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Trump Signs Sweeping Tax Cut and Spending Package Into Law During July Fourth Ceremony

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Trump Signs Sweeping Tax Cut and Spending Package Into Law During July Fourth Ceremony

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law a massive tax cut and spending bill he hailed as a signature domestic achievement, capping months of partisan battles with a Fourth of July celebration steeped in patriotic pageantry.

The White House ceremony unfolded on the South Lawn against a backdrop of military fanfare, including an armed forces picnic and a flyover by a B-2 Spirit bomber and F-35 fighter jets. The event drew jubilant Republican lawmakers, among them House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who helped shepherd the bill through a divided Congress.

“Our country has had so much to celebrate this Independence Day as we enter our 249th year,” Trump said before signing what he dubbed the “big, beautiful bill.” “We have officially made the Trump tax cuts permanent. That’s the largest tax cut in the history of our country,” he declared. “We’re setting all sorts of economic records right now, and that’s before this kicks in. After this kicks in, our country is going to be a rocket ship, economically.”

The Senate narrowly approved the legislation Tuesday in a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. The House followed Thursday, passing it 218-214 along mostly party lines, meeting Trump’s self-imposed July Fourth deadline.

As the National Anthem played, the flyover honored pilots involved in last month’s U.S. strike on nuclear facilities in Iran, part of Operation Midnight Hammer. Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, was expected to attend the evening’s fireworks display over the National Mall after visiting his Virginia club earlier in the day.

The legislation fulfills core promises from Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign. It extends the expiring 2017 tax cuts permanently, temporarily reduces taxes on tips and overtime pay, and introduces new deductions on auto loan interest. The bill also authorizes hundreds of billions in military spending and funds Trump’s plans for expanded deportations of undocumented immigrants.

But the cost of those provisions is steep. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the measure will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. It also imposes deep cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and clean energy initiatives. The CBO projected the Medicaid reductions alone could strip health insurance from nearly 12 million Americans.

The months-long negotiations exposed deep rifts among Republicans over how aggressively to slash safety net programs and whether to lift the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. A push by conservatives to use the legislation to rein in the national debt ultimately gave way to Trump’s demand for sweeping tax relief and new spending.

Democrats uniformly opposed the bill, seizing on its unpopularity to frame it as a gift to the wealthy at the expense of working families. A Quinnipiac University poll released last week showed 53% of registered voters opposed the legislation, with only 27% in favor.

“Not a single thing in Donald Trump’s one big, ugly bill will meaningfully make life more affordable for everyday Americans,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Thursday in a record-setting nearly nine-hour floor speech. “We were a hell no last week, a hell no this week, a hell no yesterday, a hell no today,” Jeffries said to cheers from his caucus.

Just hours after Trump signed the bill, Republicans signaled they may revisit parts of it. Vice President Vance, who played a central role in brokering the compromise, told reporters in North Dakota the administration remains open to adjustments.

“Trump makes a reform, he sees how it plays out, and he’s always willing to have a conversation in order to make things even better,” Vance said.

Hamas Says It Has ‘Responded Positively’ to Ceasefire Proposal With Israel as Trump Confirms Final Terms

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Hamas Says It Has ‘Responded Positively’ to Ceasefire Proposal With Israel as Trump Confirms Final Terms

GAZA CITY (BN24) — Hamas said it has delivered a “positive response” to mediators over a proposed temporary ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Israel, signaling the most significant movement in months toward halting the devastating war in Gaza.

In a statement late Friday, the militant group said it was ready to enter new negotiations on how the proposal would be implemented. “The movement is fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework,” Hamas declared.

The response came more than 20 months into the conflict and three months after the collapse of a previous deal. An Israeli official told ABC News that Israel had expected Hamas’ reply by the end of the week.

Earlier this week, Hamas adviser Taher Al-Nounou said the group was still studying the U.S.-backed proposal but remained committed to any framework that would end Israeli military operations. “Hamas is open to any proposal that will end the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, but Hamas wants guarantees that Israel will commit to moving to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement after the first phase, which is set to last for 60 days,” Al-Nounou said.

