Opening statements in Trump's hush money trial; Speaker Johnson's future; new class for Rock & Roll Hall

Hot Off The Wire

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted April 22 at 8 a.m. CT:

NEW YORK (AP) — Opening statements in Donald Trump’s historic hush money trial are set to begin. The statements expected Monday will set the stage for weeks of testimony about the former president’s personal life and placing his legal troubles at the center of his closely contested campaign against President Joe Biden. Trump is accused of falsifying internal business records as part of an alleged scheme to bury stories he thought might hurt his presidential campaign in 2016.

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. labor organization is warning that over 70% of the world’s workforce is likely to be exposed to excessive heat during their careers, citing increased concern about exposure to sunlight. It also warned of air pollution, pesticides and other hazards that could lead to health problems including cancer.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The head of Israel’s military intelligence directorate has resigned over Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, the head of Israel’s military intelligence, becomes the first senior Israeli figure to step down over the failures surrounding Hamas’ attack.

The federal government is for the first time requiring nursing homes to have minimum staffing levels after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed grim realities in poorly staffed facilities for older Americans. Vice President Kamala Harris announced the final rules Monday before a trip to Wisconsin, where she'll speak with nursing home care workers and hold a campaign event related to abortion rights.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will consider whether banning homeless people from sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Monday's case is considered the most significant on homelessness to come before the high court in decades.

Pope Francis has renewed calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Two top climate monitoring organizations are reporting that Europe is the fastest-warming continent and its temperatures are rising at roughly twice the global average.

In other headlines:

• The House passes billions in aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle. That could cost Speaker Mike Johnson his job.
• Crush of lawsuits over voting in multiple states creates a shadow war for the 2024 election.
• Earth Day: How one grocery shopper takes steps to avoid "pointless plastic."
• Ozzy Osbourne, Cher among Rock Hall inductees08 "Civil War" continues box-office campaign at No. 1.
• The Celtics blow out the Heat to begin their postseason, the Clippers earn a Game 1 win without Kawhi Leonard, the Bucks take a 1-0 series lead over the Pacers, the Thunder hold on to beat the Pelicans to start their first-round playoff series, the NBA announces its awards finalists, all four home teams earn Game 1 wins in the NHL playoffs, Shohei Ohtani reaches another baseball milestone, Cole Irvin breaks a long losing streak for the Orioles, a wild finish in Talladega spells victory for Tyler Reddick, and the world's top-ranked golfer is on the verge of another tournament win.
• Israelis prepare for a somber Passover, and Hindu nationalists expect a strong showing in India.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.