By Jamie Ross  Email Listen to this briefing Good morning. It’s Friday, May 17, and I’m feeling a little bit sorry for Francis Ford Coppola after the reaction to his decades-in-the-making movie, “Megalopolis.” Now let’s get to the news. Donald Trump’s lawyer accused Michael Cohen of lying in Trump’s criminal trial. In this courtroom sketch, Cohen is cross-examined during the former president’s trial in New York on charges that he falsified business records. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters) Why? Cohen said this week that he spoke to Trump on Oct. 24, 2016, to discuss a plan to pay hush money to Stormy Daniels. Yesterday, Trump’s attorney denied that — loudly and angrily. What’s next? We’ll hear more from Trump’s former fixer Monday, setting the stage for closing arguments next week. Trump has still not said whether he plans to take the stand. Want to know more? Our reporters covering the trial are chatting at 11 a.m. Eastern today. Ask them a question here. Read this story            The U.S. started delivering aid to Gaza from a floating pier this morning. The details: The operation, ordered by President Biden, will help ease suffering in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Follow live updates here. What else to know: Israeli troops are fortifying a strategic corridor in Gaza. It may be part of a plan to establish a long-term military presencethere, experts said. In the U.S.: Rich business executives privately urged New York’s mayorlast month to use police on pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University. Read this story            A destructive thunderstorm ripped through Houston. What happened: At least four people were killed, the mayor’s office said yesterday. The storm cut power to nearly 1 million customers across Texas. More to come? Much of the area along the northern Gulf Coast could be hit by further severe storms and the risk of flooding today. Read this story              Texas pardoned a man convicted of fatally shooting a Black Lives Matter protester. Last year: Former Army sergeant Daniel Perry was found guilty of murdering U.S. Air Force veteran Garrett Foster during a confrontation at a 2020 racial justice protest in Austin. Yesterday: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott approved a review board’s recommendation that Perry — who, before the shooting, regularly shared racist memes — should be released. Read this story            The U.S. took another step toward loosening marijuana restrictions. How? Biden yesterday backed the Justice Department’s proposal to move pot out of its current category alongside tightly controlled drugs like heroin and LSD. What now? The public has two months to comment on the plan. After that, marijuana could join a lower-risk category that includes prescription drugs like testosterone. Read this story            ADVERTISEMENT     The populations of U.S. cities are bouncing back after the pandemic. Where? Texas cities made up eight of the 15 fastest-growing U.S. citieswith a population of 20,000 or more, according to new census data from 2022 to 2023.  What it means: Major cities whose populations fell during the coronavirus pandemic are recovering — although some still haven’t surpassed pre-pandemic numbers. Read this story            An Indiana judge settled the debate over whether tacos are sandwiches. The issue: A zoning policy means a Fort Wayne shopping center can’t have fast food outlets, but can have sandwich shops. A taco restaurant was told that it wasn’t allowed. What happened? The judge wrapped up the beef this week by ruling that tacos and burritos are “Mexican-style sandwiches,” so the taco place is free to open. Read this story