Russian Drone Attack Hits Turkish Cargo Ship Carrying Sunflower Oil to Egypt, Ukraine Says 
U.S. Special Forces Intercept Ship Carrying Military Components Bound for Iran 
U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
Belarus Pledges to Halt Smuggling Balloons Into Lithuania 
California, 18 States Sue to Block Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
Judge Orders Return of Seized Evidence in Comey-Related Case, DOJ May Seek New Warrant 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
U.S. Intelligence Briefly Curtailed Information Sharing With Israel Amid Gaza War Concerns 
Hong Kong Democratic Party Disbands After Member Vote Amid Security Crackdown 
Syria Arrests Five Suspects After Deadly Attack on U.S. and Syrian Troops in Palmyra 
Colombia’s Clan del Golfo Peace Talks Signal Mandatory Prison Sentences for Top Leaders 
Thailand Vows Continued Military Action Amid Cambodia Border Clash Despite Trump Ceasefire Claim 
New Epstein Photos Surface Showing Trump as Lawmakers Near Document Release Deadline 
Trump Signals Two Final Candidates for Fed Chair, Calls for Presidential Input on Interest Rates 
Thousands Protest in Brazil Against Efforts to Reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s Prison Sentence 
Zelenskiy Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as Ukraine, U.S. Hold Crucial Peace Talks in Berlin 
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Amid Shift in Brazil Relations 
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on Friday, addressing U.S. tariff policies and the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, according to Japan’s foreign ministry.
The discussion comes as Trump continues to push for bilateral trade deals using tariffs as leverage. Japan remains firm on its demand for a comprehensive review of U.S. tariffs and has rejected the idea of a partial agreement. Chief Japanese negotiator Ryosei Akazawa emphasized Tokyo’s stance following the latest round of tariff consultations in Washington.
During the call, Ishiba reiterated Japan’s position on U.S. trade measures and stressed the importance of concluding a mutually beneficial agreement. Both leaders agreed to accelerate talks between their respective trade ministers.
On the geopolitical front, Trump and Ishiba exchanged views on Israel’s recent strikes against Iran, which began late Thursday U.S. time. Japan criticized the attacks as escalatory, while the U.S. distanced itself from the actions, calling them unilateral and stating that Washington was not directly involved.
Despite differing views on Israel’s actions, both leaders reaffirmed the need for continued communication and emphasized their shared interest in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The call sets the stage for an in-person meeting between Trump and Ishiba on the sidelines of the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, where trade and regional security are expected to top the agenda.
A White House official confirmed the call, which highlights the ongoing efforts by both nations to navigate complex trade dynamics and Middle East tensions. The diplomatic engagement also signals Japan’s strategic push for tariff reform amid global economic uncertainty.
