First Thing: Alabama executes Kenneth Smith using untested nitrogen gas method

Israel braces for interim ICJ ruling on South Africa's Gaza genocide allegation. Plus, Biden pauses carbon mega bomb' natural gas exports.

Good morning.

Alabama has carried out the first execution of a death row inmate in the US using the untried method of nitrogen gas.

Why did his first execution fail? In November 2022, Smith spent four hours strapped to a gurney while being punctured with needles that couldn't find a vein to administer the lethal injection. He was later diagnosed with PTSD.

Why was he on death row? Smith was convicted of the 1988 murder-for-hire of a pastor's wife, Elizabeth Sennett.

What are South Africa's allegations? Israel's campaign has led to the destruction of Palestinian life" and pushed people toward famine.

What is Israel arguing? That it has a right to defend itself after the 7 October attack that killed 1,400 people, and that it is targeting Hamas, not Palestinian people as a whole.

The ruling is expected at 1pm (7am EST) - follow on our live blog.