“New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on felony sex crime charges, a stunning reversal in the foundational case of the #MeToo era,” the New York Times reports. “In a 4-3 decision, the New York Court of Appeals found that the trial judge who presided over Mr. Weinstein’s case had made a crucial mistake, allowing prosecutors to call as witnesses a series of women who said Mr. Weinstein had assaulted them — but whose accusations were not part of the charges against him.” Jodi Kantor: “The overturning of Weinstein’s New York sex crimes conviction, and ..read more

We’ve gone from one of the most productive to one of the least productive Congresses in history over the course of President Biden’s first term. House Republicans have proven their inability to pass even the simplest of bills since they took control last year. They’ve had a ridiculously hard time — twice — even choosing a speaker. Join now to continue reading. Members get exclusive analysis, bonus features and no advertising. Learn more. If you’re already a member, sign in to your account ..read more

“French President Emmanuel Macron said the American security umbrella is a thing of the past and that the continent needs to build its own credible defense strategy if it wants to survive,” Bloomberg reports. “In a speech setting out his vision for Europe, six weeks ahead of European Parliament elections, Macron said the continent may need to produce its own anti-missile shield, long-range surface missiles and other items to sufficiently defend itself in the present geopolitical context ..read more

“Israel seems ready to start moving civilians out of Rafah, a prelude to an assault on the Gazan city that would probably erode much of any remaining international sympathy over its stand-off with Iran,” Bloomberg reports. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who’s vowed to wipe out the 5,000-8,000 Hamas fighters and some leaders that Israel says are holed up in Rafah, has worked to overcome US objections to the offensive ..read more

“Donald Trump said he believes he has a chance of winning New York in the Electoral College in November, a longtime goal of the presumptive GOP nominee that has eluded Republicans for 40 years,”  Bloomberg reports. Said Trump: “We have a good chance of winning in New York in my opinion. I think we’re going to do very well and we’re going to make a play for New York ..read more

“U.S. economic growth slowed in the first part of the year, falling short of economists’ expectations,” the Wall Street Journal reports ..read more

“Donald Trump on Thursday criticized the judge in his ongoing hush-money trial while arguing for presidential immunity during an early morning visit to a New York construction site,” Politico reports. Said Trump: “We have a big case today but the judge isn’t allowing me to go. We have a big case today in the Supreme Court on presidential immunity. A president has to have immunity, otherwise you just have a ceremonial president.” Earlier for members: Trump Is a Pretty Weak Strongman ..read more

Wall Street Journal: “The total fertility rate fell to 1.62 births per woman in 2023, a 2% decline from a year earlier, federal data released Thursday showed. It is the lowest rate recorded since the government began tracking it in the 1930s.” “The decline reflects a continuing trend as American women navigate economic and social challenges that have prompted some to forgo or delay having children. A confluence of factors are at play. American women are having fewer children, later in life. Women are establishing fulfilling careers and have more access to contraception.” “At the same time, you ..read more

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told the Washington Post he is eager to step out of leadership and into a role as a rank-and-file member. Said McConnell: “After 18 years of kind of getting beat up and defending everybody else, I’m kind of looking forward to pursuing what I want to pursue and saying what I want to say ..read more

“President Biden, seeking to capitalize on a week of favorable political developments, plans to announce on Thursday that his administration will provide up to $6.1 billion in grants to Micron Technology, the latest federal award intended to shore up the nation’s domestic supply of semiconductors,” the New York Times reports ..read more