Story Coverage

Donald Trump is expected to bring top business and technology executives on his trip to China. — BBC

Tim Cook of Apple and Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX are among those set to join Trump on his trip to Beijing. — BBC

17 US executives will join Trump on the trip. — White House official

A French national has shown symptoms after returning from a ship where hantavirus was present.

Hantaviruses are usually carried by rodents, but human transmission of the Andes strain is possible. — WHO

Symptoms of hantavirus can include fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and shortness of breath.

Labour MP Catherine West threatened to trigger a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer by Monday if a Cabinet minister does not. — Catherine West

Catherine West stated her preferred option is for the Cabinet to reshuffle and give Keir Starmer a different role, possibly international. — Catherine West

Triggering a leadership contest requires support from 20% of Labour MPs (81 members).

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Russia could cease fire at any moment, which would stop the war. — Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Putin believes the Ukraine conflict is nearing its end. — Putin

Putin stated he would only meet Zelensky after a lasting peace deal is agreed upon. — Putin

Trump spent a long weekend in Florida banging the war drum, stating Iran had not paid a big enough price for its past misdeeds. — Donald Trump

Trump reverted to Nobel peace prize mode, promising a humanitarian gesture for the ages, freeing the ships and crews marooned in the Gulf by the Iran war. — Donald Trump

US and Iranian representatives were having “very positive discussions” regarding the Gulf impasse. — Donald Trump

US trade court ruled against President Donald Trump’s 10 percent global tariffs.

The court found that across-the-board tariffs were not justified under a 1970s trade law.

The ruling was 2-1, with one judge dissenting.

Bato dela Rosa's lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to block his arrest in the absence of a valid Philippine judicial warrant. — Lawyers of Bato dela Rosa

Dela Rosa urged supporters to 'keep vigil in front of the Senate until the Supreme Court decides'. — Bato dela Rosa

Dela Rosa called on President Marcos Jr. to file a local case if he believed him to be guilty. — Bato dela Rosa

A Frontier Airlines plane hit a person on the runway of Denver’s international airport during takeoff. — article

The incident sparked an engine fire and forced passengers to evacuate. — article

The pilot reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff and having an engine fire. — Frontier Airlines pilot

Ukrainian authorities named Zelenskyy's former chief of staff as a suspect in a corruption investigation. — Ukrainian authorities

The investigation is ongoing, it’s early to draw conclusions. — Dmytro Lytvyn (Zelenskyy's press officer)

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office named Andriy Yermak as an official suspect in a graft investigation. — Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office

The company behind Canvas paid hackers not to publish stolen student data. — Instructure

Paying cybercriminals goes against the advice of law enforcement agencies. — article

Instructure's primary motivation was protecting student and staff data. — Instructure

GameStop made an unsolicited $56bn bid to acquire e-commerce giant eBay.

eBay confirmed receiving GameStop’s offer, with no prior discussions between the companies. — eBay

Morgan Stanley analysts expressed skepticism about the deal's funding and the viability of an all-stock alternative. — Morgan Stanley analysts

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, pleaded not guilty to federal gun crimes and attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump. — Cole Tomas Allen

Allen is charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and interstate transportation of a firearm with intent to commit a felony. — Prosecutors

Prosecutors allege Allen attempted to storm past security and fired a shot at a US Secret Service agent. — Prosecutors

Democrats filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt a Virginia ruling invalidating a ballot measure.

The Virginia Supreme Court struck down a constitutional amendment that voters narrowly passed last month.

The state court decision found that the Democratic-controlled legislature improperly began the process of placing the amendment on the ballot after early voting had begun. — Virginia Supreme Court

The Israeli army hit 40 Hezbollah sites in the past day in air strikes across southern Lebanon. — Israeli army

A woman was killed and several children were injured during Israel’s latest attacks in Lebanon.

Israeli air strikes killed at least 10 people in southern Lebanon on Saturday, including attacks in Shoukine, Kfar Dajjal, and Lwaizeh. — Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA)

The Israeli attack on part of our flotilla has convinced us we must continue with our mission. — Global Sumud Flotilla organizers

Israel deported two activists detained on board a Gaza flotilla. — Reuters

Adalah claimed the two men were subjected to psychological abuse, including prolonged interrogations, constant bright lighting, isolation, and blindfolded transfers. — Adalah

Israel's Knesset passed a bill establishing a special tribunal to impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused of involvement in the October 7 attacks.

