Donald Trump calls for 'a real end' to conflict between Israel and Iran
Washington, Jun 17 (AP): In the span of about eight hours Monday, President Donald Trump went from suggesting a nuclear deal with Iran remained “achievable” to urging Tehran's 9.5 million residents to flee for their lives as he cut his visit to the international G7 summit short to return to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team.
Trump expressed frustration with Iranian leaders for failing to reach an agreement, adding that he wants “a real end” to the conflict and a “complete give-up” of Tehran's nuclear programme.
Here's the latest:
Trump shares Huckabee's lengthy text message of praise
On his social media site, Trump shared a screenshot of the text from Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel. Huckabee's also a Baptist minister and a former Arkansas governor.
He opens by referencing last year's attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania, saying Trump was spared by God to be the “most consequential President in a century – maybe ever.”
Huckabee says no president in his lifetime “has been in a position like yours. Not since Truman in 1945.” That's a reference to President Harry Truman's decision to drop an atomic bomb on Japan during World War II.
“You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU!” Huckabee wrote, adding, “It is my honour to serve you!”
Trump again dismisses comments of one of his top aides
Back in March, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers US spy agencies did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon.
When asked about the comment aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed her remark.
“I don't care what she said,” Trump said. “I think they were very close to having it.”
A widening schism over Iran among Trump's MAGA supporters
Trump bristled when asked about some of his MAGA faithful, including conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, who've suggested further US involvement would be a betrayal to supporters who were drawn to his promise to end US involvement in expensive and endless wars.
“Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that,' IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'” the president wrote on social media.
Other prominent Trump supporters have also raised concerns about how far the president should go in backing Israel.
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk are among prominent Trump World allies who've noted that voters backed Trump because he promised not to entangle the nation in foreign clashes and to be wary of expanding US involvement in the Mideast conflict.
Trump says he won't call Minnesota Gov Tim Walz after lawmaker shootings
The president said he he won't call Walz after the targeted shootings of two state lawmakers because it would “waste time.”
One of the lawmakers and her husband were killed.
The Republican president spoke to reporters early Tuesday aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington after abruptly leaving an international summit in Canada because of rising tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
Asked if he planned to call Walz, Trump said the Democratic governor is “slick” and “whacked out” and said, “I'm not calling him.”
Presidents often reach out to other elected officials at times of tragedy to offer condolences.
Trump added, “The guy doesn't have a clue. He's a mess. So, you know, I could be nice and call him, but why waste time?”
Walz was the vice presidential running mate for 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who lost her presidential bid to Trump.
San Francisco appeals court will hear arguments over National Guard deployment in LA
A federal appeals court in San Francisco is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on whether the Trump administration should return control of National Guard troops to California after they were deployed following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids.
The hearing comes after the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request by the administration last week to temporarily pause a lower court order that directed Trump to return control of the soldiers to the governor who filed a lawsuit over the deployment.
The three-judge panel is set to hear oral arguments via video starting at 3 pm ET, and protests outside the downtown San Francisco court are expected.
US District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco ruled last week that the Guard deployment was illegal and exceeded Trump's statutory authority. It applied only to the National Guard troops and not the Marines, who were also deployed to LA.
Trump is at a moment of choosing as Israel looks for more US help crushing Iran's nuclear programme
President Donald Trump in about eight hours Monday went from suggesting a nuclear deal with Iran remained “achievable” to urging Tehran's 9.5 million residents to flee for their lives as he cut short his visit to an international summit to return to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team.
He returns to the capital at a moment of choosing in his presidency.
Israel, with five days of missile strikes, has done considerable damage to Iran and believes it can now deal a permanent blow to Tehran's nuclear programme — particularly if it gets a little more help from Trump.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One during his overnight flight back to Washington that Iranian leaders had been unwilling to reach an agreement over their nuclear programme, suggesting he was now less interested in talking with them.
“They should have done the deal. I told them: Do the deal,” Trump said. “So I don't know. I'm not too much in the mood to negotiate.”
The Republican president, who said he plans to meet with advisers in the Situation Room, appears to be gradually building the public case for a more direct American role in the conflict.
His shift in tone comes as the US has repositioned warships and military aircraft in the region to respond if the conflict between Israel and Iran further escalates.
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Landslide in Shivamogga: Bodies of three manual workers recovered from under debris
District authorities close Hulikal Ghat route, also Agumbe Ghat, Nittur-Nagodi Ghat roads
Shivamogga: The bodies of three workers who had died in an incident of landslide near a hairpin bend on State Highway 52 in Hulikal Ghat of Hosanagar taluk on Thursday were recovered by the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and fire brigade staff members on Friday.
The mishap reportedly occurred during the work of widening the road near the Shri Chandikamba Temple at Hulikal Ghat.
The deceased workers are identified as Raghu of Chakkaru village near Shivamogga city, and Shabbir and Raju of Nelagallu village, Haveri district.
The bodies of Raghu and Raju were found on Thursday night, while Shabbir’s body was found at 3 am on Friday. The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary of the city hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Four other workers are said to have been injured and are being treated in hospital.
Senior BJP leader and Theerthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra paid a visit to the mishap scene and also visited the hospital to inquire about the health condition of the workers.
He expressed sorrow at the loss of life in the incident and told reporters he offered condolence and support to the bereaved families.
The State Highway 52 has been blocked at Hulikal Ghat for traffic movement at present, following the Thursday landslide. Although it is a prominent stretch that connects Shivamogga to Theerthahalli, Nagara, Hulikal Ghat and Kundapur, the authorities have announced it closure for vehicular movement till further instructions.
In addition, the district authorities have asked vehicle users to avoid the Agumbe Ghat route in Theerthahalli taluk and Nittur-Nagodi Ghat route of Hosanagar taluk, which are most frequently used, and take alternative roads.
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