The American Express Times
Sunday, July 5, 2026
At last, Iran begins funeral for Khamenei
Hundreds of thousands gathered in Tehran starting July 4 for a multi-day funeral honoring Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in a February airstrike at the start of the Iran war. The ceremony not only highlights the deep national mourning but also signals a potential power transition to Khamenei’s son amid heightened calls for…
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Tanning makes an unfortunate comeback
Teenagers are increasingly embracing tanning despite high UV Index warnings, driven in part by social media trends that glamorize sun-kissed appearances. This rise raises public…
How does America celebrate 250 years?
The United States marked its 250th Independence Day with patriotic events including military flyovers, parades, and fireworks across cities like Santa Monica. While the celebrations…
Trump moves on many fronts to revise voting
President Donald Trump's administration has taken unprecedented steps to influence election administration by directing federal agencies to verify voter eligibility, expand USPS involvement in mail-in…
Fractured Supreme Court not always in Trump's corner
The Supreme Court issued several rulings that both limited and upheld aspects of President Trump's executive authority, striking down his worldwide tariffs and attempts to…
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Trump presses bid to reshape states’ elections
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state laws allowing the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day if postmarked on time and affirmed birthright citizenship…
Leaving Money to Grandkids Is Not a Silver Bullet for Taxes
A taxpayer expecting a $5 million inheritance, including $3 million in retirement accounts, is exploring strategies to minimize taxes and control distribution timing to their…
Can We Get Rid of Small Talk, Please?
Small talk, once a common social norm to ease conversations, is increasingly viewed as awkward and unhelpful, especially among Gen Z and neurodivergent individuals who…
Senators kill bill to keep sex offenders out of office races
California’s State Senate committee blocked Assembly Bill 2753, which aimed to bar registered sex offenders from running for public office, by a 2-1-2 vote despite…
Farmer gives away 182,000 pounds of nectarines amid legal battle
Farmer Cesar Mora in Reedley distributed over 180,000 pounds of nectarines to the public last week due to a contract dispute with Giumarra Bros. Fruit…
U.S. Soccer Squad Embraces Immigrant Roots in Founders’ Vision
The U.S. men’s national soccer team, preparing for its World Cup match against Belgium, features a diverse roster with many players born abroad or from…
Morocco Advances to World Cup Quarterfinals with 3-0 Win Over Canada
Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, becoming the first African team to reach the quarterfinals more than once. This…
Chapman Sets Relief Whiff Mark in Angels’ Loss
Aroldis Chapman set a new MLB record for career relief strikeouts with his 1,364th during the Boston Red Sox's 5-2 win over the Los Angeles…
Gray and Red Sox Send Angels to Their Fifth Consecutive Loss
Willson Contreras and Romy Gonzalez each homered to help Sonny Gray pitch six strong innings, leading the Boston Red Sox to an 8-1 victory over…
Complexity defines a new era of playwrights
A new generation of American playwrights is creating diverse and experimental works that explore the complexities of identity and social tension amid the nation's political…
2,000 years of history surface at Notre Dame
Archaeologists conducting excavations beneath Notre Dame Cathedral’s forecourt have uncovered continuous historical layers dating back nearly 2,000 years, including Roman, medieval, and early Parisian artifacts.…
Patients swept aside as Cuba’s healthcare system deteriorates
Cuba’s healthcare system is increasingly compromised by shortages of medical supplies, equipment failures, and fuel rationing driven by economic challenges and tightened U.S. sanctions on…
Uranium enrichment returns to the spotlight. What to know
Iran’s uranium enrichment program intensified amid recent military strikes by the U.S. and Israel, with the IAEA reporting that Iran possesses uranium enriched up to…
Big Apple is in thrall as Swift and Kelce tie the knot
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were married in a lavish ceremony at Madison Square Garden on Friday, during a city heatwave and amid preparations for…
Severe weather mars July 4 holiday
A sudden severe storm on Fourth of July weekend caused widespread power outages, travel disruptions, and a fatal boating accident in Wisconsin where three children…
Court rules panels interpreting slavery can be reinstalled
