The cost of mailing a letter in the U.S. increased by 5 cents on Sunday, with first-class stamps rising from 73 to 78 cents. Metered letters now cost 74 cents, domestic postcards 61 cents, and international mail $1.70. This marks the 10th rate hike in nine years. The USPS plans further increases through 2027, NBC 5 Chicago has reported. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has discussed … Continue reading USPS stamp prices officially rose Sunday
Hartford Bakery, Inc. is recalling about 883 loaves of its “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf” bread because it may contain undeclared hazelnuts, posing a risk of severe allergic reactions for those with nut allergies. The recall covers six production lots sold at retailers like Kroger and Walmart in 12 states. No serious injuries have been reported, though one customer had digestive discomfort, CBS … Continue reading Hartford Bakery, Inc. voluntarily recalls hundreds of loaves of artisanal bread sold in 12 states
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Sunday that the Trump administration is reviewing whether it has the authority to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell before his term ends next spring. While Trump has said he doesn’t want to remove Powell, Hassett’s remarks suggest the White House is exploring the option, citing questions about the Fed’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation. Budget Director Russell Vought has … Continue reading Trump ‘certainly’ can fire Fed chair Powell ‘if there’s cause’: Hassett
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington this week to meet President Trump and other top officials, as Trump pushes plans to sell advanced U.S. weapons to NATO allies for transfer to Ukraine. The talks come as Trump signals stronger support for Ukraine despite earlier skepticism about funding the war. Sen. Lindsey Graham says weapons will soon flow at record levels to Ukraine, while … Continue reading Trump to meet NATO secretary general as plan takes shape for Ukraine weapons sales
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) renewed his call for the Trump administration to release all Jeffrey Epstein-related files, citing Elon Musk’s claim that Trump appears in them. In an MSNBC interview, Raskin said the Justice Department should at least release any material Musk referenced, given Musk’s past role as a White House adviser. Raskin and other House Judiciary Democrats also sent a letter demanding Attorney General … Continue reading Top House Democrats demand release of Epstein files
President Donald Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi amid backlash from his supporters over a recent memo on the Jeffrey Epstein case. Critics, including prominent conservatives like Elon Musk and Laura Loomer, accused Bondi of withholding information, especially after the memo stated there was no incriminating client list or blackmail evidence. Trump urged supporters to “let Pam Bondi do her job” and not focus on … Continue reading Trump defends US Attorney General Pam Bondi over Epstein files
Donald Trump has accepted King Charles III’s invitation for a rare second state visit to the UK, scheduled for September 17–19, and will be hosted at Windsor Castle alongside First Lady Melania Trump. This visit is unusual as second-term presidents typically do not receive full state visits. The event will feature traditional ceremonies and a state banquet with senior Royals, including the Prince and Princess … Continue reading Trump will be hosted by King at Windsor during second state visit
UNESCO has added several new sites to its World Heritage list, including the Carnac Megaliths in France, the fairytale castles of King Ludwig II in Bavaria, Germany, and the Minoan Palatial Centres on Crete, Greece. The Bavarian sites include Neuschwanstein, Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, and Schachen, celebrated for their artistic and architectural significance. The Carnac Stones date to 4500–3300 BCE and represent one of Europe’s densest collections of … Continue reading German castles and French Megaliths among new UNESCO World Heritage sites
French President Emmanuel Macron announced an additional €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in military spending over the next two years, citing unprecedented threats from Russia, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and cyberattacks. He aims to increase France’s annual defense budget to €64 billion ($74.8 billion) by 2027, doubling the level from when he took office in 2017. In a Bastille Day speech, Macron warned that freedom in Europe is under serious threat … Continue reading French President Macron announces 6.5 billion euros in extra military spending
Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, wrote a letter to the judge overseeing his case requesting the death penalty and proposing a prisoner swap with U.S. adversaries, even suggesting he be sent to Siberia. In the letter, Routh expressed despair, criticized his court-appointed attorneys, and said he now wants to represent himself. He apologized for being a burden on the … Continue reading Trump assassination suspect floats bizarre prisoner swap in letter to judge
Two fatal skydiving accidents are under investigation in Illinois. On Wednesday, a 40-year-old experienced skydiver died after a mid-air collision during a group jump near the Chicagoland Skydiving Center; a second skydiver was injured. Earlier in the week, Dr. Noel Liu, a newly licensed solo skydiver, died during a jump in LaSalle County after losing control despite deploying his parachute. Multiple agencies, including the FAA … Continue reading Local dentist among 2 killed in separate Illinois skydiving accidents
First responders recovered the body of a driver on Saturday after their truck cab plunged off the Delaware Memorial Bridge early Friday morning. The cab crossed three lanes, crashed through a concrete wall, and fell into the river. Crews located and recovered the cab and the driver’s body with a crane and barge, ABC News has reported. The cause of the crash is under investigation, … Continue reading Truck driver’s body recovered from Delaware River after crash
