Trump continues pause on Iran strikes as Pentagon reveals higher casualty figures | First Thing

US Pauses Strikes on Iran for Third Night as Officials Cite Military Advice and Ongoing Diplomacy

Good morning. The United States has paused strikes on Iran for a third night after senior military officials advised President Donald Trump to halt the bombing campaign, while diplomatic negotiations continued in an effort to prevent a return to full-scale conflict. Oil prices declined on Monday in response to the pause. Iranian officials stated on Sunday that Tehran would pause what it described as “retaliatory” attacks against US allies in the region. Trump is reported to be considering both diplomatic and military options in the conflict that began nearly five months earlier. Axios reported on Sunday that Adm. Bradley Cooper, the senior US military commander in the region, informed Trump that the US military campaign had reached the limits of its effectiveness.

The conflict began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. The Pentagon updated its official casualty database over the weekend, adding more than 140 wounded service members. The revised figures record 18 US troops killed and 624 wounded since the strikes began.

Pop singer Katy Perry issued a statement criticizing the White House after a TikTok video used her song “Firework” to accompany footage of US military strikes on Iranian targets. Perry said she did not approve the use of the track and did not condone it, noting that she wrote the song as an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength and that her music is intended to bring people together rather than to celebrate warfare.

Netanyahu Says New York Mayor’s Call for Arrest Would Foster Division

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was “fomenting hate” by describing Netanyahu as a war criminal and calling for his arrest over Israel’s military operations in Gaza if Netanyahu visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Netanyahu said Mamdani is expected to represent all New Yorkers regardless of religion but is instead seeking to divide groups.

International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu

The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant alleging that Netanyahu bears responsibility for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population, as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.

German Police Shoot Suspect in Berlin Attack Near Pride Event

German officials reported that police shot and killed a man suspected of driving a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival and then carrying out a knife attack in what authorities described as an Islamist terror incident. One woman was killed and 29 others injured in the attack in Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate on Saturday evening, close to one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ events. Police confirmed the death of the primary suspect on Sunday evening.

Two Killed in Shootings at Seattle Food Festival

Two people were killed and five others wounded in a shooting on Sunday evening at the Bite of Seattle food festival near the Space Needle, according to city fire department officials. Harborview Medical Center admitted four victims, including a toddler, a 23-year-old man, and two women; one patient was listed in critical condition.

Additional Reports

An Oklahoma woman who posted on social media about parenting was fatally shot by her husband in an apparent murder-suicide shortly after she published a video alluding to allegations that he had molested a minor.

A former FDA commissioner stated that it was “not standard” for Taylor Farms to request that the White House delay a recall related to cyclospora contamination.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the Republican Party has “nothing to run on” for the 2026 midterm elections, citing the president’s failure to fulfill pledges to reduce costs and avoid overseas military conflict.

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar became one of five riders to win the Tour de France five times after completing the final stage in Paris.

Experts warned that misleading health claims on TikTok present a “huge danger to public safety,” pointing to research showing AI-generated doctors gaining millions of views with unverified advice.

Uganda Begins Emergency Food Distribution After Hunger-Related Deaths

Uganda launched emergency food relief after at least 19 deaths from hunger were reported in a drought-affected eastern region. Health facilities have treated hundreds of children for severe malnutrition. Officials and analysts link the area’s recurring food insecurity to prolonged drought, environmental degradation including deforestation and overgrazing, poverty, and limited agricultural output.

Occupy Wall Street Legacy Discussed 15 Years Later

Yotam Marom, a former Occupy Wall Street organizer, reflected on the movement’s influence on American politics from its 2011 origins through its connection to later campaigns, including those of Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani.

Trump Administration Actions Ahead of Midterms Examined

Analyst George Chidi noted that while the president holds no formal authority over state-run elections, statements from the administration have raised questions about potential challenges to 2026 midterm results.

Andrew Ridgeley Recalls Wham! Tour of China

Andrew Ridgeley discussed Wham!’s 1985 visit to China, the first by a Western pop act, including silent performances and embassy events, in connection with a new documentary featuring archival footage.

Heat Warnings Cover 40 Million in US; European Wildfires Continue

At least 40 million people remained under extreme heat warnings across central and southern United States on Sunday amid high temperatures and humidity. Europe continues to experience multiple wildfires, with meteorologists describing the formation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds and their potential to intensify fire behavior.

International Cowboy Day Marked in Nairobi

Photographs showed participants in cowboy attire dancing to country music at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi, Kenya, during International Cowboy Day celebrations.

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