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Today’s top stories
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 his deal with adult film actor Stormy Daniels to prevent the press from reporting allegations of an affair before the 2016 election. he pleaded not guilty. Yesterday, the jury heard more than eight hours of closing arguments. The defense spent time casting doubt on the testimony of former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and reiterated that every presidential campaign is “a conspiracy to boost the election.” Prosecutors objected, emphasizing testimony from all of their witnesses — not just Cohen. This is analysis of what each side says in their closing statement.
Former President Donald Trump left Manhattan Criminal Court at the end of the day of his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments in New York City on Tuesday.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
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Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 On NPR Trump’s trialshost Scott Detrow and legal expert Harry Litman explain the three possible outcomes The jury can reach: guilty, not guilty or a hung jury.
Pope Francis has apologized for using a pejorative term to refer to gay men during a private meeting with Italian bishops last week. Church leaders are discussing whether the church should admit gay men to Catholic seminaries to prepare for the priesthood. Italian media reported that Francis opposed the idea and used a highly offensive Italian slang term to refer to gay men and gay culture. Director of the Vatican press office said in a statement yesterday that Francis “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms.”
- 🎧 NPR’s Jason DeRose tells Up first that many LGBTQ+ Catholic groups are saying the church is sending mixed messages. They say that while attitudes around LGBTQ+ issues have changed, the teachings have not. Last year, Pope allows priests to bless people in same-sex relationships. Earlier this year, the Vatican issued a document called “Infinite Dignity,” which mentioned “gender fluidity” and “gender theory” as serious threats. The church continues to teach that homosexuality is a disorder and that homosexual activity is a sin.
South Africans go to the polls today, which could be a major turning point for the country. The ruling African National Congress, Africa’s oldest liberation party, face fierce competition and could lose its majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela came to power 30 years ago.
- 🎧 “The ANC has gone from being a respected liberation movement to a political party with dwindling support.” since the end of apartheid, NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu reported from a polling station. He said time and time again, people have told him that the country needs a new direction and that there aren’t enough opportunities, especially for young people. South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world and the ANC has faced many corruption scandals.
Listen today
Protestants from Brazil wade, pray and are baptized in the Jordan River in Israel.
Maya Levin for NPR
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Maya Levin for NPR
Protestants from Brazil wade, pray and are baptized in the Jordan River in Israel.
Maya Levin for NPR
Conservative Christians — especially evangelical Christians — have been staunch supporters of Israel for decades. Their support stems from the beliefs of several sects that end-time prophecy will occur in Israel, the rightful land of the Jewish people, according to their interpretation of the Bible. As Israel faces criticism in the US and abroad for its actions in Gaza, many Christians say they feel the call for support country by donating, volunteering and visiting.
Your science
Photographer Tommy Trenchard (above) and his sister share their ability to pick up almost anything with their toes. Nothing is too far for their dexterous toes, not even the remote control.
Aurélie Marrier d’Unienville
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Aurélie Marrier d’Unienville
Photographer Tommy Trenchard (above) and his sister share their ability to pick up almost anything with their toes. Nothing is too far for their dexterous toes, not even the remote control.
Aurélie Marrier d’Unienville
Do you and your siblings have uncanny dexterity in your feet? Do the two of you share eerily identical interests, hobbies, and habits? There may be a scientific reason why. Nancy L. Segal, a psychologist at California State University, has studied dozens of identical twins throughout her career. She says her research sends a clear message that many of the traits we think we get happen by chance. maybe not so random. NPR asked readers to share the strange quarks they have in common with their siblings. This is what they had to say.
3 things to know before going
- A lost painting by famous Italian artist Caravaggio has been mistakenly attributed for another artist was exhibited at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid. It will stay there until October. Museum described the picture is “one of the greatest discoveries in the history of art.”
- Bette Nash, the world’s longest-serving flight attendant, has died at the age of 88 Later spanning nearly seven decades work in the sky. American Airlines calls her “a legend of America and the entire industry, inspiring generations of flight attendants.”
- Some fans will finally get to hear a few songs from Wu-Tang Clan’s elusive seventh album, Once upon a time in Shaolin. Visitors to the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania, Australia, can 30 minute reservation for free private listening events.
Majd Al-Waheidi edited this post.
