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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The U.S. housing market is facing unusual challenges, with home prices rising about 60% since the COVID-19 pandemic and mortgage rates remaining high. This situation has made it harder for many Americans, especially young people, to buy homes, which is significant because owning property has long been a key part of American identity and economic stability.
Key Facts
Home prices in the U.S. increased by roughly 60% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mortgage rates have been historically high since 2022, making borrowing more expensive.
The homeownership rate in the U.S. fell to 65% in 2023, the lowest since 2019.
Homeownership has been promoted historically as a way to build wealth and a strong middle class in America.
Owning property has deep roots in American history and values, linked to independence and democracy.
The Homestead Act of 1862 gave land to settlers, but this land was usually taken from Indigenous peoples.
High home prices and mortgage rates now make it difficult, especially for young people, to buy homes.
The current housing market problems threaten the traditional American dream of owning a home and passing down wealth.
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Eight people, including four children, were shot and injured in Coney Island, New York, on the night of July 4th. One adult woman is in critical condition, while the others are stable, and police are still investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at 2929 West 31st Street in Coney Island, New York.
Police received a 911 call about the shooting on the evening of July 4th.
Eight people were found with gunshot wounds when officers arrived.
The injured were taken to several local hospitals for treatment.
One 21-year-old woman is in critical condition.
Seven other victims are in stable condition.
Four of the injured are children between 6 and 14 years old.
Police are currently investigating the shooting.
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President Donald Trump gave a speech on the 250th anniversary of the United States, delayed by lightning and bad weather. He spoke about America's history, values, and future while addressing a smaller crowd than expected.
Key Facts
The 250th anniversary event was delayed for four hours due to lightning strikes.
President Trump spoke from a temporary stage between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.
Trump said the United States has been a model for other nations for 250 years.
He referenced the founding fathers and their declaration that all men are created equal.
Trump mentioned freedoms Americans have, like speech, religion, and the right to bear arms, including a personal comment about his own treatment.
He recalled a historic naval victory at Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.
Estimated crowd numbers were reduced from 375,000 to 150,000 due to weather evacuations.
The event included fireworks and was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
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A mother from Kentucky, Hannah Damron, noticed unusual signs in her baby girl Miley, such as a small knot and a larger belly. After medical tests, Miley was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer in children, and is currently undergoing treatment.
Key Facts
Miley Damron was born healthy but showed signs like a small knot on her abdomen and a bigger belly.
At about 7 months old, Miley lost interest in food, prompting a doctor visit.
Medical tests found a large mass on Miley’s liver, diagnosed as hepatoblastoma.
Hepatoblastoma is a rare cancer affecting about 1.5 to 2 children per million each year, mainly under age 3.
Miley was treated at Kentucky Children’s Hospital and admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit.
She has undergone chemotherapy, surgeries, and treatment for infections.
Miley’s doctors plan one more chemotherapy round before surgery to shrink the tumor.
The family shares their story to help other parents trust their instincts and seek medical advice if something seems wrong with their child.
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Eight people, including four children, were shot in Coney Island, Brooklyn, on the night of July 4, 2026. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, with most in stable condition and one person in critical condition. Police found a gun at the scene but have not made any arrests.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 10:37 p.m. on the 2900 block of West 31st Street in Coney Island.
Eight people were shot: four adults (aged 21 to 37) and four boys (aged 6 to 14).
All victims were taken to local hospitals by emergency medical services.
Seven victims are in stable condition, and one 21-year-old woman is in critical condition.
A firearm was found at the scene by police.
No arrests have been made so far.
The incident occurred during Fourth of July celebrations in New York City.
The New York Police Department is investigating the case.
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Washington DC held a large event to celebrate America's 250th birthday on July 4. The event faced delays due to a thunderstorm but ended with a very big fireworks show and a speech by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Thousands of people gathered in Washington DC for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The celebration included a flyover, a concert, and a speech from President Donald Trump.
A thunderstorm caused delays and an evacuation of the National Mall in the early evening.
The event finished with one of the largest fireworks displays ever held in the United States.
July 4 is a federal holiday marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The festivities showed a mix of weather challenges and patriotic activities.
BBC correspondent Richard Preston attended and reported on the event.
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President Donald Trump gave a July 4th speech in Washington, D.C., marking America's 250th anniversary. He honored veterans, talked about American military strength, criticized communism, and promoted the Save America Act on voting rules.
Key Facts
The speech was delayed by two hours because of severe weather at the National Mall.
President Trump honored veterans from different wars, including World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Civil War.
He claimed recent victories over the militaries of Venezuela and Iran.
Trump compared historic U.S. military actions to recent attacks that destroyed Iran’s navy.
He described communism as a "menace" that needs to be eliminated in America.
