‘Aspirations of 1.4 billion’: India celebrates as first International Space Station mission gets underway
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Iran’s defense minister goes to China on first reported foreign trip since conflict with Israel
Iran’s defense minister is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting. The meeting comes a day after a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. China is seen as a key player in the SCO, which includes India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Chinese officials have long voiced opposition to US sanctions on Iran and criticized the 2015 deal. The SCO aims to “make joint efforts to ensure peace, security and stability in the region,” according to a statement from the Chinese defense ministry. The statement also said that China “hopes that China will continue to play an even greater role in maintaining the current ceasefire and easing regional tensions.” The statement was in response to a CNN request for comment from Iran’s foreign minister. The U.S. State Department has not commented on the meeting, but said it is “committed to working with all parties’ efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict.’“We hope that all parties will work together to find a solution to the conflict,’ the statement said.
Hong Kong (CNN) — Iran’s defense minister has traveled to diplomatic and economic ally China on his first reported trip abroad since a 12-day clash with Israel that briefly dragged the US into a new regional conflict.
Aziz Nasirzadeh is one of nine defense ministers that Chinese state media say attended a gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a China- and Russia-led regional security grouping that has grown in prominence as Beijing and Moscow look to build alternative international blocs to those backed by the United States.
The two-day gathering began Wednesday in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao, a day after a ceasefire between Iran and Israel quelled what had been days of aerial assaults between the two, punctuated by a US strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The SCO gathering coincided with a meeting of NATO leaders at The Hague, where US President Donald Trump said the US would meet with Iran “next week” about a potential nuclear agreement.
Beijing’s gathering, part of events for its rotating SCO chairmanship, spotlighted China’s role as a key international player, even as it remained largely on the sidelines of the Israel-Iran conflict – and the importance Tehran places on its relationship with Beijing.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun did not directly address the conflict in remarks to gathering nations Wednesday, as reported by Chinese state media, but aimed to position China as a country with an alternative vision for global security.
“Unilateralism and protectionism are surging, while hegemonic, high-handed, and bullying acts severely undermine the international order, making these practices the biggest sources of chaos and harm,” Dong said, employing language typically used by Beijing to criticize the US.
The Chinese defense chief called for SCO countries – which, in addition to China and Russia, include India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus – to enhance coordination and “defend international fairness and justice” and “uphold global strategic stability.”
Attending countries “expressed a strong willingness to consolidate and develop military collaboration,” according to China’s official news agency Xinhua.
Iran’s Nasirzadeh “expressed gratitude to China for its understanding and support of Iran’s legitimate stance,” Xinhua also reported.
The minister “hopes that China will continue to uphold justice and play an even greater role in maintaining the current ceasefire and easing regional tensions,” he was quoted as saying.
Chinese officials have condemned Israel’s unprecedented June 13 attack on Iran, which took out top military leaders and sparked the recent conflict, as well as the subsequent US bombing. It’s also backed a ceasefire and criticized Washington’s foray into the conflict as a “heavy blow to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.”
A key diplomatic and economic backer of Iran, Beijing has moved to further deepen collaboration in recent years, including holding joint naval drills. Chinese officials have long voiced opposition to US sanctions on Iran and criticized the US withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
China remains by far Iran’s largest energy buyer, though it has not reported purchases of Iranian oil in its official customs data since 2022, according to analysts. Chinese-made chemicals needed to produce missile fuel have been delivered to Iran in recent months, CNN reporting shows.
In recent days, China has appeared unwilling to become further entangled in the conflict past its diplomatic efforts, analysts say, instead using the situation as another opportunity to paint itself as a responsible global player and the US as a force for instability.
When asked at a regular Chinese Defense Ministry press briefing Thursday whether Beijing would consider providing material military support to Iran as an SCO member, ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang told CNN that “China is willing to work with all parties to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to combat terrorism and promote border security, the SCO has grown in recent years in line with Beijing and Moscow’s shared ambition to push back against a US alliance system they see as suppressing them.
While not an alliance, the group says it aims to “make joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region.”
The SCO has long been seen as limited, however, by overlapping interests and frictions between members, including Pakistan and India, which earlier this year engaged in a violent conflict, as well as China and India, which have longstanding border tensions.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the Qingdao meeting, the first visit from an Indian defense chief to China since a deadly 2020 border clash between the two countries.
CNN’s Steven Jiang in Beijing and New Delhi bureau contributed to this report.
