Darline Graham Nordone, sister of Lindsey Graham, chosen to fulfill remainder of his US Senate term
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has named Darline Graham Nordone as her late brother Lindsey Graham’s temporary replacement in the U.S. Senate. Graham died at age 71 over the weekend. Nordone will serve the remaining months of his term, which ends in January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says she will be sworn in Tuesday afternoon. A special election next month will determine the new Republican nominee for Graham’s seat. The open seat has sparked interest among South Carolina's conservatives. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11, with a runoff on August 25 if needed. The general election will take place on November 3.
US attacks Iran as Tehran retaliates and both vie for control of strait
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Jordan’s military said Tuesday it intercepted four missiles launched by Iran. Jordan’s military made the statement via the kingdom’s state-run Petra news agency. Jordan hosts U.S. forces and aircraft. The attack came as Iran also targeted Bahrain on Tuesday morning following a new round of American strikes targeting the Islamic Republic. Iran also attacked two tankers associated with the United Arab Emirates traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, as both Tehran and Washington vie for control of the strategic waterway.
FACT FOCUS: A look at US and Iranian claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz
A focal point of the Iran war is increasingly about who controls the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that for decades was a relatively safe transit route for Middle East oil and natural gas supplies. Iran says an interim ceasefire gave it the right to establish the terms under which ships traversed the strait. To exert control over the waterway and gain leverage in negotiations with the U.S., it has threatened and fired upon vessels that did not stick to its preferred route. President Donald Trump sought Monday to tip the scales by reimposing a blockade on Iran. He said the U.S. controls the strait and would charge fees for safe passage — essentially borrowing from the Iranian playbook.
ICE officer who fatally shot driver in Maine was 'fearing for public safety,' agency says
BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) — Sen. Angus King says the motorist killed by ICE officers in a Maine shooting was not the target of the warrant the officers were executing. King said Monday that that information came from Homeland Security Secretary Mullin. It’s the second time in a week that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have used deadly force and at least the ninth death since President Donald Trump began his immigration crackdown. Immigrant rights groups identified the man who was killed as a 26-year-old native of Colombia. DHS says “the vehicle attempted to flee the scene and, fearing for public safety, an officer discharged his weapon.”
Feds turn over evidence in Renee Good and Alex Pretti killings to Minnesota after months of delay
Minnesota prosecutors have obtained key evidence in their investigations into the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The killing happened during protests against a federal immigration enforcement crackdown earlier this year. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday that her office now has hard drives with statements, police body camera video, and other evidence previously withheld by federal officials. Investigators also have Good’s damaged car. Moriarty expressed relief at having all the evidence. Investigators are currently reviewing the hard drives, video footage, and the physical car involved.
Trump reduces size of 2 national monuments in Utah as Republicans reshape land management
President Donald Trump is sharply reducing the size of two national monuments in Utah. The move to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by about 90% unravels protections established by former presidents for areas with unique archaeological and historical features. It comes as Republicans under Trump have sought to drastically reshape the management of vast taxpayer-owned lands concentrated in Western states. Republicans have moved to expand oil and gas drilling, ramp up logging and remove habitat protections for imperiled species. The altered monuments had been designated under the Antiquities Act, a 1906 law meant to preserve important sites. Democrats and conservationists warn of the disposal of treasured landscapes for commercial gain.
Judge says Trump IRS lawsuit was filed for 'improper purpose,' refers lawyer for possible discipline
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge says President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over his leaked tax returns was filed for an “improper purpose” as she referred one of his attorneys for possible disciplinary action. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams on Monday amounts to a stinging rebuke of the Republican president’s lawsuit, characterizing it as an exercise in self-dealing in which he sued an entity that is effectively under his control. The suit concluded in May with a settlement agreement that created a since-abandoned $1.776 billion fund meant to compensate allies of the president, as well as immunity from tax audits.
No relief from the heat as many US cities will see record overnight temperatures
Another round of sweltering heat is in store for much of the U.S. this week. The National Weather Service predicts that more than 90 temperature records across the U.S. will be tied or broken this week through Wednesday. Most of those will be overnight heat records. Health experts say that overnight temperatures that fail to cool down are even more dangerous than when daytime temperatures soar. Over the next few days, cities in the Midwest and Northeast known for more record-breaking cold are likely to see record-setting nighttime temperatures. Those include Fargo, North Dakota; International Falls, Minnesota; and Portland, Maine.
12 states challenge Paramount's takeover of Warner, say merger would 'extinguish competition'
NEW YORK (AP) — Twelve states are suing to block Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. They argued in a lawsuit Monday that the $81 billion merger would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers across the U.S. The office of California’s attorney general is leading the coalition. It alleges that the proposed merger would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for movies and the television landscape. Paramount maintains that merging with Warner will be good for competition. The company says it will “vigorously defend” the transaction.
Neither France nor Spain has trailed at this year's World Cup, but only one can reach the final
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kylian Mbappé and France haven’t trailed at all in this year's World Cup. Neither has Spain with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Only one can reach the final. France and Spain play Tuesday in the first of two powerhouse semifinal matches. France has outscored its opponents 14-2, with Mbappé matching Lionel Messi's eight goals for the scoring lead at the tournament. Spain has outscored opponents 10-1, with Mikel Merino scoring decisive goals as a substitute in the past two games. This is the first World Cup since 1990 that each of the final four teams are former champions. Defending champion Argentina and England play in the other semifinal match.
