The annual meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to be held in Cebu on Friday, comes amid mounting pressure on member states following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for the majority of Asia’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas imports.

Marcos said discussions would center on strengthening regional preparedness, stabilizing energy supplies and accelerating diversification efforts to reduce reliance on external sources vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.ASEAN’s 11 member states are among the most affected by the disruption, with many heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports.

The Philippines, which relies almost entirely on the region for crude oil, declared a national energy emergency in March after fuel prices more than doubled.Supply shortages have also been reported in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, with fuel stations in some areas forced to suspend operations.

Rising energy costs have driven up production and logistics expenses, weakened currencies and slowed economic growth across the region.The summit is expected to address coordinated responses to the crisis, including maintaining open trade flows and avoiding restrictive measures that could exacerbate shortages.

“What do we do? How can we help each other?” Marcos said in earlier remarks, adding that the meeting would focus on oil, food security and the welfare of migrant workers.Philippine Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial said leaders were expected to issue a joint statement outlining collective measures to manage the crisis and strengthen long-term coordination.

Regional officials have highlighted the need for deeper cooperation, including sharing energy reserves and pursuing joint exploration projects, to reduce dependence on supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

“The protracted Middle East conflict has had an impact on the region, slowing down economic growth and lowering projections,” said Tereso Panga, head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, noting that closer coordination could help stabilize supply and mitigate volatility in energy markets.

Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotech entrepreneur and newcomer to state politics, consolidated support early in the race with endorsements from former President Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican Party, helping him clinch the nomination in a competitive primary.

Trump’s backing underscored his continued influence in Ohio, a state that has supported him in three presidential elections. However, Ramaswamy’s campaign could face challenges in the general election amid concerns over Trump’s declining popularity tied to the ongoing war in Iran and rising living costs, factors that may shape voter sentiment.

Acton, a physician who gained prominence as Ohio’s COVID-era health director, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Her established public profile and strong fundraising network have buoyed Democratic hopes of reclaiming the governor’s office for the first time in two decades.

The gubernatorial race is expected to draw significant financial resources from both parties, reflecting its strategic importance in a politically competitive state.In Ohio’s other key contest, former Senator Sherrod Brown secured the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Senator Jon Husted in November.

Brown, who retains a strong voter base from his previous tenure, is seen by Democrats as a viable contender to flip the seat.Republicans have signaled a robust defense, with the Senate Leadership Fund, a leading GOP-aligned super PAC, committing $79 million to support Husted’s campaign. Husted faced no opposition in his primary.

The twin races are expected to serve as indicators of broader political trends in a state that remains pivotal in national elections.

Trump indicated the pause was intended to create diplomatic space for negotiations, signaling a possible shift toward a negotiated resolution in the strategically vital waterway, a key global oil transit route.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, which has disrupted shipping flows and contributed to increased energy costs. Despite the pause in operational activity, the continued enforcement of the blockade suggests that pressure on the situation will be maintained while talks proceed.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes, has remained at the center of geopolitical and economic concerns, with recent incidents underscoring the risks to commercial shipping and global energy markets.

US officials have not disclosed details of the proposed agreement or the parties involved, and no timeline has been provided for the duration of the pause.

The sharp increase reflects a sustained rise in crude oil prices, driven by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply typically flows. Tankers stranded in the region have curtailed deliveries, constraining supply and pushing benchmark oil prices higher.

Market analysts say the price trajectory briefly softened in mid-April amid expectations of a potential ceasefire. “There was optimism that this could mark the beginning of the end of the conflict,” said Rob Smith, director of global fuel retail at S&P Global Energy, noting that crude and gasoline prices temporarily declined before reversing course as hostilities persisted.

Crude oil accounts for the largest share of gasoline costs in the United States, representing about 51 percent of pump prices in 2025, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Taxes contribute roughly 17 percent, while refining, distribution, and marketing costs make up the remainder.

