WASHINGTON (AP) — Duane Mitchell has big plans for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Mitchell, a 78-year-old veteran in Montana, plans to take a red, white and blue 1954 Chevrolet pickup that he restored and drive it in local parades for the Fourth of July. In honor of the country’s milestone anniversary, he bought a decorative eagle to mount on the back of the truck, accompanied by American flags.

“I’ll be driving my pickup,” he said, referring to his role in the parades. “Usually we freeze a whole bunch of candy, and I have a couple of kids from down the block who get in the back and throw candy out. Everybody loves it.”

Mitchell isn’t the only one looking forward to this year’s festivities. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults feel “proud” about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to a new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Roughly 3 in 10 say “excited” describes their emotions. The milestone will be marked with events across the country, and President Donald Trump has planned several for the nation’s capital, including a fair on Washington’s National Mall.

But as the celebrations begin, many Americans also feel indifferent or conflicted about celebrating the country. Other Gallup polling shows that most Americans now feel the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be disappointed with how the U.S. has turned out, a substantial increase from 25 years ago.

Most Republicans and older adults feel proud

Most Republicans say that “proud” or “excited” describes how they are feeling about the United States’ 250th anniversary. About 7 in 10 Republicans say pride describes their emotions, compared with about 3 in 10 independents and roughly 2 in 10 Democrats.

Older Americans — those ages 60 and older — are also mostly feeling proud, with about 6 in 10 saying this describes how they feel about the nation’s anniversary.

Mitchell, the Montana veteran, wants the country to be “celebrating it to the maximum.” As a Vietnam War veteran who was drafted into the war, he wants Americans to remember the men and women who have given their lives to protect the freedoms they have today.

“It was a sacrifice,” Mitchell said, referring to his service. “The most important thing about the celebration is understanding that freedom is not free, and it never will be free, so you need to celebrate that.”

About half of Republicans, 54%, say they feel excited about the country’s anniversary.

As the country marks 250 years of independence, most Americans believe the country has succeeded in achieving its founding ideals, according to new Gallup polling. About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say that America has succeeded “a great deal” or “a fair amount” in achieving the ideals for which the country was founded. That view is shared by a majority of Democrats, independents and Republicans — though Republicans are especially likely to say the country has succeeded.

Democrats and young people feel conflicted or indifferent

More Democrats and young people say “conflicted” or “indifferent” describes their feelings about America 250.

About 4 in 10 Democrats and roughly 3 in 10 adults under 30 say “conflicted” describes their feelings “extremely” or “very” well. About 3 in 10 in each case feel “indifferent.”

Laura Davis, a 44-year-old in Chicago who identifies as a progressive liberal, has struggled with what she describes as the “American declarations of grandiosity” this year, including Trump’s White House ballroom construction and the repainting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. She believes that money could be better spent on Americans in need, as well as international aid, and she worries the country’s reputation is being damaged by the Trump administration’s actions.

“It doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the things that do make America a unique and in some ways exceptional place to be,” she said. “But I think it’s more nuanced than that, and I hope that doesn’t get lost in the celebration.”

About 8 in 10 Americans say the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be disappointed with how the country has turned out, according to a new Gallup poll. Only about 2 in 10 say the signers would be pleased. That’s down significantly from 1999 — the first time the question was asked — when 55% believed they would be disappointed and 44% said they would be pleased.

Sydney Crispin, a 39-year-old Democrat in Maine, believes the country’s “incredible” foundation is worth celebrating. Still, she is conflicted by what she sees as a decline in people’s ability to have respectful discourse, something she believes is at the heart of America’s identity. She hopes communities find ways to celebrate the remarkable parts of America this Fourth of July while still reflecting on its areas for improvement.

Celebrating the 250th: Spending time with friends or family tops on list

Just under half, 44%, of U.S. adults plan to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary by spending time with friends or family, according to a recent Gallup-With Honor poll. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults say they plan to watch coverage of America 250 events on television or social media.

More than half of adults ages 65 and older plan to celebrate with friends or family, while nearly half plan to watch coverage of the event on television or social media. Adults under 30 are more likely to say they are not planning to celebrate at all.

