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Trump Warns Taiwan Not to Declare Independence

BREAKING NEWS

Trump Warns Taiwan Not to Declare Independence

US President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China, reiterating that Washington’s long-standing policy on the issue remains unchanged.

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Speaking to Fox News on Friday, shortly after concluding a two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said he was not seeking a situation in which Taiwan moves toward independence.
“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump said in the interview.
His remarks came after earlier comments in which he said he had made “no commitment either way” regarding the self-governing island, which Beijing considers part of its territory and has not ruled out taking by force.
US policy and the Taiwan question
The United States has historically supported Taiwan and is legally required to provide the island with the means to defend itself. At the same time, Washington maintains diplomatic relations with China and adheres to the “One China” policy, which recognises Beijing as the sole Chinese government.
Under this framework, the United States does not support Taiwanese independence, a position that has been central to maintaining diplomatic ties with China.
Xi Warns Trump Taiwan Dispute Could Lead to Conflict
Public opinion in Taiwan has long favoured maintaining the current situation. While many people on the island consider Taiwan a separate nation, most support preserving the status quo in which Taiwan neither formally declares independence nor unifies with China.
In the Fox News interview, Trump said he wanted both sides to avoid escalating tensions.
“You know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that,” he said. “I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.”
Summit discussions with Xi
Trump told reporters during his return flight to Washington that Taiwan had been a major topic during his discussions with Xi.
He said the Chinese leader had strong views on the issue and opposed any move toward Taiwanese independence.
According to Chinese state media, Xi warned during the summit that the Taiwan issue remained the most important matter in relations between the two countries. He cautioned that if the matter were mishandled, it could lead to a confrontation or conflict.
Despite the warnings, Trump said he did not expect tensions over Taiwan to escalate into war.
“No, I don’t think so. I think we’ll be fine,” he said. “He doesn’t want to see a war.”
Weapons sales under consideration
The discussions also included a potential US arms sale to Taiwan. Late last year, the Trump administration announced a proposed package worth about $11 billion that would include advanced rocket launchers and various missile systems.
Beijing condemned the plan, which it views as interference in its internal affairs.
Trump said he had discussed the proposal with Xi “in great detail” and would soon decide whether to proceed. He added that he intended to speak with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te before making a final decision.
“I may do it. I may not do it,” he said.
The United States has previously angered China with actions seen as weakening its stance against Taiwanese independence. In February 2025, the US State Department removed language from its website that explicitly stated Washington did not support Taiwanese independence, prompting criticism from Beijing.
US officials in Taiwan later reiterated that Washington opposes any unilateral attempts by either side to change the status quo.
Taiwan responds
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said officials had closely monitored the US-China summit and remained in contact with the United States and other partners.
He said the goal was to ensure continued development of Taiwan–US relations while protecting the island’s interests.
Lin also described Taiwan as a “guardian of peace and stability” in the region, while accusing China of increasing tensions through military activity and political pressure.
China has stepped up military drills around Taiwan in recent years, raising concerns about security in the region and testing the delicate balance that Washington has sought to maintain.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 16 May 2026

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May 15May 15

Xi Warns Trump Taiwan Dispute Could Lead to Conflict

China

Xi Warns Trump Taiwan Dispute Could Lead to Conflict

China’s President Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Donald Trump that tensions over Taiwan could lead to conflict if the issue is mishandled, highlighting deep divisions between the two powers during talks in Beijing.

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The warning came during a highly anticipated summit between the leaders, where disagreements also emerged over the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington’s relationship with Taiwan, the self-governed island claimed by China.
While the two sides struck a cordial tone publicly, the exchange underscored the continuing strain in relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Taiwan at the centre of tensions
According to comments shared by Chinese officials after the meeting, Xi told Trump that the Taiwan issue remained the most important matter in relations between the two countries.
The remarks were delivered during closed-door talks that followed a public greeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Before the meeting, Trump praised his Chinese counterpart, telling Xi he was a “great leader” and saying it was an honour to call him a friend. The U.S. president also said he expected ties between the two countries to improve.
Xi’s own public remarks struck a more cautious tone. He said China and the United States must determine whether they could avoid falling into what scholars call the Thucydides Trap — the idea that war can occur when a rising power threatens to displace an established one.
The Chinese leader has invoked the concept before, but its use during the summit underscored Beijing’s concern over tensions surrounding Taiwan.
Later, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said American policy toward Taiwan had not changed. He also warned that it would be a “terrible mistake” if China attempted to take the island by force.
Ceremony and diplomacy
The leaders met for around two hours behind closed doors following an elaborate welcome ceremony that included military honours, national anthems and schoolchildren waving U.S. and Chinese flags.
After the talks, Xi hosted Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven and later held a state banquet in his honour.
During a toast at the event, Xi said the two countries had kept relations “generally stable” despite global turbulence. He added that China’s national ambitions and Trump’s political slogan of making America great again could coexist.
Trump described the visit as an honour and said discussions had focused on matters beneficial to both countries.
He also said Xi would make a reciprocal visit to the White House on 24 September, a date that had not previously been announced.
Iran war and economic issues
Trump later said Xi had indicated he was willing to help negotiate an end to the conflict involving Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
The closure of the strait has disrupted tanker traffic and contributed to rising energy prices, raising concerns about global economic growth.
China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, and U.S. officials have urged Beijing to use its influence with Tehran.
Rubio said the administration would argue that the crisis was hurting global economies and reducing demand for Chinese exports.
The White House said both leaders agreed the strait should remain open, though it did not state whether China would intervene diplomatically.
Trade talks and future cooperation
Despite political tensions, both governments said they were seeking progress on economic cooperation.
The White House said the leaders discussed expanding market access for American businesses in China and increasing Chinese investment in U.S. industries.
Trump said Xi had signalled a willingness to purchase 200 aircraft from Boeing. The administration is also hoping for commitments from China to buy more U.S. soybeans, beef and other agricultural products.
Officials have proposed creating a joint trade board to manage economic disputes between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s government said it remained grateful for Washington’s longstanding support after the summit, adding that the United States had repeatedly reaffirmed its backing for the island.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

Israeli Marchers Chant ‘Death to Arabs’ in Jerusalem

Middle East

Israeli Marchers Chant ‘Death to Arabs’ in Jerusalem

Israeli nationalists marched through Jerusalem’s Old City on Thursday chanting anti-Arab slogans during the annual Jerusalem Day procession, an event marking Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967.

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Participants shouted phrases including “death to the Arabs,” “may your villages burn,” and “Gaza is a graveyard” as thousands gathered to celebrate what many Israelis regard as the reunification of the city. Critics, including Palestinians and rights groups, view the event as a display of dominance over Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem.
The march concluded with Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, raising an Israeli flag near the al-Aqsa mosque compound, one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Tensions in the Old City
Much of the Muslim quarter of the Old City was largely deserted before the march began, as many Palestinian shopkeepers closed their businesses and residents left the area in anticipation of unrest.
Some far-right Jewish activists entered the quarter and clashes broke out between them and Palestinians who remained. Witnesses said both sides threw chairs during confrontations before police intervened and separated the groups. Officers had deployed in large numbers across the area earlier in the day.
Many participants in the march were transported to Jerusalem by bus from across Israel and from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The event was organised with support from the Jerusalem municipality and government ministries.
Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, also took part in the procession.
One marcher, a 19-year-old named Ariel Amichai from Modi’in, said he had come to demonstrate Jewish claims to the city.
“I’ve come to show all the world that this is our city,” he said. “God gave us this country and this city.”
Asked what message the march was intended to send to Palestinians, he said they should leave the area and that Jerusalem belonged to Israel.
Counter-Protesters Form Protective Presence
After Palestinian residents withdrew from the Old City, tensions also emerged between nationalist marchers and activists from Standing Together, a Jewish-Arab grassroots group that organised volunteers to monitor the situation.
The organisation said about 400 volunteers wearing purple high-visibility vests had gathered in the city to help protect Palestinian residents and deter violence.
Standing Together organiser Suf Patishi said volunteers were positioned throughout the Old City to try to prevent attacks.
“It is dangerous for us,” he said, adding that Palestinians living in the area faced greater risks.
Some religious Jews also joined the counter-protest effort. One ultra-Orthodox participant, who identified himself only as David, said he was troubled by the behaviour of some in the nationalist march.
“I’ve become appalled by the violent behaviour of people in my community,” he said, adding that he felt compelled to act in contrast to what he described as a desecration of religious values.
Flag Raised at Al-Aqsa Compound
Later in the day, Ben-Gvir visited the al-Aqsa compound — known to Jews as the Temple Mount — where he danced with supporters and raised an Israeli flag.
The move came amid ongoing tensions surrounding the sensitive religious site. Under a long-standing arrangement dating back nearly six decades, non-Muslims are allowed to visit the compound but are not permitted to pray there.
Ben-Gvir has previously called for changes to these rules and has repeatedly visited the site since taking office.
In a message posted on Telegram later on Thursday, he said that raising the flag marked a sign of renewed Israeli authority over the area, adding that governance had returned to the Temple Mount.
Jerusalem Day’s Political Significance
Jerusalem Day commemorates Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel later annexed the area in a move not recognised by most of the international community.
For many Israelis, the event celebrates the unification of Jerusalem under Israeli control. Palestinians, however, regard East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state and view the annual march as a provocation.
The event has become increasingly contentious in recent years, with critics saying the procession through the Muslim quarter heightens tensions between Jewish nationalists and Palestinian residents.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

FBI Offers $200K Reward for Ex-Air Force Iran Spy

USA

FBI Offers $200K Reward for Ex-Air Force Iran Spy

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a $200,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Monica Witt, a former U.S. Air Force officer charged with espionage for allegedly sharing classified intelligence with Iran.

