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Trump says there is ‘Good Chance’ of deal with Iran as drone attacks continue

ByJustpaste.in

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that there is a “good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington would resume military operations if negotiations fail, even as Tehran appeared to test the pause in the US campaign with drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq .

“They want to meet, and we are meeting. We’ll see what happens. There is a chance we can make a deal,” Trump told reporters . “Without what we did, they wouldn’t even be talking to us.”

Washington abruptly suspended a two-week campaign of air strikes against Iran on Saturday in the president’s latest strategic U-turn in the five-month-old conflict . “We’re talking right now,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “We’re having good talks… I think there’s a good chance that something could happen, and if it does, good; if it doesn’t, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago.”

However, Tehran appeared to quickly test the pause in the US military campaign. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq reported drone attacks on Monday . Saudi Arabia said it shot down drones aimed at petroleum targets, including in the capital Riyadh, and stated that the drones had been launched from Iraq by Iran-backed armed groups, reserving the right to respond .

Separately, Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen said they had targeted the 1,200-km East-West Pipeline carrying oil to Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea port of Yanbu, in retaliation for what they said were Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace .

Iran has stated it is not seeking to resume peace talks with the US, although it would pause its own attacks for as long as Trump’s self-imposed ceasefire continues . Tehran also said it was still in control of the situation and would not let the US determine the end of the conflict .

The contrasting signals from Washington and Tehran come as Pakistan and Qatar continue their mediation efforts, proposing a joint de-escalation formula urging both sides to return to their pre-July 9 positions as a first step toward resuming stalled talks . The path to a deal remains fraught with challenges as hostilities on the ground persist .

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    South Korea records highest-ever temperature as extreme heatwave intensifies

    ByJustpaste.in

    South Korea has experienced its hottest day since national weather records began more than 100 years ago, as an intense heatwave continues to grip the country and raise concerns over the growing impact of climate change. According to reports, the southeastern city of Yangsan recorded a temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius (108.5 degrees Fahrenheit) at 1:26 p.m. local time on Sunday, setting a new national record. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) confirmed that the reading surpassed all previously recorded temperatures since the country began maintaining official weather data more than a century ago. The latest milestone comes amid a prolonged period of extreme heat across South Korea. Yangsan has now recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for five consecutive days, highlighting the severity of the current heatwave. Weather officials have warned that the scorching conditions are expected to continue, with temperatures in many parts of the country remaining well above seasonal averages. Heatwave warnings remain in place across much of South Korea, where daytime temperatures have climbed into the upper 30s Celsius in numerous cities. More than 20 regions were placed under emergency heatwave alerts on Sunday, reflecting the widespread nature of the dangerous weather conditions. The emergency heatwave warning is the highest level of heat alert introduced by South Korean authorities this year to better respond to increasingly intense summer temperatures. The alert is issued when weather forecasts predict either a perceived temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or an actual air temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, even if only for a single day. Meteorological data also indicates that South Korea has experienced a dramatic rise in the frequency of extreme heat over recent decades. According to the KMA, the average number of annual heatwave days has more than doubled over the past five years, increasing to 19 days compared with an average of just eight days during the 1970s. The weather agency defines a heatwave day as one in which the highest daytime temperature reaches at least 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit). It also classifies a tropical night as one in which overnight temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), preventing residents from receiving relief from the daytime heat. Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves around the world. Rising global temperatures are contributing to more severe weather events, placing additional pressure on public health systems, infrastructure, agriculture, and energy supplies.South Korea’s record-breaking temperatures come during a year marked by numerous climate-related disasters across the globe. Several countries have experienced devastating droughts, destructive wildfires, severe flooding, and powerful storms, underscoring the growing challenges posed by extreme weather. Elsewhere, Europe continues to battle its own climate-related emergencies. Wildfires fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds have spread across parts of Greece, forcing authorities to evacuate residents from threatened communities. Meanwhile, Spain and France remain under hot and dry conditions, increasing the risk of additional wildfires as firefighters remain on high alert. Experts say the latest record in South Korea serves as another reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and strengthen preparedness for increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events.

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    South Korea investigates military response after US drone mistaken for threat

