Notices by Steve Herman (w7voa@journa.host), page 20

Sky News - UK general election to be held July 4. https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-sunak-starmer-davey-tories-labour-lib-dems-general-election-12593360

(AFP) - French President Macron arrives in riot-hit New Caledonia.

Nikki Haley says she’ll be voting for Donald Trump. https://apnews.com/article/72cd80b03d0cd6f69601a0c6166194a5

NBC News: RNC headquarters in DC under lockdown after someone sent vials of blood to the building. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/republican-national-committee-headquarters-lockdown-sent-vials-blood-rcna153462

The Netherlands and US navies conducted bilateral operations in the South China Sea today, according to the 7th Fleet. https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/3783980/netherlands-us-naval-forces-conduct-south-china-sea-operations/

Ireland, Norway and Spain formally recognize Palestine effective May 28. https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/05/22/live-ireland-palestine-recognise-state-latest/

(AP) — Israeli officials seize AP equipment and take down live shot of northern Gaza, citing new media law.

(AP) — A video posted to Donald Trump’s account on his social media network Monday included references to a “unified Reich” among hypothetical news headlines if he wins the election in November. https://apnews.com/article/31002afb91b642c0314223d19e51f427

WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange's battle to avoid extradition to the US receives a huge boost with London's High Court ruling that Americans assurances over his case are unsatisfactory and he’ll get a full appeal hearing. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/wikileaks-julian-assange-given-permission-appeal-against-us-extradition-2024-05-20/

Contrary to the ICC, "what's happening is not genocide," says President Biden of Israel's actions to destroy Hamas in Gaza.

“The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.” - President Biden in a statement

“I have instructed the immediate establishment of a special command center at the Foreign Ministry, with all professional entities, aimed at fighting against the decision intended primarily to shackle Israel's hands and prevent it from exercising its right to self-defense.” - Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz

US “fundamentally rejects the announcement today from the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that he is applying for arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, together with warrants for Hamas terrorists.” - Secretary of State Blinken

“Karim Khan’s decision to seek arrest warrants for five people for grave international crimes committed in Israel and Palestine since October 7 in the face of pressure from US lawmakers and others reaffirms the crucial role of the International Criminal Court.” - Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director, Human Rights Watch

"I've done live fact-checking during breaking news events for years. But the sheer volume of viral misinformation today regarding Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash posted by fake osint accounts and blue tick grifters for engagement (on Twitter/X) has been something to behold," says Shayan Sardarizadeh, a journalist at BBC Verify.

Rescue teams have been deployed to the area in the foggy weather. - Tasnim News https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2024/05/19/3088737/accident-reportedly-happens-to-iranian-president-s-helicopter

President Biden has been briefed on the helicopter crash in Iran, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters on Air Force One.

“We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister,” says a
State Department spokesperson. “We have no further comment at this time.”

Update: Anadolu News Agency (Turkey) - Akinci UAV identifies source of heat suspected to be wreckage of helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi and shares its coordinates with Iranian authorities.

A Turkish drone appears to have joined the aerial part of the search for the downed helicopter that was carrying Iran’s president and prime minister. https://www.flightradar24.com/AKINCI01/354ad8fc