Taiwan's New President, Target Price Cuts, and glowing waves.

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Big Stories

ICC Seeks Arrest Warrants for Israeli and Hamas Leaders

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, announced plans to seek arrest warrants for top leaders from both Israel and Hamas.

• He has asked for warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, and Ismail Haniyeh. Khan's request is based on evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Gaza.

• The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant include attacks on civilians, murder, and causing suffering and starvation in Gaza. Hamas leaders face similar charges for their roles in the October 7 attacks on Israel, including murder, extermination, and hostage-taking. Despite Israel not being a party to the ICC, the court claims jurisdiction over Palestinian territories because Palestinian leaders have accepted its authority.

• President Biden called the ICC’s move “outrageous,” and confirmed strong support for Israel while rejecting any comparison between Israel and Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that the warrants could hinder diplomatic efforts. If the ICC judges approve the warrants, the targeted leaders could be arrested if they travel to any of the 120 countries that recognize the Rome Statute.

Taiwan Welcomes New President

Taiwan inaugurated its new president Lai Ching-te on Monday.

• Lai emphasized his desire for peace with China during his speech and urged China to stop its military threats and respect Taiwan’s autonomy. He pledged not to provoke Beijing but also assured that Taiwan would defend itself and maintain its democratic values.

• China criticized Lai’s speech, accusing him of promoting separatism and relying on foreign support. The Chinese government also reiterated its stance against Taiwan's independence and its goal of reunification. Lai plans to continue the policies of his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, including social safety nets, advancements in AI and green energy, and maintaining Taiwan’s sovereignty.

• Meanwhile, China imposed sanctions on Boeing and two other US defense firms for selling weapons to Taiwan. The move is in response to Lai’s vows to strengthen Taiwan’s security through imports of advanced weaponry. The sanctions restrict the companies from further investment in China and bar travel for their senior management.

Iran President Dies in Helicopter Crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were found dead on Monday after their helicopter crashed in foggy conditions.

• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quickly appointed a little-known vice president as caretaker, assuring the public that the government was in control. Elections are set for June 28. Iran revealed that a technical failure caused the crash.

• The helicopter crash occurred amid regional tensions, particularly involving attacks by Iran-backed groups and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Raisi, a hard-liner and former judiciary head, had strained relations with the West due to Iran’s nuclear activities and support for Russia in the Ukraine war.

• Iran has been using American-made Bell helicopters since the 1950s. However, due to Western sanctions, they struggle to get the parts and often skip safety checks. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed the U.S. for the crash, saying that the embargo on aircraft and aviation parts keeps Iran from maintaining safe aviation facilities.

Little Stories

• A meteor lit up the night skies over Portugal and Spain with a blue-green fireball. The European Space Agency confirmed the fireball, spotted in Cáceres, Spain, was a piece of a comet traveling about 100,000 miles per hour. The meteor likely burned up over the Atlantic Ocean around 38 miles above Earth. (More)

• Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing economic woes, too many restaurants, and tough competition. A failed "endless shrimp" promo offered daily to increase sales backfired, contributing to $76 million in losses in 2023. Restaurants are expected to stay open while the company seeks a buyer. (More)

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Martin Gruenberg announced his resignation after a probe found a culture of sexual harassment and discrimination at the agency. He will stay until a successor is confirmed and work on improving the workplace culture. (More)

• Target announced on Monday that it's lowering prices on about 5,000 popular items to stay competitive because customers are getting tired of high prices. The price cuts will focus on grocery staples like milk, meat, bread, fruits, vegetables, paper towels, and diapers, especially for its Good & Gather and Everspring brands. (More)

• Ed Dwight, America's first Black astronaut candidate, finally went to space 60 years later with Jeff Bezos’ rocket company on Sunday. Now 90, Dwight experienced a few minutes of weightlessness with five other passengers on a 10-minute Blue Origin flight. He called it “a life-changing experience” and is now the oldest person in space, surpassing "Star Trek" actor William Shatner. (More)

Extra Credit

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