5 Big News Stories Overnight - Friday, May 8, 2026

Middle East: Iran Claims

Al Jazeera reports:

The Iranian military has said it retaliated against United States Navy ships after US forces targeted an oil tanker in Iran’s territorial waters, a major escalation that puts further strain on the fragile truce between Washington and Tehran.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters added on Thursday that the US also violated the ceasefire by carrying out air strikes on civilian areas, including Qeshm Island, “in cooperation with some regional countries”, without identifying them.

“The American aggressor, terrorist and bandit army, violating the ceasefire, targeted an Iranian oil tanker,” the statement said.

The statement also claimed that the Iranian response caused “significant damage” to US ships.

“The criminal and aggressor America and its supporting countries should know that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as powerfully as in the past, will give a crushing response to any aggression without the slightest hesitation,” the Iranian military said.

 PHOTO: Moslem Daneshzadeh, Unsplash

Middle East: U.S. CENTCOM Protects U.S. Warships Transiting Strait of Hormuz

USCENTCOM States:

 U.S. forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes as U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman, May 7.

Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats as USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) transited the international sea passage. No U.S. assets were struck.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes.

CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.

French prosecutors seek charges against Musk and X over Grok content

France 24 reports:

French prosecutors are seeking charges against Elon Musk and his social platform X over child sexual abuse images on the platform, deepfakes, disinformation and complicity in denying crimes against humanity by the platform's artificial intelligence system, Grok.

The Paris public prosecutor's office said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into X on charges including complicity in possessing and distributing child sexual abuse images and unlawfully collecting personal data. It's also investigating charges of disseminating non-consensual images or other content and denial of crimes against humanity.

X and its parent company SpaceX did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday.

U.S.: American Are Running Out of Money

Bloomberg reports:

The economic shockwaves of the Iran war have spread beyond the average American consumer cursing under their breath at the pump. Now the businesses that would have pocketed that additional dollar or more being spent on each gallon of gas are sounding the alarm.

US gas prices, at around $4.56 a gallon on average, are at their highest levels since July 2022, according to data from the American Automobile Association. In a country where affordability was already the watchword when the US and Israel attacked Iran, it was only a matter of time before the pain spread.

Executives across retail, restaurants and packaged goods are increasingly worried about US shoppers with tighter budgets. Meanwhile, economists warn the disruptions from the war could lead to higher prices for a wider range of goods—including food.

“They’re literally running out of money at the end of the month,” Kraft Heinz Chief Executive Officer Steve Cahillane said. “We’re seeing negative cash flows in the lower-income brackets where they’re dipping into savings.” 

U.K.: ‘Shaken’ former duke concerned for safety following second incident at Sandringham estate in as many months

The Telegraph reports:

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wants his taxpayer-funded security detail reinstated after he was allegedly threatened by a balaclava-clad man close to his new Norfolk home, The Telegraph can reveal.

The former Duke of York was approached by a man, who was allegedly in possession of a crowbar, while walking his dogs on Wednesday evening.

Though unhurt, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was said to have been left shaken by the incident.

Police later arrested Alex Jenkinson, 39, on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

Friends said it highlighted the ongoing issue about the long-term safety of the King’s brother following revelations about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile.

PHOTO: Titanic Belfast CC: 2.0