Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

What We're Watching

Trump issues Hamas a “last warning”

​Donald Trump issues a proclamation from the Oval Office

Donald Trump issues a proclamation from the Oval Office

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US presidents don’t typically talk to organizations the US government has labeled terrorist groups, but Donald Trump is not a typical US president. A few hours after the White House confirmed it was holding direct talks with Hamas over the remaining Israeli and US hostages it holds, Trump took to his Truth Social account to fire off a warning: Cooperate or die.

“Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” the US president wrote as part of what he called a “last warning.” The language of his post was direct, even by Trump standards: “I am 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,” he wrote. “Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!”

Hamas has accused Trump of encouraging Israel to end the ceasefire and resume the war. The Israeli government says there are 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, and as many as two dozen are believed to be alive. Israel has released hundreds of Palestinians from its custody.

More For You

A foreign tanker carrying Iraqi fuel oil damaged following unidentified attacks that targeted two foreign tankers, according to Iraqi port officials, near Basra, Iraq, on March 12, 2026.​

A foreign tanker carrying Iraqi fuel oil damaged after catching fire in Iraq's territorial waters, following unidentified attacks that targeted two foreign tankers, according to Iraqi port officials, near Basra, Iraq, on March 12, 2026.

REUTERS/Mohammed Aty
Iran’s focus: closing the StraitThe Islamic Republic will continue its efforts to block the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement this morning attributed to new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The statement highlights Tehran’s strategy: identify easier targets (the Strait is narrow) that have maximum impact. Speaking of which, Iraq suspended [...]
​The Thailand-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree engulfed in black smoke in the Strait of Hormuz, March 11, 2026.

The Thailand-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree engulfed in black smoke in the Strait of Hormuz, March 11, 2026.

ROYAL THAI NAVY/Handout via REUTERS
US and allies desperately try to cool frightened oil marketsIran has been upping its threats against the world’s oil supply, striking at least one cargo ship yesterday and reportedly laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway near Iran through which 20% of global oil supply passes. Its military command even suggested that the world should [...]
Sanae Takaichi announces running for presidential election of the LDP

Sanae Takaichi announces running for presidential election of the LDP

Aflo via Reuters
Japan strikes rare earths deal with largest non-Chinese producerAustralian mining giant Lynas will sell rare earths to Japan for 12 years in a major pact meant to chip away at China’s dominance of the global market. The highlight of the deal is that it sets a minimum price of $110 per kilogram of the minerals. That is the same “price floor” that [...]
Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, stands in front of the Shahran oil depot, which was targeted by US-Israeli strikes, in western Tehran, Iran, on March 8, 2026.

Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, stands in front of the Shahran oil depot, which was targeted by US-Israeli strikes, on the eighth day of the war in western Tehran, Iran, on March 8, 2026.

Sobhan Farajvan/Pacific Press/Sipa USA
Depot bombing, Strait of Hormuz constraints send oil prices surgingOil prices skyrocketed above $100 per barrel on Monday – nearly hitting $120 at one point – after Israel bombed fuel depots outside Iran’s capital of Tehran and data showed oil production along the Persian Gulf tanking due to the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. US President [...]