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Authorities said on Thursday they are still attempting to locate Witt, who investigators believe defected to Iran in 2013.
Witt, a former special agent and counterintelligence specialist in the United States Air Force, was charged in 2019 with passing sensitive U.S. intelligence to the Iranian government. Officials allege she also helped Iranian intelligence services identify and target her former colleagues within the U.S. government.
Espionage Charges Filed in 2019
According to prosecutors, Witt disclosed details about a classified U.S. Department of Defense program and assisted Iranian intelligence efforts after leaving U.S. government service.
Investigators said she collaborated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite Iranian military force responsible for advancing Tehran’s strategic influence abroad.
The indictment filed in 2019 accused Witt of providing classified material and other sensitive information that could compromise U.S. intelligence operations. Authorities said the alleged disclosures also enabled Iranian intelligence to pursue former U.S. intelligence officials connected to Witt’s previous work.
Career in the U.S. Military
Witt joined the U.S. Air Force in 1997 and served until 2008, according to the Justice Department. After leaving the military, she worked as a contractor for the Defense Department until 2010.
Officials say her background as a counterintelligence specialist gave her access to sensitive information and contacts within the U.S. intelligence community.
Travel to Iran
Prosecutors say Witt traveled to Iran in 2012 to attend a conference that criticised what organisers described as American moral standards and promoted anti-U.S. messaging.
Authorities allege she returned to Iran in 2013, where officials provided her with accommodation and computer equipment.
Investigators say she then began working with Iranian intelligence, sharing classified information and helping collect intelligence on former U.S. colleagues.
Others Charged in the Case
The same 2019 indictment also charged four Iranian nationals with conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors accused them of assisting Witt in gathering information about individuals who had previously worked with her in the U.S. government.
U.S. authorities continue to seek information that could help locate Witt, whose current whereabouts remain unknown.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

Oklahoma Executes Man for 2007 Killing of Woman and Baby

USA

Oklahoma Executes Man for 2007 Killing of Woman and Baby

Oklahoma has carried out the execution of a man convicted of killing his former girlfriend and her infant daughter nearly two decades ago.

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Raymond Johnson, 52, was pronounced dead at 10:12 a.m. on Thursday after receiving a three-drug lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, according to prison officials.
Johnson had been sentenced to death for the June 2007 killings of Brooke Whitaker, 24, and her seven-month-old daughter, Kya Whitaker.
Fatal attack in Tulsa home
Prosecutors said Johnson and Whitaker were arguing at her home in Tulsa when the violence occurred.
According to court documents prepared for Johnson’s clemency hearing in April, Johnson repeatedly struck Whitaker with a metal claw hammer, fracturing her skull and causing more than 20 lacerations to her face and scalp. Despite her injuries, Whitaker remained conscious and pleaded with Johnson to spare her life and the life of her baby, who was asleep in another room.
“She begged him to call 911. She begged him to let her mom come get baby Kya. She begged him to think of her children,” prosecutors from the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office said in the clemency documents. Whitaker had three other children.
Authorities said Johnson then retrieved gasoline from a shed behind the home. Prosecutors said he poured fuel on Whitaker and inside the house before igniting a dish towel and throwing it at her before leaving the scene.
Whitaker died from head injuries and smoke inhalation, while her daughter died from severe burns.
Appeals and clemency request rejected
In a statement after the execution, Gentner Drummond described Johnson as “a cruel murderer who inflicted unimaginable pain and suffering on his victims.”
Johnson’s legal team did not file a final appeal with the Supreme Court of the United States seeking to halt the execution.
Earlier appeals had argued that Johnson’s arrest was unlawful, that police coerced a confession, and that his trial attorney conceded his guilt in Whitaker’s death without Johnson’s consent. Those arguments were rejected by the courts.
In April, the five-member Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board unanimously denied Johnson’s request for clemency.
During that hearing, Johnson apologized to the victims’ family and said he had changed during his years in prison.
“I apologize. No excuses, no justifications, a sincere apology,” he said in an interview with the advocacy group Death Penalty Action.
Family sought execution to proceed
Members of Whitaker’s family urged officials to carry out the execution.
In a letter to the clemency board, Whitaker’s eldest daughter, Logan Kleck, said the execution would not erase years of loss but would bring an end to the pain caused by the case.
“Executing him will not give me my mom or sister back,” she wrote, adding that it would stop him from continuing to hurt the family.
Before the murders, Johnson had also served nine years of a 20-year sentence after a 1996 manslaughter conviction.
Johnson was the second inmate executed in Oklahoma this year and the 11th execution carried out in the United States in 2026.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

Health Secretary Streeting Resigns Amid Challenge to Starmer

UK-Politics

Health Secretary Streeting Resigns Amid Challenge to Starmer

Britain’s health secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet, a move widely seen as the opening step toward a leadership challenge following Labour’s poor showing in recent local elections.

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The resignation marks the first departure of a senior minister linked directly to the growing unrest inside the governing Labour Party, where pressure has been mounting on Starmer to step down.
Streeting confirmed his decision in a letter to the prime minister, praising Starmer’s international leadership while sharply criticising his domestic political direction.
“You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage — not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran,” Streeting wrote. “But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.”
He added: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election.”
Growing pressure after election losses
Calls for Starmer to stand aside intensified after Labour suffered heavy losses in local and regional elections last week, results that highlighted voter frustration with the government’s economic record.
Despite winning a landslide victory less than two years ago, Labour has struggled to deliver on pledges to accelerate economic growth and raise living standards.
A sluggish economy and persistent consumer price inflation have made it harder for the government to meet expectations among voters and within the party.
Streeting, long viewed as an ambitious figure within Labour’s moderate wing, is widely regarded as one of several potential challengers to Starmer.
Rayner signals possible leadership bid
Another possible contender, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, also signalled she could take part in a leadership contest.
Rayner, who left the cabinet last September amid questions about her tax affairs, said she had reached an agreement with tax authorities to resolve the issue.
Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, she said Starmer should “reflect on” his position and indicated she was ready to “play my part” in any leadership election if one were triggered.
Streeting and Starmer are both associated with the party’s moderate faction, while Rayner has strong support among Labour’s left wing and has called for higher minimum wages and increased taxes on wealthier individuals.
Starmer resists calls to quit
Starmer has insisted he will remain in office, warning that a leadership contest would destabilise the government at a time when it faces major domestic and international challenges.
He told lawmakers that an internal fight could create “chaos” when the government should instead focus on issues including the cost-of-living crisis and conflict in the Middle East.
Some economic data offered the prime minister limited support. Britain’s economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of the year, up from 0.2% in the previous three months, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Finance minister Rachel Reeves said the figures suggested the government’s economic strategy was beginning to deliver results.
She told the BBC that the recovery was possible because the government had restored economic stability, adding that political upheaval could put that progress at risk.
Other figures linked to leadership race
Within Labour, attention has also turned to other figures who might enter a potential leadership contest.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been widely mentioned as a possible candidate, although he would first need to return to Parliament. Allies have suggested a sitting MP could resign to allow him to contest a by-election.
Burnham cancelled his regular appearance on a local BBC radio programme this week, saying he needed to prioritise discussions following the election results.
Political analysts say Labour has historically been reluctant to remove its leaders while in government, unlike the Conservative Party.
Jonathan Tonge, a politics professor at the University of Liverpool, said Labour had often endured electoral defeats but rarely moved against its leaders.
Still, he warned the current unrest could evolve into a serious internal conflict despite the party’s large parliamentary majority.
“If a civil war opens up within a Labour Party that’s supposed to be governing us at present, it’s an extraordinary state of affairs given it’s less than two years since Keir Starmer won one of Labour’s greatest election victories ever,” he said.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

Farage’s £5m Gift From Thailand-Based Donor to Be Probed

UK-Politics

Farage’s £5m Gift From Thailand-Based Donor to Be Probed

Nigel Farage has said a £5m gift from a billionaire supporter was intended as a reward for his long-running campaign in favour of Brexit, as questions continue over whether the payment should have been declared after he entered Parliament.

