AP: Luigi Mangione Plans Psychiatric Defense in Trial of UnitedHealthcare CEO's Killing

Luigi Mangione plans to assert a psychiatric defense at his state murder trial, claiming he was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance when he gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a judge said Wednesday. That could mean less prison time if he's convicted.

A jury that accepts such a defense would be obligated to convict Mangione of manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, instead of murder, which could put him behind bars for the rest of his life. An emotional disturbance defense isn't available in Mangione's federal case, where he also faces a possible life sentence.

New York Judge Gregory Carro announced the defense's decision in court 2 weeks after holding a secret hearing on the matter. He said he will unseal a transcript and other records from that hearing once redactions are made.

Carro said Mangione's lawyers first raised the possibility of a psychiatric defense last year in a letter that was filed under seal and confirmed their decision at the June 3 hearing, which the judge said was held in secret at the defense's request.

"The reasons for the sealing was to give the defense an opportunity to determine whether they were going forth with that defense and the nature of that defense," Carro said.

Carro said he didn't expect the development to delay Mangione's trial, which is scheduled to begin with jury selection on Sept. 8. His next pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann said he wants Mangione evaluated by a prosecution psychiatrist. To facilitate that, Carro said, Mangione could soon be moved to New York City's Rikers Island jail complex from a federal jail in Brooklyn, where he has been held since shortly after his December 2024 arrest.

Mangione, 28, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges in the Dec. 4, 2024, killing. His federal trial, which involves stalking charges, is set to begin on Oct. 13.

Mangione, sitting between his lawyers and wearing a blue suit, didn't appear to react as Carro spoke. At a February hearing, Mangione railed against the prospect of two trials, telling Carro: "It's the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition."

An extreme emotional disturbance defense wouldn't absolve Mangione of responsibility for Thompson's killing. It is not the same as a not guilty by reason of insanity defense, which would allow a defendant to go to a psychiatric facility instead of prison.

Mangione's lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said unsealing the transcript of the secret hearing and materials related to his psychiatric defense will harm him in his federal case.

"The reason why we asked for the sealing is that this defense is not available federally and Mr. Mangione is being prosecuted federally and this is prejudicial to his defense to the exact same facts," Friedman Agnifilo said.

The judge had been set to rule on the matter Tuesday, but was forced to delay it a day because prosecutors failed to let Mangione's jail know that he was needed in court.

Thompson, 50, was killed as he walked to a Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group's annual investor conference. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Police say "delay," "deny," and "depose" were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.

Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested 5 days later at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles west of Manhattan.

At a May 18 hearing, Carro ruled that a gun and notebook that prosecutors say link Mangione to the killing can be used as evidence against him. The gun, a 3D-printed pistol, matches the one used to kill Thompson, prosecutors said. The notebook describes wanting to "wack" a health insurance executive and rebelling against "the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel."

On Wednesday, Carro dismissed a charge related to a gun magazine that he had ruled inadmissible because it was found during an initial search of Mangione's backpack at the McDonald's.

To establish an emotional disturbance defense, Mangione's lawyers must show that the disturbance was so extreme it robbed him of self-control; that, in his mind, he had a reasonable explanation or excuse for the disturbance; and that he killed Thompson while "under the influence" of that disturbance.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/generalpsychiatry/121811

'US official says parties can still walk away from Iran deal'

 

A senior US official said Iran and the United States can still walk away from the memorandum of understanding due to be signed on Friday and that upcoming talks would likely focus on the sequencing of steps outlined in the preliminary accord.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official read out the 14-point memorandum that is due to be formally signed in Switzerland.

“I think the meeting in Switzerland will be quite critical in order to really see how we get to the next phase,” the official told reporters on Wednesday.

The official said the Switzerland meeting would be critical to determining whether the memorandum of understanding can evolve into a comprehensive agreement.

The document, as read out by the official, was similar to the 14-point memorandum that several media outlets had reported on earlier in the day.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202606139149

'Iran says it agreed to return Hormuz traffic to normal over set period'

 

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday said it had been agreed to return maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to normal in a certain period of time.

Esmail Baghaei added that Iran and Oman would develop a mechanism for the strait and that Tehran would exchange views with other countries when necessary.

Baghaei said the United States must end its maritime blockade on Iran within 30 days.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202606139149

UK says three-quarters of cyberattacks linked to hostile states including Iran

 

Three-quarters of cyberattacks targeting Britain's critical infrastructure can be linked to hostile state actors, head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre Richard Horne said on Wednesday.

Horne said the NCSC had dealt with 200 incidents involving critical infrastructure and supporting systems in the year to May 2026.

He warned that hostile states such as Russia, China and Iran were increasingly targeting systems that underpin essential services.

“Every board member and every executive, in every organisation” had to strengthen cyber resilience, Horne said, warning that vulnerabilities not addressed today could be exploited in a future conflict.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202606139149

'Text of US-Iran memorandum released'

 Asenior US official on Wednesday read out a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that outlines a high-level understanding to halt the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz.

The agreement defers many of the most difficult issues, including how to wind down Iran's nuclear program, until a final deal is reached, and paves the way for a broader 60-day negotiation period due to begin in Switzerland on Friday.

The document, titled "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran," was read out to reporters by the US official as follows:

1. The United States of America and the ​Islamic Republic of Iran and their ⁠allies in the current war, by signing this MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on ‌all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph.

2. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, ​and to refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs.

3. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal ‌in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent.

4. Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove ‌its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.

5. Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start ⁠and, considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and de-mining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with ‌the applicable international law and ​the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.

6. The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of ​Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the ⁠United States of America.

7. The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, ‌i.e. IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part ​of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned and express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material pursuant to ‌a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon, in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down blending on site under the supervision of the ​IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

9. Pending the final deal, the United States of America ​and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.

10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MoU and until the termination of sanctions, US Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.

11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Upon the implementation of this MoU, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiation. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.

12. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be ⁠established to monitor the successful implementation of this MoU and the future compliance of the final deal.

13. After signing this MoU, and subject to the beginning of the ⁠implementation of paragraphs 1,4,5,10 and 11 of this MoU, and ​the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.

14. The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202606177192

White House to Woo Wall Street Dealmakers With $400,000 Jobs

 The Trump administration wants 400 dealmakers to help the US bolster its national security supply chains — and it's offering salaries as high as $400,000 a year for Wall Street recruits.

Under a new hiring initiative, the White House is targeting top dealmaking talent by dangling those potential salaries — which match the president's pay — with the promise that candidates won't have to shed their private-sector stock options.

The goal is to enlist the workers in helping the federal government develop financial agreements meant to cultivate critical supply chains and domestic industries critical for national security, according to administration officials who asked not to be named to speak more candidly about the program.

The effort seeks to address what one of the officials described as a major bottleneck — human capital — in government processing of a long queue of hundreds of potential projects worthy of evaluation. Highly skilled professionals can help the US move more quickly to deploy and invest taxpayer dollars wisely on projects that would help reindustrialize the country, the official said.

"For too long, the federal government has tried to shore up critical supply chain deficiencies in industries such as semiconductors, shipyards, and critical minerals without enough people with dealmaking experience in these strategic industries," US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor said this month. "Under President Trump, that is changing."

Kupor himself has deep roots as an investor, previously serving as managing partner at prominent venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

The OPM initiative is aimed at finance professionals who specialize in structuring, negotiating and finalizing top-dollar business transactions — but who may be loathe to abandon stock options and other private-sector perks for relatively short-term stints in the federal government.

Federal pay scales top out at $197,200 annually for the civil service and $228,000 for senior executives. But new employees hired under the program would start at $253,100, what a cabinet secretary makes, and could draw the same salary as the president himself: $400,000.

Eligible recruits also wouldn't have to forfeit long-term benefits, in a shift that addresses a major barrier for anyone contemplating leaving the private sector for Washington. Instead, they'd be able to keep long-term compensation from their private-sector jobs, such as stock grants, options and carried interest.

A legal opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel in March concluded that those incentives don't violate ethics laws forbidding federal employees from having their taxpayer-paid salaries subsidized by outside companies.

The initiative comes as President Donald Trump pursues deals meant to strengthen US supply chains and the country's industrial base, including a critical mineral stockpile as well as equity investments in chipmaker Intel Corp. and critical mineral suppliers.

Those novel financial transactions have also exposed the need for more professionals within the federal government who can conduct due diligence in sectors such as critical minerals and help get deals across the finish line, one of the officials said.

The initiative seeks to lean on the expertise of deal managers, specialized lawyers and engineers to execute transactions that are essential to rebuild the nation's industrial base and promote US national security, the officials added. Although candidates could come from across the private sector, those working at hedge funds, investment banks and private equity firms are expected to be among key recruits.

The program is focused on federal agencies and institutions that are at the center of Trump's reindustrialization efforts, including the US International Development Finance Corp., and the Export-Import Bank, one of the officials said. Deal professionals could also be deployed at the Energy Department, the Commerce Department's chips office and the Defense Department's Office of Strategic Capital.

Temporary hires under the program could work as long as four years but generally would be seen serving for one- or two-year periods, one official said. The expectation is that individuals nominated from private-sector companies with leave programs for civil service would generally return to those firms. And, one official said, hopefully they'd also later keep in mind the national security implications of the decisions they make.

The temporary workers would still be subject to ethical constraints, including conflict-of-interest requirements that they recuse themselves from particular matters affecting the financial interest of their private-sector employers.

The effort builds on a presidential memorandum Trump signed last month that authorizes the use of existing powers to grant what's known as "critical pay authority" for as many as 400 positions supporting national-security related investments.

In March, the Office of Personnel Management proposed changes to that authority to allow even bigger paychecks, with a baseline salary of $253,100. Paying more than that amount currently requires specific approval by the president, but the administration has proposed getting rid of that rule.

If 400 new recruits received an average of $50,000 to $100,000 above that baseline, the office estimated the incremental cost to the government would be $20 million to $40 million per year.

The Trump administration has broadly sought to recruit temporary workers to fill some roles following its Elon Musk-spearheaded campaign to slash federal spending and the federal workforce. Under Trump, the US government has reduced non-postal employees roughly 14% from a 2024 peak under President Joe Biden.

The effort taps decades-old authority in federal law that's largely laid dormant. Only about 10 slots — out of 800 available for special treatment across the federal government — had recently been occupied, one of the officials said.

https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/white-house-woo-wall-street-100002063.html

Dyne amends Hercules Capital term loan, expanding non-dilutive debt facility to up to $400 m

 

• Amended senior secured term loan includes $50 million funded at closing
• Agreement provides an additional $125 million in borrowing capacity under the expanded facility

https://finviz.com/stock?t=DYN&p=d