A federal appeals court cleared the Biden administration to reinstall interpretive panels at George Washington’s Philadelphia home that address the history of slavery, overturning previous…
Trump grants pardons to Clean Air Act violators
President Donald Trump granted pardons to 11 individuals, including nine convicted of violating the Clean Air Act by tampering with vehicle emissions systems, as well…
America celebrates while trying to avoid politics
Communities across the U.S. celebrated Independence Day with a variety of events, including parades, athletic competitions, and memorials, even as political tensions and extreme weather…
Deportations on fast track at ‘mega master’ hearings
California immigration courts have shifted to holding large "mega master" hearings where 60 to 100 immigrants are processed simultaneously in fast-moving sessions, often without individual…
AI Tool Taking a Star Role in Hollywood
ByteDance’s AI video tool Seedance has gained traction in Hollywood by enabling filmmakers to produce high-quality, affordable AI-generated content despite criticism from the Motion Picture…
Amid Regulation, Lower Prices, AI Pricing Power at Issue
The Silicon Data LLM Token Expenditure Index has declined nearly 20% since May, indicating a drop in the amount users spend on AI tokens amid…
What to Know When Teaching Your Kids About Money
Parents across the U.S. are increasingly using practical strategies and digital tools to teach their children financial literacy from an early age. Experts stress that…
Podcast Power Is 2028’s New Political Battlefield
Journalist Kara Swisher is expanding her influence in political media by producing multiple podcasts that feature in-depth interviews with key political figures ahead of the…
Where Did You Go, America? Reflections on Rights and Democracy
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, experts like psychologist Ellen Faulk warn of setbacks in civil liberties, diminished federal support for health and…
Noncitizen voting plan shelved over fears of fallout
Los Angeles city officials have halted the proposal to allow noncitizens, including undocumented immigrants, to vote in local elections after concerns emerged about potential impacts…
San Diego yoga instructor goes to the mat against city citations
Steve Hubbard, a San Diego yoga instructor, filed a third lawsuit against the city after being cited for holding free yoga classes in public spaces,…
Dodgers Being Cautious with Latest Ohtani Ailment
Shohei Ohtani experienced new soreness in his right biceps during his start for the Dodgers, adding to ongoing inflammation in his left knee. The Dodgers…
Remarkable Run of Underdog Cape Verde Resonates in World Cup
Cape Verde’s national soccer team was narrowly eliminated by Argentina in extra time during their first World Cup appearance after advancing from the group stage…
Chesney's Recruiting Revival Runs Beyond High Ratings
UCLA’s football team has secured its highest-ranked recruiting class since 2016 under new head coach Bob Chesney, with the 2027 class ranked No. 14 nationally…
Williams Sisters Withdraw from Wimbledon Doubles Due to Injury
Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Wimbledon doubles event with her sister Venus due to a right knee injury sustained during her recent singles comeback.…
10 Must-Watch Movies That Capture America In Times Of Profound Change
Several landmark American films, including "The Grapes of Wrath," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "There Will Be Blood," and "Nashville," portray pivotal periods of…
Supreme Court Decisions and Their Impact on Power and Justice
The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued rulings that broaden presidential authority by allowing the removal of independent commission members without cause and reaffirmed presidential immunity…
Boyle Heights cleanup halts after cold storage fire
Cleanup at a fire-ravaged cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights has been delayed due to disputes between the facility manager and the solar subcontractor suspected…
Homicide rate hits new low as crime drops in state
California saw notable reductions in homicides, robbery, and property crimes in 2025, with homicide rates reaching their lowest point in over 60 years. Despite these…
England Hoping God Has No Hand in This World Cup Matchup
England will face Mexico at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium in the FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match, revisiting the site of their 1986 quarterfinal loss. The…
Mbappé Scores as France Advances to World Cup Quarterfinals
Kylian Mbappé scored the sole goal from a 70th-minute penalty to lead France to a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, securing their spot in the World…
A Helping of Big-League Pikachu
The Los Angeles Angels have embraced a small Pikachu figurine in their dugout, which players like shortstop Zach Neto credit with helping them stay relaxed…