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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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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

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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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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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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

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May 12May 12

US Inflation Hits 3.8% as Energy Prices Rise

USA

US Inflation Hits 3.8% as Energy Prices Rise

US inflation accelerated to 3.8% in April, driven largely by rising energy costs linked to the conflict involving Iran, according to new government data.

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Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed prices increased at their fastest pace since May 2023, as higher gasoline and food costs pushed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) upward. The annual rate rose from 3.3% in March.
The jump marks the highest inflation level since prices reached 4% three years ago.
Energy Costs Drive Price Surge
Nearly half of April’s increase was attributed to rising energy prices, the BLS said. Housing and food costs also contributed to the overall rise in consumer prices.
The increase comes as the conflict involving Iran and Israel has disrupted global oil markets. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for global energy shipments — has pushed oil prices higher.
As a result, gasoline prices in the United States have surged. Data from the AAA motoring group shows the national average price for a gallon of unleaded fuel has climbed to $4.50 (£3.33), the highest level since July 2022.
Air travel has also become significantly more expensive. The price of jet fuel has risen sharply due to the shipping disruption, and US airlines — many of which do not hedge their fuel costs — have passed the increases on to passengers.
Government figures show average airfares increased by 20.7% in April compared with a year earlier.
Prices for clothing also rose during the period, while the cost of new cars declined slightly.
Pressure on Interest Rate Outlook
The rise in inflation has reduced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later this year.
Isaac Stell, investment manager at Wealth Club, said the data could even reopen the possibility of rate increases.
“The latest inflation increase leaves possible interest rate hikes firmly on the table,” he said.
The figures come just days before Kevin Warsh, appointed by President Donald Trump, is due to take over as chair of the Federal Reserve from Jerome Powell.
Stell said the incoming central bank chief would enter the role with “little room for manoeuvre” and may have to adopt a cautious policy stance.
Trump had previously clashed with Powell over the Fed’s reluctance to lower interest rates, arguing that cuts would support economic growth. The president has indicated he expects Warsh to pursue rate reductions.
Political Challenge Before Midterms
The inflation rise also presents a political challenge for the Republican administration ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign focused heavily on pledges to bring inflation down.
Responding to the latest figures on Tuesday, the president described the increase as temporary and said Americans would support his focus on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
He also pointed out that inflation had been higher under his predecessor Joe Biden, when the rate peaked at 9.1% in June 2022.
Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said fuel costs have an especially strong impact on public sentiment.
“Americans are supremely sensitive to the price of gasoline,” she said, noting that voters had backed Trump partly because of his promise to reduce living costs.
“With the midterms approaching, rising grocery bills could again become political kryptonite for the governing party,” she added.
Wage Growth Falls Behind Prices
April’s inflation data also showed that wages are no longer keeping pace with rising prices.
While consumer prices increased by 3.8% over the year to April, average pay grew by 3.6%, marking the first time in three years that wage growth has lagged inflation.
Financial markets reacted negatively to the data. US stock markets opened lower, with the S&P 500 falling 0.6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.7%.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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May 12May 12

Starmer to Meet Streeting After Four Ministers Quit

UK-Politics

Starmer to Meet Streeting After Four Ministers Quit

Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting at Downing Street on Wednesday as the prime minister faces growing pressure from within the Labour Party to step aside.

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The meeting comes after a turbulent day for the government in which four ministers resigned and more than 90 Labour MPs publicly called for a change in leadership. The scale of the internal revolt has raised questions about Starmer’s ability to remain in office.
Reports suggest Streeting, widely viewed as a potential leadership contender, will use the talks to discuss the crisis within the party and ask how Starmer intends to restore stability.
Meeting fuels leadership speculation
The discussions between Starmer and Streeting, first reported by The Times, have intensified speculation that a leadership challenge could be imminent.
According to the report, Streeting is expected to raise concerns about the “turbulence” affecting the party and seek clarity on how the prime minister plans to “get us out of this mess”.
Despite the speculation, it is understood that Streeting will avoid making any public comments following the meeting that might distract from the King’s Speech and the State Opening of Parliament.
Ministers resign as pressure mounts
Starmer’s difficulties deepened after several members of his government stepped down.
Among those leaving their roles were prominent MP Jess Phillips and health minister Zubir Ahmed, who is considered an ally of Streeting. Their departures added to the pressure on the prime minister from critics within Labour who say the party needs new leadership.
At the same time, a group of more than 90 Labour MPs issued calls for Starmer to resign, arguing the party must change direction following a damaging set of election results last week.
Divisions within Labour
The growing dissent has exposed deep divisions across the parliamentary party.
While dozens of MPs have urged Starmer to step down, another group of more than 100 Labour lawmakers signed a separate statement backing the prime minister and warning against launching a leadership contest.
The statement said the party faced a “devastatingly tough set of election results” and stressed the need to rebuild public trust. It urged colleagues to focus on governing rather than internal disputes.
“This is no time for a leadership contest,” the statement said.
Allies defend the prime minister
Starmer told cabinet colleagues on Tuesday he intended to continue in office despite the mounting rebellion.
Several senior figures have publicly backed him, including deputy prime minister David Lammy. Speaking outside Downing Street, Lammy warned that internal divisions could benefit Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which made significant gains in last week’s elections.
Lammy said Starmer had been elected with a mandate of five years less than two years ago and retained his full support.
He also challenged critics calling for the prime minister to step down to name an alternative leader, arguing no clear rival had emerged.
Meanwhile, speculation that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood might resign was dismissed by her office, which said she was continuing with her work.
Despite the political turmoil, the government has sought to continue its agenda. Downing Street said ministers had focused on international issues during meetings on Tuesday, including efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran.
Starmer also chaired a Middle East response committee meeting and later met construction apprentices in London, although the event was not open to reporters.


