33 arrested at George Washington University as DC mayor’s congressional hearing is canceled
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House oversight committee has canceled a hearing with the Washington, D.C., mayor over a university encampment shortly after 33 protesters were arrested. Police have been clearing a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University since dozens of protesters left the site and marched to President Ellen Granberg’s home. The District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department says arrests were made for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith were preparing to testify about the District of Columbia’s handling of the protest at a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Wednesday afternoon before it was canceled.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza but a United Nations agency says no aid has yet entered. The key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby. An Israeli tank brigade seized the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt early Tuesday, and it remained closed. The limited incursion does not appear to be the start of the full-scale invasion of the crowded southern city that Israel has repeatedly promised. The U.S. has urged Israel not to launch a full-on assault on Rafah because it would worsen Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, and it paused a shipment of bombs to its close ally last week over those concerns.
Official: US paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S. That’s according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to the official, with the focus of U.S. concern being the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting. More than 1 million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israel’s war on Hamas, which came after the militant group’s deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
Trump in no hurry as he leans into the pageantry of vice presidential tryouts
NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump remains stuck in the courtroom listening to salacious details of an affair he denies. But another spectacle is playing out as his vice presidential tryouts get underway. The dynamic was on full display over the weekend at a fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago club that doubled as a VP audition. Trump at one point invited many of the contenders to join him on stage and talked them up one by one. Trump is closely watching the candidates, turning his search into an Apprentice-style competition being judged on fundraising hauls, political speeches and television interviews.
Biden heads to Wisconsin to laud a new Microsoft facility, meet voters — and troll Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is racing into yet another battleground state. Biden on Wednesday is traveling to Racine, Wisconsin, where he’ll highlight a decision by Microsoft to build a $3.3 billion data center that’s expected to create roughly 2,000 jobs. It’s also the spot where former President Donald Trump lauded a plan by Taiwan-based electronics giant Foxconn to build a $10 billion manufacturing facility that was supposed to eventually employ 10,000 people. Except it was never built. The Democratic president is continuing to push a contrast with the Republican ex-president on economic policy as his own reelection campaign readies a new $14 million advertising blitz aimed in part at Black, Latino and Asian American voters.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
MEULABOH, Indonesia (AP) — In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat that was carrying Rohingya refugees when it capsized off Indonesia. The U.N. says another 67 passengers, including at least 28 children, were killed. The Associated Press has interviewed eight surviving passengers who provided the first insights into what happened on board and why the boat capsized. They say the Indonesian captain and crew sexually assaulted four women and girls and grew angry when others refused to join the captain in his bedroom. Passengers say the captain then deliberately capsized the boat before fleeing with three crew members. Police say murder charges aren’t being considered. They’ve charged four people with people smuggling but haven’t found the captain.
Russia hits Ukraine’s power grid with a ‘massive’ attack on a day marking the WWII defeat of Nazism
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s president says Russia has launched a massive nighttime attack on energy facilities across Ukraine, targeting seven regions with more than 50 missiles and drones. Officials say the bombardment blasted targets in areas including Kyiv and parts of the south and west, damaging homes and the country’s rail network. Three people, including an 8-year-old girl, were injured. The attack occurred on the day Ukraine celebrates the defeat of Nazism in World War II. Russia has repeatedly pounded Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the war that is stretching into its third year and has claimed thousands of lives. By taking out power, the Kremlin’s forces aim to rob Ukrainian manufacturing of its energy supply, especially military plants, and crush public morale.
Severe storms batter the Midwest, including reported tornadoes that shredded a FedEx facility
DETROIT (AP) — Severe storms are battering parts of the Midwest with heavy rain, gusty winds and tornadoes that forecasters warn could spill out of the region. The severe weather outbreak started Tuesday and continued into Wednesday. Tornadoes were reported after dark Tuesday in southwestern Michigan, northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio. Two reported tornadoes blitzed a Michigan city near Kalamazoo and shredded a FedEx facility. Officials say no serious injuries were immediately reported. The National Weather Service says crews are surveying storm damage in southwest Michigan but haven’t confirmed tornado touchdowns in the region after the Grand Rapids office received 11 reports of tornadoes from storm spotters, emergency managers and others.
Fans are following Taylor Swift to Europe after finding Eras Tour tickets less costly there
LONDON (AP) — Thousands of Taylor Swift fans are following her across the pond after missing out on her U.S. concert tour last year or being put off by marked-up ticket prices. Swift is kicking off the 18-city Europe leg of her Eras Tour on Thursday. The Paris arena where she is performing says Americans bought 20% of the tickets. The Chamber of Commerce in Stockholm says about 10,000 people are coming from the U.S. for her shows. Some fans say they justified the expense after noticing that tighter restrictions on ticket fees and resales in Europe made flying overseas to see Swift no more costly and potentially cheaper than catching her closer to home.
A ship carrying the Olympic torch arrives in Marseille amid fanfare and high security
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Excitement is building in the southern French city of Marseille, where a majestic three-mast ship carrying the Olympic torch arrived from Greece ahead of a welcoming ceremony at sunset Wednesday. Paris Games organizers have promised “fantastic” celebrations in the city, where the Old Port has been placed under high security. The torch was lit in Greece last month before it was officially handed to France. It left Athens aboard a ship named Belem, which was first used in 1896, and spent twelve days at sea. About 8,000 police officers have been deployed around in the harbour where tens of thousands of spectators are expected to gather for the ceremony.
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