Trump Halts Planned Iran Strikes as Deal Talks Advance
President Donald Trump said he agreed to requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to cancel planned military strikes on Iran, telling reporters that the "perimeters of a deal" had been agreed to and that a final agreement must now be made rapidly. The announcement followed reports that he was planning intense weekend strikes and came a day after he said he was "losing faith" in a peace deal and threatened to hit Iran "very hard."
Trump said he was cancelling the planned strikes, noting that the perimeters of a deal had been agreed and that further diplomatic progress was needed; no report confirms a finalized agreement, and the situation remains pending.
DOJ Drops Reflecting Pool Vandalism Charges Against Ex-Olympian
The U.S. Justice Department moved to dismiss criminal charges against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who had been accused of deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after a $14 million renovation. In a court filing, federal prosecutors said the damage to the pool liner was the result of a "flawed" or "botched" installation by the contractor, not vandalism.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, whose office brought the dismissal, faulted the Interior Department for the faulty work. President Trump publicly criticized Pirro's decision to drop the case. Hearn had maintained that he merely touched the water out of curiosity.
Famed Mountaineer Nirmal Purja Killed in Pakistan Avalanche
Renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja died when an avalanche struck an expedition he was leading on Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest mountain, in Pakistan at around noon on Thursday, his company said. At least 11 climbers were confirmed dead in the disaster.
Purja, a former UK Special Forces member who became famous for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in just over six months in 2019, was leading a team of 10 others. Earlier reports said four bodies, including that of an American climber, had been recovered and that a search was continuing for the remaining climbers.
Shooting at Idaho In-N-Out Leaves at Least Three Dead
A shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon killed at least three people and injured at least two others, authorities said. Twin Falls police chief Matthew Hicks described a "very chaotic scene" in a busy shopping area.
The shooter was among the dead, police said, and investigators were still working to determine the shooter's identity and motive. A city spokesman cautioned that the victim count was expected to rise.
Indonesian Ferry Fire Kills Five and Leaves 41 Missing
A ferry carrying at least 250 people caught fire off Madura Island in Indonesia, killing at least five people and leaving 41 missing, the country's National Search and Rescue Agency, Basarnas, said. A total of 225 people were rescued, and some passengers jumped into the sea to escape the flames.
Wildfires Scorch Washington State, Triggering Emergency and Evacuations
Fast-moving wildfires have burned across more than 250,000 acres in Washington state, prompting state officials to declare an emergency and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. Strong winds and high temperatures have driven the flames, leaving about 60,000 people without power.
Capital One Cites Money-Laundering Concerns in Trump Account Closures
Capital One told a federal judge it closed hundreds of Trump Organization accounts in 2021 because of concerns identified during a months-long anti-money-laundering review, not because of the January 6 Capitol riot. The bank is seeking permanent dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Trump-affiliated businesses over the closures.
The disclosure marks the first time a bank has formally tied money-laundering concerns to Donald Trump in court filings related to the account terminations.
Burnham Pledges Relentless Approach to Small Boat Crossings
Labour Party leader Andy Burnham pledged to be “relentless” in tackling small boat crossings after a large influx of migrants into the Spanish territory of Ceuta. Speaking during a visit to Dover, he said increased enforcement must be paired with safe and legal routes for refugees to undermine trafficking gangs.
Sopranos Actor Vincent Pastore Dies at Age 80
Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80. He was found at his home in New York City, and his longtime manager, Bob McGowan, confirmed his death.
Pastore appeared in all six seasons of the mob drama and had film roles including "Goodfellas" and "Awakenings."