R. Kelly’s defense takes a confusing turn
THE BIG STORY
Democrats say they've sort of reached a deal on their huge social program bill It's a breakthrough! Kind of. Democrats announced Thursday morning that they have a broad deal on how to pay for President Joe Biden's signature social program bill.
Progressive and centrist Democrats have been fiercely debating details of the Build Back Better Act — the $3.5 trillion bill that would implement paid universal parental leave, an expansion of Medicare, a permanent child tax credit for parents, and investments in green energy.
Most notably, party leaders want to save the government hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade by allowing the federal government to negotiate down the drug prices paid through Medicare. Some centrists oppose this measure and argue that the bill is too expensive in general, causing a prolonged stalemate for the Build Back Better Act and the party's less controversial, centrist-endorsed infrastructure bill.
But on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced, "The White House, House, and the Senate have reached an agreement on a framework that will pay for any final negotiated agreement. So the revenue side of this we have an agreement on."
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had promised to put the party's infrastructure bill, already passed by the Senate, to a vote on the House floor by Monday. Whether this new "agreement on a framework" signals a compromise for the potential Monday vote remains to be seen. STAYING ON TOP OF THIS
Biden's approach to immigration is causing a huge internal rift and leading to a lot of confusion  President Joe Biden speaks before the UN General Assembly on Sept. 21, 2021. (Eduardo Munoz/AP) As the US now conducts mass deportations of Haitians arriving at the southern border, one question looms: What exactly is the country's direction on immigration policy under President Joe Biden?
The Biden administration has undone several initiatives enacted under Trump, notably the entry ban for people from several majority-Muslim nations. It's limited arrests by deportation officers, largely ceased detention of families, expanded work permits for immigrant crime victims, and reunited many parents and children separated by the Trump administration.
But when faced with issues at the border, Biden has turned to an approach favored by many leaders before him, including Trump: deterrence. In a matter of days, for example, the US has removed more than 1,400 Haitian immigrants to Haiti.
SNAPSHOTS
A CDC panel voted for Pfizer vaccine boosters to be given to older adults but said healthcare workers shouldn't get them yet. The panel pushed back against an FDA recommendation to distribute the booster shots more widely.
Boppy is recalling 3.3 million loungers after 8 babies died. Share this story with any new parents you may know.
R. KELLY'S FLAWED DEFENSE
R. Kelly's defense compared him to Martin Luther King Jr., Hugh Hefner, and Mike Pence in a rambling closing argument Kelly's defense lawyer Deveraux Cannick gave his closing argument in the singer's federal trial on Thursday.
His statement featured a reminder that former vice president Mike Pence calls his wife "mother," as well as a convoluted metaphor comparing MLK to Kelly. It's not clear what similarities he was trying to draw between the civil rights leader and Kelly, who is facing charges of racketeering and human trafficking.
What was clear was Cannick's strategy for having his client acquitted: asserting that the more than 40 witnesses called by prosecutors — who had described, at times in graphic detail, the alleged abuse — were lying. Cannick largely did not acknowledge the government's roughly six-hour-long closing argument.
IT'S MORPHIN' TIME
These sisters promised their brother a Power Rangers–themed birthday, and it finally happened 16 years later What do you see when you watch this viral video of four older sisters throwing their brother a surprise Power Rangers–themed party over a decade after the peak of his obsession with the show?
Was it the genuinely good costumes and commitment to the characters? Did you catch the time-intensive labor of preparing decorations, getting themed desserts, and rallying together out-of-town family members? Maybe you're just grateful you're witnessing a thoughtful gift between family members who support each other. Whatever you took away from this moment, hope it made you smile. WE MADE IT TO FRIDAY, FELLAS
Weekend reads to get lost in  Samuel Jules, a 23-year-old member of Surf Haiti (Jessica Obert for BuzzFeed News) A Haitian town has dreamed of producing Olympic surfers and drawing tourists. Samuel Jules is part of a community in Haiti that's passionate about the ocean and determined to grow its surfing culture. He aspires to go to surfing competitions in Brazil, Hawaii, and Tahiti.
But Haiti is a nation battered by catastrophe and instability, and Jules and other Haitian surfers are going up against tremendous odds.
Twenty-six new science fiction and fantasy books you won't be able to put down. A biological robot who's starting to question its programming. An 18-year-old with plans to avenge her sister's death and a rare, ominous psychic power. An unlikely found family with the devil knocking on their door. And more!!!
Capturing the joy, pride, and history in Mesoamerican Indigenous communities. Cinthya Santos-Briones rejects the traditional role of a photojournalist. "It's the idea that the system tells you that you are the artist, you are the author — you know, individualism," she said. "Photographers don't discover stories. We need to be more collective than individual." Be compassionate with yourself, Alexa 📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Alexa Lee and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.
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