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The leader of Reform UK told The Sun that the money, provided by donor Christopher Harborne, was given on a “completely unconditional basis” and did not influence his return to politics.
The payment is now under scrutiny after critics argued it should have been disclosed when Nigel Farage was elected as MP for Clacton in 2024.
Gift linked to Brexit campaigning
Farage said the donation reflected appreciation for his decades-long involvement in the campaign that led to the UK leaving the European Union.
“It’s very unusual for someone to give up 27 years of their life to campaign for something,” he said, adding that the gift was provided without conditions.
According to Farage, the money was “given as a reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years”.
He also rejected suggestions that the payment influenced his political decisions.
Asked whether the donation affected his return to public life, he said it had not, adding: “I cannot be bought by anybody.”
Investigation into declaration rules
The UK Parliament’s standards watchdog has opened an inquiry to determine whether Farage breached Commons rules by not registering the payment.
Under parliamentary guidelines, MPs must declare financial interests and certain benefits received in the year before they are elected within one month of entering Parliament.
Farage has previously argued that he had no obligation to register the payment. He said the gift was made before he became an MP and was intended to fund his personal security rather than political activity.
Rules governing MPs’ conduct state that purely personal gifts or benefits — including family gifts or commercial loans — would not normally require registration. However, they also say that both the donor’s motives and the intended use of a gift should be considered. If there is uncertainty, MPs are advised to register the benefit.
If an investigation finds that the code of conduct has been breached, sanctions can range from a written or oral apology to suspension from the House of Commons or, in serious cases, expulsion.
Political criticism and donor response
Opposition parties have said Farage must clarify the circumstances surrounding the payment.
Both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party have raised concerns about the donation, with the Conservatives writing to the parliamentary standards commissioner and the Electoral Commission to request further scrutiny.
Harborne, a British cryptocurrency investor based in Bangkok, has previously defended the gift. In comments reported by The Telegraph in April, he said he did not expect anything in return beyond helping ensure Farage’s safety.
Harborne also said the donation reflected his admiration for Farage’s efforts over many years to achieve Brexit.
The businessman has been a major financial backer of Reform UK. Last year he gave the party £9m in a single donation, the largest ever contribution to a UK political party from a living individual.
In total, Harborne provided £12m to Reform UK in 2025 and has previously donated to the Conservative Party.
Sources within Reform say the separate £5m payment to Farage was made in early 2024, before he had decided to stand as a parliamentary candidate.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

Forecasters Warn of Potential ‘Super’ El Niño Event

Weather

Forecasters Warn of Potential ‘Super’ El Niño Event

New climate forecasts indicate growing confidence that a developing El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean could become one of the strongest on record, raising concerns about record global temperatures and significant humanitarian consequences.

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Sea surface temperatures across parts of the Pacific have been rising quickly, with recent data showing waters around 0.5C above the long-term average — a threshold often used to signal the onset of El Niño, a natural climate pattern marked by warming ocean waters in the equatorial Pacific.
Scientists expect the event to intensify over the coming months and possibly peak in autumn as a very strong, or “super,” El Niño.
Meteorologists warn that such an event could disrupt weather systems worldwide and increase the likelihood that 2027 becomes the hottest year ever recorded.
Forecasts point to rapid development
In its latest outlook, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said El Niño is likely to begin within weeks. The agency estimates a roughly two-in-three probability that the event will become strong or very strong by winter.
The recent pace of warming in the tropical Pacific has been unusually rapid.
Nathaniel Johnson, a meteorologist at NOAA, described the development as potentially rare if the trend continues, noting the shift from last winter’s La Niña — the cooler phase of the Pacific climate cycle — to a powerful El Niño within a year.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) also tracks the phenomenon but uses slightly stricter criteria. Its forecasts require sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific to exceed 0.8C above average and signs that trade winds in the western Pacific have reversed, indicating the warming ocean is beginning to influence the atmosphere.
Seasonal forecasts made during spring have historically been less reliable, but scientists say predictive models are unusually consistent this year.
What defines a strong El Niño?
Forecasters monitor a key region of the Pacific known as Niño3.4, calculating a three-month average of sea surface temperatures compared with historical norms.
A strong El Niño occurs when this temperature anomaly exceeds 1.5C.
Forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), NOAA and BoM broadly agree on the potential scale of the event.
The latest ECMWF projections show that more than half of its models expect temperatures in the region to rise by over 2.5C by autumn. Johnson said values above this threshold would represent a historically powerful event.
Some forecasts even indicate the temperature anomaly could exceed 3C. That would surpass the current known peak of 2.7C recorded in 1877, although scientists note that measurements from that period were limited and uncertain.
The 1877 event lasted about 18 months and was associated with severe droughts and widespread famine across Asia, Brazil and Africa, while causing intense flooding in areas including Peru.
More recently, a very strong El Niño occurred in 2015–2016 when the three-month Niño3.4 temperature anomaly reached 2.4C.
Possible global consequences
El Niño events typically raise the global average temperature by about 0.2C as warmer waters release additional heat into the atmosphere.
Liz Stephens, professor of climate risk and resilience at the University of Reading, said a strong event could push global temperatures to new records.
“We’re probably looking at record global temperatures next year, especially if this is a very strong El Niño event,” she told the BBC.
El Niño can significantly alter weather patterns around the world. Flooding is common in northern Peru and southern Ecuador, and heavy rainfall can also affect East Africa, Central Asia and parts of southern North America.
At the same time, the phenomenon tends to suppress Atlantic tropical storms. Early forecasts already suggest this year’s Atlantic hurricane season may be quieter than usual.
However, fewer storms can bring reduced rainfall to Central America, raising the risk of drought.
Other regions, including Australia, Indonesia and northern South America, often experience increased drought and wildfire risk during strong El Niño periods, potentially damaging agriculture and global food supplies.
Stephens warned that these effects could carry major humanitarian consequences, especially as global food markets face pressure.
“If you get a reduction in crop yields because of drought or flooding, that drives prices even higher,” she said.
Wider climate pressures
Supply disruptions in fertiliser markets — linked to tensions affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — are already pushing up costs. Combined with potential crop losses linked to El Niño, this could reduce food availability and increase prices in the months ahead.
Scientists say the overall humanitarian impact will depend on the strength of the event and other global developments.
For the UK, the direct effects are less predictable. However, climate researchers at the Met Office say El Niño conditions are among several factors that can increase the likelihood of colder winters.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

Trump Says Xi Won’t Provide Military Equipment to Iran

China

Trump Says Xi Won’t Provide Military Equipment to Iran

US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged during talks in Beijing that China would not supply military equipment to Iran, while noting that Beijing intends to maintain its economic relationship with Tehran.

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Trump made the remarks during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday, describing what he said was a clear commitment from the Chinese leader during their discussions.
Claim of pledge during Beijing talks
Trump said Xi directly assured him that China would not send military equipment to Iran.
“He said he’s not going to give them military equipment. That’s a big statement. He said that today,” Trump told Hannity in the interview clip. He added that Xi had delivered the message firmly, saying the Chinese leader “said that strongly.”
Trump did not provide additional details about the context of the discussion or whether the pledge was part of a broader agreement between the two countries.
China’s oil purchases from Iran
While describing the conversation, Trump said Xi also stressed China’s economic ties with Iran, particularly Beijing’s continued purchase of Iranian oil.
According to Trump, Xi indicated that China planned to maintain those purchases.
China buys “a lot of their oil” from Iran, Trump said, adding that Xi told him “they’d like to keep doing that.”
China has long been one of the main buyers of Iranian crude, maintaining energy trade with Tehran despite various international tensions and sanctions regimes.
Strait of Hormuz discussed
Trump also said the two leaders discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies.
He said Xi expressed support for reopening the strait after disruptions and shared what Trump described as a light-hearted remark about recent events affecting the waterway.
Recounting the exchange, Trump said Xi joked: “You know, they stopped it, then you stopped them.”
According to Trump, the Chinese leader also raised concerns about reports that Iran had been charging tolls to vessels passing through the strait.
Trump said Xi conveyed frustration about the situation and indicated he would prefer the route to operate normally.
The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes, is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors, with a significant share of global oil shipments passing through it.
Focus on security and trade
Trump’s comments suggest the discussions with Xi touched on both regional security issues and China’s economic relationship with Iran.
While Trump highlighted Xi’s alleged pledge on military equipment, he also emphasized that China intends to continue buying Iranian oil, underscoring the dual track of security concerns and commercial interests raised during their talks.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Compiled from various sources. 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

US Intelligence Casts Doubt on Trump Iran Claims

Iranian Conflict

US Intelligence Casts Doubt on Trump Iran Claims

US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran’s military capabilities—particularly its missile systems—remain more intact than public statements by President Donald Trump have suggested following US-Israeli strikes earlier this year.

