Trump says US conducted "major combat operations" in Iran
Images | akorda.kz
President Donald Trump early Saturday announced the U.S. began "major combat operations" in Iran, saying the Middle Eastern nation rejected American calls to halt its nuclear program, politico.com reports.
Instead, Trump claimed, the Iranians "attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and continue developing long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach our American homeland."
The president, in video remarks posted to his Truth Social account Saturday, said the strikes were part of a "massive and ongoing operation" against the regime in Tehran. The scale of the strikes was not immediately clear, though he said it targeted Iranian missile sites and the Iranian Navy.
Following Trump’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the joint operation "to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran" in a video of his own posted to social media.
This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity," Netanyahu said.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the Israeli military said in a statement on X that it "identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel," with defensive systems operating to intercept the threat.
Iran’s government vowed to retaliate in a "firm and decisive" manner. In a statement, Iran’s foreign ministry said the attacks aimed at "a range of targets and defensive infrastructure, as well as non-military sites, in various cities across our country." It urged the United Nations to condemn the strikes, and it stressed that Iran had been engaging in diplomatic negotiations.
The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault. Just as we were prepared for negotiations, we are more ready than ever to defend the essence of Iran," the foreign ministry said in the statement.
Several U.S. embassies in the Middle East, including Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Manama, sent out alerts to its staff following the combat operation announcement, urging them to shelter in place.
We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground," the president said. "We are going to annihilate their navy, we are going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region and the world."
Trump made a direct plea to the people of Iran in the 8-minute video, urging them to stay indoors and "take over your government" once the strikes halt.
To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight: The hour of your freedom is at hand," the president said. "Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations."
Addressing the regime in Tehran directly, Trump said to "lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death" - a message he repeated twice.
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Seven killed as landslide, flash floods hit Indonesia's West Java
Images | Xinhua
At least seven people have been killed after a landslide accompanied by flash floods struck Cisarua Sub-district in West Bandung Regency of Indonesia's West Java Province early Saturday, with hundreds of residents still believed to be missing, Xinhua reports.
The disaster occurred at around 3:00 a.m. local time. Residents reported hearing a loud rumbling sound before soil and mud swept from Pasirkuning Village toward Pasir Kuda Village.
Dozens of houses were reported to have been buried by landslide debris and mud, causing severe damage to residential areas near the affected site.
Based on preliminary police data, seven bodies had been recovered as of 12:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, while hundreds of other residents were still believed to be trapped or missing, with joint search and rescue teams continuing operations on the ground.
However, rescue operations have been hampered by difficult terrain, thick landslide material and the potential for further rainfall.
Local authorities have urged residents living near the affected area to remain alert and stay away from landslide-prone zones, citing the risk of secondary disasters due to unstable soil conditions.
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AI-powered "RoboCops" take up traffic duties in Chinese cities
Images | Xinhua
Donning a police uniform, a reflective vest and a white cap, the robot officer - identified by the badge number "Intelligent Police Unit R001" - looks remarkably human from a distance. Up close, its metallic sleekness and futuristic demeanor have made it a local celebrity, with pedestrians frequently pausing to snap photos of the cyberpunk scene, Xinhua reports.
It is a new colleague capable of assisting us effectively," said Jiang Zihao, a traffic police officer in Wuhu.
According to Jiang, "Intelligent Police Unit R001," an AI-enabled traffic policing robot, is integrated with the city's traffic signal system. It can execute standard traffic command gestures synchronized with changing lights.
Equipped with high-definition cameras and an intelligent voice-broadcasting system, the robot uses large-model algorithms to autonomously identify traffic violations by non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians and deliver on-site warnings.
In addition to stationary duty, the robot is mobile, capable of navigating independently to designated locations on command. Its capabilities also include identifying illegal parking and conducting real-time road monitoring.
The robot can work around the clock," Jiang said, noting that it is expected to ease the workload of the police, especially during peak hours or in extreme weather conditions.
This "RoboCop" is the latest addition to China's growing fleet of AI-powered traffic assistants.
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