    ByJustpaste.in

    South Korea has launched a review after its military nearly opened fire on a United States military drone that was initially identified as an unknown aircraft near the border with North Korea. The incident briefly raised security concerns in one of the most heavily guarded areas of the Korean Peninsula before officials confirmed the aircraft was taking part in a joint military exercise. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the drone was detected on Thursday in northern Gyeonggi Province close to the border. Military personnel followed standard operational procedures after they were unable to immediately identify the aircraft. As a precaution, troops prepared to respond while continuing to track its movements. The aircraft was later confirmed to be a United States Marine Corps drone participating in combined training with South Korean forces. The incident prompted a temporary security alert in the border region. Local authorities issued evacuation warnings to residents and farmers living inside the Civilian Control Zone around Cheorwon and nearby communities. Emergency text messages sent shortly after 2 pm advised people in frontline areas to move to shelters or other safe locations until the situation became clear. After military officials confirmed the aircraft’s identity, a second message informed residents that the alert had been lifted and there was no longer any immediate danger. No shots were fired and no injuries or damage were reported. United States Forces Korea confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the US Marine Corps and was involved in a scheduled joint exercise with South Korean troops. The command said it is reviewing the circumstances that led to the misunderstanding and is working with South Korean authorities to examine the incident. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that military inspectors from its readiness office would visit the Army’s 1st Corps on Friday to review how the situation was handled. The inspection will assess whether existing identification and communication procedures were properly followed and whether improvements are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The episode highlights the high level of military alert maintained along the border with North Korea, where tensions remain elevated. South Korean forces routinely monitor unidentified aircraft because of the possibility of North Korean military activity. Officials said troops acted according to established procedures because they could not immediately determine whether the aircraft posed a potential threat. The incident also comes shortly after another security concern involving the United States military. Earlier this week, residents living near a US military base in Pyeongtaek were briefly advised to evacuate following an incident involving white phosphorus. That event prompted some civic groups to call for an investigation and for the US military to provide a public explanation. Although the drone incident ended without violence, it has renewed attention on the challenges of coordinating military operations in a region where misunderstandings can quickly escalate. South Korean authorities are expected to use the findings of their review to strengthen communication and operational procedures during future joint exercises with United States forces.

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    Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

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    Luigi Mangione has entered a guilty plea in Manhattan federal court regarding the December 2024 fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson. Appearing before US District Judge Margaret Garnett in prison attire, the 28-year-old formally admitted to targeting and shooting Thompson, confirming that he acted with full knowledge that his actions were illegal. During his statement to the court, Mangione detailed his preparations leading up to the attack. He explained that after suffering years of severe back pain and struggling with the health insurance system, he researched UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference. Mangione admitted to impersonating an institutional investor to gain event details, manufacturing firearm components using a 3D printer, and traveling to Manhattan specifically to shoot the executive. The guilty plea resolves federal stalking charges that carry significant prison time and eliminates a federal trial. Following the hearing, Mangione’s defense team filed motions requesting the dismissal of pending state murder charges in New York, arguing double-jeopardy protections. However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office affirmed its intention to proceed with state prosecution.

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    Two UK police officers killed in horrific A66 crash

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    Two Cleveland Police officers have been killed in a devastating wrong-way crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, politicians and local communities. Police Constables Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38, died at about 3:39am BST on Saturday when a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction collided with their police vehicle. Five people travelling in the Passat, reportedly aged between their late teens and early 20s, also died in the crash. Their identities have not yet been released. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation was triggered because the crash followed police contact with the vehicle. According to the IOPC, Cleveland Police had earlier spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began. Security footage from a property on Lime Road in Middlesbrough appears to show police vehicles following a car several minutes before the fatal collision. The pursuit is understood to have ended before the crash. The police vehicle carrying Blades and Clough was reportedly in the South Bank area when it was struck by the wrong-way vehicle. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described the deaths as an “unimaginable loss” and said it was an extremely painful day for the force and the wider community. Fuller said she and Deputy Chief Constable visited the officers’ families to offer condolences and support as they faced the devastating loss. Tributes have also been paid by senior political figures and local representatives. Prime Minister and Home Secretary figures expressed their condolences, while local leaders praised the officers for their dedication to public safety. Redcar MP Anna Turley said the tragedy had caused deep sorrow across the community. She paid tribute to Blades and Clough, highlighting the courage shown by police officers who work around the clock to protect the public. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also described the incident as a terrible tragedy and praised the emergency services who responded to the crash. Cleveland Police Federation chairwoman Lauren Somerville said the loss of the two officers had left the police family devastated, with colleagues struggling to put their grief into words. The A66, a major route through the Teesside area, remained closed as investigators examined the crash site. The road is surrounded by industrial areas and factories. The IOPC has urged people to avoid speculation while its investigation continues. Officials said the inquiry will examine the events leading up to the collision and the circumstances surrounding the police contact with the vehicle.

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    Paris scout tied to Epstein network found dead