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May 12May 12

Iran Executes Student Convicted of Spying for the CIA

Iran

Iran Executes Student Convicted of Spying for the CIA

Iranian authorities have executed a postgraduate student convicted of espionage for the United States and Israel, according to the country’s judiciary, as rights groups criticised the case and said the charges were fabricated.

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Erfan Shakourzadeh, 29, was hanged on Monday after being found guilty of collaborating with the CIA and Israel’s Mossad intelligence service. The execution was reported by the judiciary’s Mizan Online website.
His death is the latest in a series of executions carried out during heightened tensions linked to Iran’s conflict with the United States and Israel.
Espionage conviction
Mizan Online said Shakourzadeh had been working on satellite technology and had supplied foreign intelligence agencies with sensitive information. The report said he shared details about his workplace, level of access, professional duties and other classified material.
Authorities also said his confessions would be broadcast on state television on Monday evening.
According to Iranian officials, the student’s activities amounted to collaboration with both the CIA and Mossad. Iran frequently accuses foreign intelligence services of operating inside the country and has previously executed individuals convicted of espionage.
Shakourzadeh is the fifth person to be executed on spying charges since the war between Iran, the United States and Israel began in late February.
Rights groups dispute case
Human rights organisations outside Iran strongly criticised the execution. Norway-based groups Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Hengaw said Shakourzadeh had denied the accusations and described the case as based on forced confessions.
They said he had been studying aerospace engineering at Tehran’s Iran University of Science and Technology and described him as a high-achieving student.
According to the groups, Shakourzadeh had earlier graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Tabriz and was among the top-ranked students in his postgraduate programme.
IHR said he had been kept in solitary confinement and subjected to torture during detention.
Hengaw reported that he had written a message before his execution stating that the espionage charges were fabricated and that he had been forced to confess after months of isolation and pressure.
The groups said he had been arrested in February 2025 and had spent about nine months in solitary confinement before the execution.
Execution carried out near Tehran
Hengaw said Shakourzadeh had been transferred earlier this month from Tehran’s Evin prison to Ghezel Hesar prison, located outside the capital, where he was executed at dawn.
The execution comes amid a broader increase in capital punishment in Iran, according to human rights organisations.
IHR said authorities had also executed 13 men accused of involvement in protests that took place in January, one person linked to demonstrations in 2022, and 10 individuals accused of ties to banned opposition groups.
Activists have long accused Iran of using executions to deter dissent during periods of domestic unrest and international tension.
Rising number of executions
Iran is widely considered one of the world’s most frequent users of the death penalty. Rights groups say only China carries out more executions each year.
According to a joint annual report released last month by Iran Human Rights and the Paris-based group Together Against the Death Penalty, at least 1,639 people were executed in Iran in 2025. The report said 48 women were among those put to death.
IHR has also recorded at least 190 executions so far in 2026.
Authorities have stepped up executions following waves of protest across the country. One of the most significant demonstrations occurred in 2022–2023 after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurdish woman who died in custody.
Earlier this year, three men were executed after being convicted of killing police officers during those protests. Among them was Saleh Mohammadi, a member of Iran’s national wrestling team.
Iranian judicial officials have defended the use of the death penalty, saying harsher enforcement is needed to counter what they describe as internal and external threats to the country.
Human rights organisations, however, say many cases involve closed-door proceedings in which defendants cannot adequately challenge the accusations against them.

