Peter Hennessy

Donald Trump faced criticism after saluting during the national anthem at the inaugural Patriot Games in Northeast Ohio, with commentators arguing that a civilian president should place a hand over his heart instead. The youth competition at SPIRE Academy features teenage athletes from across the United States in multiple sports and military-style fitness events, with the two winners set to receive $125,000 college scholarships. The event is part of the Freedom 250 celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

A gunman opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, killing multiple people and injuring several others; the shooter was also killed. Police Chief Matthew Hicks said the threat to the community had ended, but officials were still confirming the casualty count, identifying the gunman and determining a motive. Witnesses described customers fleeing, an employee suffering a gunshot wound and an armed bystander returning fire. Police cordoned off the area while multiple agencies, medical staff and emergency responders assisted victims and interviewed witnesses.

Donald Trump said the United States would halt further strikes against Iran if a rapidly negotiated agreement could be reached, claiming Middle Eastern allies had endorsed a framework involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat. He nevertheless warned that U.S. forces remained ready to attack. Israel was said to support finalizing the agreement, while Iran offered no immediate response. The announcement followed contradictory signals from Trump about resuming heavy strikes and came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warned that escalation could provoke Iranian attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. U.S. authorities also issued regional travel and security alerts.

Jeremy Clarkson reflects on being bullied as a child and recalls his mother’s blunt advice, which he says ultimately pushed him to reassess his own behaviour. The story appears amid his criticism of Chris Packham, who condemned the portrayal of farming in Clarkson’s Farm during a Celebrity Gogglebox appearance. Clarkson countered by noting Packham had visited his farm years earlier, suggesting he should know better. The piece contrasts Clarkson’s current confidence with his childhood experiences while highlighting an ongoing public spat over farming representation.

Iran warns that US forces are approaching a “zero hour” for potential strikes on American naval units in the Gulf of Oman as tensions escalate. The IRGC reports two oil tankers were destroyed after crossing a mined route and declares the Strait of Hormuz unsafe. The US continues sustained attacks on Iranian infrastructure, including bridges, energy facilities and a port tower, as CENTCOM conducts a seventh consecutive night of strikes. Iran responds with missile launches into U.S.-aligned nations including Qatar and Kuwait, damaging a desalination plant.

A performer at the funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the death of US President Donald Trump, prompting chants against the United States and Israel from a massive crowd in Tehran. The event featured strong anti-American messaging as tensions remain high amid ongoing but stalled negotiations between Tehran and Washington over ending the conflict affecting global energy supplies. The funeral drew an unusually large turnout as Iran’s leadership seeks stability under Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, while fears persist about potential further Israeli military action.

Donald Trump used his Freedom 250 Fourth of July speech in Washington, D.C., to declare U.S. military dominance and claim that Venezuela and Iran had been “wiped out,” citing the recent destruction of Iranian ships. He emphasized defending the Second Amendment, denounced communism, and presented veterans onstage. Severe weather caused a two‑hour evacuation of the National Mall before the event resumed under Secret Service direction.

A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge following a July 4 fireworks display, with livestream footage showing workers attempting to extinguish the flames as emergency crews responded. The cause and damage remain unclear, and eyewitnesses reported the show was halted during the incident. In Washington, severe weather disrupted Independence Day events, prompting a temporary evacuation of the National Mall, though Donald Trump stated he would still deliver his scheduled speech later that night.

Severe storms near Washington, D.C. forced the evacuation of crowds gathered for Donald Trump’s scheduled Fourth of July speech, leading to a delay in the event and temporary closure of Secret Service checkpoints. Attendees were urged to seek shelter in nearby buildings or metro stations as military flyovers were canceled and other cities across the Northeast faced weather-related disruptions to Independence Day celebrations.

Daveigh Chase, known for The Ring and voicing Lilo in Lilo and Stitch, died at 35 from AIDS, according to an official medical examiner’s report that also cited chronic polysubstance use. Her boyfriend Roy Hernandez had attributed her death to meningitis and blood infections and launched a GoFundMe for her care, but her former manager and family members urged the public not to donate, disputing his claims and asserting the family had sufficient means. They also said he withheld information about her condition from relatives until after her death.