1. Michael Cohen is set to testify in Donald Trump’s ongoing trial today. Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, orchestrated a payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. His testimony is crucial and has been making waves with unconventional TikTok videos.
2. Residents are fleeing intense battles in the northern Gaza Strip. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has reemerged in parts of north Gaza, where Israeli forces had previously claimed victory. Follow real-time updates here.
3. Senator Bob Menendez’s corruption trial commences in New York today. The New Jersey Democrat stands accused of accepting bribes, including gold bars, cash stacks, and a luxury car, from businessmen linked to Egypt and Qatar.
4. The recipient of a groundbreaking pig kidney transplant, Richard Slayman, has passed away. Slayman, who suffered from kidney disease, made history at 62 as the first living person to receive a genetically modified pig kidney in a surgery back in March. His death, however, was unrelated to the transplant, according to the hospital.
5. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing at an unprecedented rate. In March, a Hawaii observatory recorded the largest annual rise in the levels of this greenhouse gas, surpassing the record set in 2016. Experts attribute this surge to heightened fossil fuel consumption and the impact of an El Niño weather pattern, which has led to increased carbon dioxide emissions from ecosystems.
6. A number of top tech professionals resigned from their positions after being instructed to return to the office. Following office return mandates at major tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and SpaceX, there was a noticeable increase in senior staff departures, according to a recent study. This situation underscores the ongoing struggle between companies and employees regarding office return policies, with some workers resorting to legal means to resist.
7. An extreme solar storm resulted in a stunning display of northern lights.