Live updates: Trump to headline Mount Rushmore’s celebrations; heat forces changes to National Mall event plans

People across the country are preparing to celebrate America’s 250th birthday this weekend — a process that has been made more challenging as event organizers scramble to deal with the extreme heat. President Trump is headed to South Dakota late on Friday, where he’s expected to make remarks at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial and…

Israel Reportedly Planned to Assassinate Iranian Negotiators During Peace Talks

Israel allegedly plotted to derail talks by killing Iran's foreign minister and speaker of parliament against US wishes.

Oppressive Heat Alters Plans for 250th Celebrations in Washington

The 100-degree-plus heat that has enveloped the nation’s capital shut down the Great American State Fair until 5 p.m. on Friday.

Trump’s July 4 plans face unexpected challenge: Blazing heat 

As Americans prepare to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday this holiday weekend, organizers of Freedom 250 events in Washington are scrambling to deal with the extreme heat. Some 200,000 people have attended the Great American State Fair and FIFA Fan Fest so far, according to a Freedom 250 spokesperson, and even more are expected to…

Iran plans dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei after war death

The country's theocracy hopes to see millions flood the streets of the capital beginning Saturday in scenes reminiscent to the burial of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

Britain’s Labour Party Is Proving Why America Was Right to Ditch Parliament

'Simply staggering': Eyes widen as Jack Smith blows the whistle on 'American Gestapo'

Former special counsel Jack Smith stunned online viewers by revealing how he prepared for prosecution by the Trump administration.During an appearance on MS NOW, Smith spoke about hiring lawyers when he left his job as a federal prosecutor because he led two criminal investigations into Donald Trump, including for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the discovery of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago."I resigned as special counsel. I know I need to get a lawyer because the president has said he wants to jail me for doing my job," Jack Smith explained. "And so I retain lawyers, as soon as that becomes public, the president and the Justice Department target that law firm."Online, viewers reacted to Smith's account of how his fears about the Trump administration came true. Veteran political scientist Norman Ornstein responded by describing the administration as "American Gestapo" in a post on X."The retribution is simply staggering," wrote civil rights lawyer Leslie Proll."We are in such high cotton here," reacted columnist Sophia A. Nelson. "And nobody in power who can stop him or his minions gives a d—.""What a refreshing example of an honest, moral and non political American hero," architect and political activist Mike Kihn wrote about Jack Smith. "He will not give in to Trump's attempt to intimidate because, like a legal first responder, he will run to danger, personal or otherwise, not away from it.""Now listen to the women who testified under oath that Trump r— them," posted journalist Robert Young Pelton. "Or listen to the testimony of those who spoke out from inside the Trump administration, like Miles Taylor."

Iran and Oman propose fee plan for Strait of Hormuz, sources say

Iran and Oman have presented to the U.S. a proposal for the administration of the Strait of Hormuz that includes the joint collection of administrative fees by the two Middle East nations, four sources told NBC News.