News Wrap: Ukrainians protest Zelenskyy's firing of defense minister

Geoff Bennett:

And we start the day's other headlines in Ukraine, where thousands poured into the streets today to protest President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to fire his popular defense minister.

(Chanting)

Geoff Bennett:

The crowds chanted "Shame" in a rare public challenge of Zelenskyy's leadership.

Mykhailo Fedorov was seen as an innovator of the country's use of drone technology in Ukraine's war effort. But he often clashed with the more traditional military establishment. While hosting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Kyiv today, Zelenskyy insisted that his decision was necessary.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through interpreter):

To be to be honest, the president is not supposed to pick sides in this kind of situation during wartime. I would very much like unity. I'm simply pointing out that, if the sides cannot resolve the issue, I will have to resolve it myself.

Geoff Bennett:

Another part of Zelenskyy's government reshuffle, Ukraine's Parliament approved a new prime minister today, the former head of a state energy company. Sergii Koretskyi is the third person to hold the role since Russia's invasion more than four years ago.

In Gaza, health officials say several Israeli attacks in recent days have killed at least a dozen people. A series of overnight airstrikes killed three family members in Central Gaza. That's according to a local hospital. Israel has not commented on those strikes. The near daily attacks come despite a cease-fire that took effect last year between Israel and Hamas.

Today, family members held funeral prayers for their loved ones and voiced anger over the ongoing violence.

Jibril Khattab, Nuseirat, Gaza, Resident (through interpreter):

The entire people of Gaza have not lived a single day or a single moment of the cease-fire. It's an illusion. No place in all of Gaza is safe. All of us are exposed to death, and all of us are exposed to danger because we live under an occupation and under aggression.

Geoff Bennett:

In a separate strike this week, six police officers and a woman were killed in Gaza. Israel has said that some of them were Hamas militants, but provided no evidence. More than 1,100 people in Gaza have been killed since the cease-fire took effect, along with at least five Israeli soldiers.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott says at least one person has been killed in severe flooding that's affecting central and southern parts of that state.

Man:

This is just insane. There's a playground underwater.

Geoff Bennett:

Surging waters have turned streets into rivers in some areas. Authorities say more than 70 people have been rescued in recent days. Governor Abbott has issued disaster declarations for nearly 60 counties across the state and said today he's deploying resources to address the continued flooding.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX):

I just want to make sure that all Texans know that we have more than 1,300 Texas personnel, the National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety. We have all resources, boats, helicopters available to make sure we will be doing everything possible to save human life.

Geoff Bennett:

The National Weather Service is warning of what it calls a deadly flood wave along the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country that runs along Camp Mystic, where flooding last year led to the deaths of more than two dozen people, most of them young campers.

A White House teleprompter operator has been placed on unpaid leave as a federal regulator investigates possible insider trading in prediction markets. Multiple media outlets have identified the staffer as Gabriel Perez, saying he allegedly used his access to speeches like the State of the Union address to make nearly $100,000 on Kalshi.

The platform noticed the unusual betting activity and referred the trades to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt today called the allegations deeply unfortunate and a disgrace.

On Capitol Hill, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche agreed to meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse late this afternoon after Republican Senator Thom Tillis said he'd only vote to advance his nomination for A.G. if such a meeting took place. Blanche needs support from all Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee for his nomination to move forward, assuming every Democrat is a no-vote.

Tillis laid out his condition on the second day of Blanche's confirmation hearing, where Epstein survivors and their families stood up to challenge the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files.

Dani Bensky, Jeffrey Epstein Survivor:

We may look like grown adults when you see us now, but we were children., young girls at the time of our abuse. These are the photos of when our innocence, dreams, and lives were stolen.

Geoff Bennett:

Epstein survivor Dani Bensky criticized the DOJ and Blanche himself for releasing sensitive information about the survivors. She implored senators to -- quote -- "think about the girls in these photos" when casting their votes." Blanche has defended the DOJ's handling of the Epstein case.

The FDA has approved a first-of-its-kind cholesterol pill from drugmaker Merck. It's called Lipfendra. And unlike statins, it works by targeting a specific protein that limits the body's ability to clear so-called bad cholesterol.

According to the American Heart Association, about one in four American adults have high levels of such cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes. Merck says the pill is set to cost about $300 per month and will be available in the coming weeks.

Well, a drop in tech stocks weighed on Wall Street today. By the close, the Dow Jones industrial average was down about 100 points. The Nasdaq dropped nearly 400 points. The S&P 500 also closed in negative territory.