The graduation could be affected by the protests over Gaza
An Attorney’s Perspective on the ‘Molineux Rule’ and the “Paor Bad Act” of the New York Criminal Trial
In a written statement to NPR Thursday, attorney Douglas Wigdor, who has represented eight alleged Harvey Weinstein victims, including two of the Molineux witnesses in the New York criminal trial, said: “Today’s decision is a major step back in holding those accountable for acts of sexual violence. Courts often allow evidence of other uncharged acts to be admitted to help juries understand issues related to the intent, scheme, and/or motivation of the defendants. The jury was instructed on the relevance of this testimony and overturning the verdict is tragic in that it will require the victims to endure yet another trial.”
On behalf of the appeals court majority, Judge Jenny Rivera wrote in part in the ruling: “We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes because that testimony served no material non-propensity purpose… Testimony from the accusers was used to bolster their credibility, and diminish the character of the defendent.
In New York,Molineux witnesses or “prior bad act witnesses” are allowed in certain situations since 1900. Critics and legal experts believe that application of the “Molineux Rule” can be very subjective, making verdicts more open to challenges.
Everything you love about a video game is in Games: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. The story shows a deep lesson on grief, and the power we have when faced with terrible loss.
A Journey Through Trouble, Trouble, Mischief : Amy Tan’s Music, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, Baby Reindeer, and Stereophonic
Theater: The Broadway show Stereophonic is based on Will Sherman’s novel. It offers a hyper-realistic look at the costs and glories of making art.
Music: St. Vincent tells NPR that her newest album, All Born Screaming, is an exercise in “tension and release” — with some moments that play as sonic “jump scares.”
Books : Amy Tan, best known for writing The Joy Luck Club, didn’t set out to write a book in 2016. She was trying to lose herself in nature and was depressed due to the state of the world. That experience inspired her latest book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles.
Baby Reindeer is a dark, haunting story of a comedian who is cruelly followed by a mentally ill woman. NPR’s Glen Weldon writes that it’s both troubling and troublesome — because it depicts queer sexuality as something that happens to people.
Movies: The trailers for the Zendaya-led Challengers have been steamy. The host of the Pop Culture Happy Hour says that this new film is more than just a tennis movie.
Source: Campus protests over Gaza could affect graduation; Steve Inkseep interviews Blinken
Why are there so many cars? — Steve Inskeep, Morning Edition host and China’s secretary of state tells Steve Blinken
Steve sits down with Secretary of State Antony Blinken following a meeting between Blinken and China’s President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese officials. There is an exclusive interview with Blinken that Steve had.
Why are there so many cars? Liu thinks it’s because there’s not enough work elsewhere, and he may be right. The government stopped publishing statistics last year because of the high youth unemployment. That’s just one sign of the strains on the world’s second-largest economy, which has not recovered from the pandemic in the way many of its people wanted.
One of the ways we’ve looked at the economy is by talking to delivery drivers, who whiz through the streets on silent motorbikes (all of them electric, by law), delivering meals, groceries, clothes, water cooler tanks and almost anything else. The pay is better than some other jobs — some drivers left their home villages to earn more in the city — though one driver, Liu Shiwei, said business isn’t good. He said orders were low and too many drivers were vying for them as he ate his lunch.
This essay was written by Steve Inskeep, Morning Edition and Up First host. Steve and the Morning Edition team have returned to China — and Steve has noticed it’s a lot different than when he was last there five years ago. He’ll share some of his observations and what he’s heard from locals on Morning Edition today and in the coming days.
Source: Campus protests over Gaza could affect graduation; Steve Inkseep interviews Blinken
Defending Donald Trump During the 2019 U.S. Presidential Election: The Up First Report on the Palestinian Protests against Israel’s War in Gaza
After hearing arguments yesterday, a majority of the Supreme Court seemed skeptical of granting former President Donald Trump immunity from prosecution for criminal acts. Trump’s lawyers argue that the steps he took to stay in power after President Biden won the 2020 election were part of his official duties, thus, he can’t be prosecuted for them. Everything you want to know about the court’s decision, and how it will affect the presidency as a whole.
The pro-Palestinian protests spread across the country, resulting in hundreds of students being arrested. It’s been one week since police cleared an encampment of demonstrators at Columbia University. The students were able to reestablish their camp. UT Austin and the City College of New York have organized similar protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
