While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 20, 2025

Straits Times

4 hours ago

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.