The first seven jurors are selected in former President Trump’s hush money trial, and historic rain in the United Arab Emirates leads to major flooding at the Dubai airport and across the region. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
First 7 jurors selected in Trump hush money trial
The second day of the first criminal trial against a former U.S. president saw seven jurors selected, with opening arguments expected soon. Former President Donald Trump observed the process in a Manhattan courtroom as the first seven jurors for his hush money trial were chosen after debate over prospective jurors’ social media postings and their ability to be fair and credible.
The selected jurors include a salesman originally from Ireland who will serve as the foreman, an oncology nurse, two attorneys, an IT consultant from Puerto Rico, an ELA teacher, and a software engineer for Disney.
Another 96 prospective jurors were sworn in before proceedings ended Tuesday. They will return Thursday, with today being an off day for the trial. The judge indicated that the full jury might be seated by week’s end, with opening arguments potentially beginning Monday.
Trump, accused of falsifying dozens of business records, has denied any wrongdoing.
Mayorkas impeachment moves to Senate for trial
Senators swear in as jurors Wednesday, April 17, for the impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Senate will issue a summons to Mayorkas, informing him of the charges and requesting a written response; he is not required to appear.
House Republicans have charged Mayorkas with failing to enforce immigration laws and betraying public trust. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for a full trial to hold those responsible for the border crisis accountable.
Mayorkas, DHS and Democrats have called the charges baseless. With Democrats controlling the Senate, they are expected to attempt to dismiss the charges this week before full arguments are presented.
Columbia University president to testify on antisemitism on campus
Four months after a congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses led to the resignation of two Ivy League presidents, the president of Columbia University, Minouche Shafik, is set to appear before that same committee Wedesday, April 17.
Shafik, who was scheduled to testify at the House Education and Workforce Committee’s December hearing but could not due to a scheduling conflict, will respond to questioning on the university’s response to rising campus conflicts since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal titled “What I Plan to Tell Congress Tomorrow,” Shafik wrote of balancing free speech with protecting students, stating that “calling for the genocide of a people — whether they are Israelis or Palestinians, Jews, Muslims, or anyone else — has no place in a university community.”
Bob Graham, former U.S. Senator and Forida Governor, dead at 87
Bob Graham, a prominent figure in Florida politics and a former U.S. senator, has died at 87 in Gainesville. He served as Florida’s governor from 1979 to 1987 and was a U.S. senator until 2005, focusing on education, the environment, and immigration.
Known for his practical political style and “work days,” where he performed jobs like a short-order cook and bellhop to connect with voters, Graham also made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, emphasizing his opposition to the Iraq war.
Heavy rain leads to ‘historic weather event’ in United Arab Emirates
Historic flooding in the United Arab Emirates has led to the closure of Dubai’s airport and schools canceling classes. The rain began late Monday, and by Tuesday night, Dubai had received more than 6 inches of rain in over 24 hours, far surpassing the city’s average annual rainfall of just over 3 inches.
At least one person was killed in the floodwaters. The state-run news agency described the rainfall as a “historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” The storm also affected other parts of the Middle East, causing at least 19 deaths in Oman.
Participant Media shutting down after 20 years
After 20 years, Participant Media is closing its doors, the company’s founder Jeff Skoll announced Tuesday. The decision affects around 100 employees. Since its inception in 2004, Participant Media has been dedicated to creating films and TV shows aimed at inspiring social change.
The studio was behind Oscar-winning projects like “Spotlight” and “Green Book,” as well as films such as “Lincoln” and “Wonder,” the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” and the Netflix series “When They See Us.”
In total, Participant won 21 Academy Awards and 18 Emmy Awards during its 20-year run.
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