China likely to retaliate on trade

Asian stock markets suffered a decline on Monday amid more uncertainty over future US-China trade relations, Reuters reports. The deadlock in negotiations between the two countries deepened on Sunday, says CNBC. The Communist Party’s People’s Daily newspaper on Monday said that “no one should expect China to swallow bitter fruit that harms its core interests.” White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow told Fox News that presidents Trump and Xi were likely to meet at the G20 summit in Japan in June.

Sweden’s Assange decision

Sweden's deputy director of public prosecutions is set to announce on Monday whether an inquiry into a rape allegation against Julian Assange will be reopened, the BBC reports. Two cases were dropped two years ago while the Wikileaks founder was ensconced in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. USA Today says the statute of limitations on the rape allegation from one of the women will not expire until 2020.

Philippine elections

61 million Filipinos will vote in mid-term elections on Monday that are seen as a test of support for president Rodrigo Duterte and in particular his tough-on-crime platform, The Guardian reports. ABC has an insightful report on what voters are thinking.

Iran calls US presence a target

Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace division has called the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf a target rather than a threat, Reuters reports. Cited in the Iranian Students’ News Agency, Hajizadeh said that is the US made a move “we will hit them in the head”.

Myanmar aircraft lands without front wheels

An Embraer-190 belonging to Myanmar National Airline managed to touch down safely with no front wheels on Sunday, The Guardian reports. None of the 89 passengers was hurt and the pilot was praised for his skill, the BBC says.

Papal aide defies authorities

Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who conducts charity work for Pope Francis, climbed down a manhole in Rome on Sunday to restore electricity in an unused state-owned building that is home to some 400 people, the BBC reports. He broke a police seal to turn the electricity back on, but now faces legal consequences. In addition, far-right deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini said he hoped Krajewski would now pay the overdue electricity bill, estimated at €300,000, according to The Guardian.

Looking ahead

Tuesday 14 May: The Cannes Film Festival opens with Jim Jarmusch's star-studded zombie film “The Dead Don't Die”. Also on Tuesday, the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv holds its first semi-final.

Sports roundup

Luxembourg football: F91 Dudelange are the BGL Ligue champions after a dramatic 4-3 win away at Hostert on Sunday after being 0-3 down at one stage. RTL has a highlights video. English football: Manchester City sealed their second Premier League title in succession with a 4-1 win away at Brighton. Liverpool finish second despite garnering 97 points, the 3rd highest ever in a Premier League season. Rugby: Saracens came from 0-10 down to beat Leinster 20-10 in the Champions Cup final in Newcastle. The Guardian has player ratings. Formula One: Lewis Hamilton won the Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas.

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts