A heatwave is affecting much of the eastern United States during the July Fourth weekend, with many areas under extreme heat warnings. Data from the Census Bureau shows big differences in air-conditioning access across states, with Alaska having the least and southern states having the most.
Key Facts
Alaska has the highest share of homes without air conditioning, at 93 percent.
Nearly half of Hawaii households also lack air conditioning.
States in the Northwest and Northeast have many homes without air conditioning, such as Vermont (over 25%) and Washington (over 33%).
Southeast states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana have less than 1 percent of homes without air conditioning.
Almost 90 percent of U.S. households used air conditioning in 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The Midwest and South have the highest air-conditioning use rates, over 90 percent.
The western U.S. has lower air-conditioning use, around 73 percent overall, with only 49 percent in coastal marine climate areas.
Extreme heat warnings are active in several states in the eastern U.S., with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal.
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Tens of thousands of people in France marched in multiple cities to demand a strong law to fight sexual violence. The protests were sparked by the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl named Lyhanna, whose case revealed failures in the justice system to protect children and properly investigate past abuse accusations.
Key Facts
Lyhanna, an 11-year-old girl, was raped and murdered in May 2026 in Fleurance, southwestern France.
The main suspect had two previous accusations of child rape that were dropped or not pursued.
Protests took place in about 110 French cities, including a major march in Paris with around 100,000 participants.
Demonstrators called for a comprehensive law covering prevention of sexual violence and support for victims.
Many rape complaints in France, about 94%, are dismissed without court action.
The Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin apologized for failures but did not resign.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern about public trust in institutions due to these failures.
A government report found limited staff and resources to properly investigate child abuse allegations.
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The Supreme Court often makes decisions where all or almost all justices agree. Judges from different political views frequently work together on cases.
Key Facts
The court usually reaches decisions with all or almost all justices in agreement.
Justices from different political backgrounds often vote together.
The court is not dominated by one political party.
Cross-partisan voting means judges don’t always follow political lines.
Unanimous or near-unanimous rulings are common in the Supreme Court.
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A group called Patriot Front, known for white nationalist beliefs, marched in Washington, D.C., on July 4 during the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations. The group wore matching clothes, carried American and Confederate flags, and was closely monitored by police, but no arrests were made.
Key Facts
Patriot Front is a white nationalist group that says America belongs only to people descended from European settlers.
The group marched near Union Station and other parts of Washington, D.C., wearing navy-blue shirts, tan caps, and face coverings.
They carried American flags, Confederate flags, and banners during the march.
The march happened during large Independence Day events celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
Police tracked the group’s movements and emphasized protecting free speech and public safety.
Patriot Front formed in 2017 after splitting from another extremist group following a violent rally in Charlottesville.
The group is known for sudden, organized demonstrations called flash marches.
In recent years, Patriot Front has held similar marches in Washington, D.C., and nearby areas, drawing attention from officials and the public.
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New York City’s luxury housing market continues growing despite a new tax on expensive second homes. The tax targets non-primary residences worth over $5 million to help fund housing projects, but sales of high-end properties have actually increased recently.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced a new tax starting July 1 on second homes valued above $5 million in NYC.
The tax aims to raise about $500 million yearly to support housing initiatives.
Sales of Manhattan luxury homes over $20 million rose 25% compared to last year.
Homes priced between $10 million and $20 million saw a 38.6% increase in activity.
Condo sales in the $10-$20 million range went up by 54.5%, and over $20 million condos rose 33.3%.
Mourners have gathered in Tehran to pay respects to former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose body lies in state at the Grand Mosalla mosque. The funeral is planned for next Thursday in Khamenei’s hometown of Mashhad, with authorities expecting millions to attend.
Key Facts
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the former supreme leader of Iran.
He died more than four months ago due to strikes by the US and Israel at the start of a war.
His body is currently at the Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran, where people are mourning.
The burial ceremony will take place next Thursday in Mashhad, his hometown.
Iranian officials expect millions of people to join the funeral events.
The BBC correspondent reporting from Tehran must follow strict rules, including not sharing material with the BBC’s Persian Service.
These restrictions apply to all international media working in Iran.
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The new Supergirl movie from Warner Bros., part of the DC Universe’s reboot, received mixed reviews and had a weak box office opening. The film tells a simpler story about Kara Zor-El/Supergirl teaming up to save her space dog, with Jason Momoa appearing briefly as a bounty hunter.
Key Facts
Supergirl is part of the DC Universe "Gods and Monsters" chapter, following last year’s Superman movie.
The script was written by Ana Nogueira, and the film was directed by Craig Gillespie.
The story is based on the "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" comic miniseries, inspired by the 1968 Western, True Grit.
The movie shows Kara Zor-El as a rebellious young woman who is reluctant to be a superhero.
