US envoy prompts outrage in Lebanon after telling media to ‘act civilized’
US diplomat Tom Barrack, ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, faced backlash in Lebanon after telling local journalists to “act civilized” during a briefing following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun on Hezbollah disarmament, Al Jazeera reported.
Barrack, of Lebanese descent, chided reporters for shouting questions and linked their behavior to regional conflicts. His remarks drew accusations of arrogance and “colonial” attitudes.
The Lebanese Presidency expressed regret, praising journalists’ professionalism, while the Union of Journalists urged media to boycott Barrack’s events until a formal apology is issued. Critics said his comments reflected a lack of respect for press freedom. The US State Department has not commented, according to Al Jazeera.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce get engaged after two-year romance
Pop superstar Taylor Swift and National Football League player Travis Kelce are engaged to be married, the couple announced on social media on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
In a joint Instagram post, the pair wrote: "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married," along with photos showing the Kansas City Chiefs player proposing to Swift.
Photos showed the American couple in a garden of pink and white flowers. One image showed Kelce on one knee looking up at Swift, and another featured a large ring on Swift's left hand. A snippet of Swift's song "So High School" played in the background of the post, according to Reuters.
North Korea blasts South Korea’s Lee as ‘confrontation maniac’
North Korea has condemned South Korean President Lee Jae-myung as a “confrontation maniac” following his US speech advocating denuclearization for lasting peace and a stronger South Korea–US alliance, Al Jazeera reported.
The state-run KCNA dismissed Lee’s call as naive and reaffirmed Pyongyang’s commitment to its nuclear arsenal, citing external threats.
Lee, in office since June, has pledged improved inter-Korean relations, but North Korea has repeatedly rejected engagement, with Kim Jong Un’s sister recently declaring Pyongyang “does not care” about South Korea’s outreach.
According to Al Jazeera, North Korea is estimated to have around 50 nuclear warheads and material for more.
US and Russian officials discussed energy deals amid Ukraine peace talks
US and Russian officials discussed potential energy deals this month as incentives to advance peace in Ukraine, sources familiar with the talks said. Proposals included allowing Exxon Mobil to rejoin Russia’s Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project, supplying US equipment for Russian LNG projects, and purchasing Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker vessels, according to Reuters.
The discussions took place during US envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow, where he met President Vladimir Putin and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, and were also raised in White House meetings with President Donald Trump. The talks coincided with the Alaska summit on August 15.
A White House official said Trump’s team continues engaging with both sides to end the war but declined to comment further on negotiations, Reuters reported.
