Trump’s approval score; Saudi prince on Khashoggi : NPR

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Right this moment’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 Put up 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, appearing regretful concerning the killing. His response was notably totally different in tone than Trump’s, NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben tells Up First. The assembly between the 2 leaders resulted in numerous 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 speculate $1 trillion within the U.S. The textual content for a lot of extra agreements that the 2 international locations 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 informed reporters that the extreme give attention to the information is a Democratic hoax.

• 🎧 The knowledge that comes out within the information might gas 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’ workplaces concerned within the instances. The president has pledged to place his give attention to the Democrats whose names may seem within the information, which should 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 score has hit a brand new low, 10 months into his second time period. He and the Republican Occasion are getting a lot of the blame in relation to the federal government shutdown, and persons are overwhelmingly saying he must give attention to reducing 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 had been requested who they’d vote for if the midterm elections occurred right now, Democrats had a 14-point benefit. The final time the hole was that vast was eight years in the past throughout Trump’s first time period in workplace. A yr after that, Democrats received 40 seats. The ballot additionally revealed that persons are usually dissatisfied with all the things; respondents expressed little to no confidence in Congress, the media, political events, the Supreme Courtroom or the presidency.

Deep dive

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

• 🏠 Most householders ditch their mortgage early by refinancing or transferring to a brand new location. The typical American house owner stays of their dwelling for lower than 12 years, based on a Redfin evaluation.
• 🏠 Lengthy-term, fixed-rate mortgages permit for decrease month-to-month funds and the power to freeze housing prices, permitting homebuyers to refinance when it fits them.
• 🏠 The issues recognized with the 50-year mortgage concept are additionally evident within the 30-year mortgage. The motivation behind the proposal is to make homeownership extra accessible for People, 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 type a folklórico dance troupe often called Las Abuelitas De Oro, a reputation impressed by The Golden Women. Folklórico is a conventional Mexican dance that mixes regional dance with ballet strategies. 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 intervals 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 normal artwork type. Check out these images, which showcase their tradition. (by way of Texas Public Radio)

3 issues to know earlier than you go

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

PeopleImages/Getty Pictures/iStockphoto

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PeopleImages/Getty Pictures/iStockphoto

1. Friendsgiving is a usually potluck-style gathering with buddies held close to the date of Thanksgiving. The celebration can imply various things to totally different folks. Here is a have a look at NPR’s ‘Phrase of the Week’ and knowledgeable recommendations on how to rejoice Friendsgiving.
2. The brand new “Amped: Music Icons in Levi’s Denim“ exhibition, situated 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 Highway Residences 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 text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.