3 Things To Know Today

1 Weekend Heatwave Turned Deadly

This weekend's heat wave is being blamed for at least six deaths. Officials say four people died in Maryland over the weekend, while former New York Giants player Mitch Petrus died of heatstroke in Arkansas Thursday night – and an AC technician died in Arizona. The problem? A dome of high pressure sent temperatures soaring this weekend from the Midwest to the East Coast. While average temps were in the mid-90s and sometimes triple-digits…and the heat index has been making it feel as hot as 100- to 115-degrees As many as 200-million people were under excessive heat warnings and heat emergencies. And while some relief is on the way – as temperatures are expected to cool down into today – it can’t come soon enough...but storms are also expected. And there’s always next time…so remember to hydrate and keep a tabs on the vulnerable folks in your neighborhood.

2 Iran Blames UK For Tanker Seizure

First came reports that Iran seized a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Now? They’re admitting they did it…but say they have a perfectly good reason: Iranian officials say the tanker they took over ignored a distress call from a fishing boat. Iranian state news says the vessel Stena Impero actually collided with an Iranian fishing boat and did nothing to help. They say that’s why the tanker and her crew were taken to a port on Iran's southern coast. An Iranian official says all 23 crewmembers will remain on the ship until the investigation is over. Britain's not buying it, however, warning of "serious consequences" if the situation is not resolved quickly. The UK is calling Iran's behavior a "hostile act” and rejecting Iran's claims. British Prime Minister Theresa May will reportedly hold an emergency cabinet meeting about the response to Iran today. Iranian reports claim those on board the ship are safe. Meanwhile…France and Germany are condemning Iran's seizure. Both countries are calling on Iran to release the tanker and de-escalate the situation. A French official said such action is "detrimental to the necessary de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf region." A German official said Iran's action "exacerbates an already strained situation. France, Germany and the UK have been working to preserve the Iran nuclear deal since the U.S. pulled out of the agreement and Iran surpassed its limits on uranium enrichment.

3 Venezuelan Aircraft "Aggressively Shadows" U.S. Plane

The U.S. Southern Command says a Venezuelan SU-30 Flanker aircraft "aggressively shadowed" a U.S. EP-3 aircraft at an unsafe distance on July 19th, jeopardizing the crew and aircraft. Taking to Twitter, officials said the EP-3 was “performing a multi-nationally recognized and approved mission in international airspace” over the Caribbean Sea when the incident occurred. In a press release, Command officials explain the action "demonstrates Russia's irresponsible military support to Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro's illegitimate regime and underscores his recklessness and irresponsible behavior." The U.S. Southern Command adds it undermines international rule of law and efforts to counter illicit trafficking.


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