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    A modelling scout with ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead at his home in France. Authorities discovered Daniel Siad, 69, on Monday in Colombes, a suburb northwest of Paris, according to confirmation from the Nanterre prosecutor’s office. The office said it opened an investigation Monday evening to determine the cause of death and confirmed that a post mortem examination would be conducted. Siad’s name appeared thousands of times across documents released by the US government related to Epstein. He had denied any awareness of the threat Epstein posed to the women and girls around him. His lawyer, Menya Arab Tigrine, stressed that Siad had faced several complaints in France, including allegations of rape, but had never been prosecuted. She said in a statement that he had died and that he was innocent. A woman identified only as Anya, an Epstein victim who spoke previously to reporters, said Siad had introduced her to Epstein and described the arrangement as a complete set up, calling Siad essentially a professional trafficker. In one email to Epstein released among the files, Siad wrote in broken English that in this business he sometimes catches fish quickly and other times catches none, a comment referencing his work finding models. Ahead of a recent investigative report examining the allegations, Arab Tigrine had said her client was unavailable for comment. However, in an earlier television interview, Siad said he had not known that women were being abused by Epstein, adding that he trusted Epstein and believed he was a professional person. The first complaints against Siad in France were filed in February. He denied any wrongdoing in multiple recent media appearances, telling one French broadcaster in May that he had never raped anyone in his life. Lawyers representing the former model who filed the first complaint against Siad said they were stunned by news of his death, saying they struggled to find words for the anger and sadness they felt, with alleged victims now denied the chance for a criminal trial. The lawyers expressed strong frustration toward the Paris prosecutor’s office, which had announced in February that it was opening an investigation into Epstein’s French associates. They accused the office of what they called scandalous inaction, arguing it reflected contempt from public authorities toward victims of sexual crimes connected to the trafficking network Epstein and his associates built. Another former model who gave a police deposition in June as part of the investigation into Siad told reporters that his death means any information he might have held about Epstein has now been lost. She said an important link in the chain had vanished before authorities had any chance to recover what he might have known, since he was never formally questioned. She said too much time had already been lost in the investigation and expressed hope that authorities would not wait years longer before searching his home, though she suggested it might already be too late. Anne Claire Le Jeune, a lawyer representing six women who filed complaints against Siad, said her clients had been denied justice. She said her clients found the strength to break a heavy silence surrounding Siad’s ties to Epstein and faced every stage of the legal process with remarkable courage. She called it deeply regrettable that the slow pace of the investigation allowed Siad to die before he could be questioned or detained, depriving the victims of a crucial step in their pursuit of truth and accountability. Another Epstein associate, French modelling agent Jean Luc Brunel, was found hanged in his Paris prison cell in 2022. Brunel, 76 at the time, had spent more than a year in custody while under investigation on suspicion of raping minors and trafficking minors for sexual exploitation, allegations he denied. Brunel founded the modelling agency MC2 Model Management with funding from Epstein and was suspected of helping transport and house young women and girls on Epstein’s behalf. Epstein, who was 66, died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting federal trial on sex trafficking charges. This account involves detailed allegations of serious sexual abuse and trafficking. If any of this touches on something you’re personally affected by, I’m glad to help you find appropriate support resources.

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    Pentagon faces shortage of missile defense interceptors

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    The US Department of Defense is facing a growing shortage of missile defense interceptors after months of sustained military operations in the Middle East, raising concerns among American defense planners about the Pentagon’s ability to maintain its current pace of operations and protect US forces in the event of another major conflict. According to a report by Fox News, data compiled by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates that US stocks of Patriot air defense interceptors have fallen sharply. Before the recent escalation in regional conflicts, the United States reportedly held around 2,300 Patriot interceptors. That figure has now dropped to fewer than 827. The Pentagon has also seen a significant reduction in its stockpile of interceptors used by the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. CSIS data cited in the report shows that the number of THAAD interceptors has declined from approximately 452 to fewer than 278. The decline in these critical missile defense stocks has prompted questions about the US military’s ability to respond to multiple threats at the same time. Defense planners are particularly concerned about the possibility of a new crisis emerging in another strategic region, such as the Indo-Pacific, while American forces remain engaged in the Middle East. CSIS has warned that rebuilding depleted interceptor inventories could take at least three years. The lengthy replenishment timeline reflects the difficulty of rapidly expanding production of sophisticated missile defense systems, which require specialized components, advanced manufacturing capabilities and extensive testing. The shortage could create additional pressure on US military leaders as they balance the need to defend American troops and military installations overseas with the requirement to maintain sufficient reserves for future conflicts. To address the growing gap, the Pentagon has included $18.2 billion in its broader $67 billion emergency funding request for fiscal year 2026. The proposed funds would support the replenishment of Patriot interceptors, Tomahawk cruise missiles used by the US Navy and additional interceptors for the THAAD missile defense system. The Pentagon’s spending plans also highlight a broader effort to rebuild weapons inventories that have come under pressure from sustained military operations and rising global security demands. US defense officials have increasingly focused on expanding domestic production capacity and ensuring that the military can replace weapons at a faster rate. According to the report, nearly half of the weapons included in the Army’s preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget requests fall into the relatively lower-cost category, with each weapon costing $600,000 or less. The approach reflects efforts to strengthen stockpiles of systems that the military can procure in larger quantities while continuing to invest in more advanced and expensive defense technologies. The interceptor shortage underscores a wider challenge for the United States as it seeks to prepare for potential conflicts on multiple fronts. While missile defense remains a key component of US military strategy, the depletion of interceptor stocks could limit Washington’s flexibility if it faces simultaneous threats in the Middle East, Europe or the Indo-Pacific. Defense analysts say the issue also highlights the importance of maintaining adequate reserves during prolonged conflicts. Replenishing stocks may take years, meaning decisions about the use of missile defense interceptors could become increasingly important as the Pentagon seeks to protect US personnel and strategic assets while preserving its ability to respond to future crises.

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