⚔️ Trump & Zelenskyy Strengthen Ukraine Air Defenses

 

📰 U.S. Independence Day Highlights

Fireworks & Parades: Celebrations are underway nationwide. You can stream live coverage through LiveNOW on the FOX Local app or on smart TVs.

Open & Closed: Banks and post offices are closed, but many grocery stores, restaurants, and major retailers like Walmart and Costco are open for last‑minute holiday needs .

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🏛️ Economy & Markets

Jobs Report: U.S. employers added 147,000 jobs in June, a bit above expectations, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, its lowest since February .

Market Reaction: Stock futures dipped as the Trump administration announced new tariff letters to trading partners ahead of an August rollout, rattling investor sentiment .

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🌍 World Affairs

Afghanistan: Russia formally recognized the Taliban-led Afghanistan government—the first country to do so—following the group's 2021 takeover.

Ukraine Defense Talks: Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy discussed enhancing Ukraine’s air defences amid escalating Russian drone and missile attacks, and confirmed a prisoner swap .

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✈️ Travel & Safety

Shark Alert: Long Island beaches ramp up shark patrols—with drones, helicopters, and no‑swim notifications—after a recent bite incident, in time for busy holiday weekend crowds.

Flight Cancellations: Ryanair canceled around 400 flights due to French ATC strikes and Finnish ground‑staff walkouts, impacting holiday travel plans.

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⚠️ Protests & Cancellations

Holiday Tensions: Some July 4 events in areas like Southern California and SeaTac (WA) were scaled back or canceled following protests tied to ICE raids and migrant arrests .
Security Warnings: U.S. agencies issued alerts about potential “lone‑wolf” attacks and unauthorized drone activity during large-scale holiday gatherings.

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🎥 Sports & Entertainment

FIFA Club World Cup: Bayern Munich advanced to the quarterfinals with a 4‑2 win over Flamengo; the tragic deaths of Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother also made headlines .

Formula 1: The British Grand Prix began today at Silverstone, with Lewis Hamilton now racing for Ferrari aiming for a tenth home win .
Oasis Reunion: In the UK, the band Oasis kicked off their first tour in 16 years, performing in Cardiff today