The Gallup-With Honor poll found about 2 in 10 U.S. adults plan to participate in a neighborhood or community event, while approximately 1 in 10 say they will be attending an official America 250 event.

Lyle Nelson, a 67-year-old in Idaho, said he plans to maintain his tradition of watching the annual Macy’s firework show at home.

Nelson — who agrees with a lot of what Trump has done in office — remarked that even though Trump was disappointed that he did not get reelected in 2020, he might be pleased that he’s the one in the White House during this historic event.

“I wonder if he’s thankful that he gets to be president during the 250th anniversary,” Nelson said. “I think he’ll be excited for that.”

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The AP-NORC poll of 2,596 adults was conducted April 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.

The Gallup-With Honor poll of 3,199 adults was conducted May 12-22 using a sample drawn from Gallup’s probability-based panel. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 2.1 percentage points. The separate Gallup poll of 1,001 adults was conducted May 1-17 using a sample drawn from Gallup’s probability-based panel. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.

It follows the launch of a unique sandwich last summer, but some shoppers say the new filling has gone ‘too far’

M&S appears to have divided shoppers as it has re-introduced a popular product this week with a new twist. While some are calling the change an “upgrade”, others have suggested that the retailer has now gone “too far”.

The store has revealed a new limited-edition Chocolate, Strawberry and Pistachio Creme Sandwich, which features ripe strawberries with a pistachio creme and a Belgian chocolate spread, between two slices of cocoa‑enriched sweetened bread.

A description of the new sandwich, on the M&S website, reads: “Introducing a brand-new addition to our viral sweet summer sandwich lineup – the UK’s first dessert sandwich.

“Ripe, sweet British strawberries are paired with smooth pistachio creme and a rich Fairtrade Belgian chocolate spread, layered in cocoa‑enriched sweetened bread. This sweet sandwich is sure to get the nation talking – head to the Foodhall now to try it for yourself.”

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It follows the launch of M&S’s Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme sandwich last summer, which was inspired by Japanese “sweet sandos” – or fruit sandwiches. The unique sandwich divided shoppers last year, as some shared their excitement at trying the creation, while other said they would “pass”.

Again, the new fruit-filled sandwich appears to already be dividing opinion, as some shoppers have alluded to the Chocolate, Strawberry and Pistachio Creme Sandwich as being a step “too far”. But splitting opinion, others have said they they are excited to try the novelty sandwich for themselves.

Taking to the popular Facebook page Newfoodsuk, one excited shopper, Rosie Ann, commented: “This is one I’d like to try.” A second shopper, Ellen Mussell, echoed: “Next m&s food purchase needed hehe!”

A third, Pippa Walters, also wrote: “There’s an upgrade from last year.” While another, Nicola Dugan, added: “I’ve just had one and it was delicious.”

However also taking to the Facebook page, one divided shopper, Keighley Wilson, wrote: “Not sure now I feel about this.” A second, Gillian Jenny McKerrow, also queried: “Too far or no?”

Another conflicted shopper, Sarah-Jayne Powell, wrote: “Yay I’m so glad they brought it back! Not sure about the new one though.” On Instagram, Caroline wrote: “Just wrong on every level,” while Pete commented: “That ain’t right”.

Alongside the launch of the limited-edition Chocolate, Strawberry and Pistachio Creme Sandwich, M&S have also brought back the original Red Diamond Strawberry and Creme Sandwich. Shoppers can pick up the new Chocolate, Strawberry and Pistachio Creme Sandwich for £3.50, or the Red Diamond Strawberry and Creme Sandwich for £2.80.

Asked what fans can expect from Ebra in the final season, Gibson, 61, smiles. “More,” he laughs before elaborating. “There’s a desire to, to assist in whatever way he can, and I think you saw that beginning to happen at the end of season three, you saw it really put into motion in season four… and then I think in season five, more.”

Four more people have been charged as police investigate the deaths of two Newport teens

Four people have been charged in connection with a police murder investigation following the death of two teenagers. . Jaydon Bowyer, 19, and Ta-Shay Canoville, 16, died after being hit by a BMW while riding a motorbike in Newport in the early hours of Thursday, May 7.

Emergency services were called to Aberthaw Road in Alway at around 1am following reports of a crash between a motorcycle and a BMW which police think then left the scene before they attended.

