The U.S. begins a weekend of 250th birthday celebrations amid heat alerts across much of the country. Trump’s financial disclosure reveals previously unreported stock purchases made a day before he paused tariffs. And a red card against an American soccer star sparks debate.
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Here’s what to know today.
Fourth of July celebrations will take place across the country today to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday. President Donald Trump will headline an event tonight at Mount Rushmore to “honor how far we’ve come, and to look ahead with optimism to the next chapter of the American story,” Freedom 250 chairman Keith Krach said.
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Also on the schedule today is a “major address” by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani that will reflect on the city’s “role in our national history and its position as the nation’s symbolic gateway.”
The Times Square Ball will drop eight times, marking midnight in every American time zone. And in Washington, D.C., “A Capitol Fourth” concert is scheduled to take place at the National Mall.
The holiday weekend arrives as much of the country is under heat alerts. Multiple major metro areas, especially across the Northeast, face 100-degree forecasts. Record-breaking temperatures, combined with humidity and little overnight relief could lead to life-threatening conditions.
These maps show where the heat wave is hitting hardest.
Hundreds of stock trades before Trump’s first tariff pause
Investment accounts owned by President Donald Trump engaged in more than 300 previously undisclosed stock purchases on April 8, 2025, one day ahead of his surprise decision to pause a number of his “Liberation Day” tariffs, according to his annual financial disclosure. After Trump announced the pause on April 9, major U.S. stock indexes shot up, and the S&P 500 saw its eighth-best day in history.
The stocks purchased included shares in Chili’s restaurant owner Brinker International, financial firm Axos and New York Knicks and Rangers owner Madison Square Garden Sports, among others.
The 327 purchases represent just a fraction of the stock trading that the president’s accounts have engaged in since he returned to office. But their disclosure — more than 14 months after they occurred — is the latest in a cascade of revelations about the president’s personal assets that, taken together, are fueling calls from both Republicans and Democrats for greater scrutiny of his financial interests.
More politics news:
- For subscribers: In the same financial disclosure report from this week, Trump said he made more than $1 billion last year from cryptocurrencies tied to his family’s businesses — though many who invested in those digital coins have not been as fortunate.
- A federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to rehire 19 intelligence officers who had been assigned to jobs promoting diversity.
- State and federal prosecutors in Alaska are investigating whether the campaign for a U.S. Senate candidate, Dan Sullivan, who has the same name as the Republican incumbent, is part of a conspiracy to confuse voters.
World Cup: Folarin Balogun’s red card sparks debate
The collision between American striker Folarin Balogun and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemović in Wednesday’s match initially appeared routine. But the video assistant referee alerted head ref Raphael Claus to review the incident for a possible red card. After watching a few replays, Claus sent Balogun off.
But was it the right call? The decision immediately sparked online debate. “We call it the ‘orange zone,’” said rules analyst and former FIFA referee Christina Unkel. But ultimately, the incident should not have been reviewed at all, she said.
???? What you missed: Spain defeated Austria 3-0. Portugal won 2-1 against Croatia. And Switzerland won 2-0 against Algeria.
???? What to watch today: The day’s matches begin with Australia vs. Egypt at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Argentina vs. Cape Verde at 6 p.m., and Colombia vs. Ghana at 9:30 p.m. See the full schedule.
???? Join the excitement: Sign up for The Sports Desk newsletter for more in-depth World Cup coverage.
NBC Select: Early deals worth celebrating
The Fourth of July is almost here, and if you missed out on getting your items on sale during Prime Day, this is your second chance to get them at a discount. Many of our favorite brands and retailers are offering discounts of up to 65% off during the holiday weekend, and many of the best sales have already started. Snag major saves on Apple, Yeti, Casper, and more before the deals disappear for good.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.
Read All About It
- Iran and Oman have presented the U.S. with a proposal to administer the Strait of Hormuz and collect administrative fees, sources said.
- There might be more people at risk than previously suggested for a tick-borne illness that can trigger an allergy to red meat, the CDC warned.
- U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn was charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after Trump accused him and several others of vandalism with no evidence.
- For subscribers: The couple that scaled the Empire State Building may have had inside help, experts say.
- For subscribers: ICE arrests significantly increased to over 2,000 people daily over a five-day period as officials hope to maintain a “new normal.”
Staff Pick: An impact of the war felt by nearly every Iranian
As Iranian and American officials wrangle through the details of a deal — occasionally leading to exchanges of attacks like ones that took place last weekend — ordinary Iranians are struggling with a much more basic issue: making ends meet.
Even before the war started, Iran’s economy was in dismal shape with the crash of the currency and soaring inflation. In January, the government suppressed huge nationwide protests in a brutal crackdown that left thousands dead. Now, the situation is even worse. Iranians who spoke to NBC News described losing their jobs, dealing with the financial damage caused by the war and trying to cope with soaring prices on everyday goods like meat and eggs. One analyst told NBC News that if the country weren’t still under threat there would likely be renewed street protests. — Babak Dehghanpisheh, world news editor
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