The International Energy Agency has described the disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz as the largest supply shock in oil market history, with prices reaching as high as $112 per barrel in early April. Analysts note that gasoline prices tend to track crude movements closely, with minimal lag.

Additional upward pressure followed US actions in April to block Iranian oil exports, a move analysts say removed a key supply source from global markets. “Iran had been moving an unusually high amount of oil to global markets, which helped moderate prices,” said Jim Krane, an energy research fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute, adding that the restrictions intensified price pressures.

Energy markets have remained highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, with fluctuations tied to reports of attacks in the Arabian Gulf or shifts in diplomatic efforts. “The oil market is exquisitely sensitive to what’s coming out of the White House,” said Bob Kleinberg, a research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.

The pace of price increases has echoed previous geopolitical shocks, including a 48-cent weekly rise at the outset of the Iran conflict. However, analysts caution that no near-term relief is likely, as prolonged constraints in the Strait of Hormuz are expected to sustain upward pressure on prices.

Even in the event of a durable resolution, market participants say a return to pre-war pricing levels could take months due to lingering risk premiums associated with shipping through the region and heightened insurance costs for oil transport.

The exchange follows recent remarks by Trump accusing the pope of being lenient on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a claim Leo denied, reiterating that the Catholic Church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons and advocates for peace.

“The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” Leo said on Tuesday, responding to Trump’s comments. He added that while criticism was inevitable, his position remained rooted in longstanding Church teaching against nuclear arms.

Trump, speaking on a radio program, suggested the pope’s views could endanger people, asserting that Leo appeared to tolerate the idea of Iran possessing nuclear weapons. The Vatican has maintained that the pope has never endorsed such a position and has instead opposed the ongoing war, which the US administration says is aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program.

US Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch said Rubio’s visit would focus on dialogue rather than confrontation. “Nations have disagreements, and one way to address them is through fraternity and authentic dialogue,” Burch told reporters, adding that the secretary of state would seek to “talk through” any differences.

Burch dismissed suggestions of a deep rift between Washington and the Vatican, framing the visit as an opportunity to improve mutual understanding. Rubio, a Catholic, previously met Leo following the pope’s inaugural mass last year, alongside Vice President JD Vance.Rubio is also scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday.

Meloni has publicly defended the pope, while members of her government have raised concerns about the broader geopolitical implications of the Iran conflict.

Leo, marking his first year as head of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church this week, has emerged as a vocal critic of the Iran war in recent weeks. He has also spoken out against US immigration policies and called for renewed dialogue between the United States and Cuba.

Gleizes, 37, was convicted in June last year for “glorifying terrorism,” a ruling upheld by an appeals court in December. His legal team had initially sought a retrial at the top court, but his mother, Sylvie Godard, said he has now abandoned that effort and is instead appealing directly for clemency from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

“He is placing himself entirely at the mercy of President Tebboune so that he may show clemency,” Godard told reporters, adding that she had written to the Algerian leader requesting a pardon.

The case comes against a backdrop of strained relations between France and Algeria, which deteriorated after Paris in 2024 endorsed Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory where Algiers backs the pro-independence Polisario Front.

Diplomatic ties have shown tentative signs of improvement in recent months, with both countries agreeing in February to resume security cooperation during a visit by French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to Algiers.

Gleizes was arrested in May 2024 while traveling to the Kabylia region to report on Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, one of Algeria’s most prominent football clubs. Authorities accused him of contact with an individual linked to the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), which Algeria designates as a terrorist organization.

During his appeal hearing, Gleizes said he was unaware the group had been classified as terrorist.President Tebboune has previously granted pardons in sensitive cases involving French nationals, including novelist Boualem Sansal, who was released after serving a year in prison over remarks concerning Western Sahara.

According to state news agency WAM, the leaders described the attacks as violations of UAE sovereignty and threats to national stability, expressing solidarity with the country amid heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

Among those who spoke with Sheikh Mohamed were Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Masrour Barzani, prime minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.The leaders affirmed their backing for the UAE’s efforts to safeguard its security and ensure the protection of civilians, underscoring a coordinated regional response to the escalation.

