U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff issued a sharp rebuke on Saturday in response to Hamas’ latest position on a proposed ceasefire agreement. Witkoff denounced the group’s reply as “totally unacceptable,” warning that it “only takes us backward.”
An official closely involved in the talks disclosed that an in-depth review of Hamas’ counteroffer reveals it falls far short of the terms presented by Israel. The source noted that Hamas’ list of demands strays significantly from the existing framework.

The United States delivered its initial official nuclear proposal to Iran today, just hours after UN nuclear watchdogs disclosed a significant uptick in Iran’s accumulation of highly enriched uranium, according to a report by The New York Times.
Rather than submitting a complete agreement, U.S. officials presented a set of key points. These included a call for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment efforts and participate in a regional nuclear energy initiative alongside the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and several other Arab nations.
The proposal was transmitted through Oman and acknowledged by both Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the White House as having been received.

United Airlines revealed that it will restart its route from Newark Airport to Tel Aviv ahead of its previously scheduled date.
The airline confirmed that service will officially resume on June 5, with the initial flight from Newark to Tel Aviv set to depart this coming Thursday.
United noted that the decision came after a detailed review of safety and logistical factors, carried out in consultation with the airline’s pilots and flight attendant unions.
Meanwhile, AirBaltic announced on Saturday that it plans to restart its flights to Israel on June 6. Earlier in the week, Air France resumed its service to Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday. Delta Air Lines has also confirmed its intention to reinstate flights to Israel.

[COMMUNICATED]
For Some, It’s Joy. For Others, It’s Just Pressure.
In thousands of homes across our community, Shavuos is being planned with excitement; menus, learning, flowers, guests… But in over 1,500 homes, what should be a Yom Tov of joy is instead a source of quiet stress.
They’re not thinking about which cheesecake to try or which appetizer to make. It’s not about extras. It’s about basics.Milk? Eggs? Chicken? Challah? Can they make Yom Tov at all?
And this year more than ever, those questions are real.In this economy, even basics feel out of reach for so many.

President Trump declared on Friday that steel imports into the United States would now face a steep 50% tariff, doubling the previous rate, as part of an intensified push to defend American manufacturing. The move followed two court decisions that cast uncertainty over key aspects of his trade policies.
“At 25%, they can sort of get over that fence. At 50%, they can no longer get over the fence,” Trump told US Steel workers during a rally held in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
He assured the enthusiastic audience that the city’s storied industrial legacy was about to be revived. “Pittsburgh will very soon be respected around the world as the Steel City again,” Trump told the crowd.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas on Friday evening, demanding the terror group accept the ceasefire arrangement brokered by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff—or face complete destruction.
“The IDF continues its operations in Gaza with full force, striking and dismantling Hamas strongholds while evacuating the local population from all combat zones and attacking the area from the air, land, and sea on an unprecedented scale to provide maximum protection for our soldiers ahead of the entry of maneuvering forces into every area and during the maneuver,” said Katz.

President Donald Trump stated on Friday that discussions surrounding a potential truce and hostage exchange deal in Gaza are advancing, and he anticipates a formal update might be released either later in the day or by Shabbos.
Trump further noted that negotiations with Iran concerning its nuclear program also appear to be progressing.
“They’re very close to an agreement on Gaza, and we’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow, and I think we have a chance of making a deal with Iran. They don’t want to be blown up, they would rather make a deal, and I think that could happen in the not too distant future,” he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised its guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children, no longer urging universal vaccination for all minors. Instead, the agency now says that kids without preexisting conditions may receive the vaccine, depending on physician judgment and parental choice.
This policy shift was reflected in the CDC’s newly published childhood immunization schedule on Thursday. It follows a recent announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who declared earlier in the week that the CDC would end its recommendation of COVID-19 shots for both healthy children and expectant mothers who are not considered at risk.

Elon Musk surprised reporters at the White House on Friday when he appeared at an Oval Office event with a noticeable black eye, marking the conclusion of his 130-day stint in the Trump administration.
“I’ve got a little shiner here,” said the 53-year-old after President Trump fielded a question from Fox News reporter Peter Doocy about “the first lady of France slapping her husband, Emmanuel Macron.”
“I wasn’t anywhere near France,” Musk joked. “I was just horsing around with Little X, and I said, ‘Go ahead, punch me in the face,’ and he did.”

“Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face … ” he started to say, before cutting himself off.

President Trump lashed out at China on Friday, accusing the country of breaking the trade agreement the two nations reached just weeks ago.
The deal, announced on May 12 after negotiations in Switzerland, had called for a 90-day easing of tariffs while both sides continued talks. Under the terms of the agreement, the United States reduced its tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, moving away from what had effectively been a trade blockade.
But signs of trouble began to emerge this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday night that discussions had become “a bit stalled,” and on Friday morning, Trump publicly blasted China for violating the terms of the deal.