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This story has been updated with additional information.
Woman accused of fatally poisoning husband takes Alford plea
Amy Murray took a plea in Laclede County court. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Murray was originally charged in 2021 with first-degree murder in Miller County.
An Iberia woman took an Alford plea on Wednesday in her husband’s death.
Amy Murray took a plea in Laclede County court for second-degree murder, second-degree arson and tampering with evidence. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
An Alford plea occurs when a defendant maintains their innocence but admits evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict if the case went to trial. Murray was originally charged in 2021 with first-degree murder in Miller County.
Previous reporting indicates that her husband, Joshua, died from antifreeze before Amy allegedly set fire to the bed the victim laid. Court documents in previous reporting say Amy Murray had worked as a nurse at the Jefferson City Correctional Center and had a romantic relationship with an inmate.
80-year-old man spends retirement caring for garden beds along Omaha street
Robert Elkins, an 80-year-old master gardener, has spent thousands of hours planting, weeding, and caring for the garden beds along South 24th Street. The 69 garden beds are a part of The South Omaha Business Improvement District. Elkins and other volunteers also teach local children about gardening, having them plant alongside them some mornings. “It’s our way of showing West Omaha is not the only area that can be pretty,” he said.
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SOUTH OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — Robert Elkins, an 80-year-old master gardener, has spent thousands of hours planting, weeding, and caring for the garden beds along South 24th Street.
“I was retired, sitting around the house doing nothing, bored to death,” Elkins said.
The 69 garden beds are a part of The South Omaha Business Improvement District. Elkins is one of the people who keep the flowers alive.
“It’s our way of showing West Omaha is not the only area that can be pretty,” he said.
According to Emily States, who works alongside Elkins, he has put in thousands of hours planting, organizing, and making sure the flowers will survive the Nebraska weather.
“We have been working on beautifying the area, incorporating more hardy perennials that will survive the summer drought and heat. It’s much easier to keep them alive so they will come back every year,” States said.
Elkins isn’t from South Omaha, but he has spent a lot of time along 24th Street.
“It has some of the better people; they’re warm and gracious,” Elkins said.
And Elkins does all the work for free, volunteering twice each week to keep the garden beds in the best condition possible. He and other volunteers also teach local children about gardening, having them plant alongside them some mornings.
“Twenty-five, 30 years from now, when they have their own homes and families, I want them to carry these memories forward,” he said. “One of the philosophers said it’s a shame to die unless you have done something for mankind; well, this is my contribution so I can go in peace.”
Elkins will continue to care for the gardens throughout the summer.
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Poisonous toads pose danger to pets during Monsoon’s storms
Monsoon rains bring out a hidden danger to pets: poisonous toads. Sonoran Desert toads or Colorado River toads emerge from underground once storms roll in. They secrete a powerful toxin called bufotoxin from glands on their backs. Symptoms can appear fast, like drooling, pawing at the mouth, even seizures or death.
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TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — Monsoon rains may bring relief from the heat, but they also bring out a hidden danger to pets: poisonous toads.
They’re known as Sonoran Desert toads or Colorado River toads; these amphibians emerge from underground once storms roll in. While they may look harmless, they secrete a powerful toxin called bufotoxin from glands on their backs, especially when threatened or under stress.
“It’s a very powerful neurotoxin,” says Jeff Carver, co-owner of Animal Experts. “If your dog puts one in its mouth, symptoms can appear fast, like drooling, pawing at the mouth, even seizures or death.”
If a pet comes into contact with one, Carver advises immediately flushing out their mouth with water or a wet cloth. A garden hose rinse for 15 minutes from side to side is recommended if available.
While toads are not dangerous to humans through touch, it’s important to wash hands and avoid contact with the eyes or mouth after handling them.
Pet owners are urged to stay alert, especially at night when the toads are most active, and reach out to your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet has been poisoned.
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Broncos star volunteers with USAA and Team Rubicon to prevent wildfires
Garett Bolles and other volunteers cleared debris and fed everything into a woodchipper. The location is home to Eagles Nest Ranch, where military members and first responders can receive equine-assisted therapy.
According to a release, it was part of USAA’s “Protect the Pocket” event. Bolles and other volunteers cleared debris and fed everything into a woodchipper.
Organizers say the location is home to Eagles Nest Ranch, where military members and first responders can receive equine-assisted therapy.
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