The Save America Act, promoted by Trump, would require voters to prove citizenship and show ID before voting.
The president praised NASA astronauts, police officers, and farmers during the speech.
He called the 250th anniversary the "dawn of the golden age of America" and expressed optimism about the future.
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Chase Iron Eyes, a Native American lawyer from the Pine Ridge reservation, joins street protests in Minneapolis after Renee Good is killed by ICE. He works with other lawyers to challenge ICE and the Department of Homeland Security in court, using lawsuits to fight against the federal crackdown on Native Americans in Minnesota.
Key Facts
Renee Good was killed by ICE, sparking protests in Minneapolis.
Chase Iron Eyes is a lawyer and Native American activist from Pine Ridge reservation.
About 3,000 federal agents were sent to Minneapolis-Saint Paul in an operation called Metro Surge.
ICE began focusing on Native Americans in Minnesota during this crackdown.
Chase Iron Eyes helps organize legal actions, including class-action lawsuits, against ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.
The story is featured in a documentary film called Native Americans Resisting ICE, directed by Joi Lee and Ed Ou.
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Ofsted, the education inspection body in England, has removed guidance that linked autism with a higher risk of extremism after criticism. A junior education minister confirmed that the updated training for inspectors no longer includes those references.
Key Facts
Ofsted had training material suggesting autistic children might be more likely to become extremists.
The material said autistic children might be socially isolated and trust harmful information online.
This guidance was criticized by campaigners, including TV presenter Chris Packham, who has Asperger syndrome.
The National Autistic Society and human rights groups said the guidance could unfairly stigmatize autistic children.
In June 2025, Ofsted defended the training but later updated it to remove references to autism.
Junior education minister Josh MacAlister confirmed the new guidance no longer links autism to extremism.
Ofsted stated it has never called autistic children likely extremists and the old training aimed to highlight vulnerabilities in some children.
The changes follow protests and concerns about the number of autistic children referred to the government's Prevent program for deradicalization.
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President Donald Trump gave a speech in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2026, celebrating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. He praised America’s history and veterans, criticized domestic opponents by calling them communists, and highlighted recent military actions against Iran and Venezuela.
Key Facts
The speech took place at the National Mall during the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Storms caused a delay and temporary evacuation of the crowd before the speech.
Trump called the U.S. the "crowning achievement of human history."
He honored veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The president described communism as a threat both abroad and inside the U.S.
He mentioned recent military campaigns that allegedly weakened Iran’s military.
The event ended with a large fireworks show, claimed to be the world’s largest.
A heatwave affected many parts of the eastern U.S. during the celebrations, with record temperatures in Washington.
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President Donald Trump gave a speech celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. His speech and the main events were delayed by strong storms. In the speech, he praised Americans and described the US as a strong force for peace and justice.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke during the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding.
The main celebrations and speech were delayed due to severe thunderstorms.
President Trump called Americans a "historic and heroic people."
He described the US as the "greatest force for peace and justice on Earth."
The event marked a major national milestone, the nation’s 250th birthday.
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President Donald Trump gave a speech to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event was delayed by bad weather, and his speech mixed praise for America's achievements with strong political opinions about current challenges.
Key Facts
The speech celebrated 250 years since the founding of the United States.
Rain and bad weather delayed the event, causing it to happen late at night.
President Trump highlighted America’s successes and strength.
The speech included political comments about what he sees as threats to the country’s values.
The event was a national celebration combining history and politics.
The anniversary marks a significant milestone in American history.
The speech reflected both unity in celebration and division in political views.
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President Donald Trump spoke to a large crowd on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., during the Fourth of July celebrations. Comparing attendance at these events is difficult because official numbers are often not available and the formats vary between administrations.
Key Facts
President Trump claimed over 150,000 people were present after weather delays, with an earlier estimate of about 375,000 attendees.
Newsweek could not confirm the exact crowd size but reported a large, enthusiastic audience.
Past presidents like Barack Obama and Joe Biden held mostly invitation-only events with smaller, controlled audiences, usually for military families and guests.
Obama’s 2016 White House event hosted about 5,000 people, and Biden’s recent events involved several thousand guests.
Trump’s Fourth of July events often happen at larger public venues, such as the 2019 "Salute to America" on the National Mall.
The National Park Service no longer provides official crowd estimates for events on the National Mall, making precise attendance numbers unavailable.
Public transit use and Pentagon ticket distribution provide some context but do not give total attendance figures.
The different types of events (public celebrations, private invitations, speeches) make direct comparisons of crowd size challenging.
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President Donald Trump gave a delayed Fourth of July speech from the National Mall, focusing on American military strength, Christianity, and his push for a new voter ID law. He spoke against communism and highlighted America’s history and faith, while also promoting the SAVE America Act to restrict mail-in voting.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke on the Fourth of July from the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
He emphasized American military power and a Christian vision for the country.