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The Trump administration has repeatedly argued that Iran’s forces were heavily weakened during bombing campaigns that preceded a ceasefire in April. However, intelligence findings reported by US media outlets indicate that Iran retains significant operational capacity.
Trump on Tuesday denounced reporting on those assessments, calling it “virtual treason” in a social media post.
Intelligence assessments on Iran’s capabilities
In early April, CNN reported that an intelligence review found Iran still possessed a substantial portion of its drone arsenal as well as a large share of its coastal missile systems.
Those findings contrasted with Trump’s public remarks during a national address that week. The president said Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones had been “dramatically curtailed” and described the damage to its weapons factories and rocket launchers as severe.
“Very few of them left,” Trump said at the time, adding that the scale of losses inflicted on Iran was unprecedented in modern warfare.
Yet in the weeks following the ceasefire, Iran reportedly used the pause in fighting to recover launchers buried or damaged in earlier strikes, according to subsequent reporting by CNN.
Analysts say this helps explain how Iran has been able to restrict shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for global energy supplies.
Missile sites still operational
Further reporting by The New York Times cited a US intelligence assessment indicating Iran still has “operational access” to most of its missile infrastructure along the strait.
According to the report, Iran can access all but three of its 33 missile sites positioned along the waterway.
Intelligence sources cited in the coverage also suggested Iran’s economy could withstand the current US naval blockade of its ports for up to four months without severe destabilization.
Despite these assessments, Trump has continued to describe Iran’s military capabilities using terms such as “decimated,” and has argued the United States could quickly end the conflict if it chose to do so.
Officials decline to discuss classified findings
Senior military and defence officials have declined to confirm or dispute the intelligence reports publicly.
During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine was asked whether the Times report contradicted Trump’s earlier claim that 80% of Iran’s missile capability had been destroyed.
Caine said battle damage assessments were classified and he could not comment in that forum.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also declined to address the reports directly.
“Why would I validate what people may leak or not leak?” Hegseth told lawmakers. “We don’t talk about those things.”
Earlier in April, however, Hegseth said Iran’s missile programme had been “functionally destroyed,” saying launchers, production facilities and stockpiles had been depleted and largely rendered ineffective.
Dispute over administration messaging
During the same hearing, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy suggested the administration’s statements in classified briefings differed from its public messaging.
Murphy argued that private briefings had indicated there were limited military options available to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth rejected that claim, saying the United States had multiple potential military means to reopen the shipping lane if required.
He added that the administration’s preferred approach was to pursue a longer-term arrangement that would restore international trade through the waterway.
Earlier intelligence warnings
Some intelligence projections before the conflict had anticipated Iran might attempt to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz if attacked. Analysts had also assessed that killing Iran’s supreme leader would not necessarily bring down the country’s ruling system.
Retired US Navy Admiral James Stavridis said intelligence agencies were fulfilling their role by presenting assessments regardless of political implications.
“If these reports are accurate, this is what you want your intelligence agencies to do,” Stavridis said during an interview on CNN.
Wider debate over administration claims
The dispute reflects a broader pattern in which critics argue the Trump administration has used strong or exaggerated language in defending its policies.
Questions have been raised about the scale of arrests in immigration enforcement, the justification for certain federal spending cuts and claims of widespread voter fraud—issues where critics say evidence has not supported the administration’s assertions.
Some analysts say the administration’s description of the war’s impact on Iran may fit within that wider debate over how its policies and outcomes are presented to the public.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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May 14May 14

Senate Rejects 7th Bid to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers

USA

Senate Rejects 7th Bid to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers

The U.S. Senate has narrowly rejected another Democratic attempt to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to use military force against Iran, though the latest vote saw an additional Republican senator break ranks to support the measure.

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A procedural motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed by a vote of 49 to 50 on Wednesday. Republican Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined most Democrats in backing the move. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only member of his party to oppose it.
The vote marked the seventh effort by Senate Democrats since the conflict with Iran began on Feb. 28 to advance a resolution under the War Powers framework aimed at restricting the president’s military authority.
New Republican Support
Murkowski’s vote represented a shift from her earlier position. She had previously opposed similar measures but said circumstances had changed after a key 60-day period outlined in the War Powers Resolution passed earlier this month.
Speaking to reporters, Murkowski said she had expected greater clarity from the administration about its legal position once that period ended but had not received it. She said this prompted her to support moving the resolution forward so lawmakers could examine Congress’s responsibilities under the law.
“We’re in a different place than we were last time we voted on this,” she said.
The resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, would have required the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress approved the action through a declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force.
Debate Over War Powers Deadline
Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, presidents must inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying military forces into hostilities if there is no prior authorization. The law also limits such engagements to 60 days without congressional approval.
As that deadline approached, however, the Trump administration argued the requirement did not apply because active hostilities had ended with a ceasefire reached on April 7. In a letter to congressional leaders dated May 1, the president said fighting with Iran had “terminated.”
Some lawmakers have challenged that interpretation. Merkley told reporters before the vote that he did not accept the administration’s claim that the 60-day clock had effectively stopped.
He said the conflict may currently be at a different stage but could escalate again, making congressional oversight necessary.
Republicans Back Administration View
Republican Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, defended the administration’s position during debate ahead of the vote.
Risch said the hostilities referenced in the War Powers law had ended with the April ceasefire and therefore the time limits imposed by the legislation were not applicable.
“The operations that began on Feb. 28 have been terminated,” he said. “The hostilities ended with the April 7 ceasefire. They’re over — full stop.”
Political Pressure Around the Vote
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, who has led the Senate effort to invoke war powers restrictions, said the vote would test Republican willingness to assert Congress’s role in decisions over war.
Kaine said lawmakers were facing increasing questions from constituents about the economic impact of the conflict, including rising fuel costs.
He said he believed the Senate could eventually vote to halt the war, even if that outcome was not achieved this time.
Merkley also argued that some Republican lawmakers were growing more skeptical about the military operation but remained reluctant to oppose the president.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged colleagues to support the administration, noting that Trump was abroad in China at the time of the vote for talks covering trade and security matters.
Ongoing Questions Over Authority
Murkowski has indicated she intends to introduce legislation formally authorizing the use of military force against Iran.
During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, she questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about whether congressional approval would strengthen the administration’s legal footing. Hegseth responded that the administration believes the president already possesses the necessary authority under Article II of the Constitution to carry out military action if required.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

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May 13May 13

China Alters Rubio Name to Allow Visit for Trump-Xi Talks

China

China Alters Rubio Name to Allow Visit for Trump-Xi Talks

China adjusted the Chinese transliteration of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s name to enable his entry for high-level talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to media reports.

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Rubio had previously been barred from entering China after the government sanctioned him in 2020 while he was serving as a US senator. The measures were imposed in response to his criticism of Beijing’s policies toward the Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region and other alleged human rights violations.
The sanctions included a travel ban that could have complicated plans for Rubio to accompany Trump to Beijing for this week’s summit with Xi.
However, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said the restrictions would not prevent Rubio from travelling as part of the US delegation.
“The sanctions target Mr Rubio’s words and deeds when he served as a US senator concerning China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday.
Linguistic workaround
According to AFP, Chinese authorities began using a slightly different character to represent the first syllable of Rubio’s surname after he became secretary of state last year.
The change altered the way his name appears in Chinese without significantly affecting how it is pronounced.
Two diplomats told AFP they believed the adjustment functioned as a bureaucratic workaround. Because the sanctions were imposed using the earlier version of Rubio’s name, the altered spelling effectively sidestepped the restriction.
Chinese state media and official government communications have since used the revised transliteration when referring to Rubio.
When asked about the change last year, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said she had not noticed the shift but would look into the matter, according to The Guardian.
Background to the sanctions
Beijing sanctioned Rubio in 2020 after he criticised the Chinese government’s policies in Xinjiang and supported measures in Washington addressing alleged human rights abuses against the Uyghur population.
At the time, China announced counter-sanctions against several US lawmakers and officials who had backed legislation or public statements condemning its actions in the region.
Despite the earlier restrictions, Rubio joined Trump’s delegation to China for a two-day visit centred on strategic issues between the two powers.
Taiwan and regional tensions
Rubio has been a long-time critic of China’s government and has frequently warned about the strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
During his confirmation hearing as secretary of state in January last year, he described China as the “most potent and dangerous” near-peer adversary the United States has ever faced.
He has also consistently advocated for strong US ties with Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by China.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the summit, Rubio said Taiwan was likely to feature in discussions between the two leaders.
“I’m sure Taiwan will be a topic of conversation; it always is,” he said last week.
Rubio added that both countries understood the importance of avoiding instability in the region.
“I think both countries understand that it is in neither one of our interests to see anything destabilizing happen in that part of the world,” he said, referring to Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

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May 13May 13

US Senate Confirms Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair

USA

US Senate Confirms Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair

The US Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, clearing the way for him to succeed Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends later this week.

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Lawmakers approved Warsh on Wednesday in a 54–45 vote. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only member of his party to support the nomination.
The confirmation follows weeks of political tension surrounding a criminal investigation into Powell that had stalled progress on Warsh’s nomination.
Probe into Powell Dropped
The Department of Justice moved last month to drop its criminal investigation into Powell, which had focused on alleged false testimony to Congress related to an office renovation project at the central bank.
Powell has consistently rejected the allegations, describing the probe as a politically motivated attempt to influence the Federal Reserve’s decisions on interest rates.
Following the Justice Department’s decision, Washington US Attorney Jeaninne Pirro said the matter would instead be reviewed by the Federal Reserve’s inspector general.
The investigation had complicated Warsh’s path to confirmation. Several senators from both parties had previously blocked the nomination in the Senate Banking Committee while the inquiry remained active.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had vowed to oppose Warsh while the probe was ongoing, changed his position after the Justice Department dropped the case. Tillis later supported advancing the nomination in committee, helping send it to a full Senate vote.
Powell to Remain on Fed Board
Powell’s four-year term as Federal Reserve chair ends on Friday. However, he has said he intends to remain a member of the central bank’s Board of Governors while the inspector general’s investigation continues.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington last month, Powell said he would stay in place until the inquiry had been completed with full transparency.
He also warned that legal challenges targeting the central bank could undermine its ability to conduct monetary policy independently of political pressure.
Powell’s term as a member of the board runs until 2028, allowing him to continue participating in decisions on US interest rates and monetary policy even after stepping down as chair.
Warsh Takes Helm Amid Economic Pressures
Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, will begin a four-year term as chair. He is currently a fellow at the Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank based at Stanford University.
During his earlier tenure at the Fed in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Warsh was widely viewed as an advocate of higher interest rates, arguing they were necessary to keep inflation low and stable.
More recently, however, he has expressed support for lower borrowing costs and criticised the central bank’s warnings that tariffs introduced last year could push inflation higher.
Warsh assumes leadership of the Fed at a time of renewed inflation pressures. US government data released on Tuesday showed prices rising for a second consecutive month as the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran pushed gasoline costs higher.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual inflation has climbed to its highest level in three years.
Interest Rate Outlook
The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged at its past three policy meetings in 2026. Prior to that, the central bank lowered rates by a quarter of a percentage point at three consecutive meetings.
Any move to raise rates could increase borrowing costs for households and businesses, potentially slowing economic growth.
Financial markets currently expect a roughly 60% chance that interest rates will remain unchanged for the rest of the year, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The probability of a rate increase by year’s end stands at about 30%.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

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May 13May 13

Three Women Found Dead in Sea off Brighton Coast

UK

Three Women Found Dead in Sea off Brighton Coast

The bodies of three young women have been recovered from the sea off the coast of Brighton, prompting a police investigation into how they entered the water.

