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Otago Daily Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Trump to decide US' Israel-Iran action in next two weeks
President Donald Trump will decide in the next two weeks whether the U.S. will get involved in the Israel-Iran air war, the White House said, raising pressure on Tehran to come to the negotiating table. Citing a message from Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks." The Republican president has kept the world guessing on his plans, veering from proposing a swift diplomatic solution to suggesting the U.S. might join the fighting on Israel's side. On Wednesday (local time), he said nobody knew what he would do. A day earlier he mused on social media about killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, then demanded Iran's unconditional surrender. The threats have caused cracks in Trump's support base between more hawkish traditional Republicans and the party's more isolationist elements. But critics said that in the five months since returning to office, Trump has issued a range of deadlines - including to warring Russia and Ukraine and to other countries in trade tariff negotiations - only to suspend those deadlines or allow them to slide. "I think going to war with Iran is a terrible idea, but no one believes this 'two weeks' bit," Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on the social media platform X. "He's used it a million times before to pretend he might be doing something he's not. It just makes America look weak and silly." Leavitt told a regular briefing at the White House that Trump was interested in pursuing a diplomatic solution with Iran, but his top priority was ensuring that Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon. She said any deal would have to prohibit enrichment of uranium by Tehran and eliminate Iran's ability to achieve a nuclear weapon. "The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution ... if there's a chance for diplomacy, the president's always going to grab it," Leavitt said. "But he's not afraid to use strength as well I will add." BYPASSING CONGRESS? Leavitt declined to say if Trump would seek congressional authorization for any strikes on Iran. Democrats have raised concerns over reports on CBS and other outlets that Trump has already approved a plan to attack Iran, bypassing Congress, which has the sole power to declare war. Leavitt said U.S. officials remained convinced that Iran had never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, saying it would take Tehran just "a couple of weeks" to produce such a weapon. Leavitt's assessment contradicted congressional testimony in March from Trump's intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard. She said then that the U.S. intelligence community continued to judge that Tehran was not working on a nuclear warhead. This week, Trump dismissed Gabbard's March testimony, telling reporters: "I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having one." On Wednesday, Trump lieutenant Steve Bannon urged caution about the U.S. joining Israel in trying to destroy Iran's nuclear program. Israel bombed nuclear targets in Iran on Thursday and Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel after hitting an Israeli hospital overnight, as a week-old air war escalated and neither side showed any sign of an exit strategy. Leavitt said Trump had been briefed on the Israeli operation on Thursday and remained in close communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She said Iran was in "a deeply vulnerable position" and would face grave consequences if it did not agree to halt its work on a nuclear weapon. Iran has been weighing wider options in responding to the biggest security challenge since its 1979 revolution. Three diplomats told Reuters that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes last week.
West Australian
5 hours ago
- West Australian
Rodney McWeay: Father held children in ‘house of horrors' convicted of child abuse, murder
WARNING: DISTURBING DETAILS A Georgia man has been found guilty of starving his four-year-old daughter to death in what prosecutors described as a 'house of horrors'. Rodney McWeay, 32, was convicted on June 19 of murdering his daughter, Treasure McWeay, just days before Christmas in 2023 in a case of sickening child abuse and neglect. A jury found him guilty of 14 felony charges, including malice murder, felony murder, child cruelty, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and contributing to the dependency of a minor. The case revealed a grim timeline of abuse. McWeay's three children had previously been removed from his custody in June 2023 due to unsafe living conditions, including mould and unsanitary environments, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Prosecutors said he later abducted the children from their mother and confined them in his apartment in Atlanta, described in court as a 'house of horrors.' Investigators testified that the children were kept locked in separate rooms with no food or water. Surveillance cameras monitored their movements, and they were not allowed to leave their rooms, even to use the bathroom, per CBS affiliate WRDW . Neighbours had raised concerns. Quasheea Cokley, who lived nearby, reported hearing frequent screams and crying from the apartment and contacted Georgia's Division of Family & Children Services. Despite multiple attempts, state and law enforcement agencies were unable to make contact before Treasure's death. Police discovered the young girl unresponsive in McWeay's apartment in the days leading up to Christmas. She and her two brothers were transported to the hospital, where Treasure was later pronounced dead. A medical examiner determined she died of cardiac arrest caused by prolonged malnutrition. At just 24 pounds, her weight was well below the healthy range for a child her age. During the trial, McWeay's defence acknowledged he had made 'some wrong decisions' regarding the children's mother but claimed he never intended harm. McWeay had previously rejected a plea deal of 75 years. He now faces the possibility of multiple life sentences when sentenced in the next 30 days. Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Four-year-old dies of starvation in ‘house of horrors'
