The Justice Department dismissed a criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, initially charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Government lawyers now attribute the damage to "flawed installation" by a contractor, not vandalism, citing new documents received after the indictment.
The US Justice Department seeks to dismiss charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, citing new evidence attributing the damage to a flawed contractor installation and rush to complete the project before the America 250 celebration.
Delhi sees increased security with 30 CRPF companies airlifted and CISF leave curtailed amid ongoing student protests at Jantar Mantar. The Cockroach Janta Party demands Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak and seeks compensation for affected families.
A new "Freedom Fuel Network" offering gas discounts of up to 50 cents per gallon has emerged in Pennsylvania and South Jersey, baffling industry experts and officials. The network, incorporated just before Trump promoted it, claims to be a private company with no subsidies, but its ownership and sustainability remain unclear.
A network of 25 gas stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, branded as Freedom Fuel Network, is offering significant discounts promoted by President Trump. Industry experts are baffled by the sustainability of the discounts and the identity of the entity footing the bill.
SCMP's weekly report features China's Xi Jinping sending a July 4 message to Trump, setting a new precedent amid diplomatic efforts to stabilize US-China relations. Other highlights include Hong Kong's top IB scorers and China's role in Cabo Verde's FIFA journey.
A Tennessee Incline Railway operator was fired after a July 4th video of him telling passengers "if you disagree, you can leave" went viral. The operator defended his remarks as patriotic, while the transit authority apologized and stated zero tolerance for demeaning language.
Tech giants like Google and Amazon are seeing increased carbon emissions due to AI investments, jeopardizing net-zero goals. Meanwhile, Meta is exploring new revenue streams like cloud computing and prediction markets amid stock decline and legal challenges.
Millions in the Eastern US faced extreme heat warnings and severe storms on Independence Day. Dozens of heat-related deaths were reported, and emergency rooms saw increased visits. Experts warn this is a preview of future extreme weather due to climate change, driven by fossil fuel burning.
The Gun Violence Archive reported that 100 people were killed and 340 injured by gunfire during the US Independence Day celebrations. The three-day weekend saw 20 mass shootings, nearing the record set in 2021. Figures are preliminary.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to US President Donald Trump for the 250th Independence Day, an unusual public gesture from Beijing. This diplomatic move follows months of efforts to stabilize US-China relations, contrasting with Trump's recent speech warning against communism.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to US President Donald Trump for the 250th US Independence Day, an unusual public gesture. This follows efforts to stabilize US-China relations, contrasting with Trump's critical rhetoric on communism.
China's President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to US President Trump on the 250th anniversary of US independence. The message, conveyed by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, follows recent diplomatic efforts to stabilize US-China relations.
US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated on Sunday that federal officials had no grounds to stop a white supremacist group's July 4 rally in Washington due to free speech protections. Burgum acknowledged the Patriot Front's ideology is disagreeable but protected under free speech, even if it "makes democracy messy."
Venezuela celebrated its 215th Independence Day with interim President Delcy Rodriguez projecting strength amid criticism of the government's response to deadly earthquakes. The quakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, have resulted in over 3,342 deaths, thousands missing, and widespread displacement.
US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated on Sunday that federal officials had no grounds to stop a July 4th rally by the white supremacist group Patriot Front in Washington D.C. due to free speech protections, as the group's actions were not illegal.
At least eight people, including four children aged 6 to 14, were shot and injured in Coney Island, New York City, on Independence Day. A 21-year-old woman is in critical condition, while seven others are stable. Police recovered a firearm but made no arrests.
President Trump marked America's 250th Independence Day with a speech on the National Mall, praising history, his actions in Iran, and warning against communism, while also vowing to restrict mail-in ballots. The event proceeded after a severe thunderstorm, followed by a large fireworks display.
US Independence Day celebrations in Washington D.C. were disrupted by severe thunderstorms and extreme heat, forcing evacuations, speech delays, and event cancellations nationwide. President Trump's speech and a fireworks display proceeded despite weather warnings.
The US is celebrating its 250th birthday with events tempered by a dangerous heatwave and political divisions. The National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C. was canceled due to extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat-related disruptions affected other celebrations nationwide, including in Philadelphia and Colorado.
President Trump delivered a politically charged speech on American exceptionalism and communism from Mount Rushmore, contrasting with unifying Independence Day addresses by past presidents. The holiday was also marked by a heatwave, canceled events, and public reflection on the nation's divisions.
The US celebrates its 250th Independence Day amid political polarization and a severe heatwave. President Trump is a key figure in Washington's festivities, while wildfires rage in the West, forcing evacuations. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest experiences cooler weather.
Researchers link the current US heatwave to the climate crisis, stating it's "virtually impossible" without it. High temperatures threaten holiday events and World Cup matches, with several incidents of heat-related illness reported.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates 80% of Americans plan to celebrate July 4th, but 57% view it primarily as a day off. The survey also found 38% doubt the US will exist as a single country in 250 years, reflecting current political divisions.