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Sussex Police said officers launched a search early on Wednesday after receiving a report of a person in the sea at about 05:45 BST. Emergency services were called to the area near Black Rock Beach, close to the Black Rocks car park on Madeira Drive along the seafront.
When teams arrived at the scene, they recovered three bodies from the water nearby. Authorities later confirmed that the coastguard had ended its search and was not looking for any other people.
Police said the women have not yet been formally identified and inquiries are still at an early stage.
Early stages of investigation
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays described the incident as “tragic” and said investigators were focusing on identifying the victims and locating their families.
“Our priority at this time is identifying these three women and locating their families, who at this point remain unaware they have lost loved ones,” he said.
Hays urged the public to avoid speculation while officers gather information and establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Anyone with information has been asked to contact police.
It is not yet clear how the women came to be in the sea.
Sightings and possible lines of inquiry
According to a report by the PA Media news agency, the women were believed to be aged between about 20 and 30. They were reportedly first spotted near Brighton Palace Pier before drifting toward Brighton Marina.
Investigators are exploring several possible scenarios, including the possibility that the women entered the sea from the beach near where they were discovered and later got into difficulty.
A large cordon was initially put in place around the beach at Black Rock while emergency crews responded to the incident. The area has since reopened.
By Wednesday afternoon most emergency services had left the scene, with police departing later that evening.
Community reaction
News of the discovery prompted shock among residents and visitors in the seaside city.
Local sea swimmer Jilly Francis said the conditions on Wednesday were rough and not typical for recreational swimming.
“I live very close by and this is the worst I think I’ve heard of anything happening,” she said, adding that she would normally avoid swimming in such conditions.
Another resident, Pam Hinchliffe, described the incident as tragic and said people were struggling to understand how it had happened so early in the morning.
Several local political figures also expressed condolences.
Chris Ward, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said the incident was deeply concerning for the community.
Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said she was “shocked and deeply saddened”, adding that her thoughts were with the women’s families and friends.
Sian Berry, MP for Brighton Pavilion, described the news as “unbearably sad”, while Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, said his thoughts were with those affected by the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, called the incident “awful” and also urged the public to allow investigators time to establish the facts.
Ongoing inquiries
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and that establishing the identities of the women is a key priority.
Officers have appealed for patience while inquiries continue and have repeated calls for anyone with information to come forward.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

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webfact

May 13May 13

London Police to Deploy 4,000 Officers for Rival Protests

UK

London Police to Deploy 4,000 Officers for Rival Protests

London’s Metropolitan Police says it will deploy more than 4,000 officers to manage two rival demonstrations in the capital this Saturday, warning of possible violence and hate speech offences.

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The large operation, one of the biggest protest policing deployments in decades, comes amid concerns that far-right demonstrators could clash with pro-Palestinian marchers if the two groups are not kept apart.
Police will also be managing large crowds expected for the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, with tens of thousands of football fans due to attend the match on the same day.
Extensive security measures planned
Scotland Yard said the scale of the events requires the “highest degree of control” and a range of security measures.
For the first time at a demonstration, officers will be authorised to use live facial recognition cameras. Drones will also be deployed to help identify suspects from the air, and all officers involved in the operation will carry riot gear.
The force said its armoured vehicles have been placed on standby as a precaution, describing their use as unlikely but necessary in case of extreme violence.
Tens of thousands of people are expected at both protests. One is a “Unite the Kingdom” event organised by anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. The other is an annual “Nakba Day” protest in support of Palestinians, which will take place in another part of central London.
Police say protests cannot be banned
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the force had “significant cause for concern” ahead of the demonstrations but does not have grounds to request a ban.
Under UK law, police can only ask the home secretary to prohibit a march if they lack the resources to prevent serious disorder.
Harman said the Metropolitan Police believed it had the capacity to keep the two events separate using its “most assertive” powers.
The £4.5m policing plan includes strict conditions on the routes taken by both marches and rules making organisers responsible for the behaviour of speakers on stage. Officers will also have enhanced public order powers, allowing them to stop and search suspected troublemakers and disperse individuals from central London.
Of the officers deployed, many will be reassigned from routine duties, while 660 will be brought in from police forces outside London.
Heightened tensions ahead of weekend
Police said the demonstrations are taking place during heightened concern within both Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as after the UK’s national terrorism threat level was raised to its second-highest category.
“These factors give us significant cause for concern as we head into the weekend,” Harman said, adding that the policing strategy aims to tightly manage large crowds and reduce the risk of disorder or other criminal offences.
The first “Unite the Kingdom” event organised by Yaxley-Lennon in London last September drew at least 100,000 people. Although many participants attended peacefully, police reported clashes with officers and incidents of anti-Muslim hate speech.
Ahead of Saturday’s event, the Home Office has barred at least seven individuals from entering the UK to participate.
Specialist police teams working with prosecutors will also be on standby to make rapid decisions on arrests related to hate speech offences. Harman said this could include chants referencing “intifada” at the pro-Palestinian march if officers deem them hateful or intimidating.
“We have been clear since the outset that we would not accept routes or rally locations that would increase the risk of intimidation to any community, or allow the two protests to come together,” he said.
Harman added that significant police resources would be used to keep the opposing groups apart. The armoured vehicles, he said, were only a contingency measure and had not been used in London for a considerable time.
“We will not use them unless absolutely necessary,” he said, “but they are available to support officers if extreme violence occurs.”

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

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May 13May 13

Starmer Warns MPs Leadership Battle Would Cause Chaos

UK-Politics

Starmer Warns MPs Leadership Battle Would Cause Chaos

Sir Keir Starmer has warned Labour ministers and MPs that a challenge to his leadership could “plunge us into chaos,” as he tries to shore up support within a divided party.

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The prime minister made the appeal during meetings with colleagues in Parliament on Wednesday, urging them to unite behind what he described as a programme of “radical” reforms designed to transform public services and improve the lives of working people.
His intervention comes amid growing pressure on his leadership, with several ministers resigning and dozens of Labour MPs calling on him to step down.
Leadership pressure mounts
Sir Keir is fighting to retain his position after four ministers resigned and more than 80 Labour MPs demanded he either resign immediately or set out a timetable for his departure.
Attention has focused on Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is widely believed to be considering a challenge for the party leadership. Supporters told the BBC they expected him to launch a bid as early as Thursday.
Under Labour Party rules, Streeting would need the backing of 81 MPs to formally trigger a leadership contest.
Streeting met the prime minister at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday morning for talks lasting less than 20 minutes, following several days of intense speculation about his intentions.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said Sir Keir had “full confidence” in Streeting but declined to discuss the details of the meeting.
Later that evening, Sir Keir held a series of short meetings with Labour ministers and MPs in Parliament. During those discussions, he warned colleagues that a leadership contest would disrupt the government’s work.
“We cannot let a leadership contest plunge us into chaos,” he told them, adding that a challenge would “100%” have that effect.
A push for reform
The meetings took place shortly before the government outlined its legislative programme in the King’s Speech, marking the start of a new parliamentary session.
King Charles III announced a series of proposals in the House of Lords, including plans to abolish NHS England, introduce a digital identity system, restrict some trials by jury and end the leasehold system in England and Wales.
Other measures included plans to nationalise British Steel, accelerate green energy infrastructure projects, deepen trading ties with the European Union and invest in rail improvements across northern England.
Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, Sir Keir described the King’s Speech as setting out an “agenda of radical reform across our major public services”.
He said his government would act urgently to “tilt power back to workers, renters and the less fortunate” and give greater voice to people who felt ignored by the existing system.
The message echoed a speech earlier in the week in which he argued that incremental change was insufficient to tackle the country’s challenges.
Critics within and outside Labour
Despite the new policy programme, some Labour MPs remain unconvinced that the prime minister’s leadership matches the scale of change they believe voters expect.
Labour MP Jonathan Brash told the Commons that Sir Keir had not provided the “hope” many people were seeking.
“Some people will say this is about personality,” he said. “It is not. It’s about policy and whether we are prepared to meet the moment with the scale of change it demands.”
The government also faced criticism from the opposition. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch used her response to the King’s Speech to question Sir Keir’s authority.
She said the prime minister was “in office, but not in power,” and argued he would struggle to deliver the legislative programme outlined.
Badenoch also mocked Streeting’s reported leadership ambitions during her remarks in the Commons, prompting tense reactions from Labour MPs.
Potential contenders
While Streeting is seen as the most immediate potential challenger, other senior figures are also considered possible leadership contenders.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is viewed by many Labour MPs as a strong candidate and polls suggest he remains one of the party’s most popular figures with voters.
However, Burnham is not currently a member of Parliament. Returning to the House of Commons would require winning a by-election, a process that could take time.
Several MPs, including Afzal Khan and Jeff Smith, have denied speculation that they might step down to allow Burnham to contest a seat.
Meanwhile, cabinet ministers have been working to persuade colleagues that a leadership contest would stall the government’s legislative agenda and hamper its ability to govern.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

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May 13May 13

Saudi, UAE Launch Secret Strikes on Iran: Reports

Iranian Conflict

Saudi, UAE Launch Secret Strikes on Iran: Reports

Saudi Arabia carried out previously undisclosed airstrikes on Iran earlier this year in response to attacks on the kingdom during the widening Middle East conflict, according to Western and Iranian officials.

