The 7: Stunning northern lights photos; Michael Cohen’s weird TikToks; return-to-office mandates; and more

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Sign up for this newsletter Read online     By Jamie Ross and Hannah Jewell  Email Listen to this briefing Good morning. It's Monday, May 13, and our guide to recycling myths may help you settle some family arguments. Now let's catch up from the weekend.   Michael Cohen is expected to testify in Donald Trump's criminal trial today. Who is he? Trump's former attorney who arranged a hush money payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. He's a key witness and has been sounding off about Trump in weird TikToks. What else to know: Daniels's testimony in New York last week reopened wounds for women who have accused Trump of sexual assault. It also may have raised the risk of an appeal. Read this story         People are fleeing fierce fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. What to know: The Palestinian militant group Hamas has regrouped in parts of north Gaza, where Israeli forces had claimed victory last year. Follow live updates here. In the South: More than 350,000 civilians have fled Rafah as Israeli forces advance. The U.S. has warned it will cut off some weapons to Israel in if it invades the crowded city. Read this story           Sen. Bob Menendez's corruption trial begins in New York this morning. What to know: The New Jersey Democrat is accused of accepting bribes — including gold bars, stacks of cash and a luxury car — from businessmen with ties to Egypt and Qatar. What to expect: He may cast some blame on his wife, who was also charged. If found guilty, his long political career would be over and he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Read this story         A man who received a kidney transplant from a pig has died. Richard Slayman at Massachusetts General Hospital last month. (Michelle Rose/Massachusetts General Hospital) A reminder: Richard Slayman, who suffered from kidney disease, at 62 became the first living person to receive a genetically edited pig kidney in a landmark surgery in March. What happened? He died suddenly, but there was no indication it was because of his transplant, the hospital that performed the procedure said Saturday. Read this story         ADVERTISEMENT     Carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere faster than ever. The details: An observatory in Hawaii recorded in March the largest annual leap in the levels of the planet-warming gas, surpassing a record observed in 2016. Why? Humans are burning more fossil fuels than ever, experts say. An El Niño weather pattern also contributed to the spike, causing ecosystems to give off more carbon dioxide. Read this story         Top tech talent left their jobs after being ordered to return to the office. The details: Office mandates at three of the biggest tech companies — Apple, Microsoft and SpaceX — were followed by a spike in senior departures, a recent study found. The bigger picture: The tug-of-war between companies and workers over office returns is locked in a stalemate. Some employees are fighting back with legal action. Read this story         An extreme solar storm caused beautiful northern lights. This weekend: Green, purple and red aurora displays were spotted across Europe and parts of the U.S. — even as far south as Alabama and Florida. See the best photos here. Why did this happen? Large, explosive bursts from the sun started slamming into Earth on Friday. The sun is in its most active period in two decades. Read this story         Before you go … can you spot bad financial advice on TikTok? Take this quiz to find out. One more good read: Pete Buttigieg is taking on an airline industry that he says isn't doing enough for passengers. And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post's daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word game, Keyword. You're all caught up. See you tomorrow. (Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Washington Post) Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Share it with them. Prefer push notifications? Download The Post's app to get one when The 7 publishes.    We think you'll like this newsletter Check out The Tech Friend for straight talk and advice to make technology better serve you and our world every Tuesday and Friday. Sign up »

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