1 US conducts new strikes on Iran after Trump threats
The United States conducted a new round of airstrikes on Iran Wednesday at the direction of President Donald Trump, marking the second night of renewed attacks and casting major doubt on the prospects for a long-term peace deal with Tehran. The attacks, confirmed by the U.S. Central Command in a statement, came after Trump at a NATO summit in Turkey earlier in the day said he considers the U.S. ceasefire with Iran to be "over" and warned of more powerful strikes to come. The U.S. did not immediately disclose the targets of the new attacks, but said the operation would "further degrade (Iran's) ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
2 Democratic Senate Candidate Graham Platner Suspends His Maine Campaign
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has suspended his campaign after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault. In a video posted to social media yesterday, Platner, an oyster farmer and military veteran, said he will withdraw from the ballot and that what comes next should come from the people of Maine. He continued to deny the allegation, saying he learned of it through press inquiries with no time to respond, and argued the media and political establishment acted as judge, jury, and executioner. The accusation came from Jenny Racicot, who told "Politico" that Platner forced her to have sex without her consent five years ago after she repeatedly told him to stop. A wave of prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, both early backers, urged him to drop out. Platner had until July 13th to formally withdraw, after which the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27th to pick a replacement, who has not yet been named.
3 White House Announces First "Freedom Fuel" Station
The White House has announced the first "Freedom Fuel" gas station, which it says is selling gas at a below-market rate of $3.47 a gallon. In a post on social media Tuesday, the White House said the first location had landed in Philadelphia; the $3.47 price is a nod to President Trump, the nation's 47th president. Yesterday, the national average was $3.80 a gallon, according to AAA, so the station's price is more than 30 cents cheaper. The White House said Trump is leading the charge to lower gas prices this summer. It did not immediately say who runs Freedom Fuel or how it offers gas so cheaply. According to the "Philadelphia Inquirer," the stations are run by a private company, are not part of a government program, and are not getting funding from the administration. The post included video of customers thanking the president for saving them money.