Summit for Democracy, Bob Dole memorial, 'West Side Story': 5 things to know Thursday
Summit for Democracy starts Thursday
President Joe Biden's two-day Summit for Democracy is set to begin Thursday with 111 countries in attendance. Biden organized the virtual summit to rally nations against authoritarianism. Its stated mission is to "set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal" and to tackle threats against democracies "through collective action." But the invitation list has raised questions – both in Congress and abroad. Countries like Iraq and the Republic of Congo, with questionable human rights records, were invited while Hungary, a member of the European Union, and Turkey, a NATO member, were not invited to participate.
- Opinion: Secretary of State Antony Blinken on why Biden is convening a Summit for Democracy
- 2022 Beijing Olympics: Biden announces diplomatic boycott citing 'ongoing genocide'
- Column from Nancy Armour: Diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics is right way for US to protest abuses
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The late Sen. Bob Dole to lie in state in the US Capitol
Memorial events celebrating the late Sen. Bob Dole start Thursday in Washington and end over the weekend in his home state of Kansas. Dole died Sunday morning in his sleep at the age of 98, prompting an outpouring of support and memories from political figures across the country. The former presidential candidate will lie in state Thursday in the U.S. Capitol. President Joe Biden will join Dole's widow, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and daughter, Robin, along with congressional leaders at a private ceremony that starts at 10 a.m. ET in the Rotunda. Dole's casket will arrive at the Capitol just before the ceremony and will remain for 24 hours. The Capitol will not be open for public viewing. A funeral service takes place Friday at Washington National Cathedral, with Biden and former presidents expected to attend.
- Who was Bob Dole?The life of a senator from Kansas, presidential hopeful and decorated veteran
- Dole's legacy: Belief in hard work, aversion to big talk
- Sen. Dole's final column: 'Too many of us have sacrificed too much'
Trial of Kim Potter for death of Daunte Wright to resume in Minneapolis
The manslaughter trial of former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter will continue Thursday. Jurors heard opening statements from prosecutors and Potter's defense team Wednesday. Prosecutors say Potter committed first- and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright. "This case is about the defendant, Kim Potter, betraying her oath, betraying her badge, and betraying her trust," Prosecutor Erin Eldridge said. Defense attorneys say the shooting was an "accidental and mistaken discharge," according to court filings. "She made a mistake. This was an accident. She’s a human being. And she had to do what she had to do to prevent a death of a fellow officer,” Potter's defense attorney Paul Engh told jurors.
- Who's on the jury? Jury selected in trial of Kim Potter, charged in Daunte Wright's death
- How could a gun be mistaken for a Taser? There have been at least 16 incidents of 'weapon confusion' since 2001
- Lethal force? Tasers are meant to save lives, yet hundreds die after their use by police
Cross-country winter snowstorm hits central and western US
A swath of central and western U.S. could see up to 12 inches of snow on Thursday and into Friday, bringing an end to snow dry spells and disrupting travel plans. Parts of Nebraska, Iowa, New Mexico, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Colorado are under winter storm watches and warnings. The cross-country storm isn't likely to evolve into a bomb cyclone as others have earlier this year, Accuweather reported, but it'll likely be strong enough to bring the first significant snow of the season to western mountain ranges like the Colorado Rockies. For some states, especially those with thriving ski industries, the arrival of snow is highly anticipated and sorely needed.
- Across the American West, landscapes are primed for mudslides
- America's sewer systems weren't built for climate change
New 'West Side Story' makes its first appearance in theaters
The second film adaptation of the classic "Romeo & Juliet"-inspired Broadway musical "West Side Story" arrives in theaters for its first showings Thursday night before going wide across the nation Friday. In New York City circa 1957, the white Jets and Puerto Rican Sharks are rival street gangs fighting for what's left of their diminishing turf as slums are cleared and Manhattan's West Side is built up. When ex-Jet Tony (Ansel Elgort) meets and falls in love with Maria (newcomer Rachel Zegler), the sister of the leader of the Sharks, the two meet wherever they can to keep their relationship a secret. In his ★★★½ out of four review, critic Brian Truitt says that Steven Spielberg, the legendary Oscar-winning director, puts his stamp on the movie musical and Tony winner Tony Kushner's new screenplay brings more life to the cast of personalities outside of its young lovers. Truitt adds that Spielberg's take "doesn't stray too far from the original ... but is rather a more authentic, dynamic and thoughtful revamp."
- 'There's no one way to be Latina':Rachel Zegler does stardom her way with 'West Side Story'
- 'I'm not that color':Rita Moreno pushed back against dark makeup in original 'West Side Story'
- From 'West Side Story' to the new 'Spider-Man' movie: 10 new movies over the holidays you can't miss