Dems could have a bonus within the 2026 midterms. And, Trump defends Saudi crown prince

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At present’s cease tales

President Trump yesterday defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when a reporter questioned him throughout a gathering with the 2 leaders within the Oval Workplace concerning the 2018 killing of Washington Publish journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The CIA concluded that the crown prince accepted the operation that led to Khashoggi’s killing and dismemberment.

• 🎧 The crown prince additionally responded to the query about Khashoggi, performing regretful concerning the killing. His response was notably completely different in tone than Trump’s, NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben tells Up First. The assembly between the 2 leaders resulted in quite a lot of offers, together with the U.S. agreeing to promote the Saudis tanks and F-35 fighter jets. The White Home additionally introduced that Saudi Arabia is pledging to take a position $1 trillion within the U.S. The textual content for a lot of extra agreements that the 2 nations say they’ve signed has not but been launched.

Each the Home and the Senate have moved to compel the Justice Division to publicly launch information associated to convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein. The measure will now head to Trump’s desk after a unanimous Senate vote yesterday. The president promised to signal the laws, however advised reporters that the extraordinary concentrate on the information is a Democratic hoax.

• 🎧 The data that comes out within the information might gasoline new battle within the debate surrounding the Epstein case, says NPR’s Sam Gringlas. The laws applies to unclassified paperwork, communications, or investigative supplies held by the Justice Division, the FBI, and U.S. attorneys’ places of work concerned within the instances. The president has pledged to place his concentrate on the Democrats whose names would possibly seem within the information, which have to be made public inside 30 days of his signing the invoice. Moreover, what the Justice Division decides to redact from the information might spark additional questions from the general public.

A brand new NPR/PBS Information/Marist ballot finds that Trump’s approval ranking has hit a brand new low, 10 months into his second time period. He and the Republican Celebration are getting a lot of the blame relating to the federal government shutdown, and individuals are overwhelmingly saying he must concentrate on decreasing costs. There are indicators that Democrats might reap the advantages of those critiques heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Here is a have a look at the ballot outcomes by the numbers.

• 🎧 NPR’s Domenico Montanaro highlights an fascinating discovering: When respondents have been requested who they might vote for if the midterm elections occurred at present, Democrats had a 14-point benefit. The final time the hole was that broad was eight years in the past throughout Trump’s first time period in workplace. A yr after that, Democrats gained 40 seats. The ballot additionally revealed that individuals are typically dissatisfied with all the things; respondents expressed little to no confidence in Congress, the media, political events, the Supreme Court docket or the presidency.

Deep dive

Trump floated the concept of a 50-year mounted mortgage, an idea that many observers, together with some Trump supporters, hate. Critics complained {that a} 50-year mounted mortgage would go away Individuals in debt for his or her whole grownup lives. The thought may not clear up the U.S. housing affordability downside, however is the concept as unconventional because it sounds? Here is what we all know:

• 🏠 Most owners ditch their mortgage early by refinancing or shifting to a brand new location. The common American home-owner stays of their house for lower than 12 years, in keeping with a Redfin evaluation.
• 🏠 Lengthy-term, fixed-rate mortgages enable for decrease month-to-month funds and the flexibility to freeze housing prices, permitting homebuyers to refinance when it fits them.
• 🏠 The issues recognized with the 50-year mortgage thought are additionally evident within the 30-year mortgage. The motivation behind the proposal is to make homeownership extra accessible for Individuals, particularly as potential patrons face excessive costs and rates of interest.

Image present

Erlinda Casaverde, Martha Martinez, Michelle McDonald, Belinda Cardenas, Sandra Rodriguez and Dolores de Leon Savage are six of the eight ladies who carry out as Las Abuelitas de Oro.

Joey Palacios/TPR

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Joey Palacios/TPR

Latina grandmothers of their 70s and 80s in San Antonio, Texas, have come collectively to kind a folklórico dance troupe generally known as Las Abuelitas De Oro, a reputation impressed by The Golden Ladies. Folklórico is a standard Mexican dance that mixes regional dance with ballet methods. It options intricate footwork and elaborate skirt actions. The troupe has gained reputation within the metropolis as a result of, regardless of their age, the members can carry out the spectacular actions for prolonged durations with nice enthusiasm. They now provide free performances year-round all through San Antonio and are devoted to passing down their tradition to new generations by educating the standard artwork kind. Check out these photographs, which showcase their tradition. (by way of Texas Public Radio)

3 issues to know earlier than you go

“Friendsgiving” describes a meal, often potluck-style, shared with mates across the time of Thanksgiving. The customized could also be centuries outdated, however the phrase solely entered Merriam-Webster’s dictionary in 2020.

PeopleImages/Getty Photos/iStockphoto

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PeopleImages/Getty Photos/iStockphoto

1. Friendsgiving is a usually potluck-style gathering with mates held close to the date of Thanksgiving. The celebration can imply various things to completely different individuals. Here is a have a look at NPR’s ‘Phrase of the Week’ and skilled tips about how to rejoice Friendsgiving.
2. The brand new “Amped: Music Icons in Levi’s Denim“ exhibition, positioned at Levi’s headquarters in San Francisco, showcases how denims reveal shocking insights into the lives and legacies of the artists who wore them, from Freddie Mercury to Beyoncé.
3. The 36-unit Rainbow Street Flats complicated, impressed by a Nintendo Mario Kart sport, is scheduled to open in Phoenix subsequent month. Check out the constructing. (by way of KJZZ)

This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.