Prosecutor Seeks Arrest of Israeli and Hamas Leaders, Including Netanyahu
JERUSALEM (AP) — The chief prosecutor of the world’s top war crimes court is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court on Monday accused Netanyahu, his defense minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel. The announcement was a symbolic blow that deepened Israel’s isolation over the war in Gaza. Israeli leaders condemned the move as disgraceful and antisemitic. A panel of judges will consider the evidence and decide whether to issue the arrest warrants and allow a case to proceed.
Understanding the ICC and Its Consideration of Arrest Warrants for Israeli and Hamas Leaders
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The International Criminal Court could soon issue arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas more than seven months into their war. ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said Monday that he is seeking warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense minister, and three Hamas leaders. Khan said that they are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel. The ICC was established in 2002 as the permanent court of last resort to tackle impunity for war crimes, genocide, and other grave crimes when states don’t prosecute those responsible.
Next Steps After Iran President’s Death in Helicopter Crash
JERUSALEM (AP) — The death of Iran’s president is unlikely to lead to any immediate changes in Iran’s ruling system or its policies, which are decided by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ebrahim Raisi was seen as a prime candidate to succeed the 85-year-old supreme leader. His death Sunday in a helicopter crash makes it more likely that the job could eventually go to Khamenei’s son. A hereditary succession would pose a potential crisis of legitimacy for the Islamic Republic, which was established as an alternative to monarchy but which many Iranians already see as a corrupt and dictatorial regime.
Michael Cohen Admits Theft from Trump’s Company in Hush Money Trial
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted to jurors in the Republican’s hush money trial that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from Trump’s company. The admission came Monday as defense lawyers seized on the star witness’ misdeeds to attack his credibility. Defense lawyers have pressed Cohen about his criminal history and past lies to paint him as a serial fabulist on a revenge campaign aimed at taking down Trump. Cohen admitted that he pocketed cash that was supposed to be reimbursement for a $50,000 payment he claimed he had made to a technology firm. But Cohen said he only gave the technology firm $20,000.
Assange Wins Right to Appeal Extradition Order to US
LONDON (AP) — A British court has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal against an order that he be extradited to the U.S. on espionage charges. Two High Court judges on Monday said Assange has grounds to challenge the U.K. government’s extradition order. The ruling sets the stage for an appeal process likely to further drag out a years-long legal saga. Assange faces 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over his website’s publication of classified U.S. documents almost 15 years ago. The Australian computer expert has spent the last five years in a British high-security prison after seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for seven years.
Tugboats Escort Ship That Caused Deadly Baltimore Bridge Collapse Back to Port
BALTIMORE (AP) — The container ship that caused the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was slowly escorted back to port. The Dali had remained at the collapse site since it lost power and crashed into a bridge supporting column in March. The disaster killed six construction workers and disrupted traffic into Baltimore Harbor. Several tugboats are escorting the Dali to the marine terminal on Monday morning. Pieces of the bridge’s steel trusses still protrude from the ship’s bow, which remains covered in mangled concrete from the collapsed roadway.
Taiwan’s President Lai Urges China to Stop Military Intimidation
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, said in his inauguration speech that he seeks peace with China and urged it to stop its military threats against the self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. Lai pledged on Monday to “neither yield nor provoke” Beijing. But he emphasized that the island democracy is determined to defend itself. Lai’s party, the Democratic Progressive Party, doesn’t seek independence from China but maintains that Taiwan is already a sovereign nation. Lai takes over from Tsai Ing-wen, who led Taiwan through eight years of economic and social development despite the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s escalating military threats.
Iran’s President and Foreign Minister Found Dead After Helicopter Crash
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s foreign minister have been found dead hours after their helicopter crashed in fog. This leaves the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named a little-known vice president as caretaker Monday. The supreme leader has the final say in the Shiite theocracy. He insisted the government was in control, but the deaths mark yet another blow to a country beset by pressures both at home and abroad. Iran has offered no cause for the crash nor suggested sabotage brought down the helicopter. It fell in mountainous terrain in a sudden, intense fog.
Who is Jacob Zuma, Former South African President Disqualified from Election?
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been barred from running in next week’s national election over a previous criminal conviction, the latest twist in his return to politics. The decision by the country’s highest court may still be appealed. Zuma has returned to politics with a new party highly critical of the ruling African National Congress he once led. The long-ruling ANC faces a major challenge to its Parliamentary majority, and the election could bring the most important shift in South African politics since apartheid ended in 1994.
US Pediatricians Reverse Decades-old Advice on HIV-Positive Mothers Breastfeeding
A top U.S. pediatricians’ group is changing its policy on breastfeeding by people with HIV. They can now breastfeed while taking medications that effectively suppress the virus that causes AIDS. It’s a reversal in a longstanding policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The changes were made on Monday, overturning guidance that dated back decades. Experts say HIV treatment can reduce the risk of passing the virus to infants to less than 1%. About 5,000 people with HIV give birth in the U.S. each year.
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