5 essential facts for May 20: Iran developments, Trump's trial, Baltimore bridge progress, space travel adventures, and the retirement scene.
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1. Iran
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi tragically died at the age of 63 after a helicopter crash on Sunday. Government authorities have confirmed his death. The aircraft also held nine other individuals, including Iran's foreign minister. No survivors were discovered following a lengthy search operation in thick fog, according to the officials. Raisi's passing takes place amidst a tumultuous time in the Middle East, with war ongoing in Gaza. It additionally comes after Iran instigated a drone and missile attack on Israel as a response to a fatal strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus.
2. Trump trial
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former lawyer, will attend court once more today to face another round of cross-examination in the ex-president's criminal hush money trial. Last week, Cohen spent three days on the stand, where he blamed Trump for making reimbursement payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Manhattan prosecutors argue Trump breached the law by altering financial records to conceal the payment. They claim this action was intended to mislead voters in 2016 in an instance of early election meddling. Trump denies having an affair with Daniels and has entered a not-guilty plea. Cohen will unlikely be the last substantial witness for the prosecution, as it's now the defense's turn to make Trump's case.
3. Baltimore bridge
The cargo ship Dali plans to relocate from the damage-inflicted site of its catastrophic hit with the Francis Scott Key Bridge later today. Roughly eight weeks have elapsed since the vessel lost power, veered off course, and collided with the Baltimore bridge on March 26, causing the fatalities of six construction workers. The relocation of the ship is a critical step toward reviving the Port of Baltimore, which has been immobilized since the incident. The wreck has blocked the vital shipping channel for the sugar and automotive industries, as well as crippled a main city thoroughfare. More than 30,000 commuters relied on the Key Bridge daily, said Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
4. Space tourism
Blue Origin transported six tourists to the border of space on Sunday for the first time in almost two years. This brought an end to a hiatus initiated by a failed uncrewed test flight. Passengers included a venture capitalist, a brewery founder, a software engineer, a retired accountant, an aviator, and a retired Air Force captain. During the mission, the group ascended to more than three times the speed of sound - or roughly 2,000 miles per hour. The rocket lifted the passengers past the Karman line, an area 62 miles aloft on Earth often regarded as the boundary of outer space. At the pinnacle of the trip, the passengers could experience a few moments of weightlessness and relish Earth's panorama through the cabin windows.
5. Retirement
Unprecedented numbers of Americans will achieve the age of 65 in 2024, driving an uptick in novel retirement merchandise. Around 11,200 people will reach that traditional retirement age per day this year, illustrating Alliance for Lifetime Income's data. The influx has led to a burgeoning number of financial offerings promising lifetime salaries, yet industry experts stress that such products can be challenging to reverse. Furthermore, jobs featuring pension plans, which supply workers with lifetime wages, are progressively harder to find compared to prior decades. Since the early 1980s, retirement plans like 401(k)s have become commonplace; Americans currently possess a staggering $7 trillion in them.
MORNING MANIA
Golfer Xander Schauffele clinches the PGA ChampionshipThe 30-year-old golf professional secured his initial major victory in a thrilling conclusion!
Sports Illustrated commemorates 60 years of iconic swimsuit modelsTo denote the special edition's 60th year of publication, the magazine has revealed seven new covers, assembling past cover models for a "Legends" photoshoot.
Would you shell out $400 for one pineapple?You might find it hard to believe, but certain individuals are spending exorbitant amounts - up to $400 - for a single red pineapple identified as the "rubyglow." Observe it here.
'The Simpsons' airs its 768th episodeIt's outstanding how the show's writers continue to keep things novel after 35 seasons. Learn how they accomplish this.
The surveillance tape helped hold Sean 'Diddy' Combs accountableSean "Diddy" Combs issued a sincere apology on the weekend for physically assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016 in an event documented by a surveillance video acquired exclusively by CNN.
TODAY'S NUMBER
1,700This is the total number of Disneyland Resort cast members who assume the roles of characters within the theme park in Anaheim, California. They recently voted to unionize. The union described the vote as inherently successful, with over 950 cast members backing unionization. Prior to this, employees donning costumes of iconic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Snow White, and Captain Hook lacked union privileges.
"It's one of the trickiest, most challenging issues in the world."
— President Joe Biden, speaking about aiming for an "immediate truce" in Gaza during a graduation speech at Morehouse College. The White House was hoping the event would help Biden make a stronger connection with young Black men, who have been moving farther away from him in recent polls.
TODAY'S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY ...
A Garfield twin competitionAre you cough crazy?.. Cat owners and their furry buddies came together to compete in a Garfield look-alike competition in Malaysia! Watch the video here. [ cat-video-link ]
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
The United States government has expressed concern over the situation in Iran, following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of President Ebrahim Raisi.
Despite Michael Cohen's testimony against Donald Trump in his criminal hush money trial, Trump's legal team is prepared to make their case as the defense phase begins.
Source: edition.cnn.com
