President Trump's opening statement in Manhattan trial
The first criminal trial against a former US president began yesterday, with lawyers for both sides offering different visions of Donald Trump in their opening statements.
Prosecutors have told a vivid story of Mr. Trump's checkered past, painting him as a co-conspirator in a conspiracy to cover up three sex scandals that threatened his 2016 election victory, and Mr. Trump said he was trying to protect his candidacy. He claimed to have lied “over and over again.”
Trump's lawyers called the lawsuit not a “records violation” and argued that the 34 felonies Trump is accused of amount to “just 34 pieces of paper.” They sought to undermine the credibility of key prosecution witnesses such as President Trump's former fixer, Michael Cohen.
Today, we will hear a short testimony from David Pecker, the head of the National Enquirer who claims that prosecutors bought and covered up articles that could have jeopardized Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. was also included. Proceedings ended early to accommodate the Passover holiday and a juror's emergency dental appointment.
Israeli intelligence leader resigns
Israel's military intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Aharon Hariba, has resigned, citing intelligence failures that preceded the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. He is the top official who tendered his resignation after the attack.
General Hariba had become a symbol of the Israeli establishment's failure to stop the worst attack in Israel's history. His resignation was expected to increase pressure on other senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to take greater responsibility for their role in the disaster.
UK approves Rwanda deportation bill
Britain's Conservative government has finally won passage of the Rwanda Expulsion Bill, a bill that human rights campaigners say is inhumane, immigration experts say is unworkable, and rule of law critics say is legal. It claims it has damaged the country's reputation for control.
The law aims to allow the government to put some asylum seekers on one-way flights to Rwanda, where their claims can be processed. If they are then granted refugee status, they will be resettled in Rwanda rather than in the UK. However, deportation attempts are likely to face further legal challenges, and it is unlikely that large numbers of asylum seekers will be sent to Rwanda.
Other top news
The battle for a weight-loss drug made by pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has resulted in a windfall for the Danish city of Kalandborg.
That's all for today's explanation. Thank you for spending part of your morning with us. See you tomorrow. – group
PS: “The Interview,” a new podcast featuring chats with fascinating people, debuts on Saturday.
Dan and the team can be contacted at: briefing@nytimes.com.