WARNING: DISTURBING DETAILS A Georgia man has been found guilty of starving his four-year-old daughter to death in what prosecutors described as a 'house of horrors'. Rodney McWeay, 32, was convicted on June 19 of murdering his daughter, Treasure McWeay, just days before Christmas in 2023 in a case of sickening child abuse and neglect. A jury found him guilty of 14 felony charges, including malice murder, felony murder, child cruelty, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and contributing to the dependency of a minor. The case revealed a grim timeline of abuse. McWeay's three children had previously been removed from his custody in June 2023 due to unsafe living conditions, including mould and unsanitary environments, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Prosecutors said he later abducted the children from their mother and confined them in his apartment in Atlanta, described in court as a 'house of horrors.' Investigators testified that the children were kept locked in separate rooms with no food or water. Surveillance cameras monitored their movements, and they were not allowed to leave their rooms, even to use the bathroom, per CBS affiliate WRDW. Neighbours had raised concerns. Quasheea Cokley, who lived nearby, reported hearing frequent screams and crying from the apartment and contacted Georgia's Division of Family & Children Services. Despite multiple attempts, state and law enforcement agencies were unable to make contact before Treasure's death. Police discovered the young girl unresponsive in McWeay's apartment in the days leading up to Christmas. She and her two brothers were transported to the hospital, where Treasure was later pronounced dead. A medical examiner determined she died of cardiac arrest caused by prolonged malnutrition. At just 24 pounds, her weight was well below the healthy range for a child her age. During the trial, McWeay's defence acknowledged he had made 'some wrong decisions' regarding the children's mother but claimed he never intended harm. McWeay had previously rejected a plea deal of 75 years. He now faces the possibility of multiple life sentences when sentenced in the next 30 days. Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to
New York Post
9 hours ago
- New York Post
Crematory shut down after whistleblowers blow lid on disturbing practices
Illinois officials permanently shut down a Chicago-based crematory on Thursday after whistleblowers flagged the disturbing way the bodies were handled, including human remains that were stuffed in broken coolers. The Heights Crematory saw its licenses revoked following a months-long investigation alleging gross malpractice at the suburban funeral home, where at least 19 bodies were found inside a broken refrigerated trailer in February, according to State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. 'The practical effect of this order is that Heights and its owners will never operate a crematorium in the state of Illinois again,' Mendoza said in a statement. 4 The Heights Crematory was permanently shutdown on Thursday, with its operators losing their license. Google Maps 4 Illinois investigators found more than two dozen bodies had been improperly stored and handled in the crematory. CBS Issues at the crematory became public after whistleblowers spoke to a local CBS News crew earlier this year, accusing the business of improperly handling the bodies they were supposed to be taking care of. Along with the bodies stored in broken refrigerated units, investigators found another group of six to seven corpses that were thrown on top of each other on the main floor of the crematory as they waited to be burned. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office also said it received more than 500 boxes of ashes from Heights Crematory that had never made it to the families of the deceased. During the initial investigation, Mendoza said she was 'appalled, disgusted, and deeply saddened by the disrespect Heights Crematory showed to the remains of the deceased.' 4 Bodies were found stacked up on each other on the main floor of the business. CBS 'When I saw these pictures, I felt that our dog got a more dignified treatment in death than these people did?' Mendoza told reporters back in March. 'These are people. They're people's loved ones, family members. And to see anyone treated in that disrespectful, undignified manner in death was disgusting to me,' she added. The Heights Crematory was temporarily shut down, with its owners expected to attend a hearing on June 24 to learn the fate of their business. 4 Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she was disgusted by what investigators found at the crematory. CBS The hearing, however, has now been canceled following the comptroller's order to keep the crematory shuttered. The State of Illinois has never shut down a crematory in such a manner before, but Mendoza told CBS it needed to happen due to what the investigation turned up. Representatives for the Heights Crematory could not be immediately reached for comment.
CBS News
9 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Colorado drought update: Little change this week, but rain may be on the way
Colorado's latest drought update brings little overall change, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday, June 19. CBS In northeastern Colorado, there was a small but positive shift: conditions have improved from moderate drought to abnormally dry. While it's not a complete recovery, it marks a slight step in the right direction. However, more serious drought concerns persist across western Colorado. Portions of Delta, Mesa, and Montrose counties remain locked in extreme drought. Soil moisture remains low, vegetation is drying out quickly, and the risk of wildfire is elevated in these areas. CBS This week, Colorado did receive some beneficial moisture, especially in parts of the Denver metro area and Eastern Plains. But due to the Drought Monitor's data cutoff on Tuesday morning, that rain isn't reflected in this week's analysis. Looking forward, we're tracking a system that could bring much-needed rain to parts of the state early next week.
