U.S.-Iran Strikes Widen War Across Gulf

Graham’s Death Opens Scramble for Senate Seat

McConnell Breaks Silence as Death Rumors Spread

Housing Law Takes Effect as Trump Presses Voting Bill

Palm Beach Airport Adopts Trump Name and Codes

U.S.-Iran Strikes Widen War Across Gulf

U.S. Central Command said it struck about 140 Iranian military targets late July 11 and announced additional attacks July 12 as Iran answered with ballistic missiles and drones aimed at U.S. installations across the Gulf and in Jordan. Iran claimed major damage at Jordan’s Prince Hassan Air Base, but U.S. and Jordanian officials reported no personnel deaths and disputed that account. Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed while CENTCOM said it remained open, but Kpler data showed only six vessels crossed July 12, the lowest daily traffic in five weeks. The fighting pushed Brent crude up more than 3% to $78.68 a barrel July 13, while the International Energy Agency said global oil supply remained 9.4 million barrels per day below its prewar level despite a June increase. The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early July 13 to reopen the strait and extend their shaky ceasefire, potentially easing pressure on energy shipments even as both sides continued to claim control of the waterway. The rapid shift from wider attacks to renewed negotiations underscores how instability in the strait can quickly affect regional security and global energy markets.

CNN / CBS News / Al Jazeera / Reuters / AP

Graham’s Death Opens Scramble for Senate Seat

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who became a leading foreign-policy voice and close ally of President Donald Trump, died July 11 at age 71 after what his office called a brief and sudden illness. A preliminary finding from the District of Columbia medical examiner attributed his death to an a tear in the main artery caused by hardening of the arteries. Graham spoke with Trump hours before his death about his recent trip to Ukraine and a Russia sanctions bill he wanted the Senate to consider, according to Axios. Reporting provides no evidence of Russian involvement despite online speculation tied to Graham’s support for Ukraine. Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary successor, while candidate filing begins July 21 ahead of an Aug. 11 special primary and a possible Aug. 25 runoff; the Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the Nov. 3 general election. Graham’s death narrows the Republican Senate majority and removes an influential legislator during debates over the U.S.-Iran war and other foreign-policy priorities.

NPR / NBC News / CNN / Count on 2 / CBS News / Axios

McConnell Breaks Silence as Death Rumors Spread

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said July 12 that a June 14 fall at his Washington home left him briefly unconscious and led to his hospitalization, ending weeks of silence about his condition that led to widespread rumors of his death. A comprehensive evaluation found no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor or hemorrhage, and doctors treated him for mild pneumonia before he moved to a rehabilitation facility. The congressional physician’s office said the 84-year-old has experienced several falls this year because of his post-polio condition and is receiving physical therapy intended to reduce that risk. McConnell said he cannot yet return to the Senate but will keep working with his staff and intends to finish his term before retiring at the end of January. His continued absence, combined with Graham’s vacancy, temporarily reduces the Republican majority’s available votes to 51-47.

PBS News

Housing Law Takes Effect as Trump Presses Voting Bill

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law July 11 without President Donald Trump’s signature after he neither signed nor vetoed it within the constitutional review period while Congress remained in session. The measure passed 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House, but Trump called it “a big yawn” and demanded that Congress first approve the SAVE America Act. The housing law contains more than 45 provisions intended mainly to increase supply and lower costs, including steps to streamline construction and restrict large institutional investors from buying certain existing single-family homes. The SAVE America Act would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register and photo identification to vote in federal elections, including copies of identification with absentee-ballot requests and returned ballots. The election bill remains stalled in the Senate, and local election officials have warned that implementing it before November would require major process changes, new funding and additional documents from some eligible voters. The unusual outcome allows a rare bipartisan response to housing affordability to take effect while the fight over election rules continues to impede other congressional work.

NPR / CBS News / TIME / Spokesman-Review

Palm Beach Airport Adopts Trump Name and Codes

Florida legislation renamed Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport effective July 9. Its International Civil Aviation Organization code changed from KPBI to KDJT, while its International Air Transport Association code changed from PBI to DJT. The Federal Aviation Administration advised operators and air agencies to review certificates, authorizing documents, airport data and other information systems for needed updates. The agency said affected organizations should coordinate with their responsible Flight Standards offices to ensure their records reflect the new name and codes. After the 90-day transition ends Oct. 7, certificates, authorizing documents or information systems that still reference PBI may be considered out of compliance with FAA regulations. The change extends beyond airport branding because the identifiers appear throughout aviation operating and regulatory records.

FAA

JULY 13, 2013: #BLACKLIVESMATTER HASHTAG FIRST APPEARS, SPARKING A MOVEMENT

After George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of Trayvon Martin, Alicia Garza posted “Black lives matter” on Facebook, a phrase that was quickly turned into the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter by fellow organizer Patrisse Cullors. The slogan soon spread across social media and the streets, becoming a rallying cry for a growing movement against racism and police violence in the United States and around the world.

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Sources

1. CNN / CBS News / Al Jazeera / Reuters / AP
2. NPR / NBC News / CNN / Count on 2 / CBS News / Axios
3. PBS News
4. NPR / CBS News / TIME / Spokesman-Review
5. FAA