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"Israel remains quiet on next steps against Iran."

Views expressed in this U.S., World, and Geopolitical News update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 15 April 2024, 1310 UTC.

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By Sarah Naffa April 15, 2024

In the news today: After an Iranian bombardment, Israel’s next steps remain unclear; the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump begins today; and Ohio and Alabama could keep Joe Biden off the ballot. Also, ancient vases and a modern performance are some highlights from inside the rehearsals of Greece's Olympic flame ceremony. Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel on Sunday. (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg) WORLD NEWS Israel remains quiet on next steps against Iran Israeli leaders on Sunday credited an international military coalition with coordinating a response to a direct Iranian attack involving hundreds of drones and missiles, calling it a starting point for a “strategic alliance.” But Israel’s War Cabinet met without making a decision on next steps, an official said, as a nervous world waited for any sign of further escalation. Read more.

Recent developments: The military coalition, led by the United States, Britain and France and appearing to include some Middle Eastern countries, supported Israel at a time when it finds itself isolated over its war against Hamas in Gaza. The coalition also could serve as a model for regional relations when that war ends. One unknown is which of Israel’s neighbors participated in shooting down of the vast majority of about 350 drones and missiles Iran launched. Israeli military officials and a key War Cabinet member noted additional “partners” without naming them. When pressed, White House national security spokesman John Kirby would not name them either. But one appeared to be Jordan, which described its actions as self-defense. Iran may have managed to strike a balance between retaliating publicly and avoiding provoking further Israeli military action and setting off a much wider conflict. Mona Yacoubian, vice president of the Middle East and North Africa center at the U.S. Institute of Peace said of the situation: “Both (Iran and Israel) are able at this point to claim victory and step down off the precipice, particularly since there were no Israeli civilians killed.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ What key recent events led to Iran’s assault on Israel? Inside Israel’s air-defense system that protected it from Iran’s drone and missile strike Biden to host Iraqi leader as Mideast tensions soar U.S. NEWS Trump’s history-making hush money trial starts with jury selection In a singular moment in American history, the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump begins today with jury selection. It’s the first of Trump’s four indictments to go to trial. Read more.

Why this matters: Trump will be the first ex-president on criminal trial. And because Trump is the presumptive nominee for this year’s Republican ticket, the trial will also produce the head-spinning split-screen of a presidential candidate spending his days in court and, he has said, “campaigning during the night.” Trump’s lawyers will likely attack the case by trying to undermine the credibility of prosecution witnesses like Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen and porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump has described the two as liars, testing the limits of a gag order that the judge imposed. Regardless of the eventual outcome, the trial of an ex-president and current candidate is a moment of extraordinary gravity for the American political system, as well as for Trump himself. Such a scenario would have once seemed unthinkable to many Americans, even for a president whose tenure left a trail of shattered norms, including twice being impeached and acquitted.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Live Updates | Donald Trump’s hush money trial set to begin A look at how jury selection will work in Donald Trump’s first criminal trial WATCH LIVE at 7 a.m. ET: Outside Trump Tower and a Manhattan courthouse as jury selection begins in Donald Trump’s hush money trial ADVERTISEMENT POLITICS Will Biden be on the ballot in Ohio and Alabama? That’s up to Republicans President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is wrangling with Republican-dominated state governments in Ohio and Alabama to ensure he is listed on their fall ballots, as once-mundane procedural negotiations get caught up in the nation’s fractious politics. Read more.

Why this matters: Both states have deadlines for appearing on the ballot that precede the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in Chicago. Lawyers for Biden’s campaign have asked their secretaries of state to accept provisional certifications before the cutoff, which would then be updated once Biden is formally nominated. Election chiefs in both states have identified solutions that are putting Democrats in the tenuous position of asking Republicans for help. Though former President Donald Trump is favored to win both states, the absence of a sitting president from the ballot could sway faith in the electoral outcome. Democrats are weighing all their options. If pleas for provisional certification or legislation both fail, they could be forced to consider litigation or call a portion of their convention early to formalize Biden’s certification.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Tax Day reveals a major split in how Joe Biden and Donald Trump would govern Robert F. Kennedy Jr. convenes hundreds in Iowa to try for access to November ballot News organizations urge Biden and Trump to commit to presidential debates ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Security package: House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will push for aid to Israel and Ukraine this week Mall attack: Australian police probe why man who stabbed 6 people to death in a Sydney mall targeted women The Holy See: Vatican complains after French court rules in favor of nun dismissed from religious order Gene Herrick: AP photographer who covered the Korean War and civil rights, dies at 97 2024 Masters: Tiger Woods finishes Masters with his highest score as a pro Today in History: In 1912, the Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic WATCH Security Council: Israel and Iran face-off at the UN after attack Cable car accident: Rescuers help stranded people to safety after a deadly accident in Turkey Artificial models: AI fashion models are affecting the industry Sweet treats: Andean bears at San Diego Zoo enjoy some honeycomb treats Surprise appearance: Caitlin Clark on her Saturday night live appearance A CHANGE OF PACE Performers join a rehearsal at Ancient Olympia site, Greece, on Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Inside the rehearsals for Greece's Olympic flame ceremony Every two years, a new interpretation of an ancient performance gets a global audience at the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Details of the 30-minute performance are fine-tuned – and kept secret – right up until a public rehearsal Monday, but the Associated Press was granted rare access to rehearsals that took place during weekends. ADVERTISEMENT

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