Hegseth under fire again, but Trump holds the line
President Donald Trump is standing by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after new revelations that he shared sensitive military information via a private messaging app — not once, but twice.
South Korea, China, and Japan held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday, aiming to strengthen regional trade cooperation amid growing concerns over U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump.
The three Asian export powers agreed to “closely cooperate for comprehensive and high-level” negotiations toward a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement. The goal is to promote regional and global trade, according to a statement released after the meeting.
South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun emphasized the importance of enhancing the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which all three countries participate in. He also called for creating a framework to expand trade cooperation through trilateral FTA negotiations.
The meeting comes ahead of Trump’s upcoming announcement of further tariffs, which he refers to as “liberation day.” These measures are expected to impact Washington’s trading partners, including Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo.
Despite their common interest in boosting trade, the three countries have faced tensions over various issues, including territorial disputes and Japan’s release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
The countries have made little progress on a trilateral free-trade deal since talks began in 2012. RCEP, which went into effect in 2022, aims to lower trade barriers among 15 Asia-Pacific nations.
Trump’s recent decision to impose 25% import tariffs on cars and auto parts has raised concerns, particularly for Asian automakers who are among the largest vehicle exporters to the U.S. After Mexico, South Korea is the world’s largest exporter of vehicles to the United States, followed by Japan.
The ministers agreed to hold their next meeting in Japan, as discussions continue on how to navigate shifting trade dynamics and strengthen regional economic cooperation.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
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Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
In an unprecedented twist to U.S. immigration enforcement, hundreds of migrants, mostly Venezuelans, are being held in one of the world’s most notorious mega-prisons. It’s not in Texas or Arizona, but 70 kilometres east of San Salvador, under the iron grip of Nayib Bukele’s security state.
President Donald Trump is standing by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after new revelations that he shared sensitive military information via a private messaging app — not once, but twice.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding direct talks with Ukraine for the first time in years, a move that follows mounting pressure from the United States to show a real interest in peace. The statement comes days after Moscow’s one-day Easter truce failed to hold.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has praised France’s rejection of a controversial encryption bill, warning that weakening privacy protections would do little to stop crime but could endanger millions of law-abiding users.
What began as a viral TikTok video has now left shelves bare and pistachio prices surging. Dubai chocolate, a luxury milk chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream and delicate kataifi pastry, has taken the world by storm. And the nut that gives it its green glow? In dangerously short supply.
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