These are the headlines you Need2Know:
* **Vatican Responds to Allegations of Abuse in Catholic Church:**
The Vatican responded Thursday to a Pennsylvania grand jury report on sex abuse by priests ー and subsequent cover-ups. In a statement, the Vatican said Pope Francis was "on the victims' side," and the Church “must learn hard lessons from its past.” The devastating report released this week concluded that 300 priests may have abused thousands of children over seven decades.
For more, [click here](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vatican-condemns-sex-abuse-described-in-pennsylvania-grand-jury-report-2018-08-16/).
* **Deliberation Continues in Manafort Trial:**
The jury will convene Friday for the second day of deliberation in the trial of President Trump's former campaign chair, Paul Manafort. The jury took a recess after submitting four questions to U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III, including one asking him to define “reasonable doubt." Even if Manafort is acquitted of the charges, he will face another trial later this year. For more, [click here](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/jury-begins-deliberations-in-paul-manaforts-tax--and-bank-fraud-trial/2018/08/16/d2b0f486-a170-11e8-8e87-c869fe70a721_story.html?utm_term=.08842ccc3912).
* **Rest in Peace, Queen of Soul:**
Aretha Franklin died Thursday from pancreatic cancer. The Queen of Soul, a Grammy-award winning singer and civil-rights activist whose most popular hits include “Respect” and “A Natural Woman,” was 76. Read Rolling Stone's obituary for Franklin [here](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aretha-franklin-queen-of-soul-dead-at-76-119453/).
* **Trump Goes After Big Pharma**
The President called Thursday for the Justice Department to pursue lawsuits against drug companies for deceitful marketing of opioids. The Centers for Disease Control reported on Wednesday that 72,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year ー a 10 percent increase from 2016. For more, [click here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/16/donald-trump-opioid-makers-could-face-federal-lawsuit/1008957002/).
Cheddar's Jill Wagner gets into the latest.
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Tim Davis, Partner and Executive Managing Director at Steward Partners, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he discusses what activity we could expect to see from the crypto market this week as the Fed decision approaches, the prices of Bitcoin and Ether struggle to find a spark, and the industry continues to digest President Biden's executive order on crypto.
Russia may be asking China for help with its war in Ukraine, according to several reports citing unnamed U.S. officials. Russia is reportedly calling on its ally for military and economic assistance, in an attempt to avoid punishment from sanctions imposed by the U.S., Europe, and Asia, which have hammered Russia's economy. Chinese and Russian officials denied the reports. Meanwhile, top U.S. and Chinese officials are meeting today, with both countries confirming the conflict in Ukraine will be the meeting's main topic. Edward Wong, diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
A Ukrainian drone company is using its technology to help defend its home nation during the ongoing war with Russia. Valerii Iakovenko, co-founder and CEO of DroneUA, joined Cheddar News to discuss its efforts to help against the invasion. "These drones can be used to do strikes more precise and even cheap drones, even simple technologies can help to make a defensive possibilities more precise," he said.
Following the Texas Supreme Court's decision to end further challenges against the latest abortion restrictions, Texas saw a 60 percent decrease in abortions performed in the state — with an exodus of patients seeking care in other parts of the country. President, and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Alexis McGill Johnson, joined Cheddar News at South by Southwest 2022 to discuss the impact of the court's ruling on reproductive health care in the Lone Star State and beyond.
Damian Mason, farm owner, agricultural economist and author of "Food Fear" joined Cheddar News to talk about how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is putting pressure on commodities, which could lead to a 20 percent price hike according to the United Nations. “Russia and Ukraine are responsible for about 35 percent of exports, 35 percent of grain exports, specifically wheat,” said Mason. He also added, "You've got Russia saying, 'we're going to hoard and hold back our wheat,' which of course crimps global supply, and you've got Ukraine that maybe won't even get harvested."
In order to qualify for one of the coveted first retail licenses in New York's adult-use cannabis program, you'll have to have a conviction on cannabis-related charges or have an immediate family member who does. It's part of the latest effort by New York lawmakers to create a diverse and inclusive industry — but some advocates still have reservations. Amber Littlejohn, the executive director of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss. "We definitely applaud the state of new york, but ultimately the devil will be in the details as to whether or not this actually works out to create equity in the cannabis industry," she said.
David Daley, senior fellow for FairVote, joins Cheddar News to discuss the Supreme Court denying the GOP's challenge to congressional maps in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