Rights groups warn the bill makes the death penalty easier to impose and strips fair trial protections. — Rights groups

The bill permits mass trials deviating from standard rules of evidence, allowing broad judicial discretion for evidence obtained under coercive conditions. — Muna Haddad (Adalah)

Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging they broke a founding agreement by shifting the company from nonprofit to for-profit. — article

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati testified that Sam Altman had a pattern of 'saying one thing to one person and completely the opposite to another person'. — Mira Murati

Former board member Helen Toner told the court there was a 'pattern of behavior related to his honesty'. — Helen Toner

Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi has been transferred to a Tehran hospital after collapsing in prison. — Narges Mohammadi Foundation

Her foundation stated she has been granted a prison sentence suspension on bail. — Narges Mohammadi Foundation

The Legal Medicine Organization stated Mohammadi needs to continue treatment outside prison due to her illnesses. — Mostafa Nili (lawyer)

Trump's 'Golden Dome' missile defence system is estimated to cost $1.2 trillion over two decades. — Congressional Budget Office

The estimated cost of $1.2 trillion is significantly higher than the initial earmarked sum of $175 billion. — Congressional Budget Office

Acquisition costs alone for the 'Golden Dome' would exceed $1 trillion. — Congressional Budget Office

Kuwait arrested four men accused of being members of Iran’s IRGC. — Kuwait Ministry of Interior

The alleged IRGC members attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island by sea. — Kuwait Ministry of Interior

A Kuwaiti soldier was injured during a confrontation with the alleged infiltrators. — Kuwait Ministry of Interior

French President Macron paused a speaker during a presentation at Nairobi University.

Macron demanded silence from the audience.

The incident occurred during a presentation at Nairobi University.

Kevin Warsh stated he would not become the US president’s ‘human sock puppet’. — Kevin Warsh

A dozen leaders of monetary institutions issued a joint statement declaring solidarity with the US Federal Reserve. — article

The independence of central banks is a cornerstone of price, financial and economic stability. — leaders of monetary institutions

US consumer prices rose by 0.6 percent in April after a 0.9 percent increase in March, marking the biggest annual increase in almost three years. — Bureau of Labor Statistics

Energy prices surged by 17.9 percent over the last 12 months, with petrol prices up 28.4 percent compared to this time last year. — article

The average price for a gallon of petrol in the United States is $4.50 as of May 12, 2026. — American Automobile Association (AAA)

Donald Trump reasserted his support for Pakistan to serve as a mediator between Iran and the United States. — Donald Trump

Senator Lindsey Graham stated he does not trust Pakistan to facilitate Iran diplomacy. — Lindsey Graham

Graham pressed Pentagon officials about a report claiming Pakistan allows Iran to park military assets on its airfields. — Lindsey Graham

US Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary resigned on Tuesday. — Donald Trump

Marty is a terrific guy, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to lead a good life. He was having some difficulty. — Donald Trump

The assistant, the deputy is taking over temporarily until we find someone. — Donald Trump

Israel struck south Lebanon on Tuesday.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem vowed to turn the battlefield into 'hell' for Israeli forces. — Naim Qassem

Hezbollah's weapons would not be up for discussion at the talks. — Naim Qassem

Six people were found dead inside a cargo train boxcar at a Union Pacific rail yard in Laredo, Texas. — Laredo Police Department

The deceased were discovered by workers inspecting the train car on Sunday. — Jose Baeza (Laredo Police Department spokesperson)

The group consisted of five men and one woman, and their identities have not been released. — Jose Baeza (Laredo Police Department spokesperson)

Russia has test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the nuclear-capable Sarmat.

Russia test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Sarmat missile is the most powerful missile in the world. — Vladimir Putin

Israel's Minister of Culture and Sports described a potential boycott as 'shameful and hypocritical'. — Miki Zohar

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna.

Five countries (Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain) are boycotting Eurovision 2026.

Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, has died at the age of 47.

Collins revealed his cancer diagnosis, comparing it to his decision to come out as gay in 2013. — Jason Collins

Collins played for six teams in his 13 NBA seasons, starting with the New Jersey Nets.

Brett Ratner, director of Rush Hour movies and a Melania Trump documentary, is accompanying Donald Trump to China for his summit with Xi Jinping.

The trip begins on Wednesday and is three days long.

Ratner plans to shoot "a lot" of Rush Hour 4 in China, using the trip to scout for filming locations. — Victoria Palmer-Moore (spokesperson)

US President Donald Trump called Cuba 'a failed nation'. — Donald Trump

Cuba is asking for help. — Donald Trump

The US is going to talk with Cuba. — Donald Trump

Mexico will end its school year 40 days early. — Mexican authorities

The decision to end the school year early was made in part due to a heatwave affecting several states. — Education Secretary Mario Delgado

The decision to end the school year early was also influenced by the country hosting World Cup matches. — Education Secretary Mario Delgado

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for a record seventh consecutive term.

Museveni first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for a seventh term, extending his 40-year tenure.

