Israel’s high court orders the army to draft ultra-Orthodox men, rattling Netanyahu’s government
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for military service, a decision that could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as Israel continues to wage war in Gaza. The court ruled Tuesday that in the absence of a law that distinguishes between Jewish seminary students and other draftees, Israel’s compulsory military service system applies to the ultra-Orthodox like any other citizen. Under longstanding arrangements, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from the draft, which is compulsory for most Jewish men and women. These exemptions have long been a source of anger among the secular public, a divide that has widened during the eight-month-old war.
WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange lands in Saipan before guilty plea in deal with U.S. securing his freedom
SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has arrived in Saipan ahead of an expected guilty plea in a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that will set him free to return home to Australia. The plane carrying the eccentric computer expert and internet publisher touched down more than two hours before the scheduled start of a plea hearing. He is set to admit to a felony for publishing U.S. military secrets under a deal that spares him prison time in America after years spent jailed in the United Kingdom while fighting extradition to America.
Who is Julian Assange, the polarizing founder of the secret-spilling website WikiLeaks?
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Before he emerged as an eccentric internet publisher of state secrets, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was born in Townsville, Australia. He experienced an itinerant childhood and attended dozens of schools, becoming a computer hacker as a teenager. He was arrested in the 1990s for hacking a server in Melbourne and studied mathematics and physics at Australian universities. Assange went on to transform his radically anti-secrecy views into a document-leaking website that revealed U.S. and other countries’ military secrets. He spent seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and five in a British prison while he fought his extradition to the U.S.
Judge alters Trump’s gag order, letting him talk about witnesses, jury after hush money conviction
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has modified Donald Trump’s gag order, freeing the former president to comment about witnesses and jurors in his New York hush money criminal trial but keeping court and prosecution staff off limits. Judge Juan M. Merchan issued his decision on Tuesday. Trump’s lawyers had wanted the gag order fully lifted. They argued there was nothing to justify continued restrictions on Trump’s First Amendment rights after the trial ended May 30 in his conviction for falsifying records to cover up a potential sex scandal. Prosecutors had urged Merchan to keep most of the gag order in place at least until Trump is sentenced on July 11, but said they’d be OK with modifying it.
Laugh (or cringe) at these history-making moments from presidential debates
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s debate prep time for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Their teams are no doubt looking back at how past memorable debate moments came together, for good or ill. Those signature moments may be well-rehearsed zingers or offhand reactions like a too-loud sigh or a glance at a wristwatch. Past debates demonstrate how the candidates’ words and body language can make them look especially relatable or hopelessly out-of-touch. They can also showcase candidates at the top of their policy game or provide an indication they’re out to sea. As one debate expert puts it, “Anything can happen.”
NTSB concludes flaming wheel bearing caused east Ohio derailment, vent and burn was unnecessary
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says a flaming wheel bearing caused the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year. The board also says the decision to blow open five tank cars and burn the vinyl chloride that was inside was botched and unnecessary. Investigators say the railroad and its contractors ignored data about the tank cars and failed to accurately present information to decisionmakers from the chemical manufacturer. The findings were presented at a hearing Tuesday held in East Palestine High School’s auditorium. Area residents, rail industry representatives and local and state officials crowded in to hear the investigation findings and recommendations to prevent similar disasters.
Brazil’s Supreme Court votes to decriminalize possession of marijuana for personal use
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil’s Supreme Court has voted to decriminalize possession of marijuana for personal use. That makes Brazil one of the last countries in Latin America to do so and could reduce its massive prison population. With final votes cast on Tuesday, a total seven justices voted in favor of decriminalization since deliberations began in 2015, a majority on the 11-person court. The justices must also determine the maximum quantity of marijuana that would be characterized as being for personal use and when the ruling will enter into effect.
Kenya’s president calls the storming of parliament a security threat, vows calm ‘at whatever cost’
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s president has called the storming of parliament on Tuesday a national security threat, and he vows that such unrest won’t happen again “at whatever cost.” President William Ruto spoke in a national address hours after thousands of protesters against a new finance bill entered parliament and legislators fled. Part of the building burned. It was the most direct assault on Kenya’s government in decades. Journalists saw at least three bodies outside the complex where police had opened fire. Medical workers reported five others killed. Clashes spread to other cities. The military has been deployed to support police.
More than 500 people have been charged with federal crimes under the gun safety law Biden signed
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gun safety groups are praising President Joe Biden now that more than 500 people have been charged with federal crimes under the landmark gun safety legislation he signed two years ago Tuesday. A White House report obtained by The Associated Press on the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act shows some of the people charged are linked to organized crime rings and cartels. Biden’s Democratic reelection campaign believes gun control is a motivating issue for voters, particularly suburban college-educated women. The group Moms Demand Action urges Congress to prioritize gun safety laws. Biden signed the legislation following mass shootings including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school.
Shot in 1.6 seconds: Video raises questions about how trooper avoided charges in Black man’s death
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Dash camera video and investigative documents are raising new questions about the fatal shooting of a Black motorist by a Georgia state trooper nearly four years ago. Trooper Jake Thompson was charged with murder after shooting Julian Lewis mere seconds after sending his car spinning into a ditch following a chase. He pursued Lewis in August 2020 over a broken taillight. Thompson ultimately avoided a trial because a grand jury declined to indict him. Authors of a new book shared the video with The Associated Press, which verified its authenticity and obtained additional records. Two use-of-force experts who reviewed the video said the shooting appeared unjustified. Thompson declined to comment through his attorney.
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