Police launched a murder investigation following the crash, and on May 11, two men, Terell Case, 18 and Joshua Williams, 34, were charged with murdering the two teenagers.

Police have now issued a further update which says four more people have now been charged in connection with their deaths.

Yonis Zaid, 18, Ella Persse, 21, Montaser Yafai, 23, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 23, charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The three adults were remanded into custody pending trial. The 16-year-old boy was released on conditional bail.

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “Four people from Newport have been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in connection to the deaths of Jaydon Bowyer and Ta-Shay Canoville in May this year.

“Yonis Zaid, 18, Ella Persse, 21, Montaser Yafai, 23, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June.

“Yonis Zaid, Ella Persse and Montaser Yafai were remanded into custody pending trial. The 16-year-old boy was released on conditional bail.”

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Operation Impact targeted the Seaburn, Fulwell, Roker and neighbouring areas of the city.

Northumbria Police officers were joined by partner agencies for the crackdown, on Friday, June 12.

Police out and about in Sunderland as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour (Image: Northumbria Police)

A warrant was executed at an address on South Terrace in Southwick, where a quantity of prescription medication, primarily pregabalin, was seized.

Three mobile phones were also recovered, along with approximately £4,000 in cash and several sets of weighing scales.

A 62-year-old man and a woman, aged 34, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class C drugs.

Both have since been released on bail pending further investigation.

Operation Impact on mainly coastal areas of north Sunderland earlier this month (Image: Northumbria Police)

Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and the Mounted Unit conducted high-visibility patrols along the coast, including in Roker Park, as part of Operation Coastwatch, following reports of anti-social behaviour involving large groups of young people in the area.

Members of Northumbria Police’s Mounted Unit cooling down after taking part in Operation Impact (Image: Northumbria Police)

A third arrest was made during the day of activity, as a man, aged 34, who was wanted for failure to appear in court, was apprehended by officers.

Members of the force’s Operation Capio team carried out patrols in Fulwell Quarry with support from the Drone Unit and Sunderland City Council’s safety team.

The area is a known hotspot for off-road bikes being used in a nuisance manner.

Police on patrol in Roker Park, Sunderland, as part of Operation Impact (Image: Northumbria Police)

Officers seized two electric scooters in connection with anti-social behaviour.

Plain-clothed officers were deployed on key bus routes where there have also been reports of anti-social behaviour.

Speed watch vans, which were deployed on Dame Dorothy Street, Keir Hardie Way, Ferryboat Lane and Chester Road, recorded 182 offences, with those responsible subsequently being issued with fixed penalty notices.

Inspector Chris Eccleston, of Sunderland’s NPT, said: “Days like this are a testament to the impact our officers have within the community.

“That’s exactly what Operation Impact is designed to do.

“We are committed to being there when the public need us by listening to concerns and tackling the issues that matter most in local communities.

“Our message is simple: ‘Please continue to work with us by sharing information about suspected criminality’.

“This allows us to take action against those who think it is acceptable to cause disruption in your neighbourhoods.”

Councillor Bill Blackett, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Enforcement, said: “As a council, we are committed to making Sunderland’s streets safer and we’re proud to be working closely with Northumbria Police on initiatives such as Operation Impact.

“Joint operations like this are incredibly important in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour, enabling us to work together to tackle the issues we know matter most to our residents.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has come forward with information and intelligence to help keep our communities safe.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

“The support of local people is vital in helping us identify problems and take action where it is needed most.”

Members of the public who have concerns about suspected criminality in their area can send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the ‘live chat’ or ‘report’ form on the force website.

Anyone unable to contact police in those ways online can call 101.

He is charged with six counts of threats to kill, along with making threats to damage property and breaching a restraining order earlier this month

A man accused of issuing new threats to kill loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled today.

Robert Beck, 63, was refused bail amid claims he left “sinister” messages about the high-profile activist at a Co Down business premises.

Beck, of Bloomfield Crescent in Belfast, also allegedly stated that he planned to destroy vehicles belonging to the firm.

He is charged with six counts of threats to kill, along with making threats to damage property and breaching a restraining order earlier this month.

Beck was on release at the time while facing prosecution over separate allegations of harassing BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan and pestering Mr Bryson.

