Fox defamation lawsuits:Â With Fox News and Dominion having settled the defamation lawsuit Dominion filed against Fox and Fox agreeing pay Dominion $787.5 million, Fox now faces a similar lawsuit filed by voting machine maker Smartmatic. A statement from Smartmatic said that after the Dominion settlement, Smartmatic intends to hold Fox responsible for defaming it. Smartmatic has sued Fox for $2.7 billion for falsely claiming that its voting machines fraudulently gave the 2020 election to Biden.
Patriot missile systems:Â Ukraine’s minister of defense this morning said that Patriot surface-to-air missile systems made in the U.S. have arrived in his country. The Patriots are used to protect against attack by missiles as well as aircraft. The Patriot system was developed by Raytheon.
Morgan Stanley financials:Â Morgan Stanley this morning reported first quarter 2023 net revenues of $14.5 billion compared with $14.8 billion a year ago. Net income was $3.0 billion for the first quarter of 2023 compared with $3.7 billion for the first quarter of 2022. James Gorman, chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley described the numbers as strong results.
Abortion pill:Â Â Supreme Court may determine today whether to outlaw use of the abortion pill mifepristone. The court was asked to review a Texas case in which a federal judge rescinded FDA approval of the drug that had been in effect for more than two decades. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, last week ordered a continued stay in the Texas ruling until the end of today. If the Supreme Court does nothing today, then the Texas ruling automatically becomes effective.
Warning to Russia:Â CNN reports that the U.S. Department of Energy has advised Russia that a nuclear power plant in Ukraine contains sensitive nuclear technology that is controlled by the U.S. and Russia should not touch it. During Russia’s war against Ukraine the Russians have captured some of the nuclear plants in Ukraine and caused damage.
DeSantis vs. Disney:Â Donald Trump and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have both blasted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for going to war with the Walt Disney Company, which is the largest employer in Florida. Christie said as a conservative he believes that it is the job of government to stay out of the business of business. Trump said what DeSantis is doing in trying to get back at Disney for opposing DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” law is a political stunt.