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May 11May 11

Hotels Move to End ‘Sunbed Wars’ After Court Ruling

Tourism

Hotels Move to End ‘Sunbed Wars’ After Court Ruling

Hotels and holiday resorts are tightening rules on reserving poolside loungers after a court awarded compensation to a tourist who complained he could not access a sunbed during a family holiday.

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The ruling, issued by a district court in Hanover, Germany, granted a refund of about £850 to a holidaymaker who argued that towel reservations meant he spent part of each morning searching for a free lounger.
The decision has prompted renewed attention on what many travellers call the “dawn dash”, where guests place towels on sunbeds early in the morning to reserve them for later use.
Court backs complaint over unavailable loungers
The man had booked a package holiday to the Greek island of Kos in 2024, paying €7,186 (£6,211) for a trip with his wife and two children.
In court, he argued that his tour operator had failed to enforce the hotel’s rule against reserving sunbeds with towels. According to his claim, loungers were already taken even when he arrived at the pool area at 06:00.
He said he spent around 20 minutes each day trying to find a place to sit and that, at times, his children had to lie on the floor because no loungers were available.
Although the tour operator had already offered a partial refund of €350 (£302), judges ruled that the family should receive €986.70 (£852.89).
The court acknowledged that the operator did not manage the hotel directly and could not guarantee a sunbed would always be available. However, judges said the company still had a responsibility to ensure there was an organisational system that provided a reasonable number of loungers for guests.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the man said he hoped the decision would act as a warning to travel companies that allow the practice.
Guests report widespread problem
Other holidaymakers say competition for poolside loungers has become a familiar part of some resort holidays.
Andrew Mills, from Newcastle, told the BBC he avoided the pool area during a trip to the Greek island of Zante because loungers were already reserved by early morning.
Another traveller said the same issue affected his recent holiday in Antalya, Turkey, adding that the situation had “taken the shine out of the trip”.
Some guests said they had witnessed towels being placed on loungers overnight in order to secure a spot the following day.
Resorts introduce stricter systems
In response, some hotels have introduced measures to discourage early reservations.
At two holiday camps on France’s Mediterranean coast, one visitor said staff sounded a horn twice a day and removed belongings left on unattended loungers, placing them in lost property if no one returned.
Other resorts have introduced allocation systems designed to prevent competition for poolside space.
At a hotel in Protaras, Cyprus, guests are assigned a specific sunbed when they check in and can request their preferred location for the duration of their stay.
A similar system operates at a resort in Paphos, Cyprus, according to holidaymaker Colin Davison from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who described it as effective.
Another traveller said a hotel in Cyprus allocated numbered parasols and loungers to guests at the start of their holiday, typically assigning one parasol for every two people.
Informal tactics also reported
Some holidaymakers say they have witnessed less official attempts to tackle the issue.
One traveller said that during a trip to Ibiza, guests who were frustrated by overnight towel reservations began removing them and throwing them into the swimming pool.
Such actions are not recommended by resorts, which increasingly prefer formal policies to manage the demand for poolside seating.
The recent court ruling has highlighted the issue for both travellers and tour operators as the summer holiday season approaches.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 May 2026

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May 11May 11

EU Approves Sanctions on Israeli Settlers Over Violence

Middle East

EU Approves Sanctions on Israeli Settlers Over Violence

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to impose new sanctions on Israeli settlers and organisations accused of involvement in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