Police were alerted again to the contents of voice messages in two phone calls made to a company based in Newtownards on June 1.

Prosecution counsel Mark Conlon said: “A number of threats were made of a similar nature.”

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Mr Bryson, who is understood to have previously represented the company at an employment tribunal, was among those named in the messages.

Some of the alleged targets later provided statements claiming to have recognised Beck’s voice as the caller, the court heard.

He is currently prohibited from intimidating or harassing Mr Bryson under the terms of an order imposed in previous criminal proceedings.

During police interviews following his arrest Beck denied making any of the calls to the business premises.

But Mr Conlon said telecommunication inquiries have established that the messages were sent from the accused’s own mobile phone.

“There is very much a concern that he will go on to commit further offences,” he submitted.

Defence barrister Turlough Madden stressed Beck’s denials and his right to be presumed innocent at this stage.

“He is someone with genuine mental health issues,” Mr Madden added.

Denying bail, Lord Justice Treacy identified “an overlap in personalities” involved in the separate cases against Beck.

The judge stated: “He seems to find it difficult, if not impossible, to comply with orders of the court.”

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Leaving dogs in cars during a warm day can cause serious health issues and sometimes death, with bystanders known to smash windows in certain conditions to get them out.

Here is what you should do if you see a dog in a car, and what the consequences could be if you smash a window.

What to do if you see a dog in a car on a hot day

If you see a dog in a hot car, the first thing to do is to assess its condition, the RSPCA says.

If the dog doesn’t seem in distress, you can leave them in the car, but it is recommended to try to work out how long the dog has been in the car, such as from a pay-and-display ticket.

You should also make a note of the car’s registration, and if the owner returns, but you still feel they’d put the dog in danger, you can tell the police.

The RSPCA says that if you are at a shop, venue or event, ask staff to alert the owner over the loudspeaker.

They add: “Make sure you, or someone else, stays with the dog.

“Monitor their condition and if they get worse be prepared to call 999.”

If the dog is showing any signs of heatstroke, you should dial 999 immediately.

There are several signs and symptoms of heatstroke in dogs:

• Collapsing
• Confusion or disorientation
• Dehydration
• Drooling
• Increased heart rate (check a dog’s heartbeat by placing your hand on their chest, just behind their front leg’s elbow)
• Muscle spasms
• Noisy breathing
• Excessive Panting
• Red gums and tongue
• Seizures
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Weakness and lethargy

If you think a dog is suffering from heatstroke, the RSPCA says to cool them first to stop further heating and then take them to your nearest vet.

To cool the dog down, you can use water cooler than the dog’s temperature and pour it over their body.

Avoid their head and focus on the neck, stomach and thighs.

If available, submerge the dog’s body in cool water such as a paddling pool or stream, as long as the water temperature is cooler than the dog.

The RSPCA warns not to attempt this on an unconscious dog, a dog with health conditions, or an elderly dog – for these dogs, spray them with room temperature water.

You can also create a breeze by fanning the dog to cool it down.

Can you legally smash a window to get a dog out of a hot car?

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it could be deemed as animal neglect if an owner leaves their dog in a hot car.

Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act places a duty of care on people to ensure they take reasonable steps in all circumstances to meet the welfare needs of their animals to the extent required by good practice.

If the dog suffers extensively or dies after being left in a hot car, owners could be at risk of being prosecuted.

However, it is recommended not to break a car window in the first instance.

The RSPCA says: “If the dog’s condition is critical, and the police haven’t arrived yet, your instinct will be to break into the car to free them.

“But please be aware that this could be classed as criminal damage.

“You may need to defend your actions in court, so please be sure you’re doing the right thing.”

Section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 states that a person who, without lawful excuse, destroys or damages any property belonging to another, intending to destroy or damage any such property or being reckless as to whether any such property would be destroyed or damaged, shall be guilty of an offence.

As the damage would be under £5,000, a maximum penalty would likely be a fine and/or three months’ imprisonment.

While it can be argued that breaking the window would be a lawful excuse, it is recommended to follow the guidelines provided by the RSPCA first.

The charity says that if you are sure you need to free the dog, tell the police what you intend to do and why.