Two women were killed and two others wounded in a shooting at a church in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday after a suspect shot a state trooper during a traffic stop. The suspect carjacked a vehicle, fled to Richmond Road Baptist Church, and opened fire before being shot dead by police. The victims were a 72-year-old and a 32-year-old woman. Police said the suspect may have … Continue reading Two women killed in Kentucky church shooting after trooper shot; suspect killed
A fast-moving wildfire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and dozens of other structures, forcing the area to close for the season. Sparked by lightning on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire grew rapidly due to hot, dry, windy conditions. About 50–80 buildings were lost, including the visitor center and employee housing, the Associated Press has reported. No injuries … Continue reading Wildfire destroys a historic Grand Canyon lodge and other structures
More than 70 people were arrested in the U.K. on Saturday during protests against the government’s decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Most arrests in London, Manchester, and Cardiff were for showing support for the now-proscribed group. The ban follows a June break-in at an RAF base where activists caused $9.4 million in damage protesting U.K. military support for Israel, NBC News has … Continue reading More than 70 arrested at U.K. protests in support of banned group Palestine Action
Russian attacks killed at least seven people and injured 17 across Ukraine since Saturday, Ukrainian officials said. President Zelenskyy reported over 1,800 drones, 1,200 guided bombs, and 83 missiles used against Ukraine in a week, calling it intensified terror. The frontlines remain mostly stable with slow Russian advances, ABC News has reported. Russia claims to have captured Nikolaevka and Karl Marx in Donetsk, while a … Continue reading Moscow ‘intensifying its terror’ as Russian strikes kill 7 and injure 17 across Ukraine, officials say
Ukraine says it has killed two Russian agents who resisted arrest after being tracked down following the assassination of senior intelligence officer Col Ivan Voronych in Kyiv on Thursday. The suspects had been monitoring Voronych’s movements before he was shot in broad daylight. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) coordinated the operation with national police, the BBC has reported. The killing comes amid record Russian air strikes … Continue reading Russia’s agents killed after intelligence officer shot dead, says Ukraine
A small plane was involved in a serious collision at London Southend Airport in Essex, England, on Sunday around 4 p.m. Emergency services responded with multiple ambulances and air support. Zeusch Aviation confirmed its flight SUZ1 was involved and is cooperating with the investigation. Nearby clubs were evacuated, and the airport was closed until further notice, with all flights canceled, ABC News has reported. The Air … Continue reading Emergency teams respond to plane ‘collision’ at London Southend Airport
An Israeli air strike on Sunday killed ten people, including six children, as they queued for water in central Gaza’s al-Nuseirat refugee camp. Israel’s military said a “technical error” caused the missile to miss its intended target, an Islamic Jihad militant, and said the incident is under review. Across Gaza, Israeli strikes have intensified, with Gaza’s Civil Defence reporting 19 more deaths the same day … Continue reading Gaza officials say children killed in strike as Israeli military admits ‘error’
Ford is recalling over 850,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a potential low-pressure fuel pump failure that could cause engine stalls and increase crash risk. The recall affects various 2021-2023 Ford and Lincoln models, including Broncos, Explorers, F-150s, Aviators, and Navigators. Owners will be notified starting July 14, but a fix is still being developed. Ford has not reported any accidents linked to the … Continue reading Ford recalls over 850,000 cars in the US due to potential fuel pump failure
Delta Air Lines reinstated its 2025 profit forecast, expecting a stronger summer travel season than analysts predicted, though earnings guidance was lowered from earlier estimates. CEO Ed Bastian noted bookings have stabilized but with customers booking closer to travel dates. Delta plans “surgical” flight cuts after the peak summer period and expects third-quarter earnings slightly above Wall Street estimates. The airline’s revenue grew 1% in … Continue reading Delta shares jump 11% after airline reinstates 2025 profit outlook
Former US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods starting 1 August, along with broader tariff threats on other trade partners. The move comes as the US and Canada approach a deadline to finalize a new trade deal. Trump linked the tariff threat to trade imbalances and Canada’s alleged failure to stop fentanyl trafficking. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney … Continue reading Trump threatens 35% tariffs on Canadian goods
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held peace talks in the UAE on Thursday but announced no breakthrough. Despite agreeing to continue negotiations and border delimitation efforts, major issues remain unresolved, including Azerbaijan’s demand for constitutional changes in Armenia and a transport corridor to its Nakhchivan exclave. The talks follow decades of conflict, most recently Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, … Continue reading Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders meet for peace talks in UAE, no breakthrough
A South Korean court approved the new arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday over his brief imposition of martial law in December, citing risk of evidence destruction. Yoon, previously impeached and released from detention in March, now faces additional charges including abuse of power and falsifying documents. Prosecutors accuse him of attempting an illegal power grab to suppress opponents. His new detention … Continue reading South Korean court approves new arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a rare confidence vote in the European Parliament, with 175 in favor and 360 against. The motion, led by far-right MEPs, accused her of lacking transparency over Covid-19 vaccine negotiations. Despite criticism over her party’s occasional cooperation with the far right, von der Leyen retained support from centrist, socialist, liberal, Green, and left-wing groups, the BBC has … Continue reading EU chief von der Leyen survives rare confidence vote
B.C. Begley 