Salem News Channel

What Will Platner Do?

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WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) - The United States revoked on Tuesday a general license that authorized the sale of Iranian oil, as a U.S. official warned that Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz were "wholly unacceptable" and would be met with consequences after attacks on tankers in the strategic waterway. Oil prices rose more than 5% following the announcement. The U.S. Treasury said it would allow a wind-down period to July 17 for Iran's oil transactions that had been allowed under the now revoked license. The U.S. official said negotiators continued to work in good faith toward a final agreement with Iran despite the latest escalation. The U.S. move came after three tankers reported being struck by unknown projectiles in and near the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, the British navy-affiliated agency UKMTO said in a report. There was no immediate comment from Tehran, or any claim of responsibility. The attacks and the U.S. response threaten to put a fragile diplomatic understanding between Washington and Tehran on shaky ground, raising the risk that further retaliation could derail negotiations over a broader agreement. Another U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial indications were that Iran had fired at three commercial vessels. The potential escalation comes as both sides had been working toward a deal that included limits on Iran's nuclear program and relief from some sanctions, including restrictions on oil exports. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, with roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and large volumes of liquefied natural gas shipments passing through each day. Any prolonged disruption could push up energy prices and increase pressure on consumers and governments already facing higher fuel costs. Oil exports remain a critical source of revenue for Iran, providing billions of dollars in hard currency that help fund government spending and support an economy weakened by years of U.S. sanctions. Despite restrictions, Tehran has managed to expand shipments in recent years, largely to China, making oil sales one of the country's most important economic lifelines. Any renewed effort to curb those exports could put additional pressure on Iran's finances and its ability to sustain domestic programs and regional activities.

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Is Graham Platner Doomed?

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President Trump Meets With President of Turkey at NATO Summit

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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders says Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner should step aside after a sexual assault allegation. Democrats across the U.S. are withdrawing support from Platner after the allegation, which Platner denies. Platner is considering his next steps and has canceled town hall events this week. The allegation involves a woman who claims Platner assaulted her in 2021. Pressure is mounting for Platner to withdraw, as Maine law has tight deadlines for replacing candidates. Democrats are divided on who should replace him, with names like Troy Jackson and Nirav Shah mentioned. Platner's supporters say they're devastated and waiting for his next statement. Sanders is a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats and a longtime Platner supporter.

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ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — President Donald Trump insists the United States should control Greenland instead of Denmark, remarks that are likely to rattle NATO allies and raise tensions during the two-day summit in Ankara, Turkey. He claims the island is crucial for the U.S. and falsely states it’s surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships. Trump made these comments during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Meanwhile, Trump announced the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey related to its purchase of a Russian missile defense system. This decision could ease Turkey's reentry into the F-35 fighter jet program. NATO also announced billions in military projects to address Trump's concerns about defense spending.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The British military says three tankers have been struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest attacks targeting vessels moving through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. The new assaults threatened to choke off the flow of traffic in the strait just as countries hoped to restore normal shipping practices and ease the global economic strain of the war between the U.S. and Iran. One of the tankers was traveling off the coast of Oman and caught fire. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.

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NEW YORK (AP) — A under-construction high-rise in Manhattan remains unstable after columns buckled and bricks fell into the street below. Officials said Tuesday that the building, a former Pfizer headquarters being converted to luxury apartments, was still moving. Nearby buildings, including a school with about 400 children, were evacuated. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says engineers are working to stabilize the structure, using drones for monitoring. The Fire Department of New York Chief John Esposito confirmed the building continues to move, making it a dangerous situation. The nearly 37-story tower is part of the city's largest office-to-residential conversion project, with over 1,600 planned units.

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The weeklong preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk has entered its second day. Prosecutors aim to show that they have enough evidence against Tyler Robinson to proceed to a trial. After the hearing concludes, state District Judge Tony Graf must determine if the case should proceed, which experts say is likely. Twenty-three-year-old Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in Kirk’s Sept. 10 assassination on the Utah Valley University campus, for which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Robinson’s attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.

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It's Only a Matter of Time for Platner

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Crime-Fighting License Plate Cameras Expand Despite Vandalism

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With Sheri Biggs, Representative for South Carolinas 3rd district.

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With Tim Graham, Executive Editor, Newsbusters at MRC.

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With Mike Gonzalez, Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

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With Mark Halperin, host of "Next Up With Mark Halperin.

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With Ilya Shapiro, of the Manhattan Institute.

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With Patrice Onwuka, of the Independent Women's Forum.

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President Donald Trump is planning another addition to the White House grounds, this time with a new presidential helipad. The project would create a designated landing area for Marine One on the White House campus, adding to a series of renovations and upgrades Trump has pursued in Washington. Officials have not yet released full details on the timeline or cost of the project.

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The United States has been knocked out of the FIFA World Cup after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16. U.S. forward Folarin Balogun returned to the lineup after FIFA lifted his one-match suspension following a controversial red card, but the Americans were unable to overcome Belgium's attack. The loss ends the U.S. tournament run and falls short of the team's goal of reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

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An Idaho woman who publicly claimed her toddler twins died after receiving routine vaccinations is now facing two counts of first-degree murder in connection with their deaths. Authorities allege Andrea Shaw suffocated her 18-month-old twins in May 2025. The charges come more than a year after Shaw appeared on an online program claiming the children died days after receiving recommended childhood vaccines. Shaw has pleaded not guilty through her attorney, who says she denies all allegations. If convicted, she could face life in prison or the death penalty.

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