Former President Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan court this week for the beginning of his hush money trial, the first criminal trial of a US ex-president. After three days in court, a full 12-person jury was seated Thursday, with only five alternates left to be selected on Friday.

Trump was charged last year with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for his alleged role in a hush money scheme before the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F17%2Fasia%2Findonesia-mount-ruang-volcano-eruption-intl-hnk%2Findex.html" target="_blank">spews hot lava and ash columns</a> into the night sky Wednesday, April 17, as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi. The volcano erupted multiple times this week, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of nearby villagers.
Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano spews hot lava and ash columns into the night sky Wednesday, April 17, as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi. The volcano erupted multiple times this week, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of nearby villagers.
Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation/AFP/Getty Images
American golfer <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F14%2Fsport%2Fscottie-scheffler-the-masters-winner-2024-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Scottie Scheffler</a> celebrates after winning the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on Sunday, April 14. It was Scheffler's second Masters title.
American golfer Scottie Scheffler celebrates after winning the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on Sunday, April 14. It was Scheffler's second Masters title.
Charlie Riedel/AP
An anti-missile system, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, operates early Sunday, April 14, after Iran launched an unprecedented <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F13%2Fmiddleeast%2Firan-drones-attack-israel-intl-latam%2Findex.html" target="_blank">large-scale drone and missile attack</a> at Israel. Iran attacked late Saturday <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F14%2Fmiddleeast%2Fwhy-iran-attack-israel-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike</a> on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria earlier this month. More than 300 projectiles were fired toward Israel, but "99%" of them were intercepted by Israel's aerial defense systems and its "partners," according to the Israeli military.
An anti-missile system, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, operates early Sunday, April 14, after Iran launched an unprecedented large-scale drone and missile attack at Israel. Iran attacked late Saturday in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria earlier this month. More than 300 projectiles were fired toward Israel, but "99%" of them were intercepted by Israel's aerial defense systems and its "partners," according to the Israeli military.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
Dancers gather at the Plaza Hotel in New York before breaking the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Fballet-dance-on-pointe-world-record-ce3bfb9f0a1e7e26843a9d7b05223b35" target="_blank" target="_blank">Guinness World Record</a> for most ballerina dancers en pointe simultaneously on Wednesday, April 17.
Dancers gather at the Plaza Hotel in New York before breaking the Guinness World Record for most ballerina dancers en pointe simultaneously on Wednesday, April 17.
Bess Adler/Gothamist
Revelers smear each other with vermilion powder at a festival marking the Nepali New Year in Thimi, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, April 14.
Revelers smear each other with vermilion powder at a festival marking the Nepali New Year in Thimi, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, April 14.
Prakash Mathema/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters battle a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F16%2Fstyle%2Fcopenhagen-old-stock-exchange-fire-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">blaze at Copenhagen's old stock exchange</a>, one of the Danish capital's most famous landmarks, on Tuesday, April 16. The building dates back to 1625. Copenhagen police launched an investigation on Wednesday, which they said would be a "complicated process."
Firefighters battle a blaze at Copenhagen's old stock exchange, one of the Danish capital's most famous landmarks, on Tuesday, April 16. The building dates back to 1625. Copenhagen police launched an investigation on Wednesday, which they said would be a "complicated process."
EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Soldiers carry the coffins of Ukrainian army sergeants Tomkevych Mykhailo and Kril Olexander during their funeral at the Saints Peter and Paul church in Lviv, Ukraine, on Tuesday, April 16.
Soldiers carry the coffins of Ukrainian army sergeants Tomkevych Mykhailo and Kril Olexander during their funeral at the Saints Peter and Paul church in Lviv, Ukraine, on Tuesday, April 16.
Francisco Seco/AP
Denver celebrates after defeating Boston College in the championship game of the men's NCAA college hockey tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 13.
Denver celebrates after defeating Boston College in the championship game of the men's NCAA college hockey tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 13.
