantavirus

WHO: 'This is not COVID' as countries track passengers of Hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Countries worldwide sought to prevent the further spread of the hantavirus on Thursday, after an outbreak on a cruise ship, by tracking those who had disembarked before the virus was detected and anyone who had close contact with them since.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

08:47

ASEAN summit

Southeast Asian leaders seek strategy to ease impacts of Iran war at ASEAN summit

Leaders of Southeast Asian nations gathered in the Philippines on 8 May for an ASEAN summit focused heavily on the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, with member states seeking a coordinated response to rising energy and food security risks.

Ukraine's military hits small Russian missile carrier in Caspian Sea

17:40

Ukraine strike

Ukraine's military hits small Russian missile carrier in Caspian Sea

Ukraine’s military said it struck a Russian Karakurt-class small missile carrier in the Caspian Sea near Russia’s Dagestan region on Thursday. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, according to Kyiv.

Iran warns of possible attacks despite reports of imminent U.S. peace deal

18:02

Middle East conflict

Iran warns of possible attacks despite reports of imminent U.S. peace deal

Iran’s parliamentary speaker has warned that Tehran still faces the risk of military or terrorist attacks, despite reports that a peace agreement with the U.S. could be announced this week.

Azerbaijan-Türkiye alignment at centre of Macron border controversy

23:04

Peace Process

Azerbaijan-Türkiye alignment at centre of Macron border controversy

Reports that Emmanuel Macron planned to cross from Armenia into Türkiye via their closed border - and was reportedly blocked following consultations with Azerbaijan - have sparked renewed debate on South Caucasus diplomacy.

15min ago

Middle East Conflict

live Trump set to address the public; UAE confirms missile and UAV activity across country - Middle East conflict on 8 May

The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, though both sides signalled they did not want escalation. The cla...

Türkiye seeks lasting Iran-U.S. ceasefire as Ankara pushes diplomacy

42min ago

Expert View

Türkiye seeks lasting Iran-U.S. ceasefire as Ankara pushes diplomacy

Türkiye is urging Washington and Tehran to turn their fragile truce into a permanent ceasefire, as analysts say Ankara is seeking to use its g...

Australia charges ISIS-linked women with slavery offences after Syria return

1h ago

Counter terrorism

Australia charges ISIS-linked women with slavery offences after Syria return

Australian police have charged two women linked to the Islamic State group with slavery offences after they returned from Syria, where they had bee...

1h ago

Hantavirus

WHO: 'This is not COVID' as countries track passengers of Hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Countries worldwide sought to prevent the further spread of the hantavirus on Thursday, after an outbreak&...

Apple and Meta oppose Canadian bill over encryption and privacy concerns

2h ago

Digital Security

Apple and Meta oppose Canadian bill over encryption and privacy concerns

Apple and Meta have publicly opposed a Canadian bill they say could force technology companies to weaken encryption on devices and online services ...

Baykar signs first export deal for Kizilelma drone at SAHA 2026

21:21

View from Türkiye

Baykar signs first export deal for Kizilelma drone at SAHA 2026

Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar signed its first export agreement on Wednesday for the newly unveiled Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

World

World News

Starmer under pressure as Labour suffers heavy local election losses

09:38

Elections

Starmer under pressure as Labour suffers heavy local election losses

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suffered heavy early losses in local elections on 8 May 2026, as results pointed to significant voter backlash against his Labour government and renewed questions over his leadership just two years after a landslide general election win.

Britain summons Chinese ambassador over spying allegations

10:09

Spying Case

Britain summons Chinese ambassador over spying allegations

Britain will summon the Chinese ambassador after two men were convicted in a London court of spying on behalf of Hong Kong and ultimately China, Security Minister Dan Jarvis said on 8 May.

UK parliamentary delegation heads to China for cautious reset of relations

11:15

UK-China

UK parliamentary delegation heads to China for cautious reset of relations

A cross-party delegation of British lawmakers is set to visit China in mid-May for the first time since 2019. The trip is positioned as a sign of cautious warming of ties, following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing earlier this year, according to two sources familiar with the plans.

