Bird of the Day, theme 'Ebony & Ivory'

Today's Bird of the Day; daily community event. Theme: #Ebony&Ivory.

Nigel Farage denies breaking rules over undeclared benefits

BBC reports Farage failed to register benefits from an ally; he denies any breach of parliamentary rules.

Erling Haaland scores twice, Norway beats Brazil 2-1 to reach World Cup quarters

Haaland headed the go-ahead goal (80') and added a second late as Norway upset Brazil 2-1, into the quarterfinals

Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs Belgium after ban suspended

FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-game red‑card ban, clearing him to be selected for the U.S. Round of 16 match vs Belgium.

Mallory McMorrow suspends Senate campaign, Michigan primary now El-Sayed vs Haley Stevens

One Founding Father reportedly refused to celebrate Independence Day

A historical piece resurfaced noting a Founding Father who declined to mark July 4, a detail readers are revisiting on America's 250th.

Laura Kuenssberg presses Robert Jenrick over Farage ally links

Kuenssberg questioned Jenrick about reports that Nigel Farage ally George Cottrell admitted fraud in the US.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry at Madison Square Garden, guests share details

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married at Madison Square Garden and asked guests to donate to a honeymoon fund rather than bring gifts.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry at Madison Square Garden

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married at Madison Square Garden on July 3 in a reportedly 1,000-guest ceremony; Donna Kelce called it "magical."

France beats Paraguay, Mbappé scores 19th World Cup goal

Kylian Mbappé scored the decisive penalty as France beat Paraguay 1-0 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.

Brooklyn Bridge catches fire during Macy's fireworks display

Small blaze breaks out on the Manhattan-bound side of the span during the July 4 Macy's show; crews respond.

Neighbors say July 4 fireworks 'sound like a war zone'

Residents in San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle and Los Angeles report hours of explosive fireworks, smoky air and panicked pets.

Pro-Israel group shifts support toward Haley Stevens in Michigan Senate primary

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry at Madison Square Garden

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married at Madison Square Garden in New York, officiated by Adam Sandler, according to Swift’s publicist.

Naomi Osaka upsets world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon

Osaka beat Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6(2) on Centre Court to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal

Severe storms force evacuations, disrupt Trump July Fourth show

Thunderstorms prompted evacuations of the National Mall and delayed Trump’s Freedom 250 event; he vowed to speak afterward.

Thomas Jefferson bicentennial of death noted on July 4

Military band plays pop-rock covers at Freedom 250 July 4 show

Joint services band performed pop-rock covers like Chicago's '25 or 6 to 4' amid flyovers and fireworks in D.C.

Charles Leclerc wins British Grand Prix at Silverstone

Leclerc claims victory at Silverstone; George Russell finishes second and Lewis Hamilton third after Antonelli's car failure.

Boston Pops drone show wows viewers during July 4 broadcast

The Boston Pops' 1812 drone display over the Esplanade drew praise on TV as an alternative to traditional fireworks.

Blue Angels and military jets paint red, white and blue over NYC for America 250

U.S. military demonstration jets trail red‑white‑blue vapour across New York's skyline as part of America 250 observances

No Kings slogan resurfaces at July 4 rallies

Super Typhoon Bavi threatens Guam and Northern Marianas

Bavi brings sustained winds up to 280 km/h; evacuations ordered as officials warn of catastrophic damage on Rota and nearby islands.

Hussam Abu Safiya in critical condition in Israeli custody

Lawyer and rights groups say Gaza hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya is in critical condition after transfer to Ramla Prison.

Noir Alley screens Angel Face on TCM Party

TCM's Noir Alley screened Otto Preminger's Angel Face (1952), with viewers checking in under #TCMParty and #NoirAlley.

Kirby Air Riders speedrun at SGDQ 2026

Kirby Air Riders is scheduled to run at Summer Games Done Quick, the SGDQ block raising funds for Doctors Without Borders.

Ave Maria played before Trump 250 fireworks, viewers baffled

A rendition of Ave Maria was broadcast before the July 4 fireworks at the Trump 250 event, prompting confusion on livestreams.

Golden Boot race tied, Messi Mbappé Haaland on seven goals

Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland each sit on seven World Cup goals after Haaland's brace vs Brazil

Hatsune Miku 'Starry Party' game announced for Switch 2 and PC

Good Smile Company revealed Hatsune Miku: Nendoroid Starry Party, a 3D party action game coming to Switch 2 and PC (Steam) in 2027.

FIFA awards 'Peace Prize' to Donald Trump, he lobbied over Balogun ban

FIFA gave Trump its new 'Peace Prize'; Trump phoned Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of Folarin Balogun's red‑card suspension.

Coco Gauff forces a decider vs Belinda Bencic at Wimbledon

Gauff won the second set 6-3 to level the match and send it to a deciding set late into the session

Hydration breaks create midmatch tactical pauses in World Cup knockout games

Matches are using hydration breaks as planned tactical windows for substitutions and regrouping

Toy Story 5 passes $750M worldwide, projects $1B-plus box office

Pixar’s Toy Story 5 has topped $750 million globally and is forecast to finish north of $1 billion, pacing as 2026’s biggest franchise entry.

NYT: Philosophy majors in demand at AI labs

New York Times reports tech firms are hiring philosophy graduates for ethics, alignment and policy roles

Isaac del Toro wins Tour de France Stage 2 in Barcelona

Mexican rider Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) takes Stage 2 on Montjuïc; Tadej Pogačar finishes second.

Kamen Rider My-th revealed, mouse-themed chest-belt rider

Toei unveiled Kamen Rider My-th, a mouse‑themed Reiwa-era rider who uses a chest-mounted transformation belt in the teaser.

Morocco beat Canada 3-0 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Morocco dispatch host Canada 3-0 in the last‑16, eliminating the first 2026 host and advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals

Yordan Alvarez hits walk-off 2-run homer, Astros beat Rays 10-8

Alvarez, named an AL All-Star starter that day, launches a 424-ft walk-off to lift Houston 10-8.

Robbie Robertson remembered on his birthday

Fans and podcasts mark what would have been the guitarist-songwriter's 83rd birthday and recall his work with The Band.

FrightClub hosts Boondock Saints watch party

Online #FrightClub groups ran watch-alongs of The Boondock Saints (1999), with synchronized viewing and live commentary.

Jessica Pegula reaches Wimbledon quarterfinals

Pegula rallies past Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the last eight at Wimbledon

TCM Party airs Escape From New York tonight

Turner Classic Movies is featuring John Carpenter's Escape From New York for tonight's TCM Party screening.

Wrigley crowd breaks fog delay by singing 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'

During a fog delay at Wrigley Field, Cubs and Cardinals fans joined to sing John Denver's 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'.

Ofsted drops guidance linking autism to extremism

England's school inspectorate removes 'clumsy' guidance after celebrity-led outcry.

WCO issues Area Hydrological Discussion bulletin