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The strikes, reportedly conducted by the Saudi Air Force in late March, would mark the first known instance of Saudi Arabia directly launching military action on Iranian territory. Officials familiar with the matter described the attacks as retaliatory moves after Iran targeted Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones during the regional war.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the specific targets of the Saudi operations.
A senior Saudi foreign ministry official did not confirm whether the strikes took place when asked for comment, while Iran’s foreign ministry did not respond to requests for clarification.
Regional conflict widens
The reported Saudi strikes highlight the growing scope of the conflict that began when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on 28 February. Since then, the confrontation has spread across the region, drawing in several Middle Eastern countries.
According to officials, Iran has launched missiles and drones at all six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, targeting not only US military installations but also civilian locations, airports and oil infrastructure. Tehran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting international trade.
The United Arab Emirates is also reported to have carried out strikes on Iranian territory. The Wall Street Journal reported that Emirati forces targeted an oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island early last month.
Those attacks were said to have taken place around the time US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire following a five-week air campaign against Iran.
The newspaper reported that US officials had privately welcomed Emirati participation and encouraged Gulf allies willing to confront Iran.
Different approaches from Gulf states
The Saudi and Emirati responses illustrate how Gulf states affected by Iranian strikes have begun responding militarily, although their strategies differ.
The UAE has taken a more confrontational approach, seeking to impose costs on Iran while maintaining limited diplomatic engagement.
Saudi Arabia, by contrast, has attempted to contain escalation while keeping open channels of communication with Tehran. Officials said contacts continued through Iran’s ambassador in Riyadh during the crisis.
A senior Saudi foreign ministry official reiterated the kingdom’s position in favour of reducing tensions, saying Riyadh supports “de-escalation, self-restraint and the reduction of tensions” to maintain regional stability.
Strikes followed by diplomatic engagement
Officials from Iran and Western governments said Saudi Arabia informed Tehran about the strikes, after which intensive diplomatic contacts took place.
Those talks, combined with Saudi warnings that further retaliation could follow, led both sides to reach an informal understanding to scale back hostilities.
Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, said such a sequence would suggest both countries recognised the risks of uncontrolled escalation.
He said retaliatory strikes followed by de-escalation would reflect “a shared interest in imposing limits on confrontation before it spiralled into a wider regional conflict”.
According to officials, the informal de-escalation began in the week before Washington and Tehran agreed to a broader ceasefire on 7 April.
An Iranian official confirmed the arrangement, saying the aim was to halt hostilities, protect shared interests and avoid further escalation.
Longstanding rivalry
Iran and Saudi Arabia, the region’s leading Shi’ite and Sunni powers, have long backed opposing factions in conflicts across the Middle East.
Relations began to improve after China brokered a rapprochement in 2023, restoring diplomatic ties and helping secure a ceasefire in Yemen between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
During the current conflict, Saudi Arabia has managed to continue exporting oil through the Red Sea, avoiding some of the disruption faced by other Gulf states.
Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal wrote in a weekend opinion article that the kingdom had sought to avoid being drawn deeper into the war, despite pressure from regional tensions.
Changing dynamics on the battlefield
Diplomatic contacts and the threat of stronger Saudi retaliation appear to have reduced the scale of Iranian attacks.
According to a Reuters review of Saudi defence ministry statements, more than 105 missile and drone strikes were recorded during the week of 25–31 March. That number dropped to just over 25 between 1–6 April.
Western officials said that in the days before the broader ceasefire many projectiles launched at Saudi Arabia appeared to originate from Iraq rather than Iran itself, suggesting Tehran had reduced direct attacks while allied groups remained active.
Saudi Arabia later summoned Iraq’s ambassador to protest strikes originating from Iraqi territory.
Tensions nevertheless continued around the start of the wider ceasefire, when Saudi authorities reported dozens of missiles and drones targeting the kingdom on 7 and 8 April.
The spike prompted Riyadh to consider further retaliation against Iran and Iraq, while Pakistan deployed fighter jets to reassure Saudi Arabia and urged restraint as diplomatic efforts intensified.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

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May 13May 13

Trump Arrives in Beijing for High-Stakes Talks with Xi

China

Trump Arrives in Beijing for High-Stakes Talks with Xi

US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day visit that will focus on trade tensions, the war in Iran and the future of Taiwan, as he prepares for high-level talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

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Trump stepped off Air Force One to a formal reception in the Chinese capital, where he was welcomed by Vice-President Han Zheng and greeted with a red-carpet ceremony. The reception included a brass band and groups waving Chinese and American flags as the US president acknowledged the crowd.
The meeting comes at a time of strained relations between the world’s two largest economies and amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East that has unsettled global markets.
Trade tensions in focus
Trade is expected to dominate the discussions between Washington and Beijing.
Economic ties between the two countries have weakened in recent years following an escalating tariff dispute and other trade restrictions. Bilateral trade reached $414.7bn last year, down sharply from $690.4bn recorded in 2022.
The US is also seeking to reduce its trade deficit with China. In the most recent figures, the United States imported more than $200bn more in goods from China than it exported to the country.
Ahead of the trip, Trump said he would urge Xi to further open China’s economy to American companies. Writing on social media before landing in Beijing, he described Xi as a leader of “extraordinary distinction” and said expanding market access for US firms would be his first request.
Several senior business leaders travelled with the president, including Elon Musk of Tesla, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Tim Cook of Apple, Larry Fink of BlackRock and Kelly Ortberg of Boeing.
Washington is expected to push for increased Chinese purchases of American agricultural products, while Beijing is likely to press the US to ease tariffs imposed on Chinese goods.
Technology competition will also feature prominently. China has expanded its ambitions in artificial intelligence and increased demand for advanced computing chips produced by US companies. At the same time, Washington has tightened export controls amid concerns that Chinese firms could gain access to sensitive technologies.
China may also use its control over rare earth metals—critical components in many high-tech products—as leverage in negotiations, a tactic it has previously employed in response to US tariffs.
Iran war adds pressure
The conflict involving Iran is another key issue expected to be discussed.
China relies heavily on Iranian oil, and shipments have been disrupted as the fighting has affected shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has contributed to higher oil prices and added pressure on China’s economy.
The United States has urged Beijing to use its political and economic influence with Tehran. China and Iran have maintained close ties for decades.
Shortly before leaving Washington, Trump said he expected a lengthy discussion with Xi about the war but indicated the United States did not need assistance to resolve the conflict.
China has also signalled it wants the fighting to end, partly because of the impact of rising energy costs.
Taiwan tensions remain
Relations over Taiwan are also likely to cast a shadow over the meeting.
The Trump administration has taken a mixed approach toward the island, approving a large arms deal while appearing to soften commitments about defending Taiwan in the event of Chinese military action.
Last week, a bipartisan group of US senators wrote to Trump urging him to reaffirm Washington’s support for Taiwan. The letter also referenced a $14bn arms sale to Taipei approved by Congress last year.
The lawmakers said Trump should make clear that US backing for Taiwan is not negotiable as Washington pursues economic discussions with Beijing.
Packed diplomatic schedule
Trump’s schedule includes a formal welcome ceremony with Xi at the Great Hall of the People, followed by a state banquet and several bilateral meetings.
Events will also include a ceremonial “friendship photo” in Zhongnanhai, the leadership compound in the Chinese capital.
The US president is due to depart on Friday after further talks and a working lunch with Xi.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 May 2026

• Trump

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May 13May 13

UK to Deploy Jets, Drones, Warship to Hormuz Mission

UK-Politics

UK to Deploy Jets, Drones, Warship to Hormuz Mission

The UK has pledged fighter jets, drones and a warship to a multinational effort aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