08:35

DOGE

U.S. judge rules Trump-era DOGE grant cuts unconstitutional

A federal judge on 7 May ruled that the Trump administration’s cancellation of hundreds of humanities grants under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was unconstitutional and amounted to “blatant viewpoint discrimination”.

Business

Business Economy Markets

Asian stocks surge to record highs on Middle East peace hopes

10:30

Markets

Asian stocks surge to record highs on Middle East peace hopes

Asian stocks surged to record highs on 7 May as investors priced in growing hopes of a potential Middle East peace deal, while oil prices eased and the U.S. dollar weakened amid shifting global risk sentiment.

Global stocks surge and oil prices slide on hopes of Iran deal

01:36

Markets

Global stocks surge and oil prices slide on hopes of Iran deal

Stocks around the world climbed to fresh record highs on Wednesday (6 May), while oil prices fell sharply, after reports suggested the United States and Iran were nearing an agreement to end conflict.

Trump plans to raise tariffs on EU car imports to 25%

13:38

U.S.-EU Trade Tariff

Trump plans to raise tariffs on EU car imports to 25%

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25% next week, up from the 15% level agreed last year, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with its trade commitments.

Renewables in focus as Iran war pushes up Europe’s power prices

01:47

Renewable energy

Renewables in focus as Iran war pushes up Europe’s power prices

As the Iran war disrupts global flows of oil and gas and energy prices skyrocket, the Drin River, which descends through the mountains of northern Albania, is acting as a kind of shield.

China orders Meta to unwind $2bn Manus acquisition

18:40

Artificial Intelligence

China orders Meta to unwind $2bn Manus acquisition

China has ordered Meta to unwind its more than $2 billion acquisition of artificial intelligence start-up Manus, marking a major escalation in Beijing’s scrutiny of foreign investment in sensitive technology sectors. The order was issued on Monday by the National Development and Reform Commission.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

Venice Biennale hit by geopolitical disputes over Russia and Israel

08:28

Visual arts

Venice Biennale hit by geopolitical disputes over Russia and Israel

The 61st Venice Biennale has opened under grey skies and political tension, with disputes over Russia and Israel, resignations on the jury, and protests marking the start of one of the art world’s most high-profile events.

Banned in Britain, booked in Tbilisi: Ye set to perform in Georgia

19:25

Kanye West Europe tour

Banned in Britain, booked in Tbilisi: Ye set to perform in Georgia

Ye will perform in Tbilisi on 12 June as part of a Georgian government-funded programme, despite being barred from entering the U.K. and facing mounting concert cancellations across Europe.

Singer Katy Perry to perform at 10th Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku

13:19

Formula 1

Singer Katy Perry to perform at 10th Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku

The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 will mark its 10th anniversary with a major entertainment programme in Baku, headlined by global pop star Katy Perry.

08:57

Fashion

'Fashion is Art': Celebrity guests stun on the 2026 MET Gala red carpet in New York

The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.

Most viewed

19:16

Middle East Conflict

U.S. launches 'retaliatory strikes' on Iran as Tehran's military says ceasefire breached - Middle East conflict on 7 May

The U.S military said it carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran on Thursday (7 May). Meanwhile, Iran's Joint Military Command accused the U.S. of breaching the ceasefire, by striking an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and launching attacks on several Iranian cities.

16:30

Middle East Conflict

Iran wants to make deal, Trump says - Middle East conflict on 6 May

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But earlier, he warned Washington would ramp up attacks if no agreement was reached.

Argentinian authorities reconstructing journeys of luxury cruise passengers who presented with hantavirus symptoms

19:40

Hantavirus Update

Argentinian authorities reconstructing journeys of luxury cruise passengers who presented with hantavirus symptoms

Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Argentina and Chile as part of a luxury cruise trip, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (6 May)

Latvia reports Russian drone incursion and oil tank damage

10:05

Drones

Latvia reports Russian drone incursion and oil tank damage

Latvian authorities said two drones entered NATO member Latvia from Russian territory and crashed on Thursday morning, with officials linking them to Ukraine’s wider drone operations against targets in Russia.

