Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to Hamas, telling the group to release the remains of all deceased hostages or "it is over for you".
This is not the first time Mr Trump has issued an ultimatum to Hamas, but the remarks came as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire teeters on the brink, with Israel announcing it was blocking the entry of aid to Gaza while accusing Hamas of stealing supplies. So far, in accordance with the ceasefire, hundreds of Palestinian detainees have been released from Israeli jails in exchange for 33 living and dead hostages being held in Gaza.
"'Shalom Hamas' means hello and goodbye – you can choose," Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted."
He added that he is sending Israel "everything it needs to finish the job". "Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say," Mr Trump wrote.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Trump met former hostages in Washington and "listened intently to their heartbreaking stories", the White House said.
"This is your last warning. For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza while you still have a chance," he wrote. "Release the hostages now, or there will be hell to pay later."
Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that US officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing that Israel has been consulted about direct US engagement with Hamas officials, but declined to give further details.
“Dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the President has proven is what he believes is a good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” she said.
Adam Boehler, nominated to be special presidential envoy for hostage affairs at the State Department, met Hamas representatives in Doha in recent weeks, news site Axios first reported. The talks have focused in part on the release of US hostages, but have also included discussions of a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and reach a long-term truce.
"President Trump is committed to bringing home all Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained overseas. This includes the Americans and all other hostages that Hamas is still holding hostage in Gaza. Efforts to bring them home are ongoing and sensitive," a State Department spokesperson told The National.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Israel relayed its position to the Americans about these direct talks with Hamas, without going into detail.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday indicated a readiness to move into phase two of the ceasefire agreement, which will include more releases of hostages and Palestinian detainees, as long as Hamas cedes military control of Gaza – a move that Hamas has long refused.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Switching%20sides
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ENGLAND TEAM
Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
%3Cp%3E1.%20Chad%3Cbr%3E2.%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3E4.%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E5.%20Bangladesh%3Cbr%3E6.%20Burkina%20Faso%3Cbr%3E7.%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E8.%20India%3Cbr%3E9.%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E10.%20Tajikistan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
match info
Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