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The decision was approved by the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers on Monday after months of delay, as concerns grow over a rise in settler attacks since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Officials said the measures target individuals and groups linked to extremist settler activity, though technical and legal procedures must still be completed before the sanctions formally take effect.
EU Moves After Months of Delay
The sanctions plan had previously been stalled due to opposition from Hungary’s former prime minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Israel. A recent change in Hungary’s government removed that obstacle, allowing EU ministers to move forward with the proposal.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the move signalled a shift from political stalemate to concrete action.
“It is high time we move from deadlock to delivery,” she said, adding that extremism and violence must carry consequences.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also confirmed the measures, saying the EU had decided to sanction several Israeli organisations accused of supporting what he described as extremist and violent settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Alongside the measures targeting settlers, EU ministers also agreed to add additional representatives from Hamas to the bloc’s sanctions list.
Israel Condemns the Decision
Israel strongly criticised the EU’s move. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the sanctions were politically motivated and unjustified.
He said Israel would continue to defend what he called the right of Jewish people to live in the “heart of our homeland”.
Sa’ar also rejected comparisons between Israeli citizens and Hamas members, describing the EU’s approach as a “distorted moral equivalence”.
The Israeli government has long supported the expansion of settlements, which many in Israel see as a security and historical claim to the land. Critics, however, argue the policy undermines prospects for a Palestinian state.
Settlements and Rising Violence
Israeli settlements are built on land captured during the 1967 Middle East war, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Under international law they are widely considered illegal, a view Israel disputes.
Around 160 settlements have been established since 1967 and are now home to roughly 700,000 Israelis.
Settlement expansion has accelerated since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to office in late 2022 leading a right-wing coalition that includes pro-settler parties.
Violence in the West Bank has also increased since the Gaza war began, which followed the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
According to United Nations figures, more than 1,800 settler attacks causing casualties or property damage were recorded across about 280 Palestinian communities in 2025 alone.
Recent incidents cited by UN officials include a Palestinian man shot dead during a settler attack in the village of Tayasir and a series of assaults on villages where homes, vehicles and farmland were set on fire.
The UN human rights office has also condemned reports that settlers forced Palestinians to exhume a grave, describing the allegation as “appalling”.
Individuals and Groups Targeted
EU officials said seven settlers or settler organisations would be subject to the sanctions.
Israeli media reports indicate those listed include Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in the settler movement who has already been sanctioned by the UK.
Organisations reportedly facing sanctions include Nachala and Regavim, both known for promoting settlement expansion. HaShomer Yosh and Amana, groups that provide financial and logistical support to unauthorised settlement outposts, are also said to be included.
Reports also name Regavim chief executive Meir Deutsch and HaShomer Yosh head Avichai Suissa among those targeted.
Suissa had previously been sanctioned by the United States in 2024 but was later removed from the sanctions list during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Separately, some EU countries are pushing for a ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements, though member states have not yet reached agreement on that proposal.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 May 2026

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May 11May 11

Pentagon Unveils Nuclear Sub Presence as Iran Talks Falter

Iranian Conflict

Pentagon Unveils Nuclear Sub Presence as Iran Talks Falter

The Pentagon has disclosed the location of a U.S. Navy nuclear-armed submarine in a rare public statement, a day after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending hostilities.

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The submarine, part of the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic missile fleet, arrived in Gibraltar on Sunday, according to an announcement on Monday from the United States Sixth Fleet.
Submarines carrying nuclear weapons typically operate in secrecy, and their locations are rarely disclosed publicly.
Rare disclosure of submarine position
In a statement, the United States Sixth Fleet said the visit underscored Washington’s military capabilities and commitment to allies.
“The port visit demonstrates U.S. capability, flexibility and continuing commitment to its NATO allies,” the fleet said.
It added that Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines serve as stealth launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and represent the most survivable component of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
The Pentagon did not reveal the name of the submarine involved. Details about the movements and deployments of nuclear-armed submarines are normally treated as highly classified due to their strategic role.
Ceasefire with Iran described as fragile
The announcement came as tensions with Iran remained high.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Donald Trump said the U.S. ceasefire with Iran was on “life support” and described the agreement as “unbelievably weak.”
The comments followed Iran’s latest counteroffer aimed at ending the conflict. According to reports, Tehran’s proposal included demands for war reparations, recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of U.S. sanctions.
Trump rejected the proposal on Sunday, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
Role of the Ohio-class fleet
In addition to the ballistic missile submarines, the class also includes four guided missile submarines. These vessels are configured to carry conventional weapons, including more than 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The submarines are capable of long patrols at sea, operating covertly for extended periods as part of the United States’ global deterrence posture.
META: The Pentagon publicly revealed a nuclear-armed U.S. submarine had docked in Gibraltar as tensions with Iran rise after Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal.



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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 May 2026

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May 11May 11

UK Alcohol Deaths Fall After Surge During Covid Years

UK

UK Alcohol Deaths Fall After Surge During Covid Years

The number of deaths caused directly by alcohol in the United Kingdom declined in 2024, marking the first drop since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to newly released national statistics. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that 9,809 alcohol-specific deaths were registered across the UK last year. The total represents a fall from the record high of 10,473 recorded in 2023.

