Good Monday afternoon. Former President Trump’s first criminal trial has begun with jury selection, Israel is weighing its response to Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack and millions of people are at risk of severe storms today and tomorrow. Here is what’s in our Nightly Rundown. |
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First Trump criminal trial begins with jury selection in New York hush money case |
Former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial officially began this morning with jury selection for his hush money case – marking the first time a former American president has ever faced trial on criminal charges. The case stems from a $130,000 payment in 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels from Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, to keep her quiet about an alleged affair with Trump. The former president has denied any relationship or wrongdoing. During today's proceedings, Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the prosecution cannot play the "Access Hollywood" tape featuring Trump making lewd comments about women. The former president showed little visible reaction throughout the day -- and was seen in the courtroom with his eyes closed at certain points. Jury selection is expected to take up to two weeks because of the massive pool of several-hundred potential jurors. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records, and has pleaded not guilty to all counts. Before walking into court, the former president slammed the trial as “an assault on America” and an attack on a “political opponent,” rather than a legitimate legal matter. “Nothing like this has ever happened before,” he said. “This is political persecution … It’s a case that should have never been brought.” |
Israel war Cabinet weighs response to Iranian attack as U.S. urges restraint |
Israel’s war Cabinet convened today to consider how Israel should respond to Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack over the weekend. An Israeli official tells NBC News that the Jewish state will respond, but that no final decision has been made about the scale or the timing of the response. Iran and Israel clashed at an emergency meeting for the United Nations Security Council on Sunday, with the U.S. saying that Iran’s move to launch a barrage of 300 drones and missiles at Israel should not go unanswered. Iran is insisting that it does not seek further escalation – and said the U.S. should be “grateful” for its restraint. But Iran also warned of more “decisive” strikes in retaliation to any potential counterattack from Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. is urging restraint from Israel – its top ally in the Middle East – after 99 percent of the Iranian drones and missiles were shot down on Saturday. President Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuagainst launching new strikes on Iran, and said that the U.S. would not participate in any offensive actions, officials told NBC News. Biden also told Netanyahu to “take the win” after Israel effectively thwarted the Iranian attack, according to sources familiar with the discussions. And this morning, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told “TODAY” that Israel should keep in mind its “incredible military achievement,” adding that the U.S. does not seek a war with Iran. |
25 million people at risk for severe weather across Mid-Atlantic and Plains |
Twenty-five million people are at risk for severe storms tonight across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and much of the central and southern Plains. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware until 10 p.m. ET. Storms are already starting to develop in these states, with damaging winds and large hail expected in cities like Charleston, WV, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond and Norfolk, VA. Parts of the Plains stretching from Texas to South Dakota could see storms tonight that produce damaging gusts, large hail and potentially tornadoes. Twenty-six million people remain at risk for severe storms on Tuesday across the Midwest. |
Caitlin Clark says she’s 'confident' heading into tonight’s WNBA draft |
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Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark is expected to be the No. 1 pick at tonight’s sold-out WNBA draft, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET in New York. In an interview with NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, Clark says she knows that expectations are high for her much-anticipated WNBA debut, and what many predict will be her start on the Indiana Fever. Clark said joining the WNBA will “probably be a bit of a learning curve,” but said the pressure of meeting the moment is familiar to her – and welcome. “Being confident in all the work I’ve put in, in the moments, and knowing that I’ve earned to be in this moment – that’s always kind of what I remind myself, you know, you’re not here by accident,” she said. |
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What else we're watching: |
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"Rust" movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison today after she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the killing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. |
Authorities in Nevada are asking the public for help to find two men caught on video damaging ancient rock formations at Lake Mead. |
French President Emmanuel Macron said that he is confident the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on the river Seine will be a success as planned, but that there’s a Plan B and Plan C in case of security threats. |
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Watch us this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC, or check your local NBC station listing. After the broadcast, access Nightly News video on NBCNightlyNews.com or the NBC News app. |
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