According to two Israeli sources familiar with the negotiations, the revised plan calls for Hamas to release 10 living hostages and return the remains of 15 others during the 60-day truce. Israeli estimates suggest about 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza. Under the agreement, Hamas would release captives in staggered stages and would refrain from holding public ceremonies marking the returns.

While the outline represents progress, officials on both sides acknowledged that key issues remain unresolved. The number of Palestinian prisoners to be freed in exchange and the scope of any longer-term ceasefire will be central to the next phase of talks.

The proposed deal also includes provisions for negotiations toward a permanent cessation of hostilities during the 60-day pause.

President Donald Trump, who earlier in the week confirmed Israel’s agreement to the plan, said representatives from Qatar and Egypt would deliver the final proposal to Hamas leadership. “I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The latest initiative follows months of intensive mediation efforts led by U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. A similar Israeli-approved plan presented in May stalled, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed major military operations shortly after Trump departed the region on his first overseas trip of his second term.

A previous six-week ceasefire in January secured the release of dozens of hostages and prompted prisoner exchanges before collapsing on March 18. Israel said Hamas failed to free the remaining captives and accused the group of using the lull to regroup and plan new attacks.

The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and captured hundreds more. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has left nearly 56,000 dead and more than 131,000 wounded in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.

The war has also created a humanitarian crisis in the enclave, which endured an 11-week blockade on aid deliveries that only lifted in May.

Joey Chestnut Devours 71 Hot Dogs to Reclaim Nathan’s Famous Eating Title in Coney Island

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Joey Chestnut Devours 71 Hot Dogs to Reclaim Nathan’s Famous Eating Title in Coney Island

NEW YORK (BN24) — Joey “Jaws” Chestnut reclaimed his crown Friday at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City, wolfing down 71 hot dogs in 10 minutes to reassert his dominance on Coney Island’s famed stage.

The 41-year-old competitive eating icon from Indiana returned to the event after a high-profile absence in 2024, when his sponsorship deal with plant-based food maker Impossible Foods led organizers to bar him from competing.

Back in front of roaring July Fourth crowds, Chestnut showed no signs of rust as he methodically worked through tray after tray of hot dogs, clinching the coveted Mustard Belt — his 17th Nathan’s title overall.

“Lots of people told me I was part of their Fourth of July and they missed me,” Chestnut told ESPN moments after his win. “I guaranteed I’d try hard, and I didn’t want to let people down.”

Chestnut entered the contest as the clear favorite, holding the all-time record of 76 hot dogs and buns, set in 2021. Though he fell short of that benchmark Friday, he easily outpaced the field.

Last year’s champion, Patrick Bertoletti, finished a distant second with 46 hot dogs consumed.

In the women’s division, defending champion Miki Sudo retained her title by eating 33 hot dogs and buns, well shy of the women’s record she set last year at 51. Sudo acknowledged her slower start but credited experience and determination for her recovery.

“I might have stumbled out of the gate, but when things are tough, you get back up and you keep going,” she said in her post-contest interview. Michelle Lesco placed second with 22.75 hot dogs.

The Nathan’s contest, held every Independence Day since 1980, has become a fixture of American holiday tradition, drawing thousands of spectators to Surf Avenue and a national television audience captivated by the spectacle of gastronomic endurance.

Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Faces Deportation to Mexico to Serve Arms Trafficking Sentence, Sheinbaum Says

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Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Faces Deportation to Mexico to Serve Arms Trafficking Sentence, Sheinbaum Says

MEXICO CITY (BN) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday she expects professional boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. to be deported from the United States to serve a prison sentence in Mexico for charges related to arms trafficking and organized crime.

The 39-year-old former WBC middleweight champion was taken into custody this week by U.S. immigration authorities in Los Angeles. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Chávez Jr. was found to be in the country illegally after allegedly making fraudulent statements on his 2024 application for permanent residency, which was based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen.

President Sheinbaum, addressing the matter during her daily press briefing, confirmed that Mexico has had an outstanding arrest warrant for Chávez Jr. since 2023. The warrant stems from a federal investigation launched in 2019.

“He has mostly resided in the United States, which made his apprehension difficult,” Sheinbaum told reporters. “Now, with the legal process underway, we expect deportation proceedings to be completed so he can serve his sentence in Mexico.”

