President Donald Trump has confirmed he postponed a planned large-scale U.S. strike on Iran that was set for tomorrow: “We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow, and I’ve put it off for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we’ve had very big discussions with Iran, and we’ll see what they amount to."

Trump added that he was asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and others to delay for 2-3 days as they believe a deal is close: “I was asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, [the United Arab Emirates], and some others if we could put it off for 2 or 3 days, a short period of time, because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal."

**He further stated, "**A deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East and beyond. This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!”

This comes amid the ongoing 2026 Iran conflict. Trump has instructed military leaders to remain ready for a full-scale assault on short notice if negotiations fail. Iran continues to face demands to halt its nuclear program and enrichment activities.

LINK:

1. https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/global-affairs/donald-trump-pulls-back-on-plan-to-attack-iran-tomorrow-citing-serious-negotiations-after-monthslong-war/news-story/bab6ff9a0182818ca838027ce3c0ef1e

2. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/trump-iran-attack-saudi-uae-qatar-deal.html

Google has now confirmed this test and said: "We’re testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions that will help us continue to provide a high-quality storage service to our users, while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery."

Originally, once you sign in to your Gmail, you get 15GB, but with the new storage policy, you will only get 5GB in the future unless you add your phone number to your Gmail account, which is what Google is intentionally doing.

Some people reacted with questions about “free” services, with some saying it’s a new way for Google to collect data from its users. However, several people also pointed out that it could be to prevent spam.

Akshay Gangwar tried creating a new Gmail account to see if this shows up; however, Google wouldn’t let him continue without adding a phone number in the first place. On the other hand, his alternative Gmail account, which doesn’t have a phone number added, still shows that he has 15GB of storage.

Remember Google’s original corporate motto: Don't be Evil.

Well, Google is still being Evil.

Link:

1. https://www.androidauthority.com/google-gmail-5gb-free-storage-test-3667002/

2. https://9to5google.com/2026/05/14/google-account-free-storage-changes-15gb/

Cuba is now enduring the worst rolling blackouts in a decades due to no fuel (Oil) and diesel.

Minister Vicente de la O Levy openly stated: "Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel," as rolling power blackouts increase.

Across Havana residents start protesting against the government by shouting: “Turn on the lights!" and then banging pots and pans and setting fire to piles of rubbish to express their misery in the face of blackouts, which can last for 24 hours or so.

The crisis has led to rare street protests, major disruptions, and travel warnings from several countries.

Link:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/14/cuba-us-energy-blockade-oil-fuel-petrol-runs-out

2. https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/latin-america-caribbean-ap-photos-this-week-0e5eb978f1a2245f0ee539f42e81772d

Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the 2026-27 Federal Budget tonight, calling it a “reset for intergenerational fairness".

The government says first-home buyers and working Aussies are the 'big winners'.

In reality, the measures feel like crumbs while the cost-of-living and housing crisis continues to bite hard especially with high immigration still running hot.

The big losses are for property investors, consultants, and anyone hoping negative gearing would stay untouched (Negative gearing will roll out no matter what) but for the major tax overhaul, housing push, defence boost, and NDIS tightening.

Main Highlighter:

Tax Reform – The Big One

• Negative gearing restricted to new builds only from 1 July 2027 (existing properties still protected for now).
• Capital Gains Tax discount reformed: moving away from the flat 50% to an inflation-based model, with a minimum 30% tax on gains.
• A new $250 Working Australians Tax Offset from 2027–28 for over 13 million workers.
• $1000 tax deduction and $250 tax cut aimed at young Aussies trying to enter the property market.

Housing & Cost of Living

• Billions in housing infrastructure, targeting tens of thousands of new homes (including $3.1 billion for 100,000 new homes and regional support).
• Continued energy rebates and cost-of-living relief.
• $500 million to fast-track approvals for housing, energy, and critical minerals projects.

Defence & Security

• Extra $53 billion over the next decade, aiming for 3% of GDP by 2033.
• Heavy focus on AUKUS, drones, and fuel security.
• New government-owned emergency fuel reserve and stockpile expansion.

NDIS & Public Service

• Major effort to slow NDIS growth, targeting about ~160,000 fewer participants by 2030 through “Thriving Kids” and other measures.
• Over $2 billion in savings from public service, consultants, and outsourcing cuts.

No matter how they spin the “ambitious reset", this Budget once again shows that Labor and Jim Chalmers’ economic approach is likely to make things worse for everyday Australians.

The investors are feeling the heat; young buyers get minor relief that barely moves the needle, and the big structural issues (housing supply, immigration-driven demand, and cost of living) remain largely unaddressed.

Link:

1. https://budget.gov.au/

2. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/may/12/budget-2026-live-updates-federal-treasurer-jim-chalmers-speech-time-tonight-latest-news-ntwnfb

3. https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/federal-budget-2026-live-updates-capital-gains-tax-negative-gearing-changes-on-agenda-as-treasurer-jim-chalmers-prepares-to-flag-64-billion-in-savings-20260511-p5zvpw.html?page=1

USA President Donald Trump branded Iran's latest proposal to end the war "totally unacceptable" before sparking fears of a return to full-scale hostilities by declaring the ceasefire was on "life support".

Furthermore, media at the White House on Monday, local time, saw the President express anger at the Iranian plan as he hinted the fragile pause in fighting could soon collapse.

“I would call it (the ceasefire) the weakest right now after reading that piece of garbage they sent us,” Donald Trump said.

“I didn’t even finish reading it.”

Iran's proposal response for a ceasefire defended its “reasonable and generous” proposal to end the Middle Eastern war.

According to some articles, Iran was retaining uranium enrichment for nuclear power plants and would use it to produce richer uranium that could be classified as nuclear weapons. Israel wanted Donald Trump to pursue Iran's uranium enrichment.

Link:

1. https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/global-affairs/tensions-mount-as-us-president-donald-trump-rejects-totally-unacceptable-iran-proposal-to-end-middle-east-war/live-coverage/1db3dd5c6f16f55f4da08398936eb7b4

2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/10/iran-us-peace-proposal-pakistan-reported-drone-strikes-strain-ceasefire

Your private DMs will no longer have the strongest protection.

Link:

1. https://x.com/pubity/status/2052688656243077154

2. https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/meta-can-read-your-instagram-dms-starting-friday-one-step-could-protect-you

3. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clypzxl3lvqo

4. https://dig.watch/updates/instagram-end-to-end-encrypted-messaging-over