AP-Newswatch

Swiss women score a landmark climate win in a court decision that could ripple across Europe

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Europe’s highest human rights court has ruled that its member nations must protect their citizens from the consequences of climate change. Tuesday’s decision was a landmark ruling that sided with a group of 2,000 Swiss women against their government in a case that could have implications across the continent. The European Court of Human Rights rejected two other, similar cases. But the other plaintiffs still rejoiced since the Swiss case sets a legal precedent in the Council of Europe’s 46 member states against which future lawsuits will be judged. The court faulted Switzerland for not giving sufficient protection to the women who argued that older women like them are most vulnerable to the extreme heat that is becoming more frequent.

Can’t get enough of the total solar eclipse or got clouded out? Here are the next ones to watch for

DALLAS (AP) — If you missed North America’s total solar eclipse or if you caught the eclipse bug, there are more chances to see the sun disappear. Full solar eclipses happen about every year or two or three, due to a precise alignment of the sun, moon and Earth. The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026 and will pass over the northern fringes of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. An eclipse on the scale of Monday’s event won’t happen again until Aug. 12, 2045 though the U.S. will get a taste of totality before then.

The Latest | Netanyahu vows to carry out Rafah invasion, which US says would be a mistake

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has escalated his pledge to invade Rafah. In a video statement Monday, he declared: “It will happen. There is a date,” without elaborating. He spoke as Israeli negotiators are in Cairo discussing international efforts to broker a cease-fire deal with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel has insisted on sending troops into Rafah, saying the city on the Egyptian border is Hamas’ last stronghold. However, this has raised international alarm over the fate of the around 1.4 million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, most of whom are displaced from other parts of the Gaza Strip. Israel’s top ally, the U.S., has said invading Rafah would be a mistake and has demanded to see a credible plan to protect civilians.

Germany rejects allegations that it’s facilitating acts of genocide in Gaza at UN court

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Germany is strongly rejecting a case brought by Nicaragua at the United Nations’ top court accusing Berlin of facilitating breaches of the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law by providing arms and other support to Israel in its deadly assault on Gaza. Christian Tams, a member of Germany’s legal team, told the 16-judge panel at the International Court of Justice on Tuesday that, “The minute we look closely, Nicaragua’s accusations fall apart.” Nicaragua urged judges Monday to call a halt to German military aid to Israel, arguing that Berlin’s support enables acts of genocide and breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza.

Prosecutors urge Supreme Court to reject Trump’s immunity claims in election subversion case

WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith’s team is urging the Supreme Court to reject former President Donald Trump’s claim that he is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The brief from prosecutors was submitted just over two weeks before the justices will take up the legally untested question of whether an ex-president is shielded from criminal charges for official actions taken in the White House. The outcome of the April 25 arguments is expected to help determine whether Trump faces trial this year in a four-count indictment that accuses him of conspiring to block the peaceful transfer of power after losing the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden.

Biden to meet Japan’s PM Kishida amid shared concerns about China and differences on US Steel deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set for his much-anticipated visit to Washington. The visit, which will include a glamorous state dinner Wednesday, comes amid growing concerns about provocative Chinese military action as well as a rare moment of public difference between Washington and Tokyo over a Japanese company’s plan to buy the iconic U.S. Steel. Kishida and his wife will stop by the White House on Tuesday evening ahead of Wednesday’s official visit and formal state dinner to celebrate a nation that President Joe Biden sees as the cornerstone of his Indo-Pacific policy. Kishida will be just the fifth world leader that Biden has honored with a pomp-filled state dinner.

Norfolk Southern agrees to pay $600M in settlement related to train derailment in eastern Ohio

Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay $600 million in a class-action lawsuit settlement related to a fiery train derailment in February 2023 in eastern Ohio. The company said Tuesday that the agreement, if approved by the court, will resolve all class action claims within a 20-mile radius from the derailment and, for those residents who choose to participate, personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius from the derailment.

UConn concludes a dominant run to its 2nd straight NCAA title, beating Zach Edey and Purdue 75-60

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — UConn delivered the latest of its suffocating basketball beatdowns, smothering Purdue for a 75-60 victory to become the first team since 2007 to capture back-to-back national championships. Tristen Newton scored 20 points for the Huskies, who won their 12th straight March Madness game — not a single one of them decided by fewer than 13 points. UConn was efficient on offense but won this with defense. The Huskies limited the country’s second-best 3-point shooting team to a mere seven shots behind the arc, and Purdue only made one. Meanwhile, UConn allowed Zach Edey to go for 37 points on 25 shot attempts.

Content creation holds appeal for laid-off workers seeking flexibility

Despite a strong job market, there are still thousands of people who have found themselves out of work across industries stretching from tech to retail to media. But rather than trying to find another job in their old role, some workers are turning to online content creation. In an estimated $250 billion industry, 4% of global content creators pull in more than $100,000 annually, according to Goldman Sachs Research. YouTube — considered by creators to be one of the more lucrative platforms — has more than 3 million channels in its YouTube Partner Program, which is how creators earn money. Meanwhile, TikTok has seen a 15% growth in user monetization. But experts warn that it takes time, energy and resources to turn content creation into a successful career.

Who’s really left-handed? In baseball, it can be hard to tell

HOUSTON (AP) — MLB and its history are dotted with men who played out of their natural handedness, a phenomenon that is seen occasionally in other sports but is a regular occurrence on the diamond. Thumb through a pack of baseball cards from just about any era and you’re likely to see players who bat one way and throw the other. Ask them to sign that card and there’s no telling which hand would hold the pen.