Trump envoy slams Hamas response as 'unacceptable'
Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, criticized Hamas’s response to Washington’s latest ceasefire proposal, calling it “completely unacceptable” and a step backward.
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.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
An international academic conference titled "Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Destroying Stigma" has officially opened in the capital of Azerbaijan, bringing together global scholars, experts, and policymakers to address the rise and consequences of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, criticized Hamas’s response to Washington’s latest ceasefire proposal, calling it “completely unacceptable” and a step backward.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
Ethiopia’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five more cases still active. No new infections or recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies Saturday they won’t be left alone against growing military and economic pressure from China—but they must also boost their own defense efforts.
A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran conducted secret nuclear activities using undeclared material at several sites, raising serious non-compliance concerns.
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