Stormy Daniels Takes Witness Stand in Trump Trial; Israeli Forces Seize Rafah Crossing in Gaza

A key witness took the stand on May 7 in the so-called hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, setting up a dramatic moment in the case. Stormy Daniels, an adult film performer whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, appeared on the witness stand, and is expected to claim that she engaged in an affair in 2006 with the former president. President Trump has categorically denied any such encounter ever took place.

Israel's military has seized control of the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, after it launched a precise counter-terrorism operation in the area. The move comes as cease-fire and hostage negotiations with Hamas are still in the balance. The Hamas terror group says it has accepted a deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, but Israel said those terms are far from meeting their requirements, and is sending a delegation to Cairo for talks.

Ukrainian counterintelligence investigators have foiled a Russian plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top military and political figures, Ukraine’s state security service said Tuesday. Two colonels in the State Guard of Ukraine, which protects top officials, were detained on suspicion of enacting the plan drawn up by Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, a statement said.