Flight incident: The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident in which a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 was forced to return to Denver International Airport yesterday when part of the right engine cowling came loose and eventually flew off the airplane, striking the wing. The flight crew declared an emergency. The airplane was en route to Houston. The flight was airborne for about 25 minutes. A pilot radioed air traffic control that flight attendants and passengers reported hearing something slam into the wing. Investigators will try to determine whether the problem was related to mechanics failing to properly secure the cowling or a structural issue.
Bridge collapse: Cargo containers are being removed from the ship Dali that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the bridge to collapse. Parts of the bridge that fell across the deck of the ship also are being removed. When the load is sufficiently lightened efforts will begin to move the ship, part of the cleanup that will be necessary to fully reopen the Port of Baltimore to shipping. Temporary channels have been opened on either side of the main shipping channel, allowing some smaller vessels to access the port.
Powerball winner: There was a winning ticket in yesterday’s Powerball jackpot. The jackpot was worth just over $1.3 billion. The ticket was sold in Portland, Oregon. The holder of the wining ticket had not come forward as of Monday morning. The winner has a choice of taking a payout over 30 years or a lump sum that would be worth $631 million before taxes. There had not been a jackpot winner for about three months.
Israel-Hamas war: Israeli troops are being withdrawn from southern Gaza, including the city of Khan Younis. Most of the city was destroyed during Israeli operations to root out Hamas. The withdrawal is not expected to affect a planned Israeli assault on Rafah, where more than 1.4-million Palestinian refugees have fled to escape the fighting between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. has demanded that Israel have a plan to protect civilians should it send troops into Rafah.
Real estate deal: The investment company Blackstone and the Apartment Income REIT Corp., today announced that Blackstone Real Estate Partners X will acquire AIR Communities for approximately $10 billion, including the assumption of debt. AIR Communities’ portfolio consists of 76 rental housing communities concentrated primarily in coastal markets including Miami, Los Angeles, Boston and Washington D.C. Blackstone plans to invest more than $400 million to maintain and improve the real estate and may invest additional capital to fund further growth. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.
Abortion stand: Donald Trump has sided with what the U.S. Supreme Court said when it overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump said in a statement that the matter of abortion should be left up to the states. Trump issued the new statement on his abortion views today. He has taken credit in the past for the Supreme Court’s action in overturning Roe v. Wade as a result of his appointments of conservative Supreme Court justices. Trump’s campaign had previously suggested a national ban on abortion.
