Civilian aid: The U.S. Military’s Central Command says that U.S. forces have finished building a floating pier to allow ships carrying supplies for civilians in Gaza to unload. President Biden announced plans to build the pier to help speed the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Israelis have prepared roadways from the pier to allow trucks carrying supplies to access Gaza. U.S. warships will be nearby to provide security as ships are unloaded.
Attempted assassination: The government of Slovakia says that the man who shot the country’s prime minister yesterday had a political motive. Prime Minister Robert Fico is in serious condition at a hospital with several gunshot wounds. The prime minister had been attending a political event. Slovakia says that the shooter was acting alone and not on behalf of a political party.
Recordings: President Biden this morning refused to turn over to the Republican-led House Judiciary and Oversight Committees audio recordings of Biden’s session with Special Counsel Robert Hur regarding Biden’s handling of classified documents. Biden cited executive privilege as the reason for not turning over the recordings. Attorney General Merrick Garland determined that the recordings qualify for executive privilege. House Republicans are considering trying to hold Garland in contempt of Congress.
Trump trial: Attempts by Donald Trump’s attorneys to discredit former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen continued today as Cohen sat for another day of cross-examination in Trump’s hush money trial. Cohen has testified that Trump was directly involved in the payoff of porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her about the sex she said she and Trump had. Trump’s attorneys have highlighted past lies to which Cohen has admitted.
Las Vegas hotel: The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, which has been open for 34 years, has announced that it is closing effective July 17. The property will be transformed into the Hard Rock Las Vegas with an opening in 2027 planned. The Mirage building will be replaced with a guitar-shaped hotel, similar to the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. The 3,000 employees at The Mirage will be let go. Hard Rock bought The Mirage for $1 billion in 2022 from MGM Resorts.
Walmart financials: Walmart Inc. today reported first quarter Fiscal Year 2025 results with strong growth in revenue and operating income. U.S. sales were up 3.8% and the company said it expects second quarter net sales in the U.S. will increase 3.5% to 4.5% and operating income will grow 3.0% to 4.5%. Walmart reported first quarter global revenue of $161.5 billion, up 6.0%. Operating income was up $600 million, 9.6%, totaling $5.1 billion for the first quarter. Global eCommerce sales grew 21%.
