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Today’s headlines
Jurors in former President Donald Trump’s hush-money trial will begin deliberations today. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a settlement with adult film actor Stormy Daniels to keep allegations of an extramarital affair from being disclosed to the media before the 2016 election. He pleads not guilty. Jurors heard more than eight hours of closing arguments yesterday. The defense spent much of its time questioning the testimony of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and reiterated that every presidential campaign is a “conspiracy to further a candidacy.” Prosecutors countered, emphasizing the testimony of all witnesses — not just Cohen. Here’s a breakdown of what both sides said in their closing arguments.
Former President Donald Trump left Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday at the end of the day’s criminal trial in New York City for allegedly covering up hush-money payments.
Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
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Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
- 🎧 on NPR Trump’s trialHost Scott Detrow and legal expert Harry Litman explain There are three possible jury outcomes: guilty, not guilty, or a hung jury.
Pope Francis has apologized for using a slur about a gay man in a private meeting with Italian bishops last week. Church leaders are debating whether the church should admit gay men into Catholic seminaries to prepare for the priesthood. Italian media reported that Francis opposed the idea and used an offensive Italian slang term to refer to gay men and gay culture. The head of the Vatican’s press office said in a statement yesterday that Francis “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms”.
- 🎧 NPR’s Jason DeRose tells the story first up Many LGBTQ+ Catholic groups say the church is sending mixed messages. They say that while the tone surrounding LGBTQ+ issues has changed, the teachings have not. Last year, the pope allowed priests to bless people in same-sex relationships. Earlier this year, the Vatican released a document called “Infinite Dignity” that called “transgenderism” and “gender theory” a serious threat. The church continues to teach that homosexuality is disordered and same-sex sexual behavior is a sin.
South Africans will go to the polls today in what could be a major turning point for the country. The ruling African National Congress, Africa’s oldest liberation party, faces stiff competition and could lose its majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela led the party to power 30 years ago.
- 🎧 “The ANC has gone from a respected liberation movement to a party with declining support“Since the end of apartheid, NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu reports from the polls. Time and time again, he says, people tell him the country needs a new direction, but there aren’t enough opportunities, Especially for young people.
Listened to it today
Evangelicals from Brazil wade, pray and be baptized in the Jordan River in Israel.
Maya Levine (NPR)
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Maya Levine (NPR)
Evangelicals from Brazil wade, pray and be baptized in the Jordan River in Israel.
Maya Levine (NPR)
Conservative Christians — especially evangelicals — have been staunch supporters of Israel for decades. Their support stems from the beliefs of some sects Doomsday prophecies will occur in Israel, which according to the Jewish interpretation of the Bible is their rightful land. As Israel faces criticism in the United States and abroad for its actions in Gaza, many Christians say they feel called to support the country through donations, volunteering and visits.
Science for Brothers and Sisters
Photographer Tommy Trenchard (pictured above) and his sister both have the ability to pick up almost anything with their toes. Nothing is impossible for their nimble digits, including remote controls.
Aurelie Marie Di Univille
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Aurelie Marie Di Univille
Photographer Tommy Trenchard (pictured above) and his sister both have the ability to pick up almost anything with their toes. Nothing is impossible for their nimble digits, including remote controls.
Aurelie Marie Di Univille
Are you and your siblings unusually nimble on your feet? Do you two have surprisingly similar hobbies, preferences, and lifestyle habits? There may be a scientific reason for this. Nancy L. Segal is a psychologist at California State University who has studied dozens of sets of identical twins during her career. She says her study sends a clear message that many traits we think of as being acquired randomly may not be so random. NPR asked readers to share the strange quarks they share with their siblings. Here’s what they had to say.
3 things you need to know before you go
- A lost painting by iconic Italian master Caravaggio wrongly attributed Another artist whose work has been exhibited at the Prado National Museum in Madrid. It will last until October. The museum describes the painting as “one of the greatest discoveries in the history of art”.
- Betty Nash, the world’s longest-serving flight attendant, dies at 88 After nearly seventy years in the sky. American Airlines called her “a legend for American Airlines and the entire industry, inspiring generations of flight attendants.”
- Some fans can finally hear a few songs from Wu-Tang Clan’s elusive seventh album, Shaolin past events. Visitors to Australia’s Tasmanian Museum of Old and New Art can book a free 30-minute private listening session.
Majeed Wahidi Edited this newsletter.