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The decline brings the rate down to 14.8 deaths per 100,000 people, the lowest since 2020. While campaigners described the change as a modest improvement, they said alcohol-related deaths remain significantly higher than before the pandemic.
Alcohol-specific deaths refer to fatalities caused by health conditions that are wholly attributable to alcohol consumption.
First decline after years of increases
Alcohol-related deaths had been rising steadily since 2018, with the trend accelerating during and after the pandemic.
The 2024 figures show declines in both England and Wales. England recorded 13.8 deaths per 100,000 people, while Wales reported 16.8 per 100,000, both lower than the previous year.
However, Scotland and Northern Ireland continued to record the highest rates in the UK. Scotland reported 20.9 deaths per 100,000 people, while Northern Ireland had the highest rate at 21.4 per 100,000.
Regional differences were also evident within England. The North East recorded the highest alcohol-specific death rate at 21.1 per 100,000 people, while London had the lowest rate at 10.9 per 100,000.
Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said the fall could not be attributed to a single cause but stressed that overall levels remained elevated.
“They are significantly higher than they were before the pandemic and are still the biggest we've seen in decades,” he said.
Economic pressures and access to alcohol
Dr Piper pointed to a range of factors that may have contributed to rising alcohol consumption in recent years.
He said economic pressures, including the cost-of-living crisis, had increased stress and anxiety for many people. At the same time, he noted that more than 70% of alcohol in the UK is bought for consumption at home, where prices remain relatively low.
While younger people in the UK have been drinking less in recent years, Dr Piper said this trend would not necessarily translate into an immediate reduction in deaths.
The data also showed a significant difference between men and women. In 2024, the death rate for men was 20.2 per 100,000 people—nearly double the rate for women.
Age-specific figures showed declines in alcohol-related deaths among people aged 25 to 79 compared with 2023. However, deaths among those aged 80 and over increased. Dr Piper suggested this could reflect the cumulative health effects of alcohol over a lifetime.
Calls for stronger policy measures
Campaigners said the latest figures underline the need for stronger action to reduce alcohol harm.
Alcohol Change UK is urging the government to introduce minimum unit pricing in England and tighten regulations on online alcohol marketing.
Dr Katherine Severi, chief executive of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, said the fall should not lead to complacency.
“Alcohol deaths remain at a deeply unacceptable level, and we cannot allow that to become normal,” she said.
A spokesperson for the UK Department of Health and Social Care said the government recognised the scale of the problem.
“Any death from alcohol is a tragedy,” the spokesperson said, adding that while the figures showed a slight reduction, deaths linked to alcohol remained too high.
The department said the government’s 10-year health plan includes proposals for clearer alcohol labelling to provide health and nutritional information to consumers.
It also said £3.4bn in ring-fenced funding would be provided over the next three years through the Public Health Grant to support prevention, treatment and recovery services related to drugs and alcohol.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 May 2026

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webfact

May 11May 11

Trump Says Iran Ceasefire on ‘Life Support’

Iranian Conflict

Trump Says Iran Ceasefire on ‘Life Support’

US President Donald Trump has said the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is barely holding, describing the truce as being on “massive life support” as tensions remain high and negotiations stall.

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Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said the month-long ceasefire was still technically in effect but extremely fragile. He compared the situation to a patient with almost no chance of survival.
“I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support,” Trump said. “When the doctor walks in and says your loved one has approximately a 1 percent chance of living.”
The comments came a day after Iran submitted a counter-proposal outlining conditions it says are necessary to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy supplies. Trump rejected the proposal outright, calling it “totally unacceptable” and dismissing it as a “piece of garbage”.
Iran defends proposal
Iran’s foreign ministry defended the offer, saying it was a serious attempt to resolve the conflict. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the proposals as “responsible” and “generous”.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Tehran’s counter-offer includes several demands. Among them are an immediate end to the war across all fronts, a halt to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and guarantees that Iran will not face further attacks.
The reference to ending hostilities “on all fronts” includes ongoing Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a group backed by Iran.
The proposal also calls for compensation for damage caused during the conflict and stresses Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump reacted strongly on social media after reviewing the document.
“I have just read the response from Iran's so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don't like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” he wrote on Sunday.
Dispute over nuclear material
Trump also accused Iran of reversing its position on allowing the United States to remove its stockpile of enriched uranium. The US president reiterated his position that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
However, Tasnim cited a source close to Iran’s negotiating team who rejected that claim, saying Iran’s proposal contains no agreement permitting enriched uranium to be taken out of the country.
The disagreement highlights a central dispute in the negotiations, which have struggled to move forward despite the ceasefire.
Earlier in the week, Trump said he believed the conflict could end quickly. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the situation was far from resolved.
In an interview on the CBS programme 60 Minutes, Netanyahu said the conflict could not be considered over until Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is removed and its nuclear enrichment facilities dismantled.
“There’s still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” he said.
Global energy concerns
Details of the US negotiating framework have also begun to emerge. According to the US news outlet Axios, an initial one-page memorandum from Washington includes 14 points.
The proposals reportedly involve suspending Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities, easing sanctions on Tehran, and restoring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Axios cited two US officials and two additional sources familiar with the discussions, though none were named.
Many of the provisions in the memorandum would only take effect once a final agreement is reached, the report said.
Meanwhile, Iran has continued to block the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has driven global oil prices higher. Normally about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow waterway.
The United States has responded by enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports in an attempt to pressure Tehran into accepting its conditions — a measure that Iranian officials have strongly condemned.
The conflict escalated sharply on 28 February when US and Israeli forces launched large-scale air strikes on Iranian targets. A ceasefire was agreed last month, but sporadic exchanges of fire have continued since then.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 May 2026

