Monday briefing: How the new phase of confrontation at al-Aqsa signals a challenge to the status quo

• A shipment of dialysis equipment intended for 44,000 patients has finally arrived in Iran after being detained by the United States for 95 days. • The eight-container shipment was held starting on April 20 before its eventual release.

• Israel has officially rejected a Gaza peace plan proposed by Donald Trump, signaling continued diplomatic friction over the region's future. • New details have emerged regarding tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting increased military volatility in a critical global shipping lane.

• Ukraine has evolved from a perceived burden into a significant military powerhouse, shifting the dynamic of its strategic relationship with the United States. • Ukrainian officials are now adopting a transactional approach to diplomacy with Donald Trump, focusing on mutual benefits rather than moral or humanitarian appeals.

• Iran has demanded compensation from the United States and set six crucial conditions that must be met before it will reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • The closure follows more than four months of conflict between the two nations, which has triggered renewed escalations in Yemen.

• On August 8, 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened to maritime traffic. • The decision follows a reported agreement where the United States accepted specific conditions set by Iran to de-escalate tensions.

Transport minister says improved staff rostering will be in place from next month after ‘unacceptable’ delays and incident involving Qatar Airways and Jetstar planesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe transport minister, Catherine King, has said improved staff rostering will be in place at Sydney airport from next month after “unacceptable” delays and a near-miss collision that resulted in two workers being stood down.King called in the Airservices Australia chief executive officer, Rob Sharp, for a meeting in Canberra on Monday, the day after a Jetstar plane narrowly avoided hitting a Qatar Airways plane that was pulled across the runway in front of it. Continue reading...

Prime minister and opposition leader meet in Canberra to advance agreement on gambling advertising Anthony Albanese has bowed to pressure and will limit gambling inducements as part of a deal between Labor and Angus Taylor, even as some Liberals warn it might not do enough to help vulnerable people.The prime minister and the opposition leader met in Canberra on Monday to negotiate the deal, a week after sensational revelations about illegal drugs, sex workers and alcohol being provided to high-spending gamblers. Continue reading...

If opposition wins November’s state election, leader Jess Wilson vows households will not pay more under the changeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian Liberals have vowed to restore weekly rubbish collections if they win November’s state election, with leader Jess Wilson describing the current fortnightly system in her local area as “disgusting”.Thirty-three Victorian councils have switched general rubbish collections from weekly to fortnightly, with a similar shift occurring in other states. Continue reading...

Man, 21, dies six days after being taken to hospital in critical condition after alleged attack in Bahrs Scrub, LoganFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA “preconceived plan” to do harm at a party has resulted in a young man’s death and murder charges for eight teenagers, police say.The group of teens allegedly attended an Airbnb gathering south of Brisbane armed with various weapons before it erupted into violence and left the 21-year-old man with catastrophic head injuries. Continue reading...

Mohammad Akhtar, 50, from Peterborough killed during clashes between authorities and protestersA British national was shot dead in Pakistan-administered Kashmir during clashes between security forces and protesters, the Guardian can reveal.Another Briton has been held in a regional prison for more than two months despite his family’s efforts to secure his release through the Foreign Office. Continue reading...

Big companies describe being under constant threat but only half have a plan in place to respond to an attackNearly a third of British manufacturers have been hit by a cyber-attack on them or a company in their supply chain, according to a survey that highlighted the growing hacking risk to companies.The findings come almost a year after Britain’s largest automotive employer, JLR, was hit by an attack that forced it to halt production for weeks. Continue reading...