The boxer, son of Mexican ring legend Julio César Chávez Sr., was arrested Wednesday at his Studio City residence in Los Angeles, according to his attorney Michael Goldstein. The lawyer said more than two dozen immigration officers carried out the arrest and blasted the allegations as “outrageous” and “calculated to incite fear.”

Chávez Jr. is suspected by U.S. authorities of having ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organization. Homeland Security officials have yet to publicly detail the evidence supporting the alleged links.

His wife, Frida Muñoz Chávez, was previously married to Edgar Guzmán, the late son of notorious cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Edgar was killed in 2008, years before “El Chapo” was captured and extradited to the U.S., where he is now serving a life sentence. Sheinbaum said she had no confirmed information on Chávez Jr.’s alleged cartel ties.

Chávez Jr., once hailed as one of Mexico’s most promising boxers, has seen his career tarnished by controversy. In 2009, he was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. In 2013, he faced further sanctions for marijuana use.

Most recently, Chávez Jr. fought YouTube celebrity-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Anaheim, California, losing by unanimous decision after 10 rounds.

The Mexican Attorney General’s Office is now coordinating with U.S. authorities to facilitate Chávez Jr.’s deportation, Sheinbaum confirmed.

Reuters

Brazil Police Arrest IT Worker Over $100 Million Banking System Hack

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Brazil Police Arrest IT Worker Over $100 Million Banking System Hack

SAO PAULO, Brazil (BN24) — Police in Brazil have arrested a suspect accused of helping orchestrate a massive cyberattack that siphoned more than 540 million reais (about $100 million) from the country’s banking networks in one of the biggest breaches in recent years.

Authorities said the attack compromised Brazil’s widely used instant payment system, known as PIX, which is used by more than three-quarters of the population.

The suspect, whose identity was not publicly disclosed, worked in information technology at C&M, a software firm that links financial institutions to Brazil’s Central Bank to process PIX transactions. According to police in São Paulo, the employee allegedly enabled other hackers to gain unauthorized access to the system.

Investigators said they have frozen 270 million reais traced to an account involved in the fraud.

Brazil’s Central Bank announced it suspended part of C&M’s operations on Thursday, citing security concerns, after the company implemented emergency measures to prevent additional breaches.

C&M said in a statement distributed by local media outlets that it was cooperating fully with investigators. The firm said initial evidence pointed to the use of social engineering techniques to obtain access to security credentials, rather than exploitation of technical flaws in its software.

PIX has become the backbone of everyday banking in Brazil, adopted by 76.4% of Brazilians for instant transfers and payments. The unprecedented hack has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of digital financial infrastructure in Latin America’s largest economy.

Flash Flooding in Texas Leaves Multiple Dead as Rescues Continue Across Riverfront Communities

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Flash Flooding in Texas Leaves Multiple Dead as Rescues Continue Across Riverfront Communities

KERR COUNTY, Texas (BN24) — Flash flooding triggered by torrential overnight rainfall in central Texas has left multiple people dead and forced dozens of rescues as fast-moving water inundated riverfront communities, camps and wildlife habitats along the Guadalupe River.

Officials said as much as 10 inches of rain fell within a few hours in parts of Kerr County, causing the river to surge more than 22 feet in two hours near the small community of Hunt. The catastrophic flooding swept away vehicles and caught residents and campers off guard, complicating efforts to identify victims and account for those still missing.

Judge Rob Kelly, the county’s chief elected official, confirmed fatalities but declined to provide specific numbers, citing the ongoing emergency response and the need to notify families.

“Most of them, we don’t know who they are,” Kelly said during a news conference. “One of them was completely naked, he didn’t have any ID on him at all. We’re trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don’t have it yet.”

Emergency crews carried out dozens of rescues overnight and into Friday, with Texas Game Wardens deploying additional boats to reach people stranded in flooded campgrounds and riverfront cabins. Officials said an unknown number remained unaccounted for as search efforts continued.

Meteorologist Bob Fogarty with the National Weather Service’s Austin/San Antonio office said the Guadalupe’s river gauge failed after recording a height of 29.5 feet — more than 20 feet above flood stage.

“We think the river’s higher than that,” Fogarty said. “The gauge is completely underwater.”