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webfact

May 11May 11

Senior Ministers Urge Keir Starmer to Plan Exit

UK-Politics

Senior Ministers Urge Keir Starmer to Plan Exit

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to step aside after senior cabinet ministers joined more than 70 Labour MPs calling for him to set out a timetable for leaving office, deepening a leadership crisis within the party.

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The appeals came hours after Starmer insisted he would remain in the role and fight any leadership challenge, warning that the country would “never forgive” Labour if it descended into the turmoil of a leadership contest.
Reports suggest several senior figures in the government privately urged the prime minister to oversee an orderly transition following a series of damaging election defeats that have cast doubt on the future of his premiership.
Cabinet pressure builds
Two senior ministers — Yvette Cooper and Shabana Mahmood — are believed to have told Starmer he should prepare for a managed handover of power.
Two other cabinet members, John Healey and David Lammy, also discussed how a “responsible, dignified and orderly” process might unfold if he were to step aside.
However, not all ministers have urged him to go. Some cabinet allies, including Richard Hermer and Steve Reed, are said to have encouraged the prime minister to remain in office and resist the growing pressure.
One minister said Starmer had listened to the differing views in cabinet and would need to decide his next steps before the next cabinet meeting.
MPs call for leadership change
More than 70 Labour MPs have publicly called for Starmer to resign, representing roughly a quarter of the party’s backbenchers. Many say they no longer believe he can lead Labour successfully into the next general election.
Among those pressing for a transition are MPs linked to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, although allies insist he has no intention of forcing an immediate challenge.
Other Labour figures have also been drawn into speculation over possible successors. Supporters of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have published letters urging Starmer to step down, while Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has argued Burnham should have been allowed to return to parliament earlier this year.
Rayner herself had once been considered a possible contender but her prospects have been complicated by an ongoing dispute over her tax affairs. Some allies now suggest she may instead support a broader leadership team.
Starmer vows to stay
In a speech earlier on Monday, Starmer rejected calls to resign and said he would continue leading the government.
“I take responsibility for not walking away, not plunging our country into chaos,” he said, arguing that a leadership contest could destabilise the government and damage Labour’s credibility.
He acknowledged frustration among voters and within his own party but said he intended to prove his critics wrong.
Divisions within Labour
While pressure on Starmer has intensified, some Labour MPs warned that replacing a prime minister less than two years after coming to power could harm the party.
MP Andrew Lewin cautioned that forcing a leadership change could hand a political advantage to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and undermine Labour’s reputation for stable governance.
Nevertheless, discontent has continued to spread. Several junior frontbenchers resigned from their roles, including Joe Morris, Tom Rutland, Naushabah Khan and Melanie Ward, each calling for the prime minister to step down.
Many MPs said voters had linked disappointing local election results to dissatisfaction with the national leadership.
Despite the escalating calls for change, Starmer remains defiant, insisting he will continue in office and challenge those who doubt his leadership.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 May 2026

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webfact

May 11May 11

Poll Shows Many Americans Believe Trump Shooting Was Staged

USA

Poll Shows Many Americans Believe Trump Shooting Was Staged

A survey has found that a significant minority of Americans believe recent assassination attempts against former US President Donald Trump were staged, highlighting the spread of conspiracy theories and growing distrust in institutions.

