India kicks off the vote counting process in the massive election that could secure Prime Minister Modi a third term.
NEW DELHI (AP) — India has commenced the counting of over 640 million votes in the largest democratic exercise in the world. The results, anticipated on Tuesday, are likely to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi re-elected for a third term after ruling for a decade. This six-week long election is viewed as a test of Modi’s leadership. Should he emerge victorious, it would mark only the second time an Indian leader has held onto power for a third consecutive term, following in the footsteps of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s inaugural prime minister. Exit polls indicate a strong victory for Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and its coalition partners over a wide opposition alliance helmed by the Congress party and its principal campaigner, Rahul Gandhi.
Biden contends that Hamas is significantly weakened while Israeli leaders argue against a cease-fire, questioning Hamas’ level of depletion.
JERUSALEM (AP) — President Joe Biden has called for an immediate end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, stating that the militant group no longer has the capacity to mount an attack on Israel akin to the one on October 7th. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and right-wing ministers disagree, asserting that eradicating Hamas would necessitate ongoing Israeli military operations in the region. These differing perspectives on how to eliminate Hamas have cast doubt on a potential cease-fire and have the potential to strain the already delicate relations between the close allies.
Hunter Biden’s federal firearms case is set to begin following the selection of the jury.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Opening statements are scheduled to begin in the federal gun case against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. A jury comprising of 12 members and four alternates was chosen on Monday. The first lady and Hunter Biden’s sister Ashley were present at the proceedings. Hunter Biden faces three felony charges stemming from a 2018 firearm purchase during a period of struggle with crack addiction, as detailed in his memoir. Jury selection proceeded swiftly in the president’s home state, where Hunter Biden was raised and where the Biden family has deep roots.
Trump’s refusal to take responsibility may impact his sentencing.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Since his conviction in the hush money trial last week, Donald Trump has been vocal about the legal proceedings. However, what he has failed to do is express any form of remorse, which could potentially benefit him during sentencing next month. It is commonly understood in the justice system that defendants seeking leniency at sentencing are expected to acknowledge their actions and show contrition. Yet, this contradicts the “deny everything” approach employed by Trump and his legal team during the trial, as well as his confrontational stance throughout years of investigations into his business affairs, presidency, and post-White House life.
Biden criticizes Trump over convictions and asserts that he now poses a greater threat than in 2016.
GREENWICH, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden has launched a scathing attack on his potential opponent in the upcoming election, Donald Trump, who was recently convicted on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments by a Manhattan jury. Biden stated that “this campaign has entered uncharted territory.” Speaking at a fundraiser in Greenwich, Connecticut, Biden refuted Trump’s claims of a rigged system, emphasizing that this narrative is far from the truth. He accused Trump of undermining the judiciary and elections system by alleging rigging, characterizing such rhetoric as “reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible.” Biden went on to state that Trump’s current demeanor is more concerning than when he was elected in 2016.
Mexico’s incoming president faces three urgent challenges: financial issues, dialogue, and the US election.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president-elect is confronted with a series of formidable challenges, including ongoing cartel violence, a polarized nation, strained social programs due to financial constraints, and the shadow cast by her predecessor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Analysts believe that Claudia Sheinbaum’s tenure will largely revolve around three key factors: finances, fostering dialogue, and the implications of the US election. She is poised to assume the presidency on October 1st, providing her with four months to delineate her agenda. During this period, López Obrador is expected to continue his daily press briefings as he endeavors to cement his legacy. The coexistence between the two leaders may prove challenging, as López Obrador has polarized society while Sheinbaum aims to unify it, presenting a potential clash of ideologies and approaches.
Tractors take to the streets ahead of EU elections, with farming emerging as a contentious issue exploited by the far right.
BEERSEL, Belgium (AP) — Tractors are once again making their presence known in the streets leading up to the four-day European Union elections. Populist and far-right groups across the 27-nation bloc have leveraged agriculture as a pivotal issue in the months preceding the elections. They argue that farmers have been marginalized by an overreaching EU and environmentalists who fail to consider their perspectives. The agricultural matter is anticipated to significantly impact the election results, with populist and far-right parties expected to gain ground.
Chinese spacecraft carrying lunar samples departs from the far side of the moon.
BEIJING (AP) — China has announced that a spacecraft transporting rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon has lifted off from the lunar surface en route back to Earth. The ascender of the Chang’e-6 probe took off on Tuesday morning Beijing time and entered a predetermined orbit around the moon, as confirmed by the China National Space Administration. The Chang’e-6 probe was launched last month, with its lander successfully touching down on the far side of the moon on Sunday. The samples will be transferred to a reentry capsule scheduled to return to Earth around June 25th.
French schoolchildren honor D-Day veterans upon their arrival in Normandy for anniversary events.
DEAUVILLE AIRPORT, France (AP) — French students warmly welcomed dozens of US World War II veterans with a large “thank you” poster upon their arrival in Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Many of these veterans are over 100 years old. France’s first lady Brigitte Macron and senior French officials greeted the 48 veterans as they landed via a special flight from Atlanta. Local school children performed the French and American national anthems. Among the veterans was 101-year-old American, Jake Larson, known on social media as “Papa Jake”. These veterans will participate in ceremonies marking the June 6 landings by soldiers from the US, UK, Canada, and other Allied nations.
Mourners now have the option to converse with an AI version of deceased individuals, but the effectiveness of this technology in easing grief remains uncertain.
BERLIN (AP) — In recent years, several companies have emerged to develop technology that allows users to engage with an AI simulation of the deceased. One such company, Eternos, employs in-house models as well as external large language models created by major tech firms like Meta and OpenAI. Eternos records users speaking 300 phrases, which are then compressed through a two-day computing process to capture the voice of the individual that loved ones can access. While some find solace in this form of technology as a coping mechanism for grief, others are apprehensive about the use of AI to maintain interactions with the deceased. There are concerns that this could potentially complicate the mourning process by hindering closure.
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