Far-right gains in 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.
The Latest | Far-right projected to make big gains as voting for EU elections ends
A first projection provided by the European Union indicates far-right parties have made big gains at the European Parliament, as voting wrapped up Sunday on the final day of elections for the next five-year term. In France, President Emanuel Macron made a surprise announcement that he was calling early legislative elections after his party suffered a heavy defeat from the far-right National Rally party. In Germany, support for Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats sank to a projected 14%, behind the extreme-right Alternative for Germany, which surged into second place. Millions of Europeans have been casting their ballots this week for a new European Parliament, the legislative branch of the 27-member trade bloc, in one of the world’s biggest democratic elections.
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 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.
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.
Ukraine says it struck a top fighter plane deep inside Russia
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine says its forces have hit an ultra-modern Russian warplane stationed on an air base nearly 370 miles from the front lines. If confirmed, it would mark Ukraine’s first known successful strike on an Su-57 fighter plane, lauded as Russia’s most advanced. Russia’s Defense Ministry or senior political figures did not comment Sunday. The strike came shortly after Kyiv’s Western allies authorized the use their weapons to hit some targets on Russian soil. But the airstrip’s distance from Ukraine and unofficial comment from Russia suggest that Ukrainian-made drones were used in the attack.
Stranded migrants confront violence and despair as Tunisia partners to keep them from Europe
EL AMRA, Tunisia (AP) — Europe’s efforts to partner with neighboring countries to curb migration have resulted in thousands of migrants being stranded in Tunisia. Tunisia’s authorities with EU funds have successfully prevented tens of thousands of people from crossing the Mediterranean. But thousands more are now encamped in small towns along the coast where they hide in olive groves and wait for a chance to cross the sea. They have no money to return home. Their presence has unleashed a xenophobic backlash in Tunisia, whose many residents are also trying to get to Europe in search of a better life.
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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