US President Donald Trump has doubled down on comments slamming the Pope, while the pontiff says he does not fear the Trump administration. 

The US says its naval blockade of Iranian ports is underway, but Iran's promising to retaliate, threatening to escalate the war that continues to cause a global fuel crisis. 

The Albanese Government has confirmed Australia will join more than 40 nations to discuss the ongoing closure of a key oil shipping strait as a result of the war. 

Major changes to Australia's immigration program are being proposed by the Coalition, including social media screening for visa applicants and a plan to deport people who breach Australian values.

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A United States blockade of Iranian ports and coastlines is now in effect, as world leaders nervously watch to see if it will further escalate the Middle East war. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will continue his push to shore-up Australia's fuel security today, with another trip to Southeast Asia, this time visiting Brunei and Malaysia.

Prince Harry and Meghan are beginning their four-day tour in Australia, eight years after their last one when they were still working royals. 

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US President Donald Trump has doubled down on comments slamming the Pope, while the pontiff says he does not fear the Trump administration. 

US President Donald Trump says Iran still wants to make a deal very badly, hours into an American blockade of Iran's naval ports, in a dramatic escalation to a situation already sending shockwaves through the global economy.

Oil prices have surged again, adding to the uncertainty which has sent Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on yet another diplomatic mission to our regional neighbours in a bid to shore up fuel supplies.

Australian unions are launching an urgent case in the Fair Work Commission to increase vehicle allowances for workers struggling with higher fuel costs due to the war.

The Federal Coalition is set to release the first parts of its migration policy in a speech later today.

Prince Harry and Meghan's four day tour of Australia begins today with a visit to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.

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For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

A planned US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is set to prevent all maritime traffic from accessing Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump announced the blockade after negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, failed to reach an agreement.

The US President says shipping companies that choose to pay Iran's toll fees, to safely pass through the Strait, will also be stopped.

The federal government says there is no plan for Australia to consider joining the blockade.

It will come into effect from midnight tonight Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Opposition supporters in Hungary have been partying late into the night following the election victory of Peter Magyar.

His pro-European Tisza party has won more than two thirds of the seats in Hungary's parliament, which will allow them to change the constitution.

The win puts an end to the 16 year rule of Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who is an ally of US President Donald Trump and a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It's unclear how many travellers have been affected after Booking.com contacted some customers warning "unauthorised third parties" may have accessed their names, emails, addresses and phone numbers.

Customers have been told not to share their credit card details via email, over the phone, through text or on WhatsApp.

The United States' planned blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is now only hours away.

US President Donald Trump says the US Navy will begin a blockade of the Strait at midnight Australian Eastern Standard Time.

It'll see the US military try to stop vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports.

Iran says it won't submit to Mr Trump, threatening Americans to brace themselves for further spikes in petrol prices.

The number of service stations across the country without diesel has increased in recent days.

Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen says 205 servos don't have any diesel today, up from 173 on Saturday.

There was a gradual decline in the number of service stations running dry last week.

But Mr Bowen has assured Australia's fuel supply remains secure.

Some Booking.com customers are being warned their personal information may have been accessed by unauthorised third parties, prompting fresh concerns about the security of travellers' data.

The online travel giant sent emails to affected customers overnight, saying unauthorised parties may have accessed information linked to their reservations that could include customers' names, email addresses, physical addresses and phone numbers. 

US president Donald Trump is escalating his feud against Pope Leo