Berlin Pride turns tragic as car hits crowd, 1 dea…

US President Donald Trump says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his recent efforts to reopen direct communication with Pyongyang. Trump made the statement after announcing plans to reduce the scale of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. A reporter asked Trump why Kim had not responded to his attempts to establish contact. Trump replied that the North Korean leader had responded, but he did not disclose what Kim had said or provide details about the communication. The White House did not immediately provide further information. North Korea’s mission to the United Nations also did not issue an immediate response. Trump has recently adopted a softer tone toward North Korea. He described the country as “unthreatening and respectful” and said Kim had always treated him with respect. The US president said he understood Kim and believed the North Korean leader understood him as well. Trump’s latest comments have revived speculation about a possible meeting between the two leaders. The pair held historic summits in 2018 and 2019 during Trump’s first presidency. Those talks eventually collapsed over disagreements about North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang. North Korea has since expanded its military capabilities. It has also strengthened its ties with Russia while maintaining close relations with China. The country has faced international sanctions over its nuclear programme and ballistic missile development. North Korea has also provided military support to Russia during the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of using North Korean-made missiles in attacks on Ukrainian targets. Trump’s administration has criticised Pyongyang’s military cooperation with Moscow. Despite this, Trump has continued to speak positively about his personal relationship with Kim. The US president’s decision to reduce military exercises with South Korea has also attracted attention. Trump said the exercises were expensive and argued that they sent an inappropriate and hostile message to North Korea. Pyongyang has long condemned US-South Korean military drills. North Korea considers the exercises preparation for a possible attack. The proposed reduction could therefore create additional space for diplomatic engagement. However, analysts caution that a new summit may not happen immediately. Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said North Korea could take its time before responding more openly to Trump’s approach. He also suggested that Trump may see renewed engagement with North Korea as a way to shift attention from other foreign policy challenges, while still genuinely wanting to meet Kim again. Other analysts believe Kim could benefit from another meeting with the US president. Andrew Yeo of the Brookings Institution said Kim had little to lose from holding talks with Trump. He argued that North Korea’s strengthened relationships with Russia and China could give Kim greater confidence in negotiations. Yeo said another meeting could also enhance Kim’s international status and reputation. Former US National Intelligence Officer Sydney Seiler noted that Trump had taken a similar approach during his first term. In 2018, the US president suspended major military exercises with South Korea as part of efforts to encourage dialogue with Pyongyang. Meanwhile, North Korea has continued to strengthen its relationship with Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently reaffirmed Moscow’s close ties with Pyongyang. North Korean state media said Russia and North Korea were working together toward what they described as a new world order. For now, Trump has provided no details about Kim’s reported response. The nature of the communication and whether it could lead to renewed high-level negotiations remain unclea

South Korea has recorded its highest temperature since weather records began more than 100 years ago, as an intense heatwave continues to grip the country and authorities urge people to avoid outdoor activities. The Korea Meteorological Administration said the southeastern city of Yangsan reached 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday afternoon, setting a new national temperature record. Yangsan has remained at the centre of the prolonged heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days. Other major cities, including Daegu and Busan, have also experienced temperatures climbing into the upper 30s. The extreme weather has forced many people to seek shelter in air conditioned shopping centres, cafes and other indoor spaces. In Seoul, residents gathered in public places with cooling facilities to escape the dangerous heat. Office worker Ju Dong Yeol said staying outdoors had become almost impossible and that spending time in air conditioned buildings was the only practical way to cope with the soaring temperatures. Authorities have issued emergency heatwave alerts in more than 20 areas across the country. The warning system, introduced this year, is activated when the expected heat index reaches 38 degrees Celsius or when actual temperatures are forecast to climb to at least 39 degrees Celsius. Weather officials advised residents to stop all outdoor activities immediately, remain in cool locations and drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of heat related illnesses. The Korea Meteorological Administration also warned that indoor spaces without air conditioning could become dangerous during the ongoing heatwave. Officials encouraged people, particularly children, older adults and those with health conditions, to use designated cooling centres whenever possible. Weather data show that South Korea has experienced a sharp increase in the number of extremely hot days over recent decades. During the past five years, the country has recorded an average of 19 heatwave days each year, compared with only eight days annually during the 1970s. A heatwave day is officially defined as one in which temperatures reach at least 33 degrees Celsius. The severe weather has also disrupted sporting events. South Korea’s professional baseball league cancelled a second consecutive game in the city of Changwon after temperatures climbed to 39.5 degrees Celsius. The Korea Baseball Organisation said the decision was made to protect the health and safety of players, officials and spectators while the heatwave warning remained in effect. Scientists have repeatedly warned that human induced climate change is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves more frequent and more intense around the world. Experts also point to the return of the El Nino climate pattern this year, which increases sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and can contribute to unusually hot weather in many regions. South Korea is not alone in facing extreme heat. Several European countries have also experienced prolonged heatwaves this summer, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of southern and central Europe. Governments across the region have issued health warnings, battled wildfires and advised residents to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day. Italy has also placed many of its major cities under the highest level of heat alert as temperatures continue to rise.

In a major boost to Britain’s science and innovation ambitions, the UK government has announced a significant expansion of its Global Talent visa programme, allowing more than 100 research-intensive companies to sponsor leading scientists and engineers from around the world. Previously focused primarily on universities and research institutions, the expanded scheme will now enable eligible private-sector research organisations to recruit exceptional international talent directly. The move is aimed at strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, nuclear fusion, clean energy and life sciences. The government said attracting the world’s brightest researchers would accelerate scientific breakthroughs, support innovation-led industries and create highly skilled jobs across every region of the UK. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to boost economic growth through investment in advanced research and technology. By widening access to the Global Talent visa route, ministers hope Britain will remain one of the world’s most attractive destinations for leading researchers, scientists and engineers amid increasing international competition for high-skilled talent.