Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Report: U.S. Forces In Syria Attacked
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that U.S. forces in Syria have reportedly been attacked by Iran. The Pentagon said the U.S. carried out three airstrikes near the Iraq and Syria border Sunday. According to reports, Iran rockets hit the Al-Omar Oil Field base in eastern Syria. As for Americans, our assets targeted weapon storage facilities where Iran-backed militia groups allegedly kept weapons that endangered Americans. According to Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto. U.S. forces returned fire with counter-battery artillery, he wrote. In a statement, he adds, “There are no injuries and damage is being assessed.”
2 Officials: Millions Under Heat Warning
The misery is real in the Pacific Northwest, where a historic triple-digit heatwave is broiling the region. In Portland, Oregon, Saturday temps reached 108, the hottest day ever recorded. That record was smashed again Sunday, with a high of 112. Over in Seattle, Saturday's high was 102, a June record and the hottest day since 1945. Temps are expected to be even hotter today in both Washington and Oregon, the governors have lifted some COVID-19 restrictions for cooling centers and places with air conditioning, like shopping malls and movie theaters. Meanwhile, the extreme heat Northwest caused the pavement to buckle on Interstate 5 in north Seattle. But the news is just as frustrating – though for a completely different reason – the Southwest. Monsoon conditions are expected to hit the region. As moisture is drawn into the region from the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf of California, forecasters say “enhanced shower and thunderstorm activity” across the Southwest is expected.
3 The Death Toll Rises In Building Collapse
As 11 people are now confirmed dead in the Champlain Towers building collapse in Surfside, Florida......150 people are still unaccounted for. Now? A pool contractor is describing what he saw in the basement-level garage two days before the Champlain Towers South building partially collapsed. The “Miami Herald” said the contractor, who asked not to be named, saw standing water all over the parking garage. He was there on Tuesday, just 36 hours before the building collapsed. He had also noted cracking concrete and severely corroded reinforced steel – also known as re-bar. He shared photos he took of the building with the newspaper. The contractor said he did not see anything unusual in the lobby or pool area, however, describing them as clean and well maintained. The contractor was there to bid for restoring the pool and offer prices on equipment.