- President Trump told an audience at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches that he thought oil would hit $200 a barrel during the Iran war but was “pleasantly surprised” it stayed around $90, and that the war was worth it because the Dow had just crossed 50,000 and the stock market is at all-time highs. https://www.al.com/politics/2026/05/trump-says-war-in-iran-worth-200-oil-prices-we-had-just-set-a-record-50000-on-the-dow.html
- Pakistan expressed optimism that a deal could be reached between the United States and Iran, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling Trump’s decision to pause Project Freedom a step that “will go a long way towards advancing regional peace.” https://aje.news/h5pevi?update=4552731
- Iran’s foreign ministry said the country is reviewing the latest U.S. proposal and could send its formal response as early as today, with officials communicating through Pakistan as the intermediary. https://aje.news/h5pevi?update=4552438
- Doctors Without Borders accused Israel of deliberately manufacturing a malnutrition crisis in Gaza by restricting food and aid, with particularly devastating impacts on infants and pregnant and breastfeeding women, based on analysis of conditions at four health facilities it supports. https://aje.news/h5pevi?update=4552521
- Post-election violence in India’s West Bengal state left at least four people dead and dozens injured following local government elections, with ruling party and opposition supporters clashing in several districts. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/6/four-killed-in-post-election-violence-in-indias-west-bengal
- Unconfirmed reports suggest the UAE could recognize Somaliland as an independent state in the near future, which would be a major diplomatic shift for the breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has never been formally recognized by any UN member state. https://somalilandpost.news/maxaa-ka-soo-kordhay-xogaha-aqoonsiga-somaliland-ee-imaaraadka-carabta/
- Thefts of water meters are on the rise across Japan as the price of copper has surged, with thieves targeting the brass fittings for their scrap metal value. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/07/japan/crime-legal/water-meter-thefts/
- North Korea’s newly revised constitution formally grants leader Kim Jong Un sole authority over the country’s nuclear arsenal, codifying a power that was previously understood but not explicitly written into law. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-07/north-korea-s-new-constitution-gives-kim-formal-power-over-nukes?embedded-checkout=true
- About 40 passengers from the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship had gone ashore on St. Helena island before the outbreak was identified, raising concerns about potential exposure in the small, remote British overseas territory with limited healthcare capacity. https://apnews.com/article/hantavirus-cruise-ship-st-helena-9c70878b2ff59d187f1e34c12627cea7
- Paraguayan President Santiago Pena visited Taiwan to reaffirm diplomatic ties, making Paraguay one of the few remaining countries that formally recognizes Taipei over Beijing. https://apnews.com/article/paraguay-president-pena-taiwan-china-dab2e121a2efdfdff5515958706fab27
- A political song played during the opening night of St. Lucia’s Jazz and Arts Festival drew backlash from the opposition, who said cultural events should remain welcoming spaces for people of all political leanings. Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire dismissed the controversy as “nonsense.” https://stluciatimes.com/180282/2026/05/hilaire-responds-to-uproar-over-political-song-at-jazz-opening/
- A top RSF commander said their forces continue to grow and will keep fighting after peace talks with the Sudanese military collapsed, signaling no end in sight to the civil war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 9 million people. https://sudantribune.com/article/313605
- Russia is disabling mobile phone services across Moscow ahead of Victory Day celebrations on May 9, citing security concerns over potential Ukrainian drone attacks during the scaled-back parade. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/05/07/8033549/
- An unidentified drone that crossed into Latvian airspace from Russia struck an empty oil storage tank, though no injuries or environmental damage were reported. Latvian authorities are investigating the incident and have not yet determined whether the drone was military or civilian. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/05/07/8033547/
- A Washington Post investigation using satellite imagery and Iranian state media footage found that Iran struck at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment at U.S. military sites during the war, far more damage than the Pentagon has publicly acknowledged. https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/05/06/iran-us-bases-satellite-images/
- The real reason Trump abruptly paused Project Freedom was that Saudi Arabia suspended U.S. access to Prince Sultan Airbase and Saudi airspace for the operation, and Kuwait also cut off base and airspace access, leaving the military unable to provide the air cover needed to protect ships transiting the strait. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trumps-abrupt-u-turn-plan-re-open-strait-hormuz-came-backlash-allies-rcna343845
Morning World News Summary
Related articles