US and Iran escalate strikes across Mideast
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States and Iran have exchanged strikes aimed at infrastructure and military targets as their battle over the Strait of Hormuz intensifies. The region has endured days of back-and-forth attacks in a conflict increasingly focused on control of the strait. The U.S. Central Command said early Saturday it had hit “surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities," and Iran retaliated, with reports of strikes from Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq while air sirens also sounded in Bahrain. Iranian officials say recent U.S. strikes have killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds, with new casualties reported Friday, when the U.S. military also acknowledged more injured service members.
Wildfire smoke kills tens of thousands of people a year. Here's how it attacks the body
Wildfire smoke, which is increasing in the Northern Hemisphere as the climate warms, attacks nearly every system in the body. And medical studies show that it is killing tens of thousands of people a year. Within hours, ambulance calls increase. And then emergency room visits soar for breathing problems, especially asthma. People start having heart issues. ER visits for mental health concerns also jump. People have trouble focusing. Pregnant women give birth prematurely and to underweight babies. Men’s sperm is weakened. That's because smoke as an irritant triggers the immune system. And smoke has thousands of chemicals in it, many of them toxins.
Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota pushes farther into the US and engulfs DC in haze
NEW YORK (AP) — Millions of people in the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are muddling through another day of unhealthy air from uncontrolled wildfires in Minnesota and Canada. The nation’s capital was enveloped in an eerie haze Friday. And Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians postponed their game against Pittsburgh Pirates in Ohio. Air quality warnings are expected to remain in effect at least through Saturday in parts of the U.S. There’s potential for temporary relief with storms forecast over the weekend. But a forecaster at the National Weather Service says smoky conditions are expected to last as fires continue to burn largely unchecked.
Maine Democrats running to replace Platner as Senate nominee scramble to woo his voters
Democrats hoping to replace Graham Platner on the Maine ballot for U.S. Senate are scrambling to woo his supporters. Those Democrats also are trying to turn focus away from Platner to the November election against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Platner dropped out of the race after an accusation of sexual assault, which he denies. Platner's replacement will be chosen at a Maine Democratic Party convention on July 25. The process to pick a new nominee is unprecedented, with less than three weeks to organize. Candidates must gather 500 signatures to qualify for the convention vote of 601 delegates. The recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement shooting in Maine has also become a key issue.
Trump urges Darline Graham to run for full Senate term as funeral scheduled for Lindsey Graham
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump says Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham, has his support to run for a full term to replace her brother in the U.S. Senate. Graham is serving the remaining months of her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate term, but she's weighing a possible run for a full term. Lindsey Graham's funeral services will include services in Washington on July 28 and in South Carolina on July 29. Filing for a special Republican primary opens next week. Several people familiar with the deliberations said she has started having conversations about a potential campaign. Her current appointment runs until January. Lindsey Graham died last weekend.
A 7.3 earthquake hits Mexico-Guatemala border with no immediate damage reported
TAPACHULA, México (AP) — A strong earthquake has struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast, right on the border with Guatemala. The U.S. Geological Survey reports it had a magnitude of 7.3. The epicenter was southwest of Aquiles Serdan, near Chiapas. Authorities have not reported any severe damage or casualties. In Tapachula, the tremor began mildly but intensified, prompting evacuations. In Guatemala City, the quake frightened residents during rush hour. In Mexico City, buildings shook, but the earthquake alert did not sound. Coastal areas near Suchiate are being monitored for tsunami risk, according to local officials.
Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 states confirmed as a source of diarrhea-causing parasite
ATLANTA (AP) — Federal health officials have identified lettuce from Mexico served by Taco Bell locations across five U.S. states as a source of the widespread outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Thursday confirmed the source and warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Officials have identified a single supplier of the lettuce. The federal warnings to consumers did not identify the company, but Taylor Fresh Foods, of Salinas, California, said FDA testing indicated it was “a specific independent farm” affiliated with the company.
Lawmakers demand answers after 'bombshell' report about ICE officer shooting in Maine
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic members of Congress are demanding answers about Homeland Security’s vetting and training of immigration enforcement officers. The reaction comes after it was disclosed that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer involved in a deadly shooting this week in Maine had a history of mental health issues and violent behavior. Several close relatives of the ICE officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week say he is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since childhood. The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee says the senseless tragedy must be investigated.
Trump doubles down on US election attacks in his primetime speech
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has used a primetime address to question the legitimacy of U.S. elections and push for more restrictive voting laws. The Republican president on Thursday revisited debunked theories about his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden, despite ongoing voter concerns about other pressing issues. Trump claimed election interference but provided no evidence of manipulated votes. Former intelligence official Sue Gordon calls Trump's speech "dangerous." Some networks choose not to air the address live. Democrats accuse Trump of trying to discredit the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Democrats argue Trump's claims are baseless and aim to sow confusion.
Texas floods have left high waters and a big cleanup job after hundreds of people are rescued
UVALDE, Texas (AP) — First responders in storm-battered Texas are again rushing to people trapped in high waters after more heavy rain widened the danger from floods that have killed at least two people and left hundreds more in need of rescue. A week of punishing downpours dumped more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) in some areas as of Friday. The latest round of showers worsened already swollen rivers and flooded rural communities near the border with Mexico that had largely been spared major damage. Gov. Greg Abbott said emergency personnel across a wide swath of southern and central Texas have rescued more than 570 people, including stranded drivers and people trapped in homes.
