- •
US blockades Iranian ports to end war
“We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world, because that's what they're doing. They're really blackmailing the world. We're not going to let that happen.”
- •
Israel strikes Lebanese Red Cross ambulance teams
“The Lebanese Red Cross says its paramedic Hassan Badawi suffered a direct strike by an Israeli drone while carrying out his humanitarian duty during an emergency response mission in Bint Jibail near the Israeli border. The area has been under invasion by Israel, which calls it a Hezbollah stronghold.”
- •
Judge dismisses Trump libel suit against WSJ
“US District Court Judge Darren Gales wrote that Trump had failed to allege sufficiently that the journal had acted with what's called actual malice, either knowledge of story is or failure to seek the truth. Gales found the journal had made numerous efforts to verify its reporting and included Trump's denial.”
- •
Hollywood talent opposes massive studio merger deal
“More than a thousand movie stars, writers, and directors declared their unequivocal opposition to the proposed Paramount merger with Warner Brothers Discovery In an open letter. A large swath of the industry came out against the $111 billion deal that would consolidate the two legacy studios, arguing it would reduce jobs in an already downsized Hollywood.”
- •
Conflict with Iran drives mortgage rates higher
“The NAR is revising its housing forecast down for the year. That's because the war with Iran has raised the cost of borrowing, and that sent mortgage rates up. The association went from rejecting a double-digit increase in existing home sales to just 4%.”