The Tasmanian Government says its new short stay levy will help ensure more tourism revenue remains in the state, while supporting housing initiatives and protecting local jobs and businesses. The Government argues the levy reflects major changes in Tasmania's accommodation sector, where international booking platforms now hold significant influence and collect substantial commissions from local operators.
The Tasmanian Government will invest almost $600 million in housing and homelessness initiatives over the next four years as part of the 2026-27 Budget. The funding package aims to strengthen frontline support services while continuing investment in new housing and infrastructure projects across the state.
Tasmanian food and beverage producers are being showcased on a dedicated state stand for the first time at one of Australia's largest supplier-to-retailer trade events. Around 10 Tasmanian businesses are taking part in the Co-operative Supermarkets Australia Direct2Store Expo, being held in Sydney from today until Friday, 8 May 2026.
HONG KONG (AP) – China’s exports picked up pace in May, rising 19.4% from a year earlier, its customs agency said Tuesday, as shipments remained robust despite impacts from the Iran war. The stronger than expected performance was an improvement from April’s 14.1% year-on-year increase.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI filed preliminary paperwork that would open the door to it becoming a publicly traded company, the third in a powerhouse trio of artificial intelligence companies racing to Wall Street debuts.
U.S. airlines spent more than $6 billion on jet fuel in April, up 78% from a year earlier despite using slightly less fuel, government data released Monday showed. Meanwhile, the airline industry’s top global trade group warned that soaring energy costs could nearly halve profits in 2026.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian forces struck oil facilities in Russia and occupied Ukraine, Ukrainian and Russian officials said Monday, as part of their campaign to make Moscow pay an economic cost for the war. Separately, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Roman Abramovich acted as a go-between for messages between Kyiv and Moscow.
President Donald Trump is dismissing the idea that launching the war with Iran this year betrayed his refrain of “No new wars” that he made repeatedly as he campaigned again for the White House. It came hours before Israel and Iran traded fire in retaliatory strikes that threatened to drag the wider Middle East back into a full-scale regional war.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) – The tenuous ceasefire in the Middle East has held up, sometimes barely, despite being shaken by repeated flare-ups over the past two months. But it is now coming the closest yet to blowing apart and sending the region back into full-scale war – and the detonator is Lebanon.
JERUSALEM (AP) - Iran launched missiles at Israel in the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April, raising the possibility of a return to heavy fighting and complicating mediation efforts to end the war.

































































































































