*) Medical experts deal big blow to Derek Chauvin’s defence

Medical experts asserted that Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck long enough to cut off his oxygen.

Doctors Martin Tobin and Bill Smock testified that a lack of oxygen led to brain damage and caused Floyd's heart to stop.

The damaging testimony has ripped a big hole in the defence's theory that Floyd died because of his issues with drugs.

*) Biden attempts to tackle US gun violence

President Joe Biden branded US gun violence an epidemic at a ceremony to unveil his first attempt at getting the problem under control.

With Congress unable to agree on broad new gun regulations, Biden announced six measures that he said will help slow down the crisis.

The new measures include a move to crack down on homemade firearms that lack serial numbers and tightened regulations on pistol-stabilising braces.

*) Israel will not cooperate with ICC war crimes probe

Israel has formally decided not to cooperate with an International Criminal Court investigation into war crimes committed in Palestinian territories.

The ICC's chief prosecutor last month opened an investigation into incidents in the Israeli-occupied territories.

Palestinians called the move a rare opportunity to hold Israel accountable for what they call serious and longstanding violations of international law.

*) Violence erupts again in Northern Ireland despite pleas for calm

Authorities in Northern Ireland sought to restore calm after Protestant and Catholic youths in Belfast hurled bricks, fireworks and petrol bombs at police and each other.

The often violent protests that began last week stemmed from the unionist community, leading to joint condemnation from political leaders in the British province.

Unionists are angry over apparent economic dislocation due to Brexit and existing tensions with pro-Irish nationalist communities.

And finally …

*) Mike Pompeo joins Fox News

Fox News has hired former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo as an on-screen contributor and political pundit.

The conservative cable network has hired other members of the Trump orbit in recent months, including his daughter-in-law Lara Trump and former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

Pompeo says he intends to give viewers a candid, no-nonsense look at geopolitics and international relations.