
Trump leaving G7 summit early to deal with Middle East crisis, White House says
U.S. President Donald Trump is leaving the G7 summit in Alberta early because he's needed back in Washington to address what's going on in the Middle East, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in a social media post late Monday.
That's an apparent reference to the war between Iran and Israel, which is expanding by the day as Israel ramps up its attacks as part of a push to destroy the country's nuclear program and wipe out the senior Iranian officials who lead it.
Leavitt said Trump "had a great day at the G7" — he signed a trade pact with the United Kingdom and agreed to try and reach one with Canada within 30 days — but he has to go after the leaders' dinner this evening.
Trump's departure means he will miss the second day of the G7 program, including the visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump was set to meet with Zelenskyy and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Winnipeg Free Press
19 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Israel's strikes on Tehran broaden as Trump issues ominous warning
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel appeared to be expanding its air campaign on Tehran five days after its surprise attack on Iran's military and nuclear program, as U.S. President Donald Trump posted an ominous message warning residents of the city to evacuate. 'IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,' Trump wrote Monday night before returning to Washington early from a Group of Seven summit in Canada. 'Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' he added. Earlier, the Israeli military had called for some 330,000 residents of a neighborhood in the city center to evacuate. Tehran is one of the largest cities in the Middle East, with around 9.5 million people. Israel says its sweeping assault on Iran's top military leaders, nuclear scientiests, uranium enrichment sites and ballistic missile program is necessary to prevent its longtime adversary from getting any closer to building an atomic weapon. The strikes have killed at least 224 people since Friday. Iran has retaliated by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded. The back-and-forth has raised concerns about all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval. Trump leaves G7 early to focus on conflict Before leaving the summit in Canada, Trump joined the other leaders in a joint statement saying Iran 'can never have a nuclear weapon' and calling for a 'de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.' Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth headed to the White House Situation Room to meet with the president and his national security team. Hegseth didn't provide details on what prompted the meeting but said on Fox News late Monday that the movements were to 'ensure that our people are safe.' Israeli strikes on Tehran broaden Israeli military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Monday that his country's forces had 'achieved full aerial superiority over Tehran's skies.' The military said it destroyed more than 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers in central Iran, a third of Iran's total, including multiple launchers just before they launched ballistic missiles towards Israel. It also destroyed two F-14 fighter planes that Iran used to target Israeli aircraft, the military said. Israeli military officials also said fighter jets had struck 10 command centers in Tehran belonging to Iran's Quds Force, an elite arm of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard that conducts military and intelligence operations outside Iran. Israel's military issued an evacuation warning to 330,000 people in a part of central Tehran that houses the country's state TV and police headquarters, as well as three large hospitals, including one owned by the Guard. Israel's military has issued similar evacuation warnings for parts of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon ahead of strikes. Health authorities reported that 1,277 people were wounded in Iran. Iranians also reported fuel rationing. Rights groups such as the Washington-based Iranian advocacy group Human Rights Activists have suggested that the Iranian government's death toll is a significant undercount. The group says it has documented more than 400 people killed, among them 197 civilians. Israel says strikes have set back nuclear program Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli strikes have set Iran's nuclear program back a 'very, very long time,' and told reporters he is in daily touch with Trump. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, and the U.S. and others have assessed that Tehran has not had an organized effort to pursue a nuclear weapon since 2003. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned that the country has enough enriched uranium to make several nuclear bombs should it choose to do so. So far, Israel has targeted multiple Iranian nuclear program sites but has not been able to destroy Iran's Fordo uranium enrichment facility. The site is buried deep underground — and to eliminate it, Israel may need the 30,000-pound (14,000-kilogram) GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a U.S. bunker-busting bomb that uses its weight and sheer kinetic force to reach deeply buried targets. Israel does not have the munition or the bomber needed to deliver it. The penetrator is currently delivered by the B-2 stealth bomber. No sign of conflict letting up Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, appeared to make a veiled plea Monday for the U.S. to step in and negotiate an end to hostilities between Israel and Iran. In a post on X, Araghchi wrote that if Trump is 'genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential.' Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. 'It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu,' Iran's top diplomat wrote. 'That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy.' The message to Washington was sent as the latest talks between the U.S. and Iran were canceled over the weekend after Israel's surprise bombardment. On Sunday, Araghchi said that Iran will stop its strikes if Israel does the same. ___ Lidman reported from Jerusalem and Melzer from Nahariya, Israel. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.