Abbie Parr/AP
House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to reporters as he walks back to his office at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on Friday, April 12. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F17%2Fpolitics%2Fmike-johnson-ukraine-aid%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Johnson announced Wednesday</a> he is sticking with his plan to put a series of foreign aid bills on the floor, including funding for Ukraine, after facing significant pressure from hardliners.
House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to reporters as he walks back to his office at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on Friday, April 12. Johnson announced Wednesday he is sticking with his plan to put a series of foreign aid bills on the floor, including funding for Ukraine, after facing significant pressure from hardliners.
Jason Andrew/The New York Times/Redux
Cyclists compete in the 47th Tour of the Alps in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Monday, April 15.
Cyclists compete in the 47th Tour of the Alps in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Monday, April 15.
Tim De Waele/Velo/Getty Images
Goslings walk in a meadow in Frankfurt, Germany, on Saturday, April 13.
Goslings walk in a meadow in Frankfurt, Germany, on Saturday, April 13.
Michael Probst/AP
Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of High Priestess, carries the torch during the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F16%2Fsport%2Fparis-2024-olympic-flame-lit-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Olympic flame lighting ceremony</a> for the Paris 2024 Olympics in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Tuesday, April 16. The flame will now begin its journey in a relay to light the cauldron that will mark the opening for the Summer Games in July.
Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of High Priestess, carries the torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Tuesday, April 16. The flame will now begin its journey in a relay to light the cauldron that will mark the opening for the Summer Games in July.
Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters
Seals rest on an ice mass in Antarctica on Thursday, April 11.
Seals rest on an ice mass in Antarctica on Thursday, April 11.
Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A medic gives first aid to an injured child at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Tuesday, April 16.
A medic gives first aid to an injured child at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Tuesday, April 16.
AFP/Getty Images
Republican impeachment managers from the House of Representatives carry <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F17%2Fpolitics%2Fsenate-mayorkas-impeachment-articles%2Findex.html" target="_blank">articles of impeachment</a> against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 16. The Democratic-controlled Senate voted to kill both articles of impeachment. The blink-and-you-missed-it trial marked the culmination of a mostly failed political gambit hatched by House Republicans seeking to cast the limelight on the Biden administration's handling of the southern border ahead of the general election.
Republican impeachment managers from the House of Representatives carry articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 16. The Democratic-controlled Senate voted to kill both articles of impeachment. The blink-and-you-missed-it trial marked the culmination of a mostly failed political gambit hatched by House Republicans seeking to cast the limelight on the Biden administration's handling of the southern border ahead of the general election.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Police officers arrest pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had set up an encampment at Columbia University in New York on Thursday, April 18. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F18%2Fus%2Fnypd-disperses-pro-palestinian-protest-columbia-university%2Findex.html" target="_blank">More than 100 people were arrested</a> on suspicion of criminal trespass, according to a law enforcement official, as police dispersed the protest, which began a day earlier as the university's president <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fbusiness%2Flive-news%2Fcolumbia-antisemitism-house-testimony%2Findex.html" target="_blank">testified before a House committee</a> about the school's response to antisemitism.
Police officers arrest pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had set up an encampment at Columbia University in New York on Thursday, April 18. More than 100 people were arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass, according to a law enforcement official, as police dispersed the protest, which began a day earlier as the university's president testified before a House committee about the school's response to antisemitism.
C.S. Muncy/The New York Times/Redux
Sabrina Carpenter performs at Coachella in Indio, California, on Friday, April 12.
Sabrina Carpenter performs at Coachella in Indio, California, on Friday, April 12.
Christina House/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Vehicles are abandoned in flood water on Wednesday, April 17, after a year's worth of rain unleashed <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F16%2Fweather%2Fdubai-rain-flooding-climate%2Findex.html" target="_blank">immense flash flooding</a> in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was the country's heaviest rainfall in 75 years, with some areas recording more than 250 mm (around 10 inches) of precipitation in fewer than 24 hours, the state's media office said in <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FUAEmediaoffice%2Fstatus%2F1780326720588906951%3Fref_src%3Dtwsrc%255Etfw%257Ctwcamp%255Etweetembed%257Ctwterm%255E1780326720588906951%257Ctwgr%255Ec87d586e3edccf0d0e0a4a4eb4fc67438d755ca4%257Ctwcon%255Es1_%26ref_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fnews%252Fuae%252F2024%252F04%252F16%252Flive-weather-rain-dubai%252F" target="_blank" target="_blank">a statement Wednesday</a>.
