Closing arguments begin with Trump co-defendants' arguments to expel Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case. A major winter storm hits California. And a new humpback whale photo leaves the scientific community (and beyond) in awe.
Here's what you need to know today.
Bid to oust Fani Willis from Georgia election lawsuit nears end
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin today in Donald Trump's co-defendant's high-stakes lawsuit seeking to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in the Georgia election interference case. If Willis were to be fired, her entire office would be similarly disqualified and a new prosecutor would have to take over this massive case.
The motion to dismiss Willis from the lawsuit was filed by former Trump campaign staffer Michael Roman. Willis is accused of having an “inappropriate” personal relationship with Nathan Wade, the attorney he appointed as special prosecutor in the case. She is also accused of benefiting financially from Mr Wade's appointment.
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Willis and Wade have acknowledged that they were in a relationship, but claim that their relationship began after he was appointed special prosecutor. Read more about the Georgia case here.
Trump's legal troubles do not end with today's trial in Georgia. In Florida, the federal judge overseeing the classified documents case against him is considering delaying the trial date and holding important hearings. The trial is scheduled for May 20, but Special Counsel Jack Smith's office has suggested a July trial start date, while Trump's lawyers have suggested an August trial start date. Judge Eileen Cannon's ruling will be crucial in determining the schedule for President Trump's trial this year. Learn more about Florida hearings here.
Our politics team will be live blogging both events. Visit NBCNews.com As for the latest one.
More Trump news:
- Introducing Susie Wiles, the operative who is trying to get President Trump to the White House with four indictments. Read the exclusive story here.
Heavy snowstorm hits California's Sierra Nevada
Last night, the National Weather Service issued stern advice to people living in California's Sierra Nevada mountains: “The safe travel period is over… It's best to hunker down where you are.” Snow is starting to fall in the region, with forecasters predicting up to 10 feet of snow will fall in the mountains this weekend. The situation is expected to worsen further. Starting today. Both the blizzard warning and avalanche warning remain in effect until Sunday morning.
Texas wildfire updates:
- A second person has been confirmed dead from wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. And yesterday, the Smokehouse Creek Fire officially surpassed 1 million acres, making it the largest fire in Texas history. Follow our live blog.
- This interactive map Here's how the Smokehouse Creek Fire compares to where you live.
Presence of strict security Navalny funeral
Funeral of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny Is it?King Moscow locationthe event is seen by many as representing a struggle between the country's marginalized protest movement and President Vladimir Putin's will to silence it.
Hundreds of mourners gathered around the church and cemetery in the Russian capital where Navalny will be buried, and tight security was in place ahead of the service. Critics of Putin's aides say the Kremlin is trying to derail the ceremony, citing difficulties securing a venue, a hearse to transport the body, and a morgue unable to place the body. I'm blaming. agreed time.
Navalny, 47, died last month in an Arctic penal colony. Putin's wife, other supporters and Western leaders have condemned him, an accusation the Kremlin denies. Five people familiar with the matter told NBC News that an agreement to release Navalny had been in the works before his death.
Wavering Black voters aren't happy with Biden or Trump
Focus group of North Carolina black voters who view both Joe Biden and Trump negatively, clearly dissatisfied with the president, but the former president is an unacceptable choice in the 2024 election That's what I'm looking at. The findings come from two of his focus groups created in collaboration with Engagious, Syracuse University, and Sago as part of the NBC News Deciders Focus Group series.
“I feel like this is the lesser of two evils,” said Candace D., 44, of Charlotte. “It's either a politician who's trying to do something for the country as a whole, or it's a politician who's only thinking about himself, his party, a particular party or the people.”
In voter surveys, almost everyone criticized Biden as “old” and questioned his political strength, but most of them used words such as “crazy” and “brutal” to describe Trump. It was expressed in even darker terms. Here are some other opinions from voters:
How the war in Gaza could become protracted
As the death toll in the Gaza Strip surpassed 30,000 this week and international criticism mounts, the Israeli military believes it is on the path to victory in the attack on Hamas. But Palestinian insurgents are still fighting, and former U.S. military officers and analysts say they could drag Israel into a long-term quagmire similar to past conflicts.
Israeli officials say Hamas is under pressure, has no means of resupplying weapons and has limited movement.
However, the supreme leader of Hamas is still alive. The group still holds more than 100 Israelis hostage. And even based on Israel's active casualty estimates, there are still 18,000 fighters remaining. One US official said of Hamas: “Although it has deteriorated, it still has the ability.”
Humpback whale sex and gay sex filmed for the first time
When he and a fellow photographer took images of two humpback whales having sex in Hawaii, Lyle Kranikfeld said, “we immediately realized there was a scientific meaning to it.'' It wasn't until Kranichfeldt and Brandi Romano got home and looked at the photos that they realized they captured a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The photo, published this week in the journal Marine Mammal Science, is the first photo of this species engaging in sexual intercourse, the authors of the study said. In fact, experts say: It is the first time This species has been recorded to exhibit all kinds of sexual activity.
Politics overview
Government funding: meeting Short-term funds request sent That averted a partial government shutdown this weekend and gave lawmakers more time to fund federal agencies through September.
Immigration and borders: Biden is visiting the southern border in Brownsville, Texas. appealed directly to TrumpHe invited them to work together to pass an immigration bill.
War between Israel and Hamas: Biden's team increasingly Take special measures to minimize disruption From pro-Palestinian protests at his events. That includes avoiding college campuses, hosting smaller events, and even withholding event locations until you arrive.
Mr. McConnell's successor: Sen. Mitch McConnell's list of people to unseat Republican leadership includes three men named John and several non-Johns.Here it is what to know about them.
meeting: Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, another Trump supporter, said: will deliver a formal Republican response. Next week's State of the Union address.
Leakage of confidential documents: Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira accused of leaking classified documents on Discord; Looks like he's ready to plead guilty. next week, according to court filings.
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Staff recommendations: What happens if you actually get measles?
The overall success of childhood immunizations means that today few parents have first-hand experience with classic childhood diseases like measles, so they are often neglected. . This story is not only a timely reminder of the suffering caused by even mild cases of measles, but also illustrates how difficult it is for doctors to deal with a disease they have rarely encountered during their training.Reporter Aria Bendix take us to the hospital This is where it becomes horrifyingly obvious.
— alex haslett Platform Deputy Editor
In case you missed it
- Caitlin Clark, University of Iowa basketball all-star, Enter the 2024 WNBA DraftA few weeks after becoming the NCAA women's all-time leading scorer.
- 1 person died Two people were injured in a shooting at a dentist's office near San Diego. A 29-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
- Mexico City is the most populous city in North America. facing a serious water crisis. Residents have endured weeks of shortages and local authorities have imposed rationing.
- Thanks to social media skincare trends, teens are increasingly using anti-aging products. finish work at the clinic.
- Rachel Levis, former star of “Vanderpump Rules'' filed a bomb lawsuit Alleged revenge porn against cast members Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix.
- Where is Kate Middleton?Since she hasn't been seen in public since Christmas, the internet is speculating about her whereabouts.
Choice: Online shopping, simplified
best reusable water bottles 2024 will include two Stanley cups, plus great options like Owala, Hydro Flask, and Yeti.
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