North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees drone testing, KCNA says
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of unmanned drones on Thursday and ordered their capabilities be strengthened through artificial i...
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday held a high-level call with South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo, discussing tariffs, LNG imports, and a potential $44-billion energy deal — just a day before a 25% tariff on South Korean goods is due to take effect.
“We have the confines and probability of a great DEAL for both countries,” Trump wrote on social media, adding that South Korea’s top negotiating team was already en route to Washington.
The call came ahead of urgent talks between South Korea’s Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, aimed at addressing the widening trade gap and averting a tariff clash.
According to Yonhap, Han expressed hope to strengthen the alliance and cooperate on key sectors including LNG and shipbuilding. Trade Minister Cheong echoed this on Tuesday, saying Seoul was reviewing packages to increase U.S. imports — including liquefied natural gas — in a bid to resolve the imbalance. “It’s difficult to reduce exports,” he said. “So shouldn’t we then increase U.S. imports?”
Trump’s team has made clear that while negotiations with China remain uncertain, talks with allies like Japan and South Korea are a top priority. “We’ve received the instruction to prioritize our allies,” said economic adviser Kevin Hassett.
The energy angle is gaining traction. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump is personally involved in brokering a proposed project that would ship natural gas from Alaska to East Asia starting in 2030. “That could be an alternative for them to come forward with — it would provide a lot of American jobs and narrow the trade deficit,” Bessent said.
South Korea is considering joining the Alaska venture, alongside Japan and Taiwan, though questions remain about its feasibility.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested the negotiations could also touch on U.S. military presence and foreign aid. “The president’s approach will be tailor-made. That could include discussions of how troops are paid for,” she said.
Han told CNN that Seoul is keen to avoid any collective retaliation with countries like China or Japan, and prefers a bilateral solution.
Despite the diplomatic push, the U.S. has so far not offered exemptions. Greer told Congress on Tuesday that discussions could stretch into June, with over 70 countries seeking talks.
As the clock ticks toward tariff implementation, both sides appear eager to negotiate — but no deal has been reached yet.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of unmanned drones on Thursday and ordered their capabilities be strengthened through artificial intelligence (AI), state media KCNA said on Friday.
Suspected fragments of a missile believed to have been used to shoot down a drone may have been found in the eastern Lublin region, Polish military police said, more than a week after Poland, backed by NATO jets, shot down Russian drones in its airspace.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese departs for the U.S. this week, raising expectations of a first meeting with President Donald Trump, where the AUKUS defence partnership and China are likely to dominate talks between the security allies.
The United States vetoed on Thursday a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel lift all restrictions on aid deliveries to the Strip.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the suspension of talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel and suggested broadcasters should lose licenses over negative coverage, intensifying a national debate on free speech and government pressure.
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