President Biden’s Son Goes on Trial

Editor’s Note

Good morning and Happy Pride Month. After last week’s historic verdict, I did my best to unplug a bit from the news. Was I successful? Of course not. I blame it in part on the notifications of JLo’s canceled tour, which really got loud. But if that saves her from a potential bat encounter, then I think it might be worth skipping the stage (thinking of you, Taylor Momsen). Anyway, this weekend also had me wondering: What’s in a name? And are Tajín and other spices in drinks having a big moment? You can tell us if you’re feeling the heat in today’s poll (don’t miss it at the end). Alright, let’s get to the news…

— Maria del Carmen Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI

What's Happening

US News

President Biden’s Son Goes on Trial

What's going on: Today, jury selection in Hunter Biden’s gun case is scheduled to begin in Wilmington, DE — not far from his dad’s campaign headquarters. The president’s son faces three felony charges, including allegedly lying about his drug addiction in order to purchase a gun in 2018. Hunter, who’s been open about his struggles with addiction, pleaded not guilty to the charges. If he is found guilty, Hunter could face up to 25 years in prison and reportedly $750,000 in fines. First-time offenders, like Hunter, typically don't get a maximum sentence. A verdict could come in as little as two weeks.

What it means: It’s the first time in US history that the child of a sitting president will go on trial. It also comes days after former President Trump’s conviction. The trial could also stand to air some of the Biden family’s dirty laundry since the witness list includes Hunter’s ex-romantic partners, like his late brother’s widow. Meanwhile, Hunter faces another trial in September on charges of tax evasion, just weeks before the November election.

Related: What Did Trump Do After His Conviction? Join TikTok (CBS)

International

Mexico Elected Its First Female President

What's going on:  Claudia Sheinbaum won Mexico’s presidential election, according to projections. Voters in Mexico headed to the polls yesterday to decide whether leftist Sheinbaum or conservative Xóchitl Gálvez should be the country’s next leader. The two women were the country's leading contenders, with a third male candidate trailing far behind in the polls. Sheinbaum is a Nobel Prize winning scientist, the former mayor of Mexico City, and an ally of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Gálvez is a former Mexican senator, who vowed to be tougher on criminals.

What it means: Crime was a top voter issue, amid rising cartel-linked violence, with more than a dozen political kidnappings and assassinations leading up to the election, as well as femicide. Sheinbaum will have to navigate the challenges surrounding crime and Mexico's relationship with its northern neighbor. Mexico plays a key role in helping control immigration at the southern US border and in curbing the flow of drugs like fentanyl into the states. Sheinbaum will serve a six-year term, starting in October.

Related: Why Mexico Is Getting a Female President Before the US (NYT)

Health

A Birth Control Option for Men Shows Progress

What's going on: Over the weekend, researchers presented the results of a phase 2 trial for a male contraceptive gel. Here's how it works: Men in the trial apply the gel, which contains testosterone and a synthetic hormone called Nestorone, to their shoulders once a day. The trial, which includes over 200 men, found that the gel dropped sperm levels to no more than 1 million sperm per milliliter of semen in 86% of the participants. Typical sperm counts can range from 15 million to 200 million per milliliter. As for side effects, one user reportedly noticed upper back acne and possibly some weight gain.

What it means: The gel could reportedly be one of the most advanced birth control options available for men, if it gains FDA approval. There are currently no male birth control drugs on the market, despite decades of attempts. In one survey, 75% of cis-gender men said they'd take birth control. Researchers say a hurdle for developing male birth control is funding.

Related:  A New Blood Test Can Help Predict the Risk of Breast Cancer Returning (The Guardian)

Quick Hits

🥤 A lawsuit against Poppi could have the soda falling flat for some customers.

🏀 A controversial call involving Caitlin Clark divided the internet.

👀 Turns out, most people have little guests living rent-free on their faces. Wink, wink.

🏳️‍🌈 Adele reminded us she’s an ally.

👑 Simone Biles did it again — not once, not twice, but nine times.

Extra Credit

Listen

Here's a recipe for a good podcast: Combine OG food blogger Deb Perelman, of Smitten Kitchen fame, with New York Times columnist J. Kenji López-Alt, of YouTube fame, and you get “The Recipe with Kenji and Deb.” In the recently launched Radiotopia podcast, the popular cookbook authors share everything from how they develop their recipes to their takes on the biggest food trends (see: chopped salad sandwiches) and most heated food debates (see: the best way to cut a sandwich). Sounds delicious.

Game Time

Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of Flipart. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. Get into it.

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Settle This

More and more brands are cashing in on the spice, apparently welcoming the “swicy” trend. Are you spicing things up with your food or drinks?