ARAK IR-40 heavy water plant (Wikipediia).

Air strikes by the United States on Iran’s nuclear development sites may have only set back that nation’s efforts to build an atomic weapon by months.

According to the Associated Press, a new U.S intelligence report, President Donald Trump’s claim that the Iranian program was “completely and fully obliterated” was overstated, despite the significant damage inflicted.

The Defense Intelligence Agency report indicated that “at least some” of the enriched uranium and centrifuges necessary for making a weapon had been moved before the air strikes.

However, the White House described the DIA report as “flat-out wrong.”

Eastern seaboard hit by heat wave

A summer heat wave is bringing unprecedented high temperatures to the Atlantic coast of the United States.

A HEAT WAVE back East (Shutterstock),

According to The New York Times, temperatures in New York’s Central Park hit 99 degrees on Tuesday afternoon. Logan International Airport in Boston reported 100 degrees.

The effects ranged from Maine and Vermont all the way south to Florida.

Heat-related calls for service from paramedics and other medical personnel spiked. Some cities provided free water stations. Air-conditioned systems were strained and extreme heat has complicated the labor of outdoor workers.

Budget bill hits summer recess

BIG BUDGET BILL

President Donald Trump is asking for Congress to push through the traditional July 4 recess and to approve the “one big, beautiful bill.”

According to United Press International, Trump has set an Independence Day deadline for passing the bill.

“To my friends in the Senate,” Trump said in a Truth Social post, “lock yourself in a room, [but ] don’t go home. Get it done this week” and “No one goes on vacation until it’s done.”

Some of the measures in the bill will require 60 votes in the Senate. Republicans now hold 53 seats.

Weather: 80s around the corner

In our West Orange County cities, the thermometer will be creeping up until we hit the 80s. Wednesday will have clouds in the morning and sunshine in the evening. There will be a daytime high of 79 with an overnight low 62. Thursday through Saturday will have partly cloudy skies. Thursday will have temps of 79 (62). Friday and Saturday should have a high of 81 and a low of 62.

Great Thoughts

“The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.”
 – George Washington

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
– Abraham Lincoln

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
– Franklin Roosevelt