Canada Standard
39 minutes ago
- Canada Standard
"Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!": Trump slams Iran for ignoring nuclear deal
Washington [US], June 17 (ANI): Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) urged civilians to 'immediately evacuate Tehran,' shortly after which the White House announced he would be departing the G7 summit early to 'attend to many important matters.' In a series of posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump strongly reiterated his long-held stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions, warning of serious consequences. 'Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!' Trump wrote, urging immediate action as tensions rise. 'Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' he added. In a follow-up post, Trump tied his firm stance on Iran's nuclear program to his broader political message, stating, 'AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!' Israel has been conducting strikes in Tehran since Thursday night, but the US has so far declined to join the operation. Shortly after Trump's post, Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defense fire in Tehran. It's unclear if there was any relation between Trump's post and that attack. Tehran is home to around 10 million people, with around 17 million in the metropolitan area. Trump's evacuation warning came around 2am local time. The Israeli military has said it has complete control of the skies over Tehran. It signaled Monday that it's expanding its targets beyond strictly military or nuclear sites, including by bombing Iranian state TV. Israel issued several evacuation orders for civilians in Tehran, in areas where hundreds of thousands of people live. One of those evacuation orders focused on the neighborhood where Iran's state TV is located. It's not clear how many civilians have managed to evacuate, or whether such a mass exodus is even possible on such a short timetable. Less than two hours before his Truth Social post, Trump said at the G7 summit in Canada that the U.S. was talking to the Iranians by phone and even suggested it will be 'better to talk in person.' Trump expressed hope that Iran would make a deal. 'I think a deal will be signed. I think Iran is foolish not to sign one,' he said. Iran has called on the United States to intervene and help bring an end to the aerial attacks, which have escalated over the past few days. Earlier in the day, Trump said a diplomatic deal with Iran to end the conflict could happen soon after he leaves the G7 summit. 'I think Iran is basically at the negotiating table and wants to make a deal. As soon as I leave here, we're going to be doing something,' he said at the summit. (ANI)


Canada Standard
39 minutes ago
- Canada Standard
Indian diaspora hails PM Modi's visit as beginning of a new chapter in Canada-India relations
Calgary [Canada], June 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief visit to Canada has sparked excitement and optimism among the Indian diaspora in Calgary and Alberta, who hope the trip marks the beginning of a stronger partnership between India and Canada. Nidhi Lodha, a member of the Indian diaspora, shared her delight and said the community was thrilled about the visit. 'Indian diaspora in Calgary and Alberta is so happy that PM Narendra Modi is visiting us. The only caviar is that it is a last-minute short visit, so we could not organise a town hall where lots of people could meet him. His visit will start a new era of the Canada-India relationship and partnership, which will grow... With the change of government and stance in Ottawa, and the current reality that Canada needs to diversify economically, this relationship will improve...' Supporting her view, Sunny Sharma, a businessman and diaspora member, pointed to the broader global context of the visit. He said, '... PM Modi is coming here at the request of Mark Carney. In other words, the G7 needs India... Carney knows how to do business and not just politics...' Adding further perspective, Anil Mehrotra, another member of the diaspora, welcomed the invitation extended to the Indian Prime Minister despite recent tensions between the two countries. He said, '... I am very happy that he (PM Modi) is visiting Canada and our current Prime Minister had the courage, despite all the negative pressure on him, to invite Modi Ji. He has done a superb job in India, which is now the fourth-largest economy in the world. It would be a grave mistake for Canada not to have invited India. This visit will hopefully only strengthen the good relations we had, which have soured in the last 3-4 years...' Meanwhile, as world leaders gather in Alberta for the G7 Summit, the visit is also being viewed as a chance to reset diplomatic ties. Rishi Singh, Honorary Director of the Kendriya Likhari Sabha (North America), stressed the summit's importance in rekindling the Canada-India relationship. In an exclusive interview, Singh praised the Canadian leadership under Prime Minister Mark Carney for hosting the summit during the vibrant Canadian spring. 'All the G7 leaders will be present and will be discussing vital economic trends and other global issues that significantly impact the world scenario,' he said. He listed the prominent global figures attending this year's summit, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. While the UAE President could not attend, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and World Bank President Ajay Banga are also participating. As a Canadian of South Asian heritage, Singh underscored that this summit provides a crucial opportunity for both countries to deepen cooperation. 'This G7 Summit gives both nations a platform to hold bilateral talks and create new thrusts towards diversifying supply chains -- an issue also highlighted by Prime Minister Carney,' he said. Calling for enhanced collaboration, Singh highlighted areas like technology transfer, innovation, agriculture, mobility of skilled workers, and investment. 'India, with its youthful demographic and rapidly growing economy, presents a major opportunity for Canada. In turn, Canada must share its technological advancements to build long-term relations that extend beyond current leaderships,' he said. Singh envisioned a strong future built on mutual economic strength and shared values. He described this desired bond as an 'ethical-economical friendship' that would benefit both nations. 'As we move into an era where resilient supply chains and collaborative innovation are key to global stability, Canada and India must come together not just as trade partners, but as allies with shared values and forward-looking visions,' Singh concluded. 'I sincerely welcome Prime Minister Modi to Canada and hope this summit serves as a turning point in Indo-Canadian relations.' The G7 Summit is expected to produce new initiatives focusing on economic cooperation, climate action, technological growth, and geopolitical stability, with India-Canada relations emerging as a central point of interest. (ANI)