The Latest | France and Belgium support ICC request for arrest warrants of Israel and Hamas leaders
France and Belgium have released statements supporting the world’s top war crimes court’s request for arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, after Israel and the United States both harshly condemned the effort. International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced his intention to seek warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders, whom he accused of war crimes. His announcement came the same day Israel said it would expand operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah in its effort to crush Hamas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided a militant stronghold Tuesday in the occupied West Bank, killing at least six and wounding several.
What’s next for Iran’s government after death of its president 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 to its overarching policies, which are decided by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But 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.
Defense witness who angered judge in Trump’s hush money trial will return to the stand
NEW YORK (AP) — A defense witness in Donald Trump’s hush money case whom the judge threatened to remove from the trial over his behavior will return to the stand Tuesday as the trial nears its end. Trump’s lawyers are hoping Robert Costello’s testimony will help undermine the credibility of a key prosecution witness, Trump fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen. But Costello angered Judge Juan Merchan on Monday, prompting the judge to briefly kick reporters out of the courtroom to admonish him. The chaotic scene unfolded after prosecutors rested their case accusing Trump of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to bury stories that he feared could hurt his 2016 campaign. Trump denies any wrongdoing.
Election deniers moving closer to GOP mainstream, report shows, as Trump allies fill Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — As Donald Trump makes a comeback bid to return to power, Republicans in Congress have become even more likely to cast doubts on President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory. A new report from States United Action, a group that targets election deniers, says nearly one-third of the lawmakers in Congress supported in some way Trump’s bid to overturn the 2020 presidential results. Several more are running for election this year to the House and Senate. Lizzie Ullmer of States United Action says the public should have a “real healthy dose of concern.” It’s not happening just in Congress. Prominent election deniers also now run the Republican National Committee.
Judge blocks Biden administration from enforcing new gun sales background check rule in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a new rule in Texas that would require firearms dealers to run background checks on buyers at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar stores. The decision by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk came before the rule had been set to take effect Monday. The order also prevents the federal government from enforcing the rule against several gun-rights groups, including Gun Owners of America. The requirement is the Biden administration’s latest effort to curtail gun violence. It aims to close a loophole that has allowed unlicensed dealers to sell tens of thousands of guns every year without checking that the potential buyer is not legally prohibited from having a firearm.
Australia and New Zealand sending planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonia’s unrest
SYDNEY (AP) — The Australian and New Zealand governments say they are sending planes to evacuate their nationals from violence-wracked New Caledonia. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed on Tuesday that Australia had received clearance for two flights to evacuate citizens and other tourists from New Caledonia amid violent unrest that has beset the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France. New Zealand also announced it is sending a plane Tuesday to evacuate its nationals from Noumea, the Pacific island’s capital, in the first in a series of proposed flights to bring its citizens home.
Indian voters dissect Modi’s politics while traversing the country by train
ABOARD THE THIRUKKURAL EXPRESS, India (AP) — The Associated Press rode one of the longest trains in India — 1,800 miles from New Delhi to Kanyakumari — to interview voters about an election that will be decided in June. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to win and reappoint Prime Minister Narendra Modi — the leader for the past decade — for another five years. A man who runs a food stall said Modi isn’t doing enough for the poor. A Muslim man said Modi’s Hindu-centric policies are hurtful and divisive. But many passengers said they supported Modi, and credited him with improving India’s economy and its global image.
Corn, millet and … rooftop solar? Farm family’s newest crop shows China’s solar ascendancy
JINAN, China (AP) — China is the runaway leader in supplying the world with the hardware to gather solar power. Now it’s installing it at home at such a clip that the country’s grid is getting more than it can use in some places. That’s true in Shandong province, where Shi Mei and her husband decided a few years ago to supplement their farm income by buying a solar setup for their roof. Now they harvest the equivalent of $10,000 per year for the electricity that gets fed to the grid. Shi says “When the sun comes out, you make money.” Analysts and solar companies say the future will remain bright if China can quickly adapt to the oversupply.
World leaders plan new agreement on AI at virtual summit co-hosted by South Korea, UK
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — World leaders are expected to adopt a new agreement on artificial intelligence when they gather virtually Tuesday to discuss AI’s potential risks but also ways to promote its benefits and innovation. The two-day AI Seoul Summit co-hosted by the South Korean and U.K. governments is a follow-up to November’s inaugural AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in the United Kingdom. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are to meet other world leaders virtually Tuesday. An in-person meeting of digital ministers is slated for Wednesday. A senior Korean presidential adviser said the AI agreement will include the outcomes of discussions on safety, innovation and inclusivity.
Climbing limits are being set on Mount Fuji to fight crowds and littering
TOKYO (AP) — Those who want to climb one of the most popular trails on Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji will have to book a slot and pay a fee soon. Crowds, littering and climbers who try to rush too fast to the summit are causing safety and conservation concerns at the picturesque stratovolcano. Yamanashi prefecture said Monday it introduced new rules for the climbing season starting July 1 for those hiking the Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi side of the nearly 12,300 feet-high mountain. Only 4,000 climbers will be allowed to enter the trail per day for a fee of about $18. More than 220,000 people climbed the mountain last year.
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