A flood watch initially issued Thursday escalated into a warning overnight, affecting at least 30,000 residents across Kerrville, Ingram and Hunt. Judge Kelly defended the local response when pressed by reporters about the lack of earlier evacuations.

“We do not have a warning system,” he said. “We didn’t know this flood was coming. We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state was deploying additional resources to assist with rescues and damage assessments.

“I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas,” Abbott said.

Residents described harrowing scenes as water rose swiftly in the darkness. Some camps and wildlife facilities were evacuated before dawn, while others reported people clinging to trees or rooftops awaiting rescue.

“This is the kind of thing that will catch you unaware,” Fogarty said. “The water’s moving so fast, you’re not going to recognize how bad it is until it’s on top of you.”

As Texas reeled from flooding, violent thunderstorms in central New Jersey claimed at least three lives. In Plainfield, two men ages 79 and 25 died when a tree fell onto their vehicle during the height of the storm, city officials said.

“Our hearts are heavy today,” Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said in a statement. “This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life.”

The city canceled its planned July Fourth celebrations, with Mapp calling for residents to focus on recovery after the storm left widespread damage and lingering power outages across the region.

Parts of southern New England also experienced large hail, downed trees, and dangerous road conditions, including reports of cars sliding off highways in northeastern Connecticut.

AP

Gas Station Explosion in Rome Injures 25, Including First Responders and Residents

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Gas Station Explosion in Rome Injures 25, Including First Responders and Residents

ROME (BN24) — A powerful gas station explosion rocked southeastern Rome early Friday, injuring at least 25 people, including nine first responders, and prompting a wide-scale emergency response, local authorities said.

The blast occurred shortly after 8 a.m. in the Centocelle district and sent a massive plume of dark smoke into the sky that could be seen from across the Italian capital. Two large explosions followed reports of a gas leak at the station, officials said, severely damaging the area and sparking a blaze that firefighters battled for hours.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said emergency services had been dispatched following reports of a suspected gas leak when the explosions erupted in quick succession. “We were alerted to the smell of gas and dispatched a team,” Gualtieri said. “Unfortunately, two blasts occurred after the initial arrival.”

Among the injured were 16 local residents, two of whom were hospitalized in serious condition at Rome’s Casilino hospital, according to Elisabetta Accardo, a spokeswoman for the Rome police. “Nine injured are members of the law enforcement corps — police and carabinieri — and one is a firefighter. Thankfully, none are in life-threatening condition,” she said.

Fifteen firefighting teams responded to the emergency, attempting to control the fire that broke out following the explosions. Emergency services quickly evacuated nearby buildings and a neighboring sports center, safely removing children and staff from the premises.

Rome prosecutors have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion, with early evidence suggesting it may have resulted from a gas leak during the unloading of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the station.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the fireball swept through the area. Barbara Belardinelli, a local resident, said she and her daughter suffered burns after being caught in the second explosion. “We heard the first blast and went outside to see what had happened,” she told reporters. “But when the second explosion hit, we were struck by a ball of fire. My daughter’s arm is still red. It was terrifying.”

Others likened the impact to an earthquake, saying the force of the explosions shattered windows and blew shutters off buildings. “It felt like the earth shook,” one resident told local media. “There was debris everywhere.”

Pope Leo XIV said he was offering prayers for the injured and those affected by the blast, calling it a tragedy “in the heart of my Diocese.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was closely monitoring the situation and extended her sympathies to those impacted.

Authorities are continuing to assess structural damage in the area while investigators work to determine what led to the catastrophic explosion.

Ex-Arsenal Midfielder Thomas Partey Charged with Multiple Counts of Rape and Sexual Assault

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Ex-Arsenal Midfielder Thomas Partey Charged with Multiple Counts of Rape and Sexual Assault

Metro., London (BN24) – Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape involving two women, along with a separate charge of sexually assaulting a third woman, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Partey, 32, is alleged to have committed the offences between 2021 and 2022. The Ghanaian international is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5 to face the charges.

Authorities said the accusations involve three separate women. Prosecutors have charged Partey with three counts of rape against one complainant, two counts of rape against another, and a single count of sexual assault involving a third woman.

