How Trump Put Himself in the Middle of America’s 250th

The president placed his image and initiatives front and center, blurring the line, critics said, between loyalty to nation and loyalty to him.

By Erica L. Green

FirstFT: China releases Christian pastor after Trump raised his case with Xi

Also in today’s newsletter: Wall Street banks recover in China and Ukrainian drone strikes spur Russian fuel crisis

White supremacist march in DC just 'messy' democracy, official says

As Americans celebrated the nation's 250th birthday in Washington, DC, on Saturday, hundreds of members of the white supremacist Patriot Front movement marched, wearing masks and carrying Confederate flags.

Ronaldo’s last World Cup? We will see, says Portugal star before Spain clash

'I will finish when I choose,' Ronaldo reveals amid speculation about his World Cup future ahead of the last-16 match.

How to watch USA vs Belgium: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16

FIFA cleared Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium after his controversial red card, giving Mauricio Pochettino his regular USMNT starting XI on Monday.

Trump targets Obamas again with doctored image posted on social media

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday posted a falsified image of former president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, waving before boarding an Air Force One aircraft that had been spray-painted with graffiti.

A Trump visit to Hong Kong would be a strategic masterstroke

If one word could capture the essence of Hong Kong, it would be resilience. Just two years ago, much of the international community had written off Hong Kong. A widely circulated newspaper commentary carried the headline: “It pains me to say Hong Kong is over”. Though the writer later changed his opinion, the piece captured the pessimism about the city’s future as a global hub. Hong Kong’s dramatic comeback is well documented. According to Boston Consulting Group, the city has overtaken...

By Wang Xiangwei

Trump winds down from July 4 celebrations by attacking judge and boasting about DC projects on Truth Social

Trump’s Truth Social posts ranged from criticizing a federal judge who ruled against him to sharing an photo of actor Macaulay Culkin

By Ariana Baio

Norway's historic World Cup journey rows on with "cheat code" Erling Haaland leading the charge

Now they’ve reached uncharted waters Norway plan to keep on rowing, and feeding Haaland, as they aim for unlikely glory after stunning Brazil.

White supremacists marching in Washington just ‘messy’ democracy, says Trump official

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says Patriot Front event protected by freedom speech

By AFP

Haaland, Messi and Mbappé script unprecedented FIFA World Cup history

A historic scoring milestone has been reached at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé all netting seven goals each. Haaland's late brace secured Norway's stunning upset over Brazil, propelling them to the quarterfinals. This unprecedented feat has intensified the Golden Boot race, showcasing a captivating battle between football's modern greats.

By TOI SPORTS DESK

Bruce Springsteen Says He’s a ‘Patriot’ for Standing Up to Trump: ‘I Believe in Critical Patriotism’

Bruce Springsteen said during his recent PBS special, “Bruce Springsteen: Finding America in Song,” that being a true patriot is all about coming face-to-face with America’s flaws and encouraging the government and your fellow citizens to do better. “I believe in critical patriotism,” Springsteen said. “I believe that’s the definition of a patriot, you know, […]

By Jack Dunn

The truth about America’s new “socialists”

Donald Trump has been warning of a "communist menace"

By Lee Siegel

Taylor Caps 20 Years, America Marks 250 (While Trump Muscles In)

Notes from a very weird weekend.

By Steven Zeitchik

World Cup bosses wipe out red card for US striker Balogun on eve of Belgium tie

World Cup organisers Fifa on Sunday rescinded the red card handed to the United States striker Folarin Balogun during his side's 2-0 victory in the last 32 over Bosnia and Herzegovina on 1 July.

By Paul Myers

Haaland knocks Brazil out of FIFA World Cup as Norway reach quarters

Erling Haaland scored two late goals to send Norway through to a first World Cup quarter-final with a stunning 2-1 win over Brazil that condemned the five-time champions to their earliest exit since 1990. Norway goalkeeper Orlan Nyland produced a sensational display and saved a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes before Haaland struck twice in the last 11 minutes to stun Brazil at MetLife Stadium. Neymar pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time with Brazil’s second spot-kick of the matc...

By none@none.com (AFP)

FIFA lifts US star striker Balogun's red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino

SEATTLE (AP) -- US President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday. Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. FIFA announced Sun

By The Korea Herald

What Makes America Great Was on Display in D.C. — Just Not at Trump’s Celebration

The president's Fourth of July festivities were a mess

By Ryan Bort

Red-card U-turn rocks FIFA World Cup 2026 - The Daily Star

Red-card U-turn rocks FIFA World Cup 2026  The Daily Star

Learn from World Cup

Afcon hosts should know that their stay in Afcon is what will keep fans trouping to the stadia.

Amad Diallo makes surprise appearance in Ivory Coast academy after 2026 World Cup heroics - shares sweet moments with fans - tribuna.com

Amad Diallo makes surprise appearance in Ivory Coast academy after 2026 World Cup heroics - shares sweet moments with fans  tribuna.com