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The announcement was made on Tuesday by defence minister John Healey during a virtual meeting of defence ministers from countries participating in the initiative. The mission, involving more than 40 nations, is intended to safeguard shipping in the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to global markets.
British officials said the operation would begin once conditions allow.
Tensions in the region have been high for months after Iran asserted control over the waterway in response to military strikes by the United States and Israel.
UK military contribution
The UK’s contribution will include autonomous systems designed to detect and clear naval mines, drone boats and Eurofighter Typhoon jets assigned to conduct air patrols over the shipping lanes.
Officials said the mission would be supported by £115m in new funding to expand the use of mine-hunting drones and counter-drone technologies.
A British destroyer, HMS Dragon, which is already travelling toward the Middle East, will be ready to take part in operations aimed at securing the waterway. Another vessel, RFA Lyme Bay, is currently being upgraded with additional equipment in case it is required for deployment.
The UK already has more than 1,000 personnel stationed in the region as part of existing defensive operations. These include counter-drone teams and fast-jet squadrons, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Healey said the multinational mission, first announced last month by the UK and France, is intended to reassure shipping companies and restore safe passage through the strait.
“With our allies, this multinational mission will be defensive, independent and credible,” he said in a statement.
Strategic waterway under strain
The Strait of Hormuz carries around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions there have already pushed global energy prices higher.
Iran has maintained control over the passage in retaliation for military pressure from Washington and its allies. At the same time, the United States has enforced a blockade of Iranian ports in an attempt to force Tehran to accept its terms, a move that has drawn strong criticism from Iran.
Although a ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in place since April, the situation remains fragile. US President Donald Trump recently described the truce as being on “massive life support”.
Both Tehran and Washington have accused each other of launching attacks in the strait during the standoff.
Political backdrop in London
The defence announcement comes as domestic political pressure builds on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Dozens of Labour MPs have called on him to step down, prompting a show of support from Healey.
In a message posted on X, Healey said Starmer was guiding Britain through a period of international instability and warned that further political turmoil would not be in the country’s interests.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Starmer did not address calls for his resignation. Instead, discussions focused on the consequences of the Middle East conflict.
A spokesperson for Downing Street said ministers agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping remained the government’s top priority.
Starmer has repeatedly said the UK should not be “dragged” into the conflict. He has also stated that Britain would not support the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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May 12May 12

Venezuela Dismisses Trump’s 51st State Comment

Venezuela

Venezuela Dismisses Trump’s 51st State Comment

Venezuela’s acting president has rejected remarks by Donald Trump suggesting the country could become the 51st US state, while reaffirming Venezuela’s sovereignty during international court hearings over a long-running territorial dispute with Guyana.

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Speaking to journalists on Monday, acting President Delcy Rodríguez dismissed the idea after Trump said he was “seriously considering” the possibility. The comment was reported by Fox News following an interview earlier in the day.
Rodríguez said Venezuela would continue to defend its independence and national integrity.
“We will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our independence, our history,” she said, adding that Venezuela was “not a colony, but a free country.”
Response to Trump’s Comment
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for clarification about Trump’s remarks, and the context in which they were made remains unclear.
Trump has previously made similar statements about Canada becoming part of the United States.
Later on Monday, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to comment directly on the president’s suggestion during a Fox News interview. She said Trump was “famous for never accepting the status quo” and praised Rodríguez for working cooperatively with Washington.
Rodríguez said officials from Venezuela and the United States had been communicating and were seeking “cooperation and understanding.”
Dispute Over Essequibo
Rodríguez made the comments while attending hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where Venezuela and Guyana are contesting ownership of the resource-rich Essequibo region.
The territory covers about 62,000 square miles and makes up roughly two-thirds of Guyana. It contains large deposits of gold, diamonds and timber and lies close to major offshore oil fields that are currently producing about 900,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
That output is approaching Venezuela’s daily production of around one million barrels and has helped transform Guyana into a major energy producer despite being one of South America’s smallest countries.
Addressing the court, Rodríguez argued that the dispute should be resolved through political negotiations rather than a judicial ruling.
She said a 1966 agreement signed in Geneva created mechanisms for Venezuela and Guyana to settle the matter through dialogue, accusing Guyana of undermining that framework by seeking a legal decision.
According to Rodríguez, Guyana shifted the dispute to the court after a major offshore oil discovery in 2015.
Historical Background
Venezuela claims Essequibo dates back to the Spanish colonial era, when the area was considered part of its territory.
However, an 1899 arbitration decision by representatives from Britain, Russia, and the United States drew the border along the Essequibo River largely in Guyana’s favor.
Guyana asked the International Court of Justice in 2018 to confirm the validity of that ruling, shortly after a major oil discovery was announced off its coast by ExxonMobil.
Tensions intensified in 2023 when Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro threatened to annex the region following a referendum on turning Essequibo into a Venezuelan state.
Court Decision Expected Later
Maduro was later detained during a US military operation in Caracas in January and transferred to New York, where he faces drug trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty.
Guyana’s foreign minister Hugh Hilton Todd told judges the dispute had cast a shadow over the country’s sovereignty since its earliest days, noting that about 70% of Guyana’s territory is involved.
The International Court of Justice is expected to take several months to issue a final ruling in the case.
Venezuela has warned that participating in the hearings does not mean it accepts the court’s authority to decide the dispute.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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May 12May 12

Trump Calls Media Reports on Iran ‘Virtual Treason’

Iranian Conflict

Trump Calls Media Reports on Iran ‘Virtual Treason’

President Donald Trump has accused parts of the US news media of committing “virtual treason” by suggesting that Iran is performing well in the ongoing war, saying such reports provide encouragement to an enemy of the United States.

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In a post on the social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said media outlets describing Iranian military success were spreading false information and undermining the country during wartime.
“When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON,” Trump wrote.
President criticises coverage of conflict
He described such reporting as “false” and “preposterous” and said it could give Iran “false hope when none should exist”.
Trump also accused journalists of helping the enemy by repeating claims about Iranian battlefield performance. “They are aiding and abetting the enemy,” he wrote, adding that some Americans reporting the news were “rooting against our country”.
Definition of treason under US law
Under the United States Constitution, treason is defined narrowly. It applies to individuals who wage war against the United States or who provide aid and comfort to its enemies while owing allegiance to the country.
The president did not suggest that specific individuals or organisations should face legal charges, but his comments reflect a long-running dispute between his administration and major news outlets over coverage of the conflict.
In the same post, Trump repeated earlier claims that US military operations had severely weakened Iran’s armed forces. He said Iran’s naval and air capabilities had been largely destroyed and claimed that leaders in Tehran “are no longer with us”, although he did not provide further details.
Trump has consistently argued that US forces, alongside Israel, have achieved significant military successes against Iran since fighting began.
Ongoing tensions with the media
The president’s criticism of the press has intensified since the start of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran. Trump has repeatedly accused news organisations of misrepresenting the conflict and undermining public confidence in US military efforts.
Earlier this year, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, warned that broadcast licences could be reviewed after Trump accused some outlets of spreading inaccurate reports about the war.
Carr, who was appointed during Trump’s administration, said at the time that the regulator had authority to examine whether broadcasters were meeting their obligations.
The comments were part of a broader confrontation between the White House and sections of the media over the accuracy and tone of reporting about the conflict.
Despite the criticism, US news organisations have continued to report on battlefield developments and statements from officials on all sides of the war.
Trump’s latest remarks underline the ongoing political tension surrounding coverage of the conflict, as the administration continues to defend its military strategy and challenge reporting it considers unfavourable.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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May 12May 12

Putin Hails Test Launch of Russia’s ‘Satan II’ Missile

Russia

Putin Hails Test Launch of Russia’s ‘Satan II’ Missile

Russia has test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile as part of its effort to modernise its nuclear arsenal, with President Vladimir Putin describing the weapon as the “most powerful missile in the world”.

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The missile, known as Sarmat and designated “Satan II” by NATO, was launched on Tuesday. Putin said the nuclear-capable system would enter combat service by the end of the year and replace the ageing Soviet-era Voyevoda missile.
The test comes as Moscow continues to upgrade its nuclear forces during the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began when Russian troops launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Russia promotes new strategic missile
Speaking about the launch, Putin said the Sarmat missile’s combined warhead power exceeds that of Western equivalents.
“This is the most powerful missile in the world,” he said, claiming the missile’s individually targeted warheads deliver a combined destructive capability more than four times greater than comparable Western systems.
The Sarmat programme began in 2011 and is intended to replace roughly 40 Soviet-built Voyevoda missiles. It is classified as a heavy intercontinental ballistic missile and can carry up to 10 tonnes of payload, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies and its Missile Defense Project.
The missile has a range of more than 21,700 miles (about 35,000 km) and can conduct suborbital flight, a capability Putin said would allow it to bypass potential missile defence systems.
The test follows earlier difficulties during development. Before Tuesday’s launch, only one successful test had been publicly reported, and a 2024 test reportedly ended in a major explosion at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.
Broader nuclear modernisation
Since taking office in 2000, Putin has overseen a large-scale upgrade of Russia’s nuclear forces, replacing many Soviet-era systems with new technology.
The modernisation programme has included deploying new land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, commissioning nuclear-powered submarines and upgrading long-range strategic bombers.
Russia has also developed a range of other advanced weapons. Among them is the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, which Moscow says can travel at speeds up to 27 times the speed of sound.
Another system is the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of travelling about 3,100 miles. Russia has already used a conventional version of the missile in strikes against Ukraine.
Putin has also said Russia is nearing completion of two additional nuclear weapons: the Poseidon underwater drone and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. Poseidon is designed to detonate near coastlines, while Burevestnik is intended to have extremely long range due to its nuclear propulsion.
Nuclear arms control concerns
The missile test comes amid renewed concerns about nuclear arms control following the expiration in February of the last remaining nuclear arms treaty between Russia and the United States.
The agreement had placed limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals. Its expiry means there are currently no binding caps on the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons held by the two countries for the first time in more than 50 years.
According to the Federation of American Scientists, the United States possesses about 4,300 nuclear warheads while Russia has roughly 3,700.
Although the treaty has lapsed, the two countries agreed in February to restore high-level military communication channels that had been suspended shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has said its development of new weapons systems is partly a response to US missile defence systems established after Washington withdrew in 2001 from a Cold War-era treaty limiting missile shields.
Putin said Moscow’s strategic upgrades were necessary to maintain a balance of power.
Ukraine war context
The missile test also came days after Putin suggested that the conflict in Ukraine could be nearing its end.
During a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, he said the fighting was approaching its conclusion.
The parade was notable for the absence of heavy weapons — a change from previous displays held over the past two decades.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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webfact

May 12May 12

EU May Propose Child Social Media Ban This Summer

EU

EU May Propose Child Social Media Ban This Summer

The European Commission may propose a bloc-wide ban on social media access for minors as early as this summer, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday, as pressure grows across Europe to strengthen online protections for children.