Vehicles are abandoned in flood water on Wednesday, April 17, after a year's worth of rain unleashed immense flash flooding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was the country's heaviest rainfall in 75 years, with some areas recording more than 250 mm (around 10 inches) of precipitation in fewer than 24 hours, the state's media office said in a statement Wednesday.
Christopher Pike/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Young women dressed in traditional attire sing and dance during the Shuwalid festival in Harar, Ethiopia, on Tuesday, April 16. Shuwalid is an annual festival celebrated by the Harari people of Ethiopia and marks the end of six days of fasting to compensate omissions during Ramadan.
Young women dressed in traditional attire sing and dance during the Shuwalid festival in Harar, Ethiopia, on Tuesday, April 16. Shuwalid is an annual festival celebrated by the Harari people of Ethiopia and marks the end of six days of fasting to compensate omissions during Ramadan.
Michele Spatari/AFP/Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots during a game agains the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans on Tuesday, April 16.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots during a game agains the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans on Tuesday, April 16.
Gerald Herbert/AP
Palestinians gather on the beach in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Wednesday, April 17.
Palestinians gather on the beach in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Wednesday, April 17.
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Israeli armored personnel carriers move along the Israel-Gaza border after leaving Gaza on Wednesday, April 17.
Israeli armored personnel carriers move along the Israel-Gaza border after leaving Gaza on Wednesday, April 17.
Amir Levy/Getty Images
Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed wipes her tears during her sentencing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Monday, April 15. Gutierrez Reed, who was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F03%2F06%2Fentertainment%2Frust-trial-hannah-gutierrez-reed%2Findex.html" target="_blank">found guilty of involuntary manslaughter</a> last month for the 2021 on-set fatal shooting of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F01%2F19%2Fentertainment%2Fhalyna-hutchins-remembered%2Findex.html" target="_blank">cinematographer Halyna Hutchins</a>, was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F15%2Fentertainment%2Frust-film-shooting-armorer-sentencing%2Findex.html" target="_blank">sentenced to 18 months in prison</a>, the maximum possible punishment.
Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed wipes her tears during her sentencing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Monday, April 15. Gutierrez Reed, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter last month for the 2021 on-set fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, the maximum possible punishment.
Luis Sánchez Saturno/Pool/Getty Images
Girl Scout Daisies watch a car race during the Girl Scouts Pinewood Derby in Marietta, Georgia, on Saturday, April 13.
Girl Scout Daisies watch a car race during the Girl Scouts Pinewood Derby in Marietta, Georgia, on Saturday, April 13.
Mike Stewart/AP
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang slides safely past San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka during a game in Milwaukee on Wednesday, April 17.
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang slides safely past San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka during a game in Milwaukee on Wednesday, April 17.
Morry Gash/AP
Emergency service workers on the scene after six people were killed and several injured in a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Faustralia%2Flive-news%2Fsydney-mall-attack-updates-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">mass stabbing</a> at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, April 13.
Emergency service workers on the scene after six people were killed and several injured in a mass stabbing at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, April 13.
Steven Saphore/AAP/Reuters
President Joe Biden is seen in the viewfinder of a video camera as he delivers virtual remarks during the National Action Network Convention in Washington, DC, on Friday, April 12.
President Joe Biden is seen in the viewfinder of a video camera as he delivers virtual remarks during the National Action Network Convention in Washington, DC, on Friday, April 12.
Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Concertgoers attend the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Music Festival in Nanjing, in China's Jiangsu province, on Sunday, April 14. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F11%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Fphotos-this-week-april-4-april-11%2Findex.html" target="_blank">See last week in 28 photos</a>.
Concertgoers attend the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Music Festival in Nanjing, in China's Jiangsu province, on Sunday, April 14. See last week in 28 photos.
AFP/Getty Images