The investigation has been led by detectives with the Met’s Central Specialist Crime Command. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said police remain focused on supporting those who came forward.

“Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward,” Furphy said in a statement. “We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team.”

The Met urged potential witnesses or others affected to contact detectives by emailing CI*@********ce.uk.

The charges come as Partey’s contract with Arsenal officially ended on June 30, leaving him a free agent after four years with the Premier League club.

Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 in a high-profile transfer from Atlético Madrid and was capped over 40 times for Ghana’s national team.

He has not commented publicly on the allegations.

Mali Coup Leader Granted Five-Year Term Without Elections

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Mali Coup Leader Granted Five-Year Term Without Elections

Mali (BN24) – Mali’s transitional parliament has awarded military leader Gen. Assimi Goïta a renewable five-year presidential term, a decision that cements his grip on power nearly four years after he first seized control in a coup.

The sweeping measure, adopted Thursday by 131 members of the National Transitional Council, extends Goïta’s mandate until at least 2030 and allows him to renew it “as many times as necessary” until authorities declare Mali “pacified.” The bill also permits Goïta, members of his government, and transitional legislators to stand in future presidential and general elections.

Goïta, 41, first toppled elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in August 2020 after mass protests against corruption and the government’s failure to contain jihadist violence. Though he briefly handed over authority to an interim civilian-led government, he staged a second coup in May 2021 to reclaim power, pledging a swift return to democracy the following year—a promise that never materialized.

At the vote in Bamako, National Transitional Council President Malick Diaw hailed the legislation as “a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali,” insisting it reflected the will of the people. But the move has triggered concern among Malian civil society groups and regional observers, who warn it could entrench military rule and stifle dissent.

In recent months, the junta has intensified a crackdown on political opposition, banning all parties in May and sidelining critics. Many fear further repression as Goïta consolidates authority.

Since taking power, Goïta has severed Mali’s military ties with former colonial power France, instead aligning with Russia and forming a regional bloc with fellow coup-led governments in Burkina Faso and Niger. All three nations have withdrawn from the West African regional organization ECOWAS, which has pressured Bamako to restore democratic rule.

Despite the junta’s promises of security improvements, Mali continues to face escalating violence from jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda. This week, militants launched simultaneous attacks on military positions across several towns in the latest wave of assaults against the army.

Goïta’s extended mandate underscores how Mali’s military rulers have consolidated power in defiance of regional and international calls for elections, prolonging a political transition that began with the overthrow of an elected government but has since become an open-ended military-led regime.

Nico Williams Signs New Athletic Bilbao Contract Through 2035, Ending Barcelona Speculation

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Nico Williams Signs New Athletic Bilbao Contract Through 2035, Ending Barcelona Speculation

Spain (BN24) – Spain forward Nico Williams has committed his long-term future to Athletic Bilbao, signing a contract extension that will keep him at the Basque club until 2035 and effectively ending months of speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona.

The club confirmed the new deal on Friday, describing it as a major victory for Athletic amid what it called “dizzying offers” for the 22-year-old. Under the agreement, Williams’ contract has been extended by eight years, and his release clause has been increased by 50 percent, underscoring Bilbao’s determination to retain their prized talent.

“When you have to make decisions, for me what matters most is the heart,” Williams said in the club’s announcement. “I am where I want to be, with my people. This is my home.”

Williams has emerged as one of Spanish football’s most electrifying young attackers, developing in the same academy system that produced his older brother and teammate, Iñaki Williams. Since breaking into the first team, Nico has scored 31 goals over five seasons and established himself as a cornerstone of Bilbao’s resurgence.

His pace and creativity were pivotal in Athletic’s historic 2024 Copa del Rey triumph, which ended a 40-year wait for the trophy. The club also secured qualification for the 2025–26 Champions League, adding fresh momentum to their revival.

Interest in Williams has soared over the past year, with Barcelona and Arsenal both reportedly exploring bids to lure him away from San Mamés. However, Bilbao officials worked intensively to finalize the renewal and stave off rival suitors.

Williams has also solidified his place in the Spain national team, playing a starring role at Euro 2024. He was named player of the match in the final as La Roja defeated England to lift the European Championship, further raising his profile across Europe.

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