AP News in Brief at 6:04 p.m. EDT | National

• President Donald Trump is commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, though celebrations were briefly interrupted by severe storms. • The weather forced a temporary evacuation of the National Mall for approximately two hours before activities could resume.

• The United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary with nationwide Fourth of July festivities, including major events in Washington, DC. • President Donald Trump is delivering a keynote speech as part of the "America 250" celebrations to mark the historic milestone.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new terminal building at Jodhpur airport on July 4, 2026, and launched a modified version of the UDAN Scheme. • Developed at a cost of ₹480 crore, the new terminal spans over 23,000 square metres and is designed to accommodate up to 20 lakh passengers annually.

• The Indian Parliament is set to begin its Monsoon Session on July 20, focusing on critical issues including delimitation, political defections, and potential cabinet reshuffles. • The session is expected to significantly reshape the political landscape as lawmakers address structural changes and internal party dynamics.

• The I-2SEA cable project has been initiated to connect India and Southeast Asia, specifically targeting the Singapore/Malaysia–Hyderabad city corridor. • The infrastructure is designed to meet the escalating data demands of hyperscalers, GPU providers, and enterprises managing complex AI workloads.

• President Droupadi Murmu has approved the summoning of both Houses of Parliament for the 2026 Monsoon Session, as announced by Kiren Rijiju. • The session is scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 13.

• Authorities ordered an evacuation of the National Mall as severe storms approached ahead of a scheduled July 4th speech by Donald Trump. • Ukraine has intensified its bombardment of Russian oil infrastructure, specifically targeting sites in St. Petersburg to disrupt energy supplies.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar begins a six-nation diplomatic tour on July 5, 2026, visiting Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Belgium, and the U.S. • The Minister will first visit four Gulf nations from July 5 to 10 to address shifting political dynamics in the region.

• The United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary of independence this Saturday with nationwide festivities featuring fireworks and traditional gatherings. • President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., preceding a large-scale fireworks display.

• The author argues for a constitutional amendment to protect voting rights in response to the proposed SAVE America Act. • The legislation, supported by Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, would change how states register voters and maintain data, potentially requiring original birth certificates for registration.

• Experts are reflecting on the evolution of American democracy as the United States approaches its semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since its founding. • Stella Rouse, a professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies and director of the Hispanic Research Center, is providing insights into how various identities shape political behavior.