The calls come as geopolitical tensions continue to rise across the Middle East, with recent incidents involving Iranian-linked actions drawing strong reactions from regional governments.

The April 27 assessment by the Department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis found that the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, held “multiple social and political grievances” and said the US-Israeli war with Iran “may have contributed to his decision to conduct the attack.”

The findings relate to the April 25 incident targeting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Allen is accused of attempting to attack Trump and senior officials. While officials have not reached a definitive conclusion on motive, the report offers the clearest indication to date that the ongoing conflict in Iran could have been a contributing factor.

The document, classified as a “Critical Incident Note,” was obtained through public records requests by the nonprofit Property of the People and reviewed by Reuters.US prosecutors have filed multiple charges against Allen, including attempted assassination, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, illegal transportation of weapons across state lines, and assault on a federal officer.

Authorities allege he fired at a US Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint. Allen has not yet entered a plea.Investigators have focused heavily on Allen’s online activity, with the FBI reviewing social media posts and digital communications linked to the suspect.

According to court filings, Allen expressed political opposition to Trump and sought to “fight back” against government policies he viewed as objectionable.An email sent by Allen to relatives on the night of the attack, described by officials as a manifesto, conveyed anger toward the administration and referenced targeting a “traitor” delivering a speech, though it did not name Trump directly.

Law enforcement officials said posts tied to accounts linked to Allen included criticism of US actions in Iran, as well as broader grievances related to immigration enforcement, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and prominent public figures.Authorities said the examination of Allen’s digital footprint is ongoing and is intended in part to establish motive and counter misinformation surrounding the case, following previous incidents that fueled conspiracy theories about politically motivated violence.

Spokespersons for the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while the FBI declined to comment on the investigation.

Hafid said the move was under review after authorities identified cases of children becoming victims of scams through online shopping platforms. She did not provide details on how such a ban would be implemented or enforced.

The proposal follows a sweeping regulation introduced in March prohibiting under-16s from accessing social media platforms, part of a broader initiative to shield young users from risks including cyberbullying, online exploitation, and internet addiction.

Indonesia’s earlier restrictions initially targeted eight platforms deemed “high risk,” including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox, with plans to extend coverage to all digital platforms over time.

The government’s actions come amid growing global scrutiny of online safety for minors. Officials have cited concerns over exposure to harmful content and fraudulent activity as key drivers of policy expansion into e-commerce.

Indonesia is among the largest digital markets in Southeast Asia, with tens of millions of young internet users, making enforcement and compliance key considerations as authorities weigh broader platform restrictions.

The live-fire drill, part of the annual “Balikatan” exercises, was conducted about 75 km off the coast of Paoay in northern Philippines. Philippine military officials said two missile volleys hit the target ship, the BRP Quezon, within six minutes of launch.

Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro observed the exercise on site, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. monitored the operation via live feed from Manila, according to the Philippine government.

The exercise coincided with ongoing talks between Tokyo and Manila on a potential transfer of defense equipment, following Japan’s decision to ease restrictions on military exports. Discussions include the possible provision of Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 aircraft to the Philippines, Koizumi said.

In a statement, the Philippine military said the drill demonstrated coordinated maritime strike capabilities among allied forces and underscored efforts to enhance interoperability and regional security, particularly in safeguarding freedom of navigation.

The Type 88 missile system, designed for coastal defense, was deployed as part of broader efforts to deter maritime threats in contested waters.More than 17,000 troops are participating in this year’s Balikatan exercises, including approximately 10,000 from the United States and around 1,400 from Japan.

Several countries, including Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand, are taking part as active participants for the first time, reflecting expanding defense cooperation.

Earlier in the exercises, US and Philippine forces deployed the NMESIS anti-ship missile system in Batanes province near Taiwan, amid rising regional tensions linked to competing territorial claims.

China has repeatedly criticized such joint drills, saying they escalate tensions in the region.