Kara teams up with a young girl, Ruthye, to find an antidote to save her poisoned space dog, Krypto.
Jason Momoa appears briefly as the bounty hunter Lobo, a character not in the original comic story.
The film struggled at the box office partly because many viewers prefer to watch superhero movies on streaming platforms instead of theaters.
The movie received mixed reviews but was described as a decent, entertaining film though not great.
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President Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked to meet him at the White House, possibly next week after Trump returns from a NATO summit. The leaders have had a complicated relationship, with recent disagreements over Israel's actions and U.S.-Iran talks, but they agreed to meet soon.
Key Facts
Netanyahu requested a meeting with President Trump at the White House.
The meeting could happen after Trump returns from the NATO summit on July 7-8, possibly the week after.
Netanyahu congratulated the U.S. on its 250th Independence Day during a recent call with Trump.
Trump and Netanyahu have had tensions recently, including Trump criticizing Netanyahu’s actions in Lebanon.
Trump signed an agreement last month to extend a ceasefire with Iran and start new nuclear talks.
Netanyahu values Israel’s close relationship with the U.S., especially ahead of Israel’s October elections.
Trump said Iran paused talks after the funeral of their former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Despite conflicts, both sides have kept a temporary pause on fighting to continue negotiations.
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The United States Postal Service introduced a new stamp to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The stamp has a red, white, and blue design with the year 1776 displayed.
Key Facts
The USPS released a commemorative stamp for America's 250th anniversary.
The stamp honors the Declaration of Independence.
It features a vertical design in red, white, and blue colors.
The background color of the stamp is deep navy blue.
The stamp is sold in sheets of 20.
The year "1776" is shown on the stamp.
The stamp is called the "Declaration of Independence Forever" stamp.
The release was announced on a Saturday.
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The bluegrass band Punch Brothers performed the song "New Bike" on CBS News Saturday Sessions. Their new instrumental album, called "The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers," will come out on July 24.
Key Facts
Punch Brothers is a bluegrass band.
The band was formed in 2006 by mandolin player Chris Thile.
They performed the song "New Bike" on CBS News Saturday Sessions.
Their upcoming album is fully instrumental, meaning it has only music and no singing.
The album is titled "The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers."
The album release date is July 24.
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The bluegrass band Punch Brothers performed a cover of the song "This Land Is Your Land" to celebrate the Fourth of July. The band was formed in 2006 by mandolin player Chris Thile.
Key Facts
Punch Brothers is a bluegrass music band.
The band was started in 2006.
Chris Thile, a mandolin player, founded the band.
They performed the song "This Land Is Your Land."
The performance was part of CBS News Saturday Sessions.
The song is originally by Woody Guthrie.
The performance was shared for the Fourth of July holiday celebration.
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Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands, is a small island that many tourists visit today. In the past, a few people lived there as residents before it became a popular tourist spot.
Key Facts
The Statue of Liberty is a famous symbol of America and immigration.
Liberty Island covers 15 acres.
Today, many tourists visit the island.
In the past, a small group of people lived on Liberty Island.
The island was once a residential place before becoming a public landmark.
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married on Friday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The ceremony was private, with famous guests and a performance by Stevie Nicks, and actor Adam Sandler acted as the officiant.
Key Facts
The wedding took place at Madison Square Garden, a large and famous arena.
Adam Sandler, an actor known for comedies, was the officiant for the ceremony.
Stevie Nicks, a well-known singer, performed at the wedding.
Guests included actors, musicians, sports stars, and other celebrities.
Taylor Swift had her brother Austin Swift as her man of honor; Travis Kelce had his brother Jason Kelce as best man.
Both the bride and groom wore outfits by Christian Dior Haute Couture and special shoes by Christian Louboutin.
Phones were apparently banned during the ceremony, and few social media posts appeared from the event.
Both Swift and Kelce wrote their own wedding vows.
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At least 16 Palestinians have died in the past 48 hours in Gaza due to Israeli attacks or being trapped under rubble, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The deaths occurred despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has mostly paused large fighting, but Israeli operations and violence have continued.
Key Facts
16 Palestinians’ bodies were received by Gaza hospitals in the last 48 hours; 7 died from Israeli attacks and 9 were recovered from rubble.
At least 16 more Palestinians were injured in the same period.
The ministry said more victims remain trapped under rubble as rescue teams have limited access.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas started in October 2023 but Israeli attacks and violations of the ceasefire continue.
Since the ceasefire began, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,400 injured due to Israeli actions, according to Gaza health officials.
The overall death toll in Gaza from the conflict since October 2023 is reported as 73,090, with around 173,550 injured.
Israel has expanded its control over large parts of Gaza during the ceasefire and issued orders for Palestinians to leave certain areas.
Planned second-phase talks involving prisoner exchanges, Hamas disarmament, and Israeli military withdrawal have been delayed and stalled due to disagreements.