Trump repeatedly criticized communism, calling it a failure.
He linked America’s founding to belief in God.
Trump promoted the SAVE America Act, aiming to limit mail-in ballots except in specific cases.
The speech came after storms briefly disrupted the holiday events and forced some evacuations.
Several military veterans and the Artemis II space crew joined him on stage.
The celebration’s fireworks timing was uncertain due to bad weather and high temperatures.
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The United States celebrated its 250th Independence Day with fireworks, flyovers, concerts, and ceremonies across the country. President Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Washington, D.C., while many parts of the country experienced very hot weather and a thunderstorm delayed some events.
Key Facts
The U.S. marked 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
President Trump gave a speech at a Fourth of July rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The celebration included a large fireworks show, which was delayed by a thunderstorm.
A flyover featured the new Air Force One jet.
The eastern U.S. experienced a heat wave with temperatures above 100°F (37°C).
About 400 members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front marched in Washington, D.C.
Across the country, musical performances took place at landmarks like Times Square in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
Philadelphia hosted special ceremonies, as the city is known as the birthplace of American independence.
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President Donald Trump gave a speech on July 4th in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. He honored veterans, celebrated historical symbols, and included political topics like election law changes, gun rights, and warning of a communist threat.
Key Facts
The speech took place on the National Mall and marked 250 years since the United States was founded.
Severe weather caused a two-hour evacuation before the event started.
President Trump honored veterans from different wars, including World War II and the Vietnam War.
Historic American flags related to important moments in U.S. history were displayed during the ceremony.
Trump supported the SAVE America Act, a law aimed at making election rules stricter.
He emphasized Second Amendment rights, which protect the right to own guns.
Trump mentioned a growing communist threat as a concern for the country.
The event was organized by groups linked to the White House, replacing the bipartisan commission that usually plans such celebrations.
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Prosecutors in Utah are holding a five-day hearing to decide if Tyler Robinson should stand trial for the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the September 2025 shooting and faces the possibility of the death penalty.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Robinson surrendered to authorities and allegedly sent a confession via text to his partner and left a note about targeting Kirk.
Kirk’s family is expected to attend the hearing in person for the first time.
The hearing will focus on whether there is enough evidence for a trial and if the death penalty should be considered.
Prosecutors plan to present DNA evidence, witness testimony, autopsy results, and video footage from the incident.
The hearing is happening in Provo, Utah, in front of District Judge Tony Graf.
Utah allows the death penalty only when there are special circumstances, such as endangering others.
The hearing will be livestreamed to the public.
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Charlie Kirk, a conservative leader and ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University during a public event on September 10, 2025. Tyler Robinson, 23, has been arrested and is facing a preliminary hearing to determine if the case will go to trial, where he could face the death penalty.
Key Facts
Charlie Kirk was shot during a public event at Utah Valley University’s Orem campus.
The shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m. during a question-and-answer session about gun violence.
The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, was captured on campus surveillance cameras before the event.
Police and FBI agents responded quickly to the shooting scene.
Tyler Robinson has not entered a plea yet and will face a five-day preliminary hearing.
The judge will decide after the hearing if the case proceeds to trial.
Kirk’s family, including his widow and parents, are expected to attend the hearing.
The hearing will be livestreamed to the public.
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President Donald Trump spoke at the "Salute to America" Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C., on July 4th. The event was delayed for several hours because of bad weather. In his speech, he mentioned veterans, the Artemis II space crew, and an early version of the American flag.
Key Facts
The event took place on July 4th in Washington, D.C.
It was called the "Salute to America" Freedom 250 event.
Severe weather caused a delay of several hours before President Trump spoke.
President Trump honored military veterans in his speech.
He also mentioned the Artemis II crew, a NASA space mission.
An early version of the American flag was part of the event and speech.
The event was covered by CBS News.
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New South Wales (NSW) Labor party will support stronger rules to reduce problem gambling linked to poker machines before the next election. The party aims to stop new machine licenses, tax clubs that earn a lot from machines more, and cut the number of these machines by half within ten years.
Key Facts
NSW Labor plans to take stronger action on poker machine gambling problems.
They will stop issuing new licenses for poker machines.
Clubs making more than $20 million from machines will pay higher taxes.
The goal is to reduce the number of poker machines in NSW by 50% over ten years.
The motion has strong support from the Labor left and will likely pass at the party conference.
NSW Premier Chris Minns is aware of the plan but not directly involved in making it.
A separate discussion about repealing protest laws was pushed down the agenda, causing tension at the conference.
There were protests during speeches by key political figures, including the Prime Minister, involving Palestinian flags and anti-war messages.
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