US marks 250th birthday with fireworks, flyovers and extreme weather

US President Donald Trump's speech included some of his political agenda but also honoured war veterans and American history.

Trump Heads to NATO Summit to Meet Zelenskyy, Face Wary Allies - Bloomberg.com

Trump Heads to NATO Summit to Meet Zelenskyy, Face Wary Allies  Bloomberg.com

China Frees Pastor Detained in Crackdown on Religion After Trump’s Urging

Ezra Jin Mingri was released nearly two months after President Trump raised his case with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, during a visit to Beijing.

By Sui-Lee Wee

Nato leaders gather for crucial meeting in Ankara

Plus, nominations open in UK’s leadership contest, Iran buries former leader, Shell gives a trading update

Vladimir Putin, or the loneliness of 'Homo Sovieticus'

Between denial of reality, a desire for revenge and carefully crafted messaging, the Russian president has tried to position himself as the master of the game. But after more than four years of war in Ukraine, these old tricks inherited from the Soviet past are showing their limitations, and he is losing credibility.

The Atlantic republishes JD Vance’s anti-Trump essay from 10 years ago

Magazine invites readers to judge Vance’s ‘assessment’ of Trump, whom he called ‘cultural heroin’ during first term The Atlantic on Saturday republished a JD Vance essay that dismissed Donald Trump as “cultural heroin” exactly 10 years earlier, bringing back to the fore his evolving from a critic of the president to his vice-president. In an editor’s note, the magazine said it was republishing the essay on the occasion of its 10th anniversary – and the US’s semiquincentennial – “so that our r...

By Lucy Campbell

NATO leaders look for unity as Trump arrives at annual summit

As NATO leaders gather for this week's summit in Turkey, Europe is preparing to shoulder more of its own defense. David M. Cattler of the Center for European Policy Analysis explains why.

By Daniel Ofman

Russia says Ukraine rejects local ceasefire in dispute over Kostiantynivka

Russia says its forces have taken the city of Kostiantynivka in Donestk, Ukraine denies that.

Trump shares news of 'crystal clear' Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect's arrest

Photos shared on Truth Social show the Lincoln Reflecting Pool appearing crystal clear after advanced nanobubbler technology allegedly killed the algae.

Trump to meet with Ukraine's Zelenskyy and Syria's al-Sharaa during the NATO summit

Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday, the White House said.

Zelenskyy: Intelligence indicates Russians are preparing new massive attack

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on 5 July that Ukrainian intelligence services have data indicating the Russians are preparing a new massive attack on Ukraine.

By Alona Mazurenko

Trump to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky and Syria’s Sharaa during Nato summit in Turkey

US President Donald Trump plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday while attending the Nato summit in Turkey, the White House said. Those discussions will come as Kyiv tries to refocus Trump’s attention on the conflict with Moscow and as Trump has publicly mused about Syria’s role in the Middle East. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed the meetings in a call with reporters while previewing the summit in Ankara, where Trump...

By Associated Press

Turkey steps up arrests ahead of NATO summit

Journalists, academics and members of left-wing groups have reportedly been detained during police raids in several Turkish provinces. Turkey's capital Ankara is set to host a major NATO summit this week.

Zelensky warns of new Russian attacks as battle for Kostyantynivka continues

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that fighting was continuing for the eastern town of Kostyantynivka, rejecting Moscow's claim that Russian forces had captured the strategic settlement. Zelensky also warned Russia was preparing a new wave of large-scale attacks ahead of this week's NATO summit in Turkey, where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump.

By FRANCE 24

Jesse Eisenberg shoots down ‘silly’ idea of leaving US over Trump

‘I am a very lucky American,’ the actor said

By Carsen Holaday

Trump posts a doctored photo of the Obamas and Air Force One with graffiti spray-painted on plane

Zelenskyy, wary allies await Donald Trump at NATO summit in Turkey

Ties between Washington and the organization have worsened since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran on Feb. 28

By Bloomberg News

A birthday party only America could throw -- USA@250: One Nation, Under Construction

America's 250th birthday bash in Washington was a spectacle of military displays, patriotic speeches, and a massive fireworks show. President Trump addressed thousands of supporters, highlighting national achievements and warning of threats, though the event was marred by thunderstorms and a white supremacist march. The celebrations underscored the nation's enduring spirit alongside its deep political divisions.

By CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA

‘Ready to help end Ukraine war’: Trump tells Putin in 90-minute call before NATO summit

‘Incapable of moral courage’: Cong's Khera slams PM Modi for silence on Trump's Iran remarks during Khamenei funeral

Pawan Khera called PM Modi ‘compromised’ and his government ‘incapable’ to condemn ‘reckless insinuations of violence by their masters in the United States.’

Trump heads to NATO summit to meet Zelenskyy, face wary allies

Ties between Washington and the NATO have worsened since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran on Feb. 28.

Trump to meet leaders of Ukraine, Syria alongside NATO summit

A senior US official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity about the trip said Trump will meet with Zelensky on Wednesday to discuss "how we can end the war."

Zelesky Says Fight Continuing In Key Town That Kremlin Says It Seized

Moscow earlier this week announced it had taken the key eastern town of Kostyantynivka but Kyiv has denied that as a "lie", saying that it is defending the town.

Trump Said a Bunch of Weird Stuff About History in July 4th Speech

"They built the empire. It's called the empire of liberty," the president said in a bizarre remembrance of the nation's founding

By Ryan Bort

Summit host Turkey eyes major weapons deals with NATO allies

Next week's NATO Summit in Ankara is expected to showcase Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rising influence within the alliance, as he aims to use the gathering to overcome resistance to crucial arms deals and highlight the rapid growth of Turkey’s defence industry.

By Dorian Jones

Full of mercy

Donald J Trump has been busy issuing Presidential pardons to his friends, family, donors and supporters. He’s pardoned his longtime confidant, Roger Stone, his campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner.  He’s even pardoned January 6th rioters who stormed the Capitol and attacked police officers. Nobody has abused the Presidential clemency power … Continued

By Kevin Cassar

Trump offers to help Putin find deal with Ukraine, also speaks with Zelenskyy

US President Donald Trump spoke to Russian leader Vladimir Putin by telephone for nearly 90 minutes on July 4, offering to find a solution to the Ukraine war, said a Kremlin aide.

Russia's Buffer Zone On Ukrainian Border 'Expanding' As Result Of Worsening Drone Attacks: Kremlin

Russia's Buffer Zone On Ukrainian Border 'Expanding' As Result Of Worsening Drone Attacks: Kremlin Russia has announced that one key measure that will be taken in response to Ukraine's ramped-up drone attacks on Russian territory, including last month's major strikes on the Moscow area, is the significant expansion of the border 'buffer zone' between the waring countries. "A security buffer zone on the Russian-Ukrainian border is conditioned by the aggressive nature of the Kiev ...

By Tyler Durden

Pletenchuk: Russian fleet no longer risks going to sea even to launch Kalibr missiles

Russia's Black Sea Fleet has suffered such significant losses and faces such effective resistance from Ukraine's Defense Forces that it no longer risks putting to sea even to launch Kalibr cruise missiles.