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Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 20, 2025
US President Donald Trump said in a statement that he wanted to give negotiations a chance. PHOTO: NYTIMES While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 20, 2025 Trump to decide on action in Israel-Iran conflict within 2 weeks President Donald Trump will decide in the next two weeks whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran air war, the White House said on June 19, raising pressure on Tehran to come to the negotiating table. Citing a message from Mr 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 US might join the fighting on Israel's side. On June 18, 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. READ MORE HERE Iran held direct talks with US amid intensifying conflict Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes on Iran last week, in a bid to find a diplomatic end to the crisis, three diplomats told Reuters. According to the diplomats, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, Mr Araqchi said Tehran would not return to negotiations unless Israel stopped the attacks, which began on June 13. They said the talks included a brief discussion of a US proposal given to Iran at the end of May that aims to create a regional consortium that would enrich uranium outside of Iran, an offer Tehran has so far rejected. READ MORE HERE 4 people taken to hospital after fire in Holland Close flat Two people and two firefighters were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in an HDB flat in Holland Close on the evening of June 19. Firefighters from Alexandra Fire Station responded to the fire at Block 5 at around 7.25pm, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in a Facebook post. One of the bedrooms in a 23rd-floor unit was on fire, which was extinguished with two water jets. As a result of the fire, the rest of the unit also suffered heat and smoke damage. READ MORE HERE Chinese student gets life for 'campaign of rape' in UK, China Zhenhao Zou will spend a minimum of 22 years in jail after being convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in the UK and China. PHOTOS: AFP, METROPOLITAN POLICE A Chinese post-graduate student convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in the United Kingdom and China, and suspected of having attacked more, was on June 19 jailed for life by a London court. London police say they have evidence to suggest he could have targeted more than 50 other women. Serial rapist Zhenhao Zou, 28 – described in court as 'calculated and predatory' – targeted young Chinese women who he invited to his London flat for drinks or to study before drugging and attacking them. READ MORE HERE French Open winner Gauff falls at first hurdle on Berlin grass Twelve days after winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff fell at the first hurdle on grass in Berlin on June 19, as beaten Paris finalist Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals. Recipient of a first round bye, American Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu as world number one Sabalenka beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) in her second round tie. Winner of 10 main tour titles, including the US Open in 2023 and the WTA Finals in 2024, Gauff has yet to lift a trophy in a grass-court tournament. READ MORE HERE Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
When US CEOs earn billions in just one year
Being CEO is a tough gig, no question. But the pay? It's fabulous. PHOTO: NICOLAS ORTEGA/NYTIMES Beating Wall Street's profit expectations is hard enough. CEOs of major US companies must also deal with issues like tariffs, climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion, with the Trump administration constantly changing the rules of the game. Being CEO is a tough gig, no question. But the pay? It's fabulous. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- General
- Straits Times
When rich college kids dump designer items worth over $1,000
Ms Lena Geller with a toaster oven left behind when Duke University students moved out of her apartment complex at the end of the semester. PHOTO: CORNELL WATSON/NYTIMES Valentino sneakers that retail for US$980 (S$1,255). A Tovala toaster oven, originally US$390. A Clear Home Design Lucite table, which would have cost US$899 – except in this case, it was free. Ms Lena Geller found those items, and many others, in the dump of her apartment building in Durham, North Carolina, after scores of Duke University students had moved out at the end of the spring semester. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel carries geopolitical significance for Washington-Tokyo alliance
On June 18, Japan's Nippon Steel finally signed, sealed and delivered on its acquisition of US Steel after an 18-month takeover battle. PHOTO: JUSTIN MERRIMAN/NYTIMES – A trade deal that relieves Japan from hefty auto and 'reciprocal' tariffs imposed by its security ally, the United States, remains far off. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba admitted as much on June 16 when he cited persisting disagreements despite two face-to-face meetings, four telephone summits and six rounds of Cabinet-level negotiations. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
US officials prepare for possible strike on Iran in coming days
Mr Trump's rhetoric has shifted significantly in recent days as allies have impressed upon him that Iran is close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. FILE PHOTO: ARASH KHAMOOSHI/NYTIMES US officials prepare for possible strike on Iran in coming days WASHINGTON – Senior US officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days, according to people familiar with the matter, a sign that Washington is assembling the infrastructure to directly enter a conflict with Tehran. The situation is still evolving and could change, said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss private talks. Some of the people pointed to potential plans for a weekend strike. Top leaders at a handful of federal agencies have also begun getting ready for an attack, one person said. President Donald Trump has for days publicly mused about calling for such a strike on Iran, which has been engaged in a war with Israel for nearly a week. Mr Trump told reporters at the White House on June 18 he has 'ideas as to what to do' and that he prefers to make the 'final decision one second before it's due' because the situation in the Middle East is fluid. A few hours earlier Mr Trump said, 'I may do it. I may not do it,' when asked if he was moving closer to attacking Iran. A White House official said that all options remain on the table. The president's openness to war is a reversal from his public remarks a week ago when Mr Trump was urging for diplomatic talks to reach a nuclear disarmament deal with Iran. Waiting a few days to strike gives Iranian leaders additional runway to demonstrate to Mr Trump that they are willing to give up some uranium enrichment capabilities in order to deter a US attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post earlier on June 18 that his country remained 'committed to diplomacy' and had never sought and would never seek nuclear weapons. Foreign ministers from the UK, France and Germany are planning to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on June 20 in Geneva, according to a person familiar with the matter. Mr Trump's rhetoric has shifted significantly in recent days as allies have impressed upon him that Iran is close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has been a central voice urging the president to consider military action, according to people familiar with the discussions. Mr Trump has had multiple calls with Ms Graham , the people said. 'He gave them a chance for diplomacy. I think they made a miscalculation,' Ms Graham said of Iran on June 18 . 'The sooner we end this threat to mankind, the better.' Ms Graham, who said he spoke with Mr Trump on J une 17 , said the president is 'very focused, very calm' and 'means it' when he says he doesn't want Iran to control a nuclear weapon. Foreign wars Mr Trump for years has called for the US to stay out of foreign conflicts and campaigned on a message that he would prevent another World War and focus on domestic issues. Mr Trump said he encouraged Mr Benjamin Netanyahu in a call June 17 to 'keep going' with his offensive operations, adding that he gave the Israeli premier no indication that US forces would participate in the attacks. Since Israel's strikes started, Iran has fired 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, killing 24 people and injuring more than 800, according to the Israeli government. At least 224 Iranians have been killed by Israel's attacks. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
