World

THE NEW YORK TIMES: From the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to the war in the Middle East, 2026 has served as a powerful reminder of oil’s enduring influence in geopolitics and the global economy.

Australia has deployed an advanced E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to the Gulf as Iran’s retaliatory attacks intensify, with Anthony Albanese insisting the move is purely defensive.

The US President phoned Anthony Albanese overnight, urging Australia to grant asylum to Iran’s women’s soccer team — before praising the Prime Minister for stepping in.

Iranians in Australia are urging western nations not to turn their backs on guaranteeing freedom for their relatives living under a brutal regime.

NATO member Turkey says a ballistic missile launched from Iran was neutralised by the military alliance's defence systems while entering Turkish airspace.

Middle Eastern airways are slowly resuming flights as gulf airspaces reopen since the war in Iran broke out, including on Australian routes.

Keir Starmer has taken over from Anthony Albanese as AUKUS’s weakest link.

After years of supporting Russia, the Iranian regime has to change, says Estonian Foreign Minister on the eve of diplomatic visit to Australia.

Two Palestinians travelling in a car near a Gaza City university have been killed in an Israeli air strike, with several others wounded in the area.

Two Iranian MPs have criticised President Masoud Pezeshkian for apologising to neighbouring countries over attacks in recent days.

Saudi Arabia is open to any form of mediation aimed at de-escalation of the war in Iran, but warns it will fight back if it is attacked.

Israel has warned Lebanon it needs to rein in Iran-backed Hezbollah as it pounded the group’s strongholds with air strikes and mounted a deadly airborne raid.

Iran’s president has said strict demands of surrender by the US are a ‘dream that they should take to their grave’.

Close trading partner fires back over claims its military forced an Australian chopper to perform ‘evasive action to maintain safe flight’.