Far-right gains in the EU election deal stunning defeats to France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz
BRUSSELS (AP) — Far-right parties made major gains in European Union parliamentary elections, dealing stunning defeats to two of the bloc’s most important leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In France, the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen dominated the polls Sunday to such an extent that Macron immediately dissolved the national parliament and called for new elections. It was a massive political risk since his party could suffer more losses, hobbling the rest of his presidential term that ends in 2027. Le Pen was delighted to accept the challenge.
Macron dissolves the French parliament and calls a snap election after defeat in EU vote
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to dissolve the lower house of the parliament and to call general elections. Voters will go back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers. His party was handed a heavy loss by the far-right at the European elections. First projected results from France are putting the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Union’s parliamentary elections, according to French opinion poll institutes. Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration, nationalist party is estimated to get around 31-32% of the votes, more than twice the score of Macron’s pro-European centrist party that is projected to reach around 15%.
Centrist Benny Gantz is quitting Israel’s war Cabinet, citing frustrations with Netanyahu
JERUSALEM (AP) — Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-man war Cabinet, has announced his resignation, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of mismanaging the war effort and putting his own “political survival” over the country’s security needs. The move does not immediately pose a threat to Netanyahu, who still controls a majority coalition in parliament. But he becomes more heavily reliant on far-right allies who oppose the latest U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and want to press ahead with the war. Gantz joined Netanyahu’s government shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. His presence boosted Israel’s credibility with its international partners. Gantz had previously said he would leave the government by June 8 if Netanyahu didn’t formulate a plan for postwar Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says 274 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raid that rescued 4 hostages
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 274 Palestinians, including dozens of children, were killed in the Israeli air and ground raid that rescued four hostages held by Hamas. The ministry says about 700 other people were wounded. Local health officials say Saturday’s rescue operation was the largest since Oct. 7, when Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 people and seized about 250 hostage. Israel’s massive offensive in response has killed over 36,700 Palestinians. International pressure is mounting on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed. The U.S. secretary of state will return to the Middle East this week, seeking a breakthrough in cease-fire efforts.
Trump complains about his teleprompters at a scorching Las Vegas rally
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former President Donald Trump rallied voters in the scorching heat of Las Vegas. His campaign loaded up on water bottles, hired extra medics and allowed supporters to carry umbrellas at the outdoor rally. Temperatures reached the triple digits Sunday as Trump courts voters in the battleground state. Campaign organizers handed out water bottles as supporters waited in line to be screened by security officers. At the venue, large misting fans and cooling tents were placed around the perimeter. Temperatures in the Southwest have cooled since reaching historic highs late last week but remain above normal for this time of year.
Trump to undergo probation interview Monday, a required step before his New York sentencing
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be interviewed by New York probation officials. The Monday interview is a required step before his July sentencing in his criminal hush money case. Three people familiar with the plan say Trump will do the interview via a computer video conference from his Florida home. The three people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to disclose the plans publicly. The usual purpose of a probation interview is to prepare a report that will tell the judge more about the defendant. Trump says he is innocent of any crime.
Venezuela’s ruling party tests its organizing efforts ahead of next month’s presidential election
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s ruling party is feeling its decades-long grip on power under threat. So on Sunday, it tested a voter organizing campaign aimed at shoring up President Nicolás Maduro’s bid for a third term. The assessment followed weeks of efforts by local organizers of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela to increase support for Maduro. Each was tasked with adding into a database 10 voters who have promised to vote for Maduro in the highly anticipated July 28 presidential election. Local organizers as well as voters who pledged their support were expected to receive verification phone calls Sunday. The effort to measure support comes as the party’s base is no longer the reliable force that used to easily claim electoral victories,
Hunter Biden’s family weathers a public and expansive airing in federal court of his drug addiction
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Hunter Biden’s family has gone to great lengths to support him as he stands trials for lying on a federal gun purchase form when he said he didn’t have a drug problem. Jill Biden has been a regular presence in the federal courtroom in Delaware, and other family members have attended. Every family wrestles with personal challenges, and politicians are often left to do so in public. But the airing in open court of tawdry details surrounding Hunter Biden’s addiction is of an order of greater magnitude. And it’s happening in the glare of an election year. The president’s family has shown a steadfast determination to ensure that Hunter Biden doesn’t weather it alone.
Why Robert F. Kennedy’s Jr.’s current presidential polling numbers might not hold up into November
WASHINGTON (AP) — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is hoping to get on the debate stage with Democratic President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. To do that, Kennedy will need to hit certain benchmarks, and he appears close on the polling one. But his current level of polling support doesn’t necessarily translate into sustained momentum for his campaign. An Associated Press analysis of Gallup data going back to 1980 shows that it’s pretty common for third-party candidates to look like they have polling momentum in the months before an election, only to come up far short at the ballot box.
Carlos Alcaraz wins the French Open for a third Grand Slam title at 21 by beating Alexander Zverev
PARIS (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz has come back to defeat Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 to win the French Open for his third Grand Slam title. Alcaraz is a 21-year-old from Spain who becomes the youngest man to collect major championships on three surfaces. Sunday’s victory allows him to add the clay-court trophy from Roland Garros to his triumphs on hard courts at the U.S. Open in 2022 and on grass at Wimbledon in 2023. He is now 3-0 in Grand Slam finals. Zverev dropped to 0-2 in major title matches. He was the runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open after blowing a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem.
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