The United States celebrated its 250th Independence Day with fireworks, a Trump address and weather delays as record heat gripped much of the country.

The United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence with fireworks, military flyovers and a presidential address that drew sharply divided responses.

A debate over the Democratic Party's direction has intensified as candidates aligned with its left wing draw attention and prominent Democrats offer competing visions of the party's future.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has begun with an opening ceremony in Mexico. Early storylines include a reversed red card for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, questions about squad composition tied to immigration, a drone seizure at U.S. venues, and criticism of FIFA from an EU lawmaker.

The FIFA World Cup has moved into its round of 16, setting up matchups defined as much by the play on the field as by the circumstances surrounding them.