Trump’s push to redraw U.S. House districts had mixed results: South Carolina senators defied his desires, but Missouri’s top court upheld a new map.

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakened the federal Voting Rights Act, allowing states to potentially eliminate voting districts with large minority populations.

Alabama plans to switch to a map with only one majority-Black district after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned an order mandating two.

Kash Patel denies allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences as 'total farce' and 'baseless'. — Kash Patel

Democrats challenged Patel over 'extremely alarming' reports of his conduct, arguing it would amount to a 'gross dereliction' of duty. — Democrats

Patel has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and its author seeking $250 million in damages. — Kash Patel

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29. — Memphis Grizzlies

No cause of death was immediately announced. — null

Clarke was selected as the 21st pick overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. — null

Unitree Robotics unveiled a manned "mecha" robot, the GD01, capable of transitioning between bipedal and four-legged modes. — Unitree Robotics

The GD01 robot weighs 500kg with a pilot on board. — Unitree Robotics

The GD01 robot has a starting price of 3.9 million yuan (US$573,674). — Unitree Robotics

US supreme court temporarily restored broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone.

The order allows women to obtain the pill at pharmacies or through the mail, without an in-person doctor visit. — Samuel Alito

The majority of abortions in the US are obtained through medications, usually a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced investments worth $27bn in Africa in areas such as energy transition, digital and AI, the maritime economy and agriculture. — Emmanuel Macron

A new generation of Africans wants to turn the page on colonialism and post-colonial influence. — Gilles Yabi

French President Emmanuel Macron is touring East Africa to redefine France's role on the continent.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faced calls to resign over a scandal involving stolen cash hidden in a sofa.

Ramaphosa stated he respected a constitutional court ruling that revived impeachment proceedings against him. — Cyril Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa pledged to defend himself against the allegations. — Cyril Ramaphosa

Calbee will temporarily switch to black and white packaging for some products due to ink supply disruptions. — Calbee

The packaging change is a response to supply instability affecting raw materials amid Middle East tensions. — Calbee

A government spokesperson assured that domestic naphtha refining continues, imports from outside the Middle East have tripled, and adequate supplies have been secured. — Kei Sato (government spokesperson)

During a radio show, host Rich Herrera said Jeffries should 'get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia'. — Rich Herrera

Kiggans responded to Herrera's comment with 'That's right. Ditto. Yes. Yes to that.' — Jen Kiggans

Kiggans later denied approving of the language, stating she was agreeing that Jeffries should stay out of Virginia. — Jen Kiggans

Federal prosecutors announced charges against the ship operator and an employee in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. — Federal prosecutors

Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. and Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair are charged with conspiracy, willfully failing to inform the U.S. Coast Guard of a hazardous condition, obstruction, and false statements. — Federal prosecutors

The Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, killing six construction workers.

President Trump announced he will suspend the federal petrol tax to offset soaring fuel prices. — Donald Trump

Suspending a federal tax requires an act of the US Congress, not just the White House.

Senator Josh Hawley plans to introduce legislation to suspend the petrol tax. — Josh Hawley

Israel deployed Iron Dome batteries and personnel to the UAE to help fend off Iranian attacks. — Mike Huckabee

The UAE serves as an 'example' of strong ties between Israel and Gulf states. — Mike Huckabee

Israel is not your natural enemy. Israel is not out to destroy you. Israel is not trying to take over your land. It’s not sending missiles into your civilian territories. Who’s doing that? Iran is. — Mike Huckabee

Eileen Wang, mayor of a southern California city, resigned after being charged with acting as an illegal foreign agent of China. — US Department of Justice

Wang agreed to plead guilty to the felony count and could face a sentence of 10 years in prison. — US Department of Justice

Wang and Yaoning “Mike” Sun worked with the Peoples’ Republic of China to promote the country’s interests through pro-PRC propaganda on a website called US News Center. — US Department of Justice

UN high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina warned about the possible destruction of the multi-ethnic state. — UN high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Republika Srpska's persistent denial of the multi-ethnic character has evolved into systematic exclusion. — UN high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Christian Schmidt, the international high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has confirmed he is stepping down.

Two former Chinese defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, received suspended death sentences for corruption. — Reuters

Wei Fenghe was convicted of accepting bribes, while Li Shangfu was found guilty of accepting and offering bribes. — Xinhua News Agency

Both men were stripped of their political rights for life and ordered to forfeit all personal property.

UK imposes sanctions on nine individuals and three entities linked to Iranian-backed hostile activity. — British government

The sanctioned network is accused of plotting attacks and financing efforts to destabilize Britain and its allies on behalf of Iran. — British government

Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, the network's alleged leader, was previously sanctioned by the US and described as head of an international drug cartel directed by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. — Authorities (US and UK)