Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Michael Cohen To Testify Again Today In Donald Trump NYC Trial
Day 17 of the “hush money” criminal fraud trial of former President Donald Trump in New York City will feature the second part of his former attorney’s testimony. Michael Cohen testified yesterday about his part in the payment made to keep the Stormy Daniels story out of the press before the 2016 presidential election. During his testimony, Cohen claimed that Trump directed him to “just take care of” the payment to silence Daniels, approved the final deal, and signed off on a reimbursement plan. Trump’s former “fixer” also said in court that the purpose of the scheme was to protect Trump’s political fortunes. Cohen also revealed that he secretly recorded some conversations with Trump about the arrangements, and his return to the witness stand today will most likely include questions from the prosecution about the invoices and checks he received. Cohen will most likely be cross-examined by a member of Trump’s legal team today, a process that could see tempers flare in the courtroom.
2 Largest Span Of Destroyed Key Bridge Removed With Explosives
A loud boom near the Port of Baltimore yesterday signaled significant progress in clearing the waterway leading to the port. The container ship Dali was freed yesterday by precision explosive charges that dismantled the span of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed onto the ship in March after the Dali struck it. Now that the steel has been cleared, officials announced yesterday that the Dali will be refloated as soon as tomorrow and moved back to port, with a channel 50 feet deep and 700 feet wide expected to be open for use by the end of the month. When the Dali returns to port, it’ll give the crewmembers their first chance to leave the ship. The 21-member crew has remained on board the ship ever since the accident, and were on the ship during the use of the explosives yesterday. Coast Guard Captain David O’Donnell told the press that the blasts went “according to plan,” and no injuries were reported.
3 "Roaring Kitty" Returns To The Internet And Makes Shares Of GameStop Jump 72-Percent Yesterday
The kitty is roaring again. Shares of GameStop shot up more than 72-percent yesterday after Keith Gill, the trader known online as “Roaring Kitty,” returned to the internet after three years. Gill was the trader responsible for the height of the “meme stock” craze during the pandemic, leading people to buy up stock in GameStop, AMC, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Blackberry in an effort to both help keep the lights on at the troubled companies and to squeeze hedge funds that were betting against the companies. Whether it helps GameStop or not, the hedge fund squeeze part kicked into gear yesterday, with the funds losing more than a billion dollars yesterday. Roaring Kitty’s simple image post yesterday bumped GameStop’s share price to $28.25 yesterday, and it wasn’t just GameStop; AMC’s stock rose 78-percent.