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Paris has reopened three supervised swimming areas in the Seine River for the summer, allowing people to swim safely near landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. These free spots have lifeguards on duty and water quality is regularly tested to ensure safety.
Key Facts
Three swimming areas in the Seine are open near City Hall, the Eiffel Tower, and eastern Paris.
Swimming is supervised by lifeguards and water quality is checked every day.
The swimming spots are free to use and open through the summer depending on weather and water conditions.
Swimming in the Seine had been banned for about 100 years due to pollution before improvements were made.
The river cleanup included sewer upgrades and new rainwater storage to reduce pollution.
The Grenelle site near the Eiffel Tower limits the number of swimmers to 200 at a time and uses a waiting system.
Swimming in the Seine during the 2024 Paris Olympics helped speed up the river cleanup efforts.
Visitors and Parisians enjoy swimming in the Seine as a unique experience with views of the city’s landmarks.
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The American flag, often called "Old Glory," is known worldwide as a symbol of the United States and its values. Author and photographer Roland Miller appeared on CBS Saturday Mornings to share famous moments in history involving the American flag.
Key Facts
The American flag is widely recognized as a symbol of the U.S. and its ideals.
It is often referred to by the nickname "Old Glory."
Roland Miller is an author and photographer who studies flags.
Miller appeared on CBS Saturday Mornings to talk about famous American flag moments.
The segment aimed to inform viewers about the history and significance of the U.S. flag.
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Pope Leo XIV sent a message on the United States’ 250th anniversary encouraging Americans to show compassion, especially toward immigrants. Without naming President Donald Trump, the pope emphasized the importance of welcoming and protecting migrants, highlighting past tensions between the Vatican and the current U.S. administration over immigration and foreign policy.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV congratulated the U.S. on its 250th anniversary and urged reflection on national responsibilities.
He called for compassion in treating immigrants, noting their contributions to the country’s history.
The pope’s message did not mention President Trump directly but responded to immigration policies.
Pope Leo has criticized harsh treatment of migrants in the U.S. before.
There is ongoing tension between Pope Leo and President Trump over domestic and international issues.
Conflicts increased after U.S. military actions in Iran and Trump's controversial statements about Iran.
President Trump has criticized Pope Leo, calling him weak on crime and bad on foreign policy.
The Vatican and U.S. officials have held meetings that included some reported disagreements, though the Pentagon denied any threats.
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Archaeologists found old remains of soldiers from a 1780 battle in South Carolina. Using DNA technology, they identified one soldier as John Pumphrey, a young man from Maryland who fought with the Continental Army.
Key Facts
The remains were found in shallow graves at a Revolutionary War battlefield in Camden, South Carolina.
Metal buttons on the remains suggested they belonged to Continental Army soldiers.
One set of remains, called 9B, was identified as John Pumphrey using three types of DNA and historical records.
John Pumphrey joined the 7th Maryland Regiment possibly as a teenager around age 13.
The Pumphrey family has history in Maryland and still has living relatives today.
DNA samples came from three women related to Pumphrey, helping to confirm his identity.
Pumphrey marched over a thousand miles and fought in battles led by George Washington.
His previously unnamed grave will soon have a tombstone with his name on it.
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Three children died when a motorboat capsized on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin during a sudden storm. Emergency responders rescued seven others, and local officials declared a state of emergency due to the storm’s damage.
Key Facts
The boat had 10 passengers, including four children, when it capsized Friday afternoon.
The boat was trying to reach safety as severe weather developed quickly.
All four children were wearing lifejackets at the time.
Rescuers saved one child and six adults; three children were found dead.
Officials are still investigating the accident and have not released victims’ names.
The storm caused fallen trees, power lines, and structural damage around Lake Geneva.
Emergency services received many 911 calls but faced delays due to debris and downed power lines.
The extreme storm happened during a heatwave affecting much of the U.S. ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
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The United States celebrated its 200th birthday in 1976 during a time of healing after President Richard Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal. The bicentennial was marked by large public events and visits from world leaders, symbolizing renewed faith in the American political system after difficult times.
Key Facts
President Gerald Ford declared the "long national nightmare" over after Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
The 1976 bicentennial was a major nationwide celebration, including a parade of historic and modern ships in New York Harbor.
Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing visited the US for the celebrations.
Ford described the government as a "necessary good," responding to some Republican critics who distrusted government.
Historians view the bicentennial as a time when the US political system was seen to work well despite adversity.
Many believed the system had "cleansed itself" after Watergate, creating a mood of relief and renewal.
Some historians say if Nixon had stayed in office, the 1976 celebrations might have been more divisive and partisan.
Nixon tried to control the bicentennial preparations early in his presidency, similar to efforts by President Donald Trump for the 250th anniversary.
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