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Today’s prime tales

A Delaware decide stated yesterday she’s not prepared to simply accept a plea deal struck between Hunter Biden and the Justice Department over tax and gun expenses. Judge Maryellen Noreika requested clarification on how much immunity the deal provides for Biden, who can be underneath a broader investigation associated to his enterprise dealings. As a end result, Biden pleaded not responsible to the costs.

Hunter Biden is seen after a White House ceremony on July 7, 2022.

Susan Walsh/AP

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Susan Walsh/AP

Hunter Biden is seen after a White House ceremony on July 7, 2022.

Susan Walsh/AP

• NPR’s Deirdre Walsh experiences on Up First this morning that Republicans are centered on allegations that Hunter Biden involved his father — who was then vp — in his enterprise dealings with international firms. Many on the far proper referred to as for an impeachment vote proper after Joe Biden was elected president, however Walsh says extra mainstream Republicans consider the House must construct extra proof first. Jerry Nadler, the highest Democrat within the House Judiciary Committee, tells her there is no proof linking the president to any wrongdoing, and the impeachment efforts are about politics and the 2024 election. 

Military officers within the West African nation of Niger eliminated the nation’s President and announced a coup on nationwide tv yesterday. The U.S. has condemned the coup. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated he spoke to and affirmed U.S. help for President Mohamed Bazoum.

• Niger is a key Western ally in a area the place its neighbors have weakened or reduce ties with the West. But regardless of army help from the U.S. and France, insecurity has gotten worse, in line with NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu. Like its neighbors, most individuals there reside in poverty, and the nation has been overwhelmed by Islamist insurgencies. Akinwotu explains that one problem is that when the West isolates juntas that launch coups on this area, Russia has been there to take advantage of the state of affairs, prefer it did in Mali.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has introduced a brand new technique in response to the unprecedented variety of migrants and asylum seekers who’ve arrived within the metropolis over the previous yr. Adams says the town will hand out flyers on the U.S-Mexico border to discourage folks from coming to NYC, and single migrants can solely keep in metropolis shelters for 60 days.

• A Columbia University immigration regulation professor tells NPR’s Jasmine Garsd that the modifications are “devastating,” as the town has traditionally been a beacon for immigrants. Garsd says each migrant she spoke to simply desires to work, however the soonest they will apply for a piece allow is six months after making use of for asylum — which may take years. This pushes migrants into an underground economic system and places them prone to exploitation.

Sinead O’Connor, the Irish singer identified for her intense voice and outspoken activism, has died at 56. Her recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U” was one of many greatest hits of the early Nineteen Nineties. O’Connor’s household introduced the information with “great sadness.” Her explanation for loss of life has not been made public.

• Fans “cherished her singular voice and presence,” says NPR’s Anastasia Tsioulcas. Though she was solely 20 when she broke into the music scene, Tsioulcas says the “wisdom and depth in her voice immediately marked her as an old soul.”

Deep dive

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies was just lately nominated for 2 Emmys but it surely was canceled after one season and has been faraway from Paramount+. Above, Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy Nakagawa, left, Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano, Cheyenne Wells as Olivia Valdovinos and Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia Zdunowski.

Eduardo Araquel/Eduardo Araquel/Paramount+

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Eduardo Araquel/Eduardo Araquel/Paramount+

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies was just lately nominated for 2 Emmys but it surely was canceled after one season and has been faraway from Paramount+. Above, Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy Nakagawa, left, Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano, Cheyenne Wells as Olivia Valdovinos and Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia Zdunowski.

Eduardo Araquel/Eduardo Araquel/Paramount+

Streaming has been a significant flashpoint within the ongoing Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes. But they don’t seem to be the one ones who say the current model isn’t working for them.

• Fans have complained that streamers like Netflix are canceling their favourite reveals too quickly, and typically taking them off the platforms altogether.
• Writers say this leaves them with nothing to point out for his or her onerous work. They additionally haven’t any negotiating energy for future alternatives as a result of streaming companies do not share efficiency information, in contrast to TV rankings and field workplace numbers.
• Streamers say they’re additionally having a tough time. Disney CEO Bob Iger says they’ve realized a lot of their content material wasn’t driving subscription development. Removing content material additionally provides them a tax write-off.

Today’s hear

The Philip Glass Ensemble performing Music in Twelve Parts on the Idea Warehouse in 1975, with vocalist Joan La Barbara (far left).

The Museum of Modern Art/SCALA/Art Resource, N.Y.

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The Museum of Modern Art/SCALA/Art Resource, N.Y.

The Philip Glass Ensemble performing Music in Twelve Parts on the Idea Warehouse in 1975, with vocalist Joan La Barbara (far left).

The Museum of Modern Art/SCALA/Art Resource, N.Y.

The phrase minimalism invokes clear, sparse areas in shades of whites and beiges. But the minimalist motion additionally contains music. Fans discover it hypnotic. Critics assume it seems like a needle caught in a groove. William Robin and Kerry O’Brien are capturing stories in regards to the style of their new ebook, On Minimalism. Listen to some examples and decide for yourself.

Lindsey Horan of USA celebrates after scoring her staff’s solely purpose in opposition to the Netherlands on the 2023 Women’s World Cup group match on July 27, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

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Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Lindsey Horan of USA celebrates after scoring her staff’s solely purpose in opposition to the Netherlands on the 2023 Women’s World Cup group match on July 27, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

1. The extremely anticipated Women’s World Cup rematch between the U.S. and the Netherlands resulted in a tie final night time. Catch up on these three key moments.
2. Every yr, greater than 300,000 folks are drawn to go to Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán. Morning Edition’s Lilly Quiroz traveled there and has an audio postcard from her journey to the “eternal spring country.”
3. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, says he is “fine” after he abruptly stopped speaking at a press conference yesterday on Capitol Hill. He was briefly escorted away however returned to take questions.

This e-newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.