U.S. and world news for April 19

Israeli attack: Israel has staged an attack on Iran in retaliation for the attack on Israel staged by Iran several days ago. A few explosions were reported within Iran and the Iranian military said it shot down three Israeli drones. It did not appear as if any installations associated with Iran’s nuclear weapons program were targeted. The U.S. said it did not know about Israel’s plan for this latest attack, although the U.S. was advised by Israel that it would retaliate soon for Iran having launched 300 missiles and drones against Israel last weekend.

Trump trial: This is the fourth day of Donald Trump’s hush money trial in a Manhattan court. Jury selection is likely to be completed with the selection of five more alternate jurors. Twelve jurors and one alternate were in place as of this morning. Prosecutors have complained to Judge Juan Merchan that Trump violated the gag order imposed on him at least seven times. The gag order is supposed to block Trump from intimidating jurors, witnesses, court employees, and others. The judge has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday to consider what to do about Trump’s alleged violations.

Tesla recall: Tesla is recalling all 3,878 of the Cybertruck 2024 models is has produced because the accelerator may stick in an open position. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that when the accelerator was being assembled at a Tesla factory in Texas soap was used as a lubricant and now the residual soap is causing the accelerator to stick. Tesla says it will notify owners to bring the vehicles into a service center so the problem can be fixed.

Russian bomber: Ukraine said today it shot down a Russian bomber that was on a mission to attack Ukraine. Ukraine said that anti-aircraft missiles were used. Russia said that one of its bombers crashed but it was because of a mechanical problem. The Russians said that three of the crewmembers parachuted to safety and that a search was underway for the fourth crewmember. A Russian missile attack near the center of Ukraine killed at least eight people, according to the Ukrainian government. Officials said at least 28 people were injured.

Alaska: President Biden this morning announced that his administration is taking action to prevent oil drilling and mineral mining on 13 million acres of land in Alaska’s Western Arctic region. That brings to 41 million acres of land and water preserved from exploitation by the Biden Administration. “These natural wonders demand our protection. As the climate crisis imperils communities across the country, more must be done,” Biden said.

Sinking: About 270 million people in China are living on land that is sinking and would be below sea level in less than 100 years, according to a study published by the journal Science. The study found that 45% of China’s urban areas are sinking faster than about 0.12 inch per year and other areas are sinking faster than 0.4 inch per year. The sinking appears to be caused by groundwater being pulled out of the ground and the weight of buildings compacting the soil. The study in Science said that sinking combined with sea level rise poses a threat for the future not only in China but in the U.S. and other parts of the globe.