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Speaking at the European Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Children in Copenhagen, von der Leyen said governments can no longer ignore calls to address the effects of social media on young users. Several European Union countries have urged stronger measures, arguing that platforms are designed in ways that encourage excessive use among children.
Support for stricter rules has gathered momentum in recent months, with France, Spain, Greece and Denmark leading efforts to tighten restrictions on children’s access to online platforms.
Growing concern over children’s online exposure
Von der Leyen told delegates that technology is advancing rapidly and increasingly shaping young people’s lives.
“We are witnessing the lightning speed at which technology is advancing – and how it penetrates every corner of childhood and adolescence,” she said.
Several EU governments are already developing national legislation aimed at limiting children’s use of social media. However, the Commission faces pressure to ensure that any new rules apply consistently across the bloc to avoid fragmentation within the EU’s single market.
To explore possible options, the Commission has set up an independent panel of experts to study online child safety. The group is examining issues such as digital addiction and social anxiety among minors and will advise on potential regulatory responses.
Von der Leyen said the Commission would wait for the panel’s conclusions but suggested the possibility of delaying access to social media until a certain age.
“Without pre-empting the panel’s findings, I believe we must consider a social media delay,” she said. “Depending on the results, we could come forward with a legal proposal this summer.”
National plans add urgency
The proposed timeline could allow Brussels to act before new legislation expected in France takes effect later this year.
French rules scheduled to begin in September would require platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to block users under 15 years old and deactivate existing accounts belonging to those below that age.
A major challenge for policymakers is how to verify users’ ages in a reliable and secure way. The Commission has proposed an EU-wide age-verification application that would allow platforms to confirm whether users meet the minimum age requirement before granting access.
Von der Leyen said the system could be modelled on the bloc’s digital health certificate used during the pandemic.
Debate over technical and privacy risks
While the Commission has recommended the proposed verification app to member states, several governments have responded cautiously. Some cybersecurity specialists have warned that the technology could present vulnerabilities or raise privacy concerns.
The European Union is not alone in examining stricter limits on children’s access to social media. Countries including Australia and Indonesia have already introduced measures aimed at restricting use by younger audiences.
Meanwhile, EU regulators are also scrutinising major platforms under the bloc’s Digital Services Act over concerns they may have failed to adequately protect minors online. Officials are also considering further restrictions on certain platform features believed to encourage compulsive use as part of the proposed Digital Fairness Act.
Von der Leyen acknowledged that any regulatory changes would take time but said governments must act quickly to prevent long-term harm.
“We all know that sustainable change does not happen overnight,” she said. “But if we are slow and hesitant, it will be another entire generation of children that pays the price.”


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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webfact

May 12May 12

Kash Patel Agrees to Alcohol Test After Senate Clash

USA

Kash Patel Agrees to Alcohol Test After Senate Clash

FBI Director Kash Patel said he would take an alcohol screening test after a tense exchange with Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen during a congressional hearing, provided the senator agreed to take the same test alongside him.

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The confrontation unfolded as Van Hollen questioned Patel about reports concerning his conduct, including allegations of excessive drinking. Patel has denied the claims and is pursuing legal action over a report that raised the issue.
Dispute Over Allegations
Van Hollen referenced reporting that suggested Patel’s alcohol use had affected his ability to carry out official duties.
“When your private actions make it impossible for you to perform your public duties, we have a big problem,” the senator said during the hearing. He added that reports alleging episodes of heavy drinking and unexplained absences were “extremely alarming” if accurate.
Van Hollen said the allegations suggested a potential failure of responsibility and could undermine public trust in the leadership of the FBI.
The senator also asked Patel and other law enforcement officials present how they would respond if an employee appeared to have a problem with excessive alcohol use.
“I really don’t care about your personal life so long as you are able to perform your public responsibilities,” Van Hollen said. He cited multiple reports, including one published by The Atlantic, that described concerns raised by current and former officials in the FBI and the Department of Justice.
Patel Rejects Claims
Patel strongly rejected the allegations, calling the reporting “unequivocally, categorically false.” He has filed a defamation lawsuit related to the claims.
During the exchange, Patel countered with accusations of his own, alleging that Van Hollen drank margaritas while on an official trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who had been mistakenly deported and imprisoned there at the time.
“The only person who was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar… was you,” Patel said.
Van Hollen dismissed the accusation, saying it was untrue and based on misinformation circulating in some media outlets. He argued that repeating such claims in a congressional hearing was troubling.
“The fact that you mentioned that indicates you don’t know what you are talking about,” Van Hollen said.
Margarita Claim Disputed
Van Hollen has previously addressed the margarita allegation, saying it stemmed from a publicity stunt by El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele.
After returning from the trip in April last year, Van Hollen told reporters that a Salvadoran official placed drinks on the table during the meeting but that neither he nor Abrego Garcia drank them.
“Neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us,” the senator said at the time, adding that the salt around the rim of the glasses remained undisturbed.
Van Hollen said the display appeared designed to create the impression that alcohol had been consumed.
Challenge to Take Alcohol Test
The hearing concluded with a direct challenge from Van Hollen, who asked Patel whether he would take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a 10-question screening survey that had been proposed by House Judiciary Committee Democrats.
Patel agreed on the condition that Van Hollen also take the test.
“Let’s go,” Patel said. “Side by side.”
Van Hollen accepted the proposal.
Throughout the exchange, Van Hollen repeatedly asked Patel whether he understood that lying to Congress was a crime. Patel responded each time that he had not committed perjury during the hearing.
The confrontation highlighted rising tensions between the FBI director and some Democratic lawmakers over allegations about his conduct and leadership.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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May 12May 12

Hamas Accused of Systematic Sexual Violence in Oct 7 Attacks

Israel

Hamas Accused of Systematic Sexual Violence in Oct 7 Attacks

An independent Israeli investigation has presented extensive evidence alleging that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups carried out widespread sexual violence during the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel and against hostages held in Gaza.

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The 300-page report by the Civil Commission describes rapes, sexual assaults and sexual torture that it says were used deliberately to inflict maximum harm on victims. Researchers conclude that sexual violence was employed as a tactic during the assault.
The findings draw on hundreds of survivor and witness testimonies as well as thousands of photographs, videos and official records gathered from attack sites.
The Hamas-led attacks killed around 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 individuals taken hostage, marking the deadliest day in the country’s history.
Evidence from survivors and footage
The commission said its investigation included 430 filmed interviews with survivors and witnesses and analysis of more than 10,000 images and videos, including material filmed by attackers themselves.
Accounts in the report describe scenes of violence at several locations targeted during the assault, including the Nova music festival, where more than 370 people were killed.
Witnesses cited in the report describe hearing and seeing gang rapes during the attack at the festival. One male survivor recounted being abused by attackers. The report also records instances where victims who were raped or sexually assaulted were later shot.
Investigators documented recurring descriptions from multiple sites, including kibbutzim and military bases that were overrun, where bodies of women were reportedly found without underwear or with signs of genital mutilation.
The commission concluded that sexual and gender-based violence formed part of the attacks and described what it called the “weaponisation of sexual violence”.
Allegations of abuse in captivity
The report also states that sexual violence continued during captivity for some hostages held in Gaza, affecting both women and men.
Several former hostages have publicly spoken about abuse they say occurred while they were held, including Amit Soussana, Arbel Yehud, Romi Gonen, Rom Braslavski and Guy Gilbol Dalal. Other accounts cited in the report were shared privately with medical staff, therapists and investigators.
Among the claims detailed in the investigation is an allegation that two young relatives were forced by captors to perform sexual acts on each other. The report describes this as part of a pattern of violence that targeted family members and exploited relationships to instil fear.
The commission says the acts documented in its findings could amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal acts under international law.
Evidence gathered by the investigation has been placed in a secure archive and may be used in future legal proceedings.
Disputed claims and verification efforts
Hamas has repeatedly denied that sexual or gender-based violence occurred during the attacks or against hostages.
Previous investigations have also examined the issue. A report by the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that sexual violence, including gang rape, had taken place during the attacks.
Researchers involved in the Israeli investigation said they took additional steps to verify evidence because some early claims circulated by Israeli officials after the attack were later shown to be inaccurate. In addition, some forensic material was lost when first responders quickly cleared attack sites.
To preserve independence, the commission said it did not rely on statements obtained during Israeli interrogations of detained suspects.
The report’s authors said the project was intended not only to collect evidence for potential prosecutions but also to document events for the historical record.
Many victims of sexual violence during the attacks were killed, while others remain traumatised, the commission said. It added that the investigation aimed to ensure their experiences are recorded and not dismissed or forgotten.
The October 2023 assault triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has since killed 72,742 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations considers the ministry’s casualty figures broadly reliable.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

• Middle East

• 134 comments
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May 12May 12