The NYC building collapse scare in midtown Manhattan brought chaos to one of the city's busiest corridors Tuesday, as a 37-story high-rise just blocks from Grand Central Station began showing alarming signs of structural failure. At least nine buildings were evacuated — including a school and a hotel — as authorities scrambled to prevent a potential catastrophe. That emergency, paired with new US strikes on Iran and a brutal storm system pummeling the East Coast, made for one of the most news-heavy broadcasts of the year on ABC's World News Tonight.
What Caused the NYC Building Collapse Scare in Midtown?
Around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, construction workers inside the former Pfizer headquarters — currently being converted into residential apartments — noticed something deeply wrong. Steel support columns on the 21st floor had begun to warp. Investigators quickly found multiple cracks spreading through the structure, floors beginning to cave between the 21st and 26th stories, and windows shattering from internal pressure.
Video obtained by ABC News from inside the building showed the steel columns visibly bending. Fire department photos confirmed what workers on the ground had feared: the building was leaning to one side. One structural engineer on scene said, "Since we have been on site in the early morning, we have seen continued shift of the structure" — a statement that accelerated the evacuation order dramatically.
Authorities sealed off the streets surrounding the building, which sits just blocks from Grand Central Terminal, snarling traffic across midtown for hours. A small team of structural experts went floor by floor to assess the damage, ultimately determining that the compromised columns had stopped moving enough to allow emergency stabilization work to begin. Workers planned to shore up the building with emergency trusses throughout the night and into the coming days.
The building had logged seven violations in the past year alone, ranging from unsafe demolition practices to debris falling from dangerous heights — resulting in over $32,000 in fines. Fortunately, all construction workers were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
Why Did the US Strike Iran — And What Happens Next?
Just as the Manhattan building crisis was unfolding, US Central Command announced a separate and equally urgent development: the United States had launched new military strikes against Iran. According to officials, the strikes were a direct response to Iran's attacks on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz within the previous 24 hours.
The targets included Iranian coastal surveillance systems, missile and drone launch sites, and port facilities. The US called the ship attacks "a clear violation of the ceasefire and wholly unacceptable," and went a step further by revoking part of the deal President Trump had signed that allowed Iran to sell oil on international markets.
The escalation is particularly striking given it comes just weeks after President Trump brokered an agreement with Iran. Iran has already vowed to retaliate, throwing the fragile ceasefire — and any prospects for a longer-term peace deal — into serious doubt. President Trump was attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, when the strikes were announced, where he was also reportedly lashing out at American allies over defense spending.
Why Are Democrats Demanding Graham Plattner Drop Out?
Back home, the Democratic Party is facing a political firestorm of its own. Maine Senate candidate Graham Plattner is under enormous pressure to exit the race after a former girlfriend publicly accused him of sexual assault. Within 24 hours of the allegation coming forward, more than 20 Democratic senators called for Plattner to step down — including his most prominent supporter, Senator Bernie Sanders.
Sanders, who had previously stood by Plattner through earlier controversies, issued a statement saying: "In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside." Plattner has denied the accusations but acknowledged he is "reevaluating" his campaign and "taking time to reflect on the best path forward."
He has until Monday to formally remove his name from the ballot. If he does, the Maine Democratic Party would have two weeks to select a replacement — though there is currently no clear roadmap for how that process would work. Several Maine Democrats have already begun raising their hands to take his place, with control of the US Senate potentially hanging in the balance.
What Does the Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Video Show?
In Utah, prosecutors in the Charlie Kirk murder case unveiled a significant collection of surveillance footage tracing the alleged killer's movements on the day of the shooting. Tyler Robinson, the suspect, can be seen arriving at Utah Valley University and interacting with members of Turning Point USA at the amphitheater — just hours before Kirk was gunned down.
Investigators noted a distinctive limp in Robinson's walk across multiple videos, which they believe was caused by a rifle hidden in his pants. Additional footage allegedly shows a figure — identified as Robinson — in a prone position on a rooftop near the scene, followed by someone jumping down and running toward nearby woods. Perhaps most chillingly, an officer stopped Robinson's car near campus just 12 hours after the shooting but let him go, noting the license plate out of intuition. Robinson turned himself in 22 hours later and has yet to enter a plea.
How Bad Is the Storm Damage Hitting the East Coast?
A powerful storm system tore through the northeastern United States, leaving a trail of downed power lines, collapsed roofs, and flooded roads. Connecticut was among the hardest hit, with some areas receiving two months' worth of rain in a single day. Swift water rescue teams were deployed outside Pittsburgh to pull stranded residents to safety.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, lightning ignited three separate homes overnight. In Paramus, New Jersey, a massive tree came crashing down on a car and home while a woman stood just feet away in her garage. Officials declared a state of emergency in the town.
Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee warned that the danger isn't over. Flood watches remain in effect from Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth City and Virginia Beach, with one-to-two inch per hour rainfall rates possible into the night. Meanwhile, dangerous heat is building in the South — with feels-like temperatures forecast to hit 112°F in North Charleston and 109°F on Thursday. Jackson and Baton Rouge could see heat indices of 105°F.
What Is the Legionnaires Disease Outbreak in NYC?
New York City health officials confirmed a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases on Manhattan's Upper East Side, with 23 confirmed cases of the severe form of pneumonia reported across two neighborhoods. No deaths have been reported. Authorities believe the likely source is bacteria growing inside a cooling tower in the area and are working to identify and address it. Legionnaires' disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, typically spread through inhaling contaminated water droplets, and is not contagious from person to person.
How Did Messi Lead Argentina's Epic World Cup Comeback?
In one of the most thrilling moments of the 2025 World Cup, Lionel Messi led Argentina back from a 0-2 deficit against Egypt, orchestrating a stunning three-goal blitz in just 13 minutes to complete the comeback. Messi himself scored the tying goal, becoming the first player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive knockout matches.
The living legend was seen in tears after the final whistle, then lifted into the air by celebrating teammates — a moment that will likely be replayed for decades. In contrast, the US men's national team's run came to an end with a loss to Belgium in Seattle, though fans left the stadium feeling optimistic about the future of American soccer heading into the next cycle.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo Retiring From the World Cup?
In a bittersweet footnote to the tournament, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo played his final World Cup match, closing the book on a career that saw him become the only player ever to score in six different World Cups. The announcement marks the end of an era for one of the sport's all-time greats, as global football now looks ahead to a post-Ronaldo, Messi-defining generation.
