While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, May 20, 2025
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US President Donald Trump (left) did not appear to secure major concessions from Russian President Vladimir Putin during a two-hour phone call.
PHOTO: REUTERS, AFP
Trump says Russia and Ukraine to start ceasefire talks ‘immediately’
US President Donald Trump said on May 19 Russia and Ukraine will immediately start ceasefire negotiations in the three-year-old conflict, but he did not appear to secure major concessions from President Vladimir Putin during a two-hour phone call.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said he relayed the plan for talks to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as well as the leaders of the European Union, France, Italy, Germany and Finland in a group call following his session with Mr Putin.
“Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War,” Mr Trump said, adding later at the White House he thought that “some progress is being made.”
After speaking to Mr Trump, Mr Putin said efforts to end the war were “generally on the right track” and that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a potential peace deal.
Biden cancer diagnosis fuels Trump team’s cover-up claims
US President Donald Trump’s allies on May 19 used Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis to stoke a growing row over whether the Democrat and his team covered up concerns about his health while in office.
While Mr Trump expressed sadness after Mr Biden was found to have an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his Vice-President J.D. Vance said that “we really do need to be honest” about Mr Biden’s fitness.
Mr Trump’s son Don Jr questioned whether there had been a “cover up.”
Britain, Canada, France warn Israel over ‘egregious actions’ in Gaza
The leaders of Britain, France and Canada on May 19 condemned Israel’s “egregious actions” in Gaza and warned of joint action if it did not halt a heightened military offensive on the Palestinian territory.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney slammed Israel’s blocking of aid and ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government who have threatened the mass displacement of Palestinians.
“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,” the leaders said in a joint statement.
Netanyahu vows to ‘take control of all’ of Gaza
Israel said on May 19 it would “take control” of the whole of Gaza as it intensified its campaign across the territory, where aid trickled in for the first time in over two months after the easing of a total blockade.
With shipments of supplies to the war-ravaged Strip blocked by Israel since March 2, the World Health Organisation warned the territory’s “two million people are starving”.
Israel, facing mounting criticism over the humanitarian crisis, announced it would let limited aid into Gaza and said the first five trucks entered on May 19 carrying supplies “including food for babies”.
Brighton keep European hopes alive with 3-2 win over Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion substitute Jack Hinshelwood struck a late winner as the hosts came from behind to grab a 3-2 victory over champions Liverpool to keep their slim hopes of playing in Europe next season alive after twice coming from behind.
Battling for eighth place and a chance of playing European football next season if Chelsea win the Conference League, Brighton went behind in the ninth minute when Harvey Elliott scored from close range after a superb Liverpool attack, but midfielder Yasin Ayari levelled in the 32nd minute.
The home side still managed to go in a goal down at the break after Dominik Szoboszlai scored with a dipping cross-shot that flew over keeper Bart Verbruggen and into the net in first-half stoppage time, but Brighton boss Fabian Huerzeler made the right changes after the break to turn the game in their favour.
