5 things for May 14: Ukraine, Gaza, Trump trial, Abortion, Baltimore bridge

Another round of powerful storms is drenching the waterlogged South, causing at least two deaths as it threatens the region with yet another wave of damaging winds, flash flooding threats and potential tornadoes.

Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

1. Ukraine

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv today, marking the first visit of a Biden administration official to Ukraine following the long-delayed passage of US supplemental funding to the war-torn country, the State Department announced. Blinken is meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and will deliver a speech to highlight the US’ continued support for Ukraine across the board, including militarily, economically, in the energy space, and on democratic institution building, according to a senior US official. The visit comes as Russia continues its new push into northeastern Ukraine after making several major advances there over the past week — marking Moscow’s most significant gains since Kyiv’s forces recaptured Kharkiv in late summer 2022.

2. Gaza

The Biden administration has assessed that Israel has amassed enough troops on the edge of Rafah in southern Gaza to move forward with a full-scale incursion in the coming days. Still, senior US officials are currently unsure if it has made a final decision to carry out such a move in direct defiance of President Joe Biden, two senior administration officials told CNN. The White House believes an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah would be a mistake and is “urgently” working to help Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire deal and secure the release of hostages. The US has urged Israel to connect its military operations to a “clear” end game for its war against Hamas.

3. Trump trial

Prosecutors will seek to build on the testimony of star witness Michael Cohen when he returns to the stand today. Through roughly five hours of testimony Monday, Cohen explained how he worked with former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker on Donald Trump’s behalf during the 2016 campaign to kill negative stories; how he kept Trump apprised of his hush money negotiations with Keith Davidson, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal; and how Trump approved and was aware of how Cohen would be reimbursed in 2017 for the Daniels payment. Through Cohen, the prosecutors hope to nail down their case that Trump broke the law by falsifying financial records to hide the hush money payoff in an effort to allegedly save his 2016 campaign.

4. Abortion

The Arizona Supreme Court delayed enforcement of the state’s recently revived 1864 abortion ban, according to an order filed Monday. The order allows for a 90-day stay requested by the state’s attorney general. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a repeal of the ban on May 2, but it will not be in effect until 90 days after the legislative session ends, CNN previously reported. Arizona’s legislature is currently in session, meaning the Civil War-era abortion ban could come into effect for a brief period.

5. Baltimore bridge

The trapped cargo ship Dali will “hopefully” be refloated this week after authorities set off explosives at a key portion of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Monday, an official said. The charges helped demolish a portion of the bridge wreckage resting on the ship — a move meant to help free the vessel nearly seven weeks after it struck the bridge and caused the span to collapse, killing six construction workers. During the planned detonation, a chunk of the collapsed structure appeared to fall away from the ship and into the water, though a portion of wreckage remained on top of the vessel, video showed.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Meghan visited Nigeria as a duchess and left an African princess
Learn about Harry and Meghan’s visit to Nigeria, where the Duchess of Sussex explored her Nigerian ancestry after discovering several years ago that she is 43% Nigerian through a genealogy test.

Male celebrities to strip in a ‘Real Full Monty’ charity TV special
Anthony Anderson, Taye Diggs, NFL All-Pro Chris Jones and James Van Der Beek are among the men set to go “The Real Full Monty” for a two-hour special aimed at raising awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing and research.

Drew Barrymore’s life is filled with pets, just as she likes it
The actor, producer and daytime talk show host is a pet mom to quite a crew: two dogs, four cats, a bearded dragon, a fish and a snake!

2024 WNBA season: How to watch as a new era of women’s basketball dawns
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s highly anticipated WNBA season, which begins today.

Scientists say they’ve discovered a ‘phonetic alphabet’ in whale calls
Researchers have identified previously unknown complexity in whale communication with the help of artificial intelligence — although what the whales are saying remains a mystery to human ears.

IN MEMORIAM

David Sanborn
An influential saxophonist who found success across pop, R&B, jazz and more, died Sunday. He was 78. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, but continued performing until recently. During the six-time Grammy Award winner’s career, he played with the Rolling Stones and toured with Stevie Wonder and David Bowie.

TODAY’S NUMBER

48
That’s at least how many restaurants Red Lobster is abruptly closing, according to a leading restaurant liquidator conducting an online auction of the chain’s kitchen equipment, furniture and other contents. Red Lobster is reportedly considering filing for bankruptcy protection. The company has tapped a restructuring expert as its chief executive, a possible indicator of an impending bankruptcy.

TODAY’S QUOTE

Yes, I’m going to talk about it.
— Ellen DeGeneres, announcing a new Netflix comedy special where she will address the controversy surrounding her long-running talk show. DeGeneres says the upcoming hour-long special — which will stream later this year — will be her “last special.”

TODAY’S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY …

Plane makes successful wheels-up emergency landing
Watch a pilot in Australia land a small plane without landing gear after the aircraft had a mechanical failure. The two passengers and the pilot were uninjured.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com