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U.S. consumer confidence fell sharply as expectations about economic conditions plummeted in July. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell to 92.6 from 98.3 in June. Wall Street economists had forecast a milder decline to 95.7, according to Econoday. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – improved from 86.7 to 94.2, reflecting the reopening of the economy. But the Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions – fell from 106.1 in June to 91.5 in July. “Consumer Confidence declined in July following...

Address to the Nation on Independence Day July 4, 1986 My fellow Americans: In a few moments the celebration will begin here in New York Harbor. It's going to be quite a show. I was just looking over the preparations and thinking about a saying that we had back in Hollywood about never doing a scene with kids or animals because they'd steal the scene every time. So, you can rest assured I wouldn't even think about trying to compete with a fireworks display, especially on the Fourth of July. My remarks tonight will be brief, but it's worth remembering...

The U.S. economy added 164,000 jobs in July and unemployment held steady at 3.7 percent. Economists surveyed by Econoday had forecast a gain of 151,000 for July and for unemployment to decline slightly to 3.6 percent. While the economy has continued to grow this summer, it has shown signs of slowing from the rapid 3.1 percent rate of growth in the first three months of the year. Manufacturing has been a weak spot while consumer spending and the labor market have been strong. Economic growth slowed to a 2.1 percent rate in the April through June period.

"Salute to America – Lincoln Memorial – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. [Eastern Time] – President Trump leads a celebration of America’s military with music, military demonstrations and flyovers."

Share Tweet Just days after a historic meeting in Singapore with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump is setting his sights on Russia. Friday morning, President Trump took a stroll on the front lawn of the White House, stopping for an impromptu interview with Steve Doocy from Fox & Friends-marking the first time any American president has held an unannounced and unexpected meeting with the press on the grounds of the White House. During the half-hour long interview with Doocy, President Trump discussed the possibility of meeting with Putin, “ We may, and it started because...

After their summit in Singapore, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and United States President Donald Trump could meet again as soon as July, this time in Pyongyang. According to South Korean daily Joongang Ilbo, citing a source in Singapore, Mr Kim has invited Mr Trump to North Korea to hold a second summit in July. The invitation was in a letter written by Mr Kim to Mr Trump and hand delivered by Mr Kim's right-hand man, General Kim Yong Chol, to the White House on June 1. While Mr Trump has not revealed what was written in the letter,...

Litany of the Most Precious Blood Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, save us. Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us. Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us. Blood of Christ, falling upon...

The number of gun-related background checks performed in July far exceeded those of any previous July, newly released numbers from the FBI show. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, processed nearly 2.2 million checks last month. That represents an increase of almost 600,000 checks over the previous record set last year. It is also an increase of more than a million checks over July 2011. The July record is the latest in a string of 15 record-setting months for firearm background checks. July also saw an increase over June’s numbers as the gun industry’s seasonal lull comes...

What Is It We're Celebrating, Exactly? Submitted by Eric Peters via EricPetersAutos.com,The Fourth of July has become like Christmas – a kind of ersatz celebration with forms but not much significance.What is it we’re celebrating, exactly?A historical event – the successful separation of the colonies from the British empire.The secession of the colonies. Their rejection of the arbitrary authority of the British king and parliament.Good for the colonists.What about us?Do we not also live under the authority of arbitrary government? A president and Congress?An endless conga line of bureaucrats and apparatchiks?Sometimes, we get to vote for some of them. Our...

Breaking: US Air Force Cancels Two UK 4th of July Shows Due to “Severe and Credible” Threats (VIDEO) Jim Hoft Jul 2nd, 2015 9:40 pm 6 Comments The US Air Force cancelled two air shows planned on Independence Day in Great Britain because of threat there is considered severe and credible. The two-day festival was due to be hosted by US crew based in RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall, England. The Daily Mail reported: The U.S. Air Force has cancelled planned Independence Day celebrations at a Norfolk RAF base due to the increased risk of a Jihadi terror attack. The two-day...

Following in the footsteps of the record-setting cool air mass in mid-July, a second blast of air with polar origins will invade the eastern U.S. to close July. Like the original, the sequel will be glorious. This taste of September may not be quite as strong mid-July’s version, but should produce temperatures 10-20 degrees below normal across a large swath of the eastern U.S. by early Tuesday.

The mainstream media tries to pretend that ice remained on Lake Superior “only” into June. “How about July?”asks reader E Stephens. “We should name icebergs still floating in Lake Superior in July after infamous AGW scientists. This one is Gavin,” says Tilly LaCampagne via Twitter. See photo dated 11 July 2014:

Radio show host Edward Woodson, took to the streets of South Florida to ask it’s citizens what we celebrate on the 4th of July.We need to seriously examine what we teach our kids in schools, and immigrants in the so-called “civics” tests they are required to take before becoming U.S. citizens. Brace yourselves... WATCH:

What do you plan on eating today? Burgers, Fries, Hot Dogs? Some of us even douse it all with chilli. Oh, and what will you wash it all down with? Here is one to start it off... Beef burger with sweet potato chilli chips Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the chips with the oil, 1 tsp chilli flakes and some seasoning. Arrange in a single layer on a large baking tray and cook for about 30 mins, turning halfway through. Put the mince, remaining chilli flakes, onion, Parmesan, tomato ketchup and lots of black pepper in a large...

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that...

CNN was down double digits across the board in July. Compared to July 2011, the network is -20% in Total Viewers and -23% in A25-54 in Total Day. In primetime, CNN is down -23% in Total Viewers and -26% in the demographic. [Snip] Compared to the July 2011, Erin Burnett‘s 7pm hour — home last year to “John King USA” — is down -21% in both Total Viewers and younger viewers. “Piers Morgan Tonight” is down -18% in Total Viewers and -24% in A25-54 viewers. The 10pm edition of “Anderson Cooper 360″ is down -34% in Total Viewers and...

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is marking the Fourth of July by thanking service members and their families, who he said "represent what is best in America." The president, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, hosted a barbecue and concert Wednesday for the families on the White House South Lawn. Obama saluted "this generation of heroes" for their service and sacrifice to defend American freedoms, specifically thanking them for bringing Osama bin Laden to justice and working to get out of Afghanistan.

Apparently tiring of US soil as a source of campaign dollars, the Obama campaign is headed overseas -- with its celebrity friends in tow. The European Obama campaign starts next week in Paris on July 4 with a reception organized by various fundraising heavy-hitters. Independence Day fundraisers in Paris – now that’s a flag-waving campaign.

Treasury reports $1.09T deficit through JulyBy Erik Wasson - 08/10/11 03:13 PM ET The Treasury Department on Wednesday reported the nation has run a $1.099 trillion budget deficit through July. The deficit is about $70 billion less than last year's budget deficit at this point in the fiscal year. The reason is higher government revenues, the Treasury statement said. Total spending has increased this year from $2.921 trillion to $2.992 trillion, but receipts to the government are up from $1.753 trillion to $1.893 trillion. The fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. The latest figures on the budget deficit come after...

At 5:20 PM EST(4:20 local time), 7-11-2011, the Weather Underground website showed the heat index in Paducah, KY, to be 153 degrees (99 degrees with a 92 degree dew point). I've never seen it like this. (I'm in another part of the state, where the heat index is a paltry 111...I feel like a piker). Post your astounding summer weather reports here...how hot is it where you are?