News Wrap: USS Abraham Lincoln heading home after 9-month deployment

Geoff Bennett:

Also today, the U.S. military says the USS Abraham Lincoln is heading home after reports of poor living conditions following a roughly nine-month deployment.

The Lincoln and its crew of about 5,000 sailors have been deployed as part of U.S. operations against Iran. Democratic lawmakers have cited reports of basic supply shortages and mental health concerns for those aboard the carrier.

Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads U.S. Central Command, dismissed those concerns as old news. CENTCOM says a new carrier, the USS George Washington, has arrived in the Middle East and is now operational.

Meantime, Iranian officials are condemning the latest U.S. economic threats, saying that sanctions and other measures targeting Iranian citizens constitute, in their words, crimes against humanity. In a social media post, Iran's foreign minister said today that U.S. economic terrorism threatens global economy and sovereignty worldwide.

Last night, President Trump threatened Iran with what he called economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale, saying it will be an economic D-Day. Then, today, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said the U.S. and its allies will -- quote -- "collapse the regime."

Turning now to Europe, severe storms and at least one tornado tore through parts of Germany overnight. Emergency crews worked to clear dozens of toppled trees and other debris. Police say one woman was struck and killed.

That's all unfolding as extreme heat and drought are still gripping other parts of the continent. Wildfires are raging in the Balkans, forming rings of flames like these in North Macedonia. Firefighters have joined local farmers armed with shovels, but officials say their efforts aren't enough to control the flames.

Stojance Angelov, North Macedonia Management Center (through translator):

The terrain is extremely difficult to work in, with very tall, tinder-like grass. A police helicopter operated here during the day. The effect was good, but the fire still broke through again.

Geoff Bennett:

Today, Russia deployed a firefighting aircraft to Serbia, where authorities have cited a lack of available planes from the E.U.

Meantime, Serbia's shrinking rivers are revealing more sunken treasures. This steamboat dating from the early 1900s was left completely exposed as the Sava River has receded amid ongoing heat and drought. Serbian media have dubbed the vessel Sava's Titanic.

A court in China sentenced the founder of property developer Evergrande to life in prison today roughly five years after the company's collapse sent shockwaves through China's economy. Hui Ka Yan had pleaded guilty in April to charges of large-scale fraud and misuse of funds.

His sentence caps a downfall for the former billionaire who was once Asia's richest man. The court also find Evergrande companies the equivalent of more $2.3 billion. Evergrande was once China's premier property developer, and its collapse left so-called ghost cities of unfinished developments in its wake.

Back in this country, federal agents have reportedly seized electronic devices from former Congressman Eric Swalwell and searched his home as part of a federal inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct. That's according to several media outlets citing people familiar with the matter.

They say officials confiscated the devices this past Saturday and searched his Washington, D.C., home a day later. The Democrat from California has been a vocal critic of President Trump. He spent more than a decade in Congress before resigning in April after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. He has denied all wrongdoing.

Federal health officials have issued their most severe risk level for a recall of frozen blueberries sold at public supermarkets across multiple states. The FDA says there is a -- quote -- "reasonable probability that the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."

Publix had previously recalled various packages of its private label frozen GreenWise Blueberries and mixed berries across eight states, including Alabama, Florida, and Virginia, among others. The recall was due to E. coli contamination, which has infected at least 12 people. No fatalities have been reported.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's planned return to the U.K. is fueling renewed interest in the couple, and, in particular, why they're choosing to head back now after six years of living in the U.S. The duke and duchess of Sussex are reportedly planning to live in a private non-royal residence outside of London.

Harry has previously cited the government's refusal to cover security costs as one reason for their extended absence. When asked about that today, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the family's security would be a private matter. Meantime, the people of Britain are expressing mixed feelings about their return.

Man:

I'm not especially happy about it because they trashed the whole country numerous times, betrayed their family, betrayed his king, his father.

Woman:

I personally like Meghan Markle. I'm pretty sorry. I think they have built a lovely life together. And, sadly, I think that, no matter where they live, they're going to get vilified. And so they just ought to go wherever makes them happiest.

Geoff Bennett:

While the couple have not commented publicly on their plans, Prince Harry has said he hopes to reconcile with his family, especially his father, King Charles III, who is being treated for cancer.

Well, on Wall Street today, renewed worries about the bond market sent stocks lower. The Dow Jones industrial average ended the day with a 700-point loss. The Nasdaq fell exactly 1 percent. The S&P 500 posted its fourth loss in five sessions.