Volunteers Killed: Seven volunteer workers from the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. Workers were providing meals to Gazan refugees. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incident would be thoroughly investigated. José Andrés, a chef and founder of a nonprofit organization, said Israel needs to stop what he calls indiscriminate killings.
Iran warns: Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today said Iran would punish him for attacking a building next to the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, in which seven leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps were killed. warned Israel. Iranian internet posts blamed not only Israel but also the United States for the attack. There were demonstrations in Iran where American and Israeli flags were burned.
Trump Media: Trump Media stock fell 21% yesterday after the company revealed it lost more than $58 million last year. The stock debuted last week at just under $50 a share, but has since soared to more than $79. Yesterday's stock price closed at $48.66, below its opening price. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Trump Media did not indicate that there had been any move to allow Donald Trump to begin selling the company's stock. As an insider in a public offering, Trump cannot sell stock for six months unless he obtains an exemption from the restrictions.
Ukrainian drone: Today a Ukrainian drone attacked a Russian oil refinery. The refinery is located southeast of Moscow and is said to be the third largest in Russia. It has the capacity to process approximately 350,000 barrels of cruise oil daily. Some reports said the drone caused the fire, but Russian news agency TASS said the drone did not explode. TASS reported that a Ukrainian drone crashed into a Russian youth hostel and exploded, injuring seven people.
Abortion issue: The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that an amendment to the state constitution guaranteeing women's right to reproductive choice could be on the ballot in November. At the same time, the court allowed a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to ban abortions beyond six weeks to go into effect within 30 days. Family planning organizations had opposed the new ban, saying most women do not even know they are pregnant for the first six weeks. Florida law requires that 60% of voters approve a ballot question ending Florida's right-to-choice restrictions to pass.
Tropicana to close: The Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas will close today as it will be demolished to make way for a baseball stadium on the site. Demolition is scheduled for October. The 300-room hotel hosted many of his top stars during its heyday, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Gladys Knight, and Wayne Newton. Tropicana appeared in James's 1971 Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever.