Headlines: 11-17 May 2026

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Five takeaways from the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing so far: Xi reserved his sharpest language for Taiwan, calling it "the most important issue in U.S.-China relations" (LINK) — 14 May 2026

Cuba says oil and diesel supplies have run dry under U.S. sanctions (LINK) — 14 May 2026

UK health secretary resigns, setting up a potential Labour leadership challenge to Keir Starmer and suggesting Starmer should step aside to allow a "broad" field of candidates to debate the future of the party (LINK) — 14 May 2026

Reform UK's Nigel Farage faces standards probe over Tether Billionaire's $6.7 million gift (LINK) — 14 May 2026

— The donor is Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor with a 12% stake in stablecoin giant Tether. Farage claimed "no obligation" to declare the gift, which was made in 2024 before he announced his candidacy for parliament.

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Trump arrives in China for summit with Xi Jinping (LINK) — 13 May 2026

Netanyahu's coalition submits Bill to dissolve Parliament, trigger election(LINK) — ground.news: 61 media reports (LINK) — 13 May 2026

— Ultra-Orthodox parties accuse Netanyahu of failing to deliver on his promise to pass a legislation that would permanently exempt young men from their community studying in yeshivas, or religious seminaries, from compulsory military service.

Russia unleashes fatal barrage of 800 drones at Ukraine, one of the longest and largest attacks of the war: at least six people died (LINK) — 13 May 2026

Recycled food-contact materials such as plastics need regulatory harmonization, FAO report says: calls for updating existing regulatory frameworks to ensure safe production and application of recycled food-contact materials. More research also needed on contaminants, exposure scenarios and traceability (LINK) — 13 May 2026

Two weeks of clashes in a southern Sudan region kill dozens, a local medical group says (LINK) — ground.news: 9 media reports(LINK) — 13 May 2026

Clashes with Balochistan militants in southwestern Pakistan kill 5 troops and 7 militants (LINK) — ground.news: 22 media reports(LINK) — 13 May 2026

Bahamas Prime Minister Davis declares victory for party in 12 May snap election, winning second consecutive term, the first leader to achieve this feat in nearly 30 years (LINK) — ground.news: media reports(LINK) — 13 May 2026

Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions and orders new trial: disgraced lawyer was convicted of killing his wife and son (LINK) — 13 May 2026

— The state's supreme court on Wednesday ordered a new trial for Murdaugh over the June 2021 killings. In a 5-0 ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court said Murdaugh deserved a new trial because the local county clerk had unfairly biased a jury against him. Last December, Hill pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct in office, obstruction of justice and perjury over accusations that she misused public funds as a clerk and shared sealed court information with a reporter, among other claims.

Solar Impulse 2, solar-powered aircraft that flew around the world, crashes off US coast (LINK) — 13 May 2026

— Gizmodo: The experimental aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on May 4 after losing power during an autonomous test flight, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board. There were no fatalities or injuries. The carbon-fiber aircraft stretched across 232 feet (70 meters) and weighed only 2,313 kilograms. It was equipped with 17,248 solar cells, which generated 66 kilowatts of peak power. The aircraft's non-pressurized cockpit included oxygen reserves and additional equipment, allowing for long-duration flights at a maximum altitude of 11,887 metres.

Natalie Harp, executive assistant behind Trump's late-night posting sprees — and what takes place (LINK) — 13 May 2026

— AlterNet: Each evening, Harp arrives with stacks of printed-out draft posts—material she and other advisers believe will appeal to the president. These proposed messages often recycle content from fringe social media accounts, partisan commentators, and anonymous users across X and other platforms. Once Trump approves the selections, Harp logs into the president's account—often during late-night and early-morning hours when most White House staff have gone home. She then posts batches of messages in rapid succession. On a single night in December, Trump's account posted nearly 160 times between 8:17 p.m. and midnight. Unlike typical White House operations, she does not share draft posts with the chief of staff's office, communications aides, or national security officials before they are posted.

Amazon launches its first Swiss Franc bond (LINK) — 13 May 2026

— Amazon plans to spend $200 billion on data centers, chips, and other equipment this year and has been tapping multiple currencies to fund the buildout.

Four financial journalists accused of being fake AI-generated puppets that shill crypto in Forbes, HuffPost, and more (LINK) — 13 May 2026

Solar Impulse 2, solar-powered aircraft that flew around the world, crashes off US coast (LINK) — 13 May 2026

— Gizmodo: The experimental aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on May 4 after losing power during an autonomous test flight, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board. There were no fatalities or injuries. The carbon-fiber aircraft stretched across 232 feet (70 meters) and weighed only 2,313 kilograms. It was equipped with 17,248 solar cells, which generated 66 kilowatts of peak power. The aircraft's non-pressurized cockpit included oxygen reserves and additional equipment, allowing for long-duration flights at a maximum altitude of 11,887 metres.

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Trump says Iran ceasefire is on 'massive life support': Tehran's peace proposal 'totally unacceptable' and 'a piece of garbage' (LINK) — 12 May 2026

Israel issues more forced evacuation orders for towns and villages in southern Lebanon

NYT columnist claims systemic sexual abuse in Israeli detention centers(LINK) — ground.news: 42 media reports(LINK) — 11 May 2026

Israeli officials denounce report — (LINK)

Israel Foreign Ministry condemns New York Times piece as 'one of the worst blood libels' in modern press — (LINK)

US moves to release more oil stockpiles under IEA agreement (LINK) — 12 May 2026

Honduras arrests powerful ex-mayor Adán Fúnez, accused of masterminding killing of environmental defender Juan López in 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 11 media reports(LINK) — 12 May 2026

— López was an anti-corruption campaigner who opposed an iron oxide mining project that activists said endangered jungles and protected areas in northwestern Honduras.

