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Dylan Stableford
Donald Trump’s hush money trial resumed Friday in Manhattan criminal court, where former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker — the first witness called by the prosecution — faced cross-examination by the defense.
Judge Juan Merchan continues to weigh whether the former president violated a gag order by attacking other witnesses on social media.
Pecker testified about his effort to “catch and kill” stories of Trump’s alleged extramarital affairs with adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal weeks before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal the $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels, who is among the witnesses expected to testify in the trial, which will last between five and six weeks.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates from inside and outside the courtroom.
Before the break, Trump attorney Emil Bove was questioning Pecker about his testimony regarding a Jan. 6, 2017, meeting Pecker attended at Trump Tower with the then president-elect and numerous officials, including FBI Director James Comey.
On Thursday, Pecker testified that at the meeting Trump thanked him for paying to silence a Trump Tower doorman who claimed Trump had fathered a love child. But according to notes from a 2018 FBI interview with Pecker, he told agents that Trump had not thanked him at the Jan. 6 meeting.
Pecker initially suggested that the FBI's notes were wrong, but later during Bove's cross-examination acknowledged that he may have, in fact, told them Trump had not thanked him.
Red-hot Hawthorn face a tough assignment away to Adelaide in another test of their AFL finals credentials as the top-eight race heats up.
Jarome Luai has detailed how his six-year-old son has helped him perfect a rugby style drop kick, proving more effective in regaining the ball on dropouts.
Donald Trump has vowed to hold a "big and beautiful rally" in the town where he was shot at as Democratic rival Kamala Harris begins to narrow his lead.
Tests results just released show the water quality in the Seine was below the standards needed to authorise swimming when Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo jumped in.
Police allege an immigration detainee used an encrypted messaging service to deal drugs and co-ordinate a network of runners outside the facility.
Australian allrounder Chris Green has starred for the Trent Rockets in a 47-run win over the Northern Superchargers in the men's Hundred at Headingley.
Australia's blue-collar men's rugby sevens team will face two-time defending champions Fiji in the Paris Olympics semi-finals.
Trent Rockets' Australian contingent of Alana King, Heather Green and Ash Gardner came to the fore in a 20-run victory over Northern Superchargers.
Cathy Freeman's former rival played a key role as rain tumbled and Paris's 2024 Olympic Games was officially opened, 100 years after it first played host.
Newly arrived refugees have higher rates of eye problems than most Australians but a free service is restoring vision for those losing it.
South Korean K.J. Choi has opened up a two-shot lead at the Senior Open with Australian Richard Green three shots behind at Carnoustie.
Millions of litres of water from a large factory fire is being treated before it's released into the Port Philip Bay or used for industrial purposes.
Tana Umaga, Moana Pasifika coach and All Blacks legend has spent a week with Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins to soak up some cross-code benefits
There are reports a younger man arrested alongside a Mexican drug cartel kingpin lured him to the US where both were arrested, as part of a plea bargain.
Lando Norris leads home Oscar Piastri as the McLaren pair dominate second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
At least 257 people have died in a devastating mudslide in Ethiopia, and the search for bodies continues.
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dispelled rumours of tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they met in Florida.
England face a battle after losing late wickets to close the first day of the third Test on three for 38 having earlier swept West Indies away for 282
Australian veteran Matt Ebden is laughing off the prospect of taking on Novak Djokovic in his first tour-level singles match for two years at the Olympics.
Australia's swimmers will be the stars of the show on the opening day of competition at the Paris Games as they chase four Olympic gold medals.