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About one in four Americans say the April shooting during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was fabricated, according to a poll published on Monday by NewsGuard.
The survey indicates a strong partisan divide, with Democrats more likely than Republicans to doubt the authenticity of the incident.
Poll shows partisan differences
The poll found that 24% of US adults believed the shooting at the Washington Hilton hotel was staged. By contrast, 45% said the event was genuine, while 32% said they were unsure.
Among Democrats, roughly one-third of respondents said they believed the incident had been staged. Among Republicans, about one in eight shared that view.
Younger respondents were also more likely to suspect the event was fake. People aged between 18 and 29 were more inclined than older groups to say the shooting had been staged, the survey said.
The poll was conducted by YouGov between 28 April and 4 May and surveyed 1,000 American adults.
Charges filed over alleged attack
The survey comes after a federal grand jury in Washington, DC, indicted the alleged gunman, Cole Tomas Allen.
He faces four felony charges, including the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
Authorities say the suspect was arrested following the shooting at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April.
Shortly after the incident, conspiracy theories circulated online claiming the Trump administration had staged the attack to boost support for the president, the Republican Party and a planned White House ballroom project.
The White House dismissed the claims. Spokesman Davis Ingle said suggestions that Trump staged an attempt on his own life were baseless.
Conspiracy claims extend to earlier incidents
The survey also examined views about two earlier assassination attempts against Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign.
One occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while another took place at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
According to the poll, 24% of respondents believed the Butler rally shooting had been staged. Among Democrats, 42% held that view compared with 7% of Republicans.
For the golf club incident, 16% of respondents said they believed the attack was staged. That included 26% of Democrats and 7% of Republicans.
Overall, 21% of Democratic respondents said they believed all three incidents were fabricated. The same view was held by 11% of independents and 3% of Republicans.
Distrust fuels conspiracy thinking
Researchers say the findings reflect wider mistrust in political institutions and the media.
Sofia Rubinson of NewsGuard said the results showed growing scepticism across the political spectrum. She said many people distrust both government and news organisations, yet are more willing to believe unverified information circulating online.
Media manipulation researcher Joan Donovan said the results also reflected the theatrical nature of modern political communication.
She said the idea that the event was staged appeared “incredibly Hollywood”, suggesting that some people see politics increasingly through the lens of entertainment.
Jared Holt, who studies online extremism, said the results illustrated how conspiracy thinking has become more widespread in US politics.
He said such reactions were not surprising, describing the trend as a sign that conspiratorial interpretations of events are becoming more common.
Researchers added that people often turn to conspiracy theories when trying to understand complex events, particularly when trust in institutions is low.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 May 2026

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webfact

May 11May 11

Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as "Totally Unacceptable"

Iranian Conflict

Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as "Totally Unacceptable"

US President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran’s response to a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, calling it “totally unacceptable”.
Iran outlines conditions
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Tehran’s response was delivered through Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator between the two sides.
The proposal reportedly called for an immediate end to fighting across all fronts, the lifting of a US naval blockade, and guarantees that Iran would not face further attacks.
A ceasefire introduced to support negotiations following the conflict launched by the US and Israel in February has largely held, despite occasional exchanges of fire.
Earlier this week, Trump said the war in Iran would be “over quickly”.

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Strait of Hormuz tensions
Iran has continued to warn regional countries against supporting US sanctions and has issued threats related to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said vessels passing through the strait could face “severe consequences” if they failed to co-operate with Tehran first.
Iran has repeatedly used its influence over the waterway during the conflict, which began after US and Israeli strikes on 28 February. Around a fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments normally pass through the strait.
The US maintains military bases across the Gulf region, including in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Security concerns grow
Britain announced over the weekend that the Royal Navy would send a warship to the region as part of a planned international effort to safeguard shipping routes once fighting ends.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have backed the initiative, although Macron later said France was considering a security mission rather than a direct naval deployment.
Iran warned on Sunday that any British or French deployment in the strait would trigger a “decisive and immediate response”.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Qatar reported a cargo vessel had been struck by an unidentified projectile north-east of Doha, causing a small fire but no casualties. Kuwait and the UAE also reported intercepting drones believed to have originated from Iran.
Disagreement over Iran’s nuclear programme
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must be dismantled before the conflict can truly end.
“There’s still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” Netanyahu said in comments due to air on CBS’s 60 Minutes.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meanwhile said negotiations should not be viewed as surrender.
Trump later posted on Truth Social that he had reviewed Iran’s reply and did not accept it.
US outlet Axios reported that the US proposal included suspending Iranian uranium enrichment, easing sanctions and restoring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, although many conditions would depend on a final agreement.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 11 May 2026

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ASEAN NOW News

May 10May 10

Pardoned US Capitol Rioter Jailed Over Virginia Burglary

USA

Pardoned US Capitol Rioter Jailed Over Virginia Burglary

A man previously imprisoned for his role in the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of burglary in Virginia months after receiving a presidential pardon.

