Good Wednesday! Here are some of today's top stories:
As jury deliberations began in the hush money trial, Trump said "not even Mother Teresa" would be acquitted. Plus the one juror worrying some legal experts and Newsweek’s interview with a court sketch artist documenting the unique trial. A Putin ally signs a nuclear deal with a NATO member. Another volcanic eruption hits Iceland, forcing evacuations from the Blue Lagoon. A majority of government workers want Biden off the ballot. Plus watch the hilarious (and odd) thing one cat demands every night at 10:30. 

The Gist of It: Jury deliberations began today in the hush money trial against Donald Trump. The former president signaled he is not optimistic he will be found not guilty, telling reporters that "not even Mother Teresa" would be acquitted. Watch what he said.

The jury: One Donald Trump Juror Has Legal Expert Worried
New: Merrick Garland Under Pressure to Investigate Judge Juan Merchan
Verdict: Does Trump Jury Need to Be Unanimous? Juan Merchan's Comment Goes Viral

The Gist of It: Newsweek sat down with Isabelle Brourman, one of three court sketch artists who spend their days scribbling on large canvases, documenting Donald Trump’s historic hush money case. She explains why this trial is unique and what it’s like drawing the famous family. Watch here.

Newsweek poll: Is Donald Trump Guilty in Hush Money Case? You Tell Us
Reaction: Donald Trump Hits Back at 'Pathetic' Robert De Niro
On the internet: Trump's Post-It Note During Trial Goes Viral

The Gist of It: Belarus on Wednesday signed a nuclear deal with Hungary, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) following a bilateral meeting. Here’s what we know. 

New: US Abrams Tanks' Armor Is Failing in Ukraine
Poland: Ukraine Gets Green Light to Strike Inside Russia From NATO Ally

The Gist of It: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito declined to recuse himself from cases involving former President Donald Trump and the Capitol riot after calls to do so amounted earlier this month, claiming that "reasonable" people aren't questioning his ability to remain impartial. Here’s his response.

Related: Samuel Alito's Flag Claims Challenged

The Gist of It: A court has rejected New York Attorney General Letitia James' bid to move a lawsuit against an anti-abortion group and almost a dozen pregnancy counseling centers to Manhattan from upstate. Here’s what happened.

Election 2024: Texas Election Results Leave Republicans Fractured
Poll: Government Workers Want to Replace Biden

The Gist of It: A new volcanic eruption has begun spewing huge amounts of lava over 100 feet into the air at the Sundhnúks crater in Iceland. The eruption prompted hundreds of people to evacuate from the nearby Blue Lagoon and was captured on livecams. Watch here.

Heatwave: India Swelters in Record 126F Temperatures

DID YOU SEE THIS?

The Gist of It: One woman shared her cat's odd late-night routine which has since gone viral. Every night at 10:30 p.m., Toby the cat demands that “I take him all the way to the very bottom floor of our apartment stairs, and he just sits?" And of course, his owner is sitting right there with him! Watch the funny video here.

Wednesday bonus: Reason Dog Owner Can't Keep Windows Open Leaves Internet in Stitches