1 US Military Launches New Strikes Against Iran
The U.S. military launched new attacks on Iran yesterday in retaliation for Iranian strikes on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said. CENTCOM said the strikes were meant to impose heavy costs after Iran attacked three commercial vessels crewed by civilians in the waterway, calling the aggression a clear violation of the ceasefire. Officials said the strikes targeted air defenses, coastal surveillance, missile sites, drone launchers, and port facilities, and were several times larger than earlier retaliatory strikes. The attacks threaten a memorandum of understanding signed by President Trump less than three weeks ago that launched a 60-day window to reach a lasting deal. Iran's deputy foreign minister said both the strikes and a U.S. move to revoke a sanctions waiver violate the agreement, warning of decisive measures in response.
2 Midtown Manhattan Buildings Evacuated After Beams Found To Be Buckling
A construction emergency forced mass evacuations in Midtown Manhattan early yesterday after support beams began buckling inside a 37-story high-rise. Around 8 a.m., construction workers at 235 East 42nd Street, the former global headquarters of drugmaker Pfizer, noticed cracks and saw two structural support columns on the 21st floor start to bend under the weight. Fire officials said the columns kept moving through the day, with cracks and sagging floors between the 21st and 26th levels. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called it an extremely serious situation and said the building remained unstable hours later, with officials monitoring it minute by minute using drones and sensitive equipment that detects tiny shifts. At least nine nearby buildings were evacuated, including a Hampton Inn, the Israeli Consulate, and a school running a summer camp for about 400 children. By last night, inspectors cleared crews to begin installing temporary shoring to stabilize the structure, and residents of one evacuated building were told it was safe to return.
3 Senate GOP Leaders Say They've Spoken With Mitch McConnell
Senate Republican leaders said yesterday they have spoken with Senator Mitch McConnell by phone, amid a weekslong hospitalization that has fueled speculation about his health. A spokesperson for Majority Leader John Thune said the South Dakota Republican and McConnell spoke Monday and had a lengthy conversation covering topics including national security. The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican has been hospitalized since June 14th. That same day, emergency crews responded to a report of an unconscious person at McConnell's home, with a dispatcher noting a cardiac arrest and CPR in progress. His office last said on July 2nd that he continues to improve and is working with staff while the Senate is out of session.