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Zachary Alam, 34, had served nearly four years of an eight-year sentence for his part in the Capitol riot before he was granted clemency by President Donald Trump in January 2025, on the first day of Trump’s second term in office.
A jury later found Alam guilty of breaking into an occupied home outside Richmond in May 2025 and stealing electronics and jewellery.
Break-in near Richmond
Authorities in Henrico County said Alam entered the house on 8 May 2025. When confronted by the family living there, prosecutors said he told them he was there to repair their internet service before leaving the property with stolen items.
Police responding to the burglary located Alam in a nearby neighbourhood and identified him as the suspect. He was arrested the following day.
In October, a Henrico jury convicted him of breaking and entering an occupied dwelling and grand larceny.
On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Randall G. Johnson imposed two 20-year prison sentences, one for each conviction. However, the judge suspended the entire sentence for grand larceny and all but seven years of the breaking and entering sentence.
Alam will also be required to serve 20 years of probation for each conviction once released from prison.
Previous role in Capitol attack
Before his pardon, Alam had received one of the longest prison sentences given to participants in the Capitol attack. A federal court sentenced him to eight years in prison after he was convicted of eight felony counts, including assaulting law enforcement officers, and three misdemeanours.
During that case, the judge described Alam as “by far the loudest, the most combative and the most violent of the rioters” present during the assault on the Capitol building.
Prosecutors said Alam was among the first individuals in a crowd that entered the building from the west lawn and that he threw objects at police officers from a balcony.
Evidence at trial showed he used a helmet to smash glass panels in a door leading toward the House chamber. Witnesses said the opening he created allowed rioter Ashli Babbitt to attempt to climb through moments before she was shot and killed by a police officer guarding the chamber.
After the shooting, prosecutors said Alam urged others to return later with firearms before leaving the building.
The Trump administration later reached a $5m settlement with Babbitt’s family to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit.
Prosecutors cite impact of pardon
Local broadcaster WRIC reported that prosecutors presented a recorded telephone call in which Alam said he believed he had done “the right thing” during the Capitol attack.
He had expressed similar views at his federal sentencing hearing, saying he believed his actions that day were justified.
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement that the presidential pardon may have encouraged Alam to believe he was not bound by the law. However, she noted that the federal clemency did not affect state charges brought in Virginia.
Alam’s arrest in Henrico County is believed to be the first time a pardoned Capitol attack participant has been charged and sentenced for a new crime following the mass clemency issued in January 2025.
Authorities say several other individuals who were pardoned for offences linked to the Capitol attack have since been arrested on unrelated charges.



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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 11 May 2026

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webfact

May 10May 10

Atlantic ‘Cocaine Highway’ Disrupted in Major Drug Bust

Report

Atlantic ‘Cocaine Highway’ Disrupted in Major Drug Bust

Authorities say a coordinated international operation has disrupted a key maritime drug trafficking corridor across the Atlantic, seizing large quantities of narcotics and intercepting multiple vessels linked to smuggling networks.

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The mission, coordinated by Europol, targeted routes used to transport cocaine from Latin America to Europe through complex transfers at sea designed to evade detection.
Officials reported that more than 12 tonnes of cocaine and about 9.5 metric tonnes of hashish were confiscated during the two-week operation. Eight vessels suspected of trafficking were intercepted and 54 people were arrested.
Coordinated effort across the Atlantic
The crackdown took place between April 13 and April 26 and involved several international law enforcement agencies operating across the Atlantic Ocean.
Investigators focused their efforts on waters between the Canary Islands and the Azores, an area authorities say has become a major corridor for narcotics shipments bound for Europe.
Teams were deployed to strategic locations across the ocean to detect, track and intercept vessels suspected of transporting drugs. The operation aimed to disrupt trafficking networks that rely on covert transfers between boats at sea, rather than moving large shipments directly through heavily monitored ports.
Traffickers adapting their routes
Europol said the operation confirmed earlier intelligence suggesting that smuggling groups are increasingly moving their operations offshore.
According to the agency, criminal networks are adopting what it calls “fragmented maritime routes”, where shipments are broken up and transferred in stages between vessels. By dividing cargo and moving it across multiple boats, traffickers attempt to spread risk and reduce the chance of detection by authorities.
This strategy allows smuggling groups to avoid scrutiny at major European ports, which have strengthened inspections in recent years.
Intelligence from the “cocaine highway”
Investigators say the waters between the Canary Islands and the Azores have become so heavily used for these transfers that authorities refer to the area as the “cocaine highway”.
Europol said intelligence gathered during the operation has helped authorities better understand how these evolving trafficking networks operate across the Atlantic.
Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, Europol’s deputy executive director of operations, said criminal organizations involved in the trade are becoming increasingly flexible and internationally connected.
However, he said law enforcement agencies are also adapting their response.
“Over a two-week operational period, law enforcement dealt a significant blow to what is known as the cocaine highway,” Lecouffe said in a statement.
The agency said the intelligence collected during the operation will now be used to help identify and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for these trans-Atlantic trafficking operations.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 11 May 2026

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webfact

May 10May 10