Brazil says the EU has moved to block its animal product exports starting from September(LINK) — ground.news: 19 media reports (LINK) — 12 May 2026

— Brazil is the first country to be removed from the list of states complying with the EU's antimicrobial use restrictions in animals, with the vote to ban its exports being unanimous.

Brazil's Lula launches $2 billion anti-organized crime project ahead of elections (LINK) — ground.news: 13 media reports (LINK) — 12 May 2026

Mass protests in Argentina decry Milei's funding cuts to prized public universities(LINK) — ground.news: 23 media reports (LINK) — 12 May 2026

US deportations to El Salvador double to 5,033 in first 2026 quarter as Bukele aligns himself with Trump agenda (LINK) — ground.news: 21 media reports (LINK) — 12 May 2026

Zelensky's ex-chief of staff in court as Ukraine corruption probe escalates (LINK) — 12 May 2026

'Work not over,' says WHO after hantavirus evacuation: extensive testing, contact tracing, and quarantine procedures are still needed to contain the outbreak (LINK) — 12 May 2026

US: Ship operator charged over deadly Baltimore bridge collapse that killed six people (LINK) — 12 May 2026

— Prosecutors allege the company misled investigators about conditions on the ship and failed to disclose hazards and other safety concerns to the US Coast Guard. The company said it "will defend against these allegations with vigor". Separately, Synergy and Maryland settled a civil case over the collapse for $2.25bn.

US appeals court spares Trump from paying $83 million defamation award to E. Jean Carroll — for now (LINK) — 12 May 2026

Bitcoin Suisse expands with Digital Asset License and Investment Business Act Registration Approval in Bermuda (LINK) — 12 May 2026

Heather Cox Richardson: The president of the United States is mentally unwell (LINK) — 12 May 2026

GM is firing 600 IT workers and hiring AI engineers. It calls it transformation, not termination (LINK) — 12 May 2026

US: Lawsuit claims ChatGPT gave drug-taking advice that led to teen's death (LINK) — 12 May 2026

ChatGPT 'advised school shooter to target kids to get more attention' (LINK) — 12 May 2026

Clarity Act 309-page text reveals stablecoin rules, crypto provisions ahead of hearing (LINK) — 12 May 2026

— The bill's language prohibits interest and yield payments for holding stablecoins, but still permits some activity-based and transaction-based rewards and incentives. Exemption for "rewards or incentives based on bona fide activities or bona fide transactions that are not economically or functionally equivalent to the payment of interest or yield on an interest-bearing bank deposit."

Millions died from the Super El Niño in 1877. What will happen this time? (LINK) — 12 May 2026

NASA satellite images show how a massive tsunami in Alaska changed the landscape forever (LINK) — 12 May 2026

— On August 10, 2025, a tsunami larger than the Eiffel Tower ripped through Tracy Arm fjord in southeast Alaska. The rapid retreat of the South Sawyer Glacier triggered a landslide that swept huge rocks down the picturesque waterway visited by millions aboard Alaskan cruises every summer. At least 64 million cubic meters of rock slid down the slope of the glacier. The rocks created an enormous tsunami that stripped trees and other vegetation from the opposing fjord wall up to 1,578 feet (480m) above sea level.

Trump shares AI image of Obama, Biden and Pelosi bathing in feces (LINK) — 12 May 2026

— The post was among several the president shared that referenced his controversial decision to repaint the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool.

Monday, 11 May 2026

Trump administration rejects UN migration declaration, says 'mass migration was never safe' (LINK) — 11 May 2026

Trump says he will suspend petrol tax amid soaring US fuel prices (LINK) — 11 May 2026

UK Cabinet split as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood calls on Starmer to set out timetable to go: more than 70 Labour MPs have urged him to resign (LINK) — 11 May 2026

— Guardian: It is understood Mahmood is in the minority in the cabinet over whether Sir Keir should set out a timetable. Six ministerial aides — the lowest rung of government — have been replaced by No 10, after they either quit or called for Sir Keir to set out a timetable for his replacement.

Hantavirus crisis: WHO recommendations (LINK) — 11 May 2026

More than 70 Venice Biennale artists withdraw from awards "in solidarity with the resignation of the jury" over participation of Israel and Russia (LINK) — 11 May 2026

Hungary has returned seized cash and gold shipment worth $82 million to Ukraine, President Zelensky confirms (LINK) — 11 May 2026

Southern California mayor resigns, will plead guilty to acting as agent for Chinese government (LINK) — 11 May 2026

"Trump's cuts are pushing the UN out of Geneva. That may be a win" — 11 May 2026 (LINK)

Thailand's former PM Thaksin Shinawatra released from prison (LINK) ground.news: 52 media reports 11 May 2026 (LINK)

— The Corrections Department approved parole after Thaksin served eight months of a 12-month corruption sentence, which was previously commuted from eight years by royal pardon.

China's factory inflation hits 45-month high on energy price shock — 11 May 2026 (LINK)