14:19

Middle East Conflict

live Trump set to address the public; UAE confirms missile and UAV activity across country - Middle East conflict on 8 May

Health

Health news Healthcare

WFP urges urgent funding as 5.8 million Haitians face acute food insecurity

21:02

Haiti Hunger Crisis

WFP urges urgent funding as 5.8 million Haitians face acute food insecurity

More than half of Haiti’s population is facing acute food insecurity, prompting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to warn that recent progress in tackling hunger remains fragile and could quickly be reversed without urgent support.

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

20:46

meningitis Outbreak

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of Wednesday evening, it has identified six new cases of meningococcal disease in Kent, bringing the total of confirmed or suspected cases to at least 27.

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

10:40

Middle East Conflict

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released $2m in emergency funding to support health responses in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as escalating regional conflict strains hospitals, raises displacement and increases pressure on already fragile health systems.

19:40

Hantavirus Update

Argentinian authorities reconstructing journeys of luxury cruise passengers who presented with hantavirus symptoms

Hantavirus explained: What WHO says about the rare but deadly virus

08:48

Explainer

Hantavirus explained: What WHO says about the rare but deadly virus

What is hantavirus? Three people have died and three are still ill on a Netherlands-based cruise ship after it was hit by a suspected outbreak of the deadly virus, according to authorities on Sunday.

08:25

Hantavirus

Medics race to evacuate people from luxury cruise ship after suspected hantavirus outbreak as three confirmed dead

Medics are working to evacuate two people with symptoms of the deadly respiratory illness, hantavirus, from a luxury cruise ship being held off West Africa, after three people died and several others fell ill, officials have said.

Travel

Travel News Destinations

ITA Airways plans fare rises as Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs

13:23

Fuel crisis

ITA Airways plans fare rises as Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs

ITA Airways is preparing to raise ticket prices by between 5% and 10% this year as soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the U.S. continue to pressure airlines worldwide.

12:14

Tourism

Dubai's tourism, revenues and restaurants shrink as Iran war impacts travel

Dubai chef Shaw Lash at Mexican restaurant Lila Molino flies in her avocados and tomatillos, small, tart green fruits native to Central America that are a staple of Mexican cuisine and key for her colourful and spicy dishes.

Dubai caps flights, raising pressure on Indian airlines and travel sector

11:58

Travel Restrictions

Dubai caps flights, raising pressure on Indian airlines and travel sector

Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

20:52

Tourism Impact

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

The ongoing conflict involving Iran is set to disrupt global travel on a massive scale, with nearly 28 million outbound trips from the Middle East at risk this year, according to Oxford Economics.

Green

Green News Climate Nature

Tropical forest loss declines in 2025 from record high, report finds

01:28

Climate change

Tropical forest loss declines in 2025 from record high, report finds

Destruction of the world's tropical forests eased in 2025 from a record high, a report showed on Wednesday, underscoring how decisive policy can help keep trees standing despite pressures from a warmer climate and expanding agricultural frontiers.

Kazakhstan ratifies green energy partnership with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan

11:41

View from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan ratifies green energy partnership with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan has ratified a regional green energy agreement with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, signalling Central Asia’s ambition to become a key supplier of renewable energy to international markets.

Beijing Auto Show 2026 highlights China’s eco-friendly vehicle push

23:33

Green Transport

Beijing Auto Show 2026 highlights China’s eco-friendly vehicle push

China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.

Mexicans protest as activists say Gulf of Mexico oil spill has killed wildlife and destroyed reefs

09:45

Climate

Mexicans protest as activists say Gulf of Mexico oil spill has killed wildlife and destroyed reefs

Communities in Mexico have taken to the streets to protest against an ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that has killed wildlife and damaged coral reefs over several weeks.

16:15

Climate risks

Central Asia steps up action on rapid glacier melt and climate risks

Central Asia is stepping up efforts to address rapid glacier melt, following United Nations warnings of unprecedented climate pressure on mountain ecosystems.

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News Politics Iran Strait of Hormuz United States Israel Donald Trump China