It urges to take photos or videos of the dog and take their names and the numbers of other witnesses.

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The RSPCA adds: “Don’t be afraid to dial 999.

“If it’s an emergency, we may not be able to get to you – and the dog – quickly enough.

“And as we have no powers of entry, we’d need to ask the police to help us rescue the dog.

“Don’t worry – the police will soon let us know if the dog needs our help.”

Legally, you can cause damage if you believe the car owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger.

Would you break a window if you saw a dog in a car on a hot day? Let us know in the comments.

With temperatures soaring, France is being forced to re-think its longstanding reservations about one possible answer to climate change: air-con.

This week debate about la clim’ (climatisation) has once again burst out, with Marine Le Pen on the populist right urging a mass subsidised roll-out and traditionally hostile Greens conceding that some air-conditioning may now be inevitable.

Currently the country has a low take-up, with only 25% of households equipped with an air-con unit. In Spain and Italy the figure is 50%, and in the US and Japan 90%.

French hospitals and schools are also only rarely equipped. Thousands of schools have had to shut this week, and medical and nursing staff complain of conditions fast becoming intolerable.

But with temperatures nudging 40C – Tuesday was France’s hottest day on record – there has been a rush to buy portable air-conditioning appliances, just to let children enjoy a few hours in class, or for suffocating apartment-dwellers to make it through the night.

And more and more, it seems, long-standing opponents of air-conditioning – mainly on the environmentalist left – recognise that it is bound to be part of the country’s response to global warming.

This week the head of the Ecologists party Marie Tondelier broke something of a taboo when she said that air-conditioning would be needed in schools and hospitals.

“There are places where we just can’t do without it now,” she said.

Her break with what she called “anti-clim’ dogma” is significant because until now the Green movement in France has regarded air-conditioning as the worst of solutions to climate change.

Far from attacking the root causes of global-warming, activists said, recourse to la clim’ was merely attenuating the effects of global-warming.

And by making those effects more bearable, it distracted from the essential fight against the causes.

Not only that, but air-conditioning is often criticised by environmentalists for aggravating climate change.

This is because it requires electricity to run – and though most of France’s electricity comes from nuclear power, elsewhere it means more fossil-fuels being burned.

A helicopter was used to search for suspects after a vehicle was stopped in a police pursuit by a stinger

A cash machine was ripped out of a wall in a ram raid before a truck was set on fire. Officers were called at 3.45am on Wednesday (June24) to reports of an incident at the Co-op in High Street, Lakenheath.

A JCB telehandler was used to rip the cash machine out of the wall before it was loaded onto a black Nissan Navara pick-up truck. The Navara drove away from the scene in convoy with a blue Volkswagen Golf R along Station Road towards Brandon.

Officers arrived at the scene in under 10 minutes and began to search the local area. Officers from Norfolk Police were called to assist.

At around 4.30am the Navara was located in Norfolk at Cowle’s Drove in Hockwold. It had been set on fire and was found with the cash machine.

As officers were heading towards the fire they passed a car coming towards them, driving away from the fire. This matched the description of the VW Golf seen leaving the scene of the ram raid, so police units in the area were alerted and a stinger was deployed in an attempt to stop the speeding car.

Officers pursued the VW Golf – which had successfully had a tyre blown out by the stinger – but it was driven into a field off Mill Drift in Hockwold where it became stuck in mud and was abandoned. The occupants made off and searches continued assisted by a National Police Air Service helicopter. They were not located.

At 8.25am officers were notified by members of the public that they had found another black Nissan Navara pick-up abandoned on farmland north of RAF Lakenheath, off Wangford Road. Police said it is not yet confirmed whether this vehicle is linked to the crime.

A section of High Street in Lakenheath near the Co-op is currently closed as the damage to the building is assessed and investigative work takes place. There are also police scenes in place at the locations where the vehicles have been located.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident and asking any motorists driving in the area at the time of the incident – or near any of the locations the vehicles mentioned above were found – with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle, to review the footage for any material that may be of assistance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West CID at Bury St Edmunds Police Station, quoting reference 37/36196/26. They can also call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

NEW YORK (AP) — A chief of staff to former New York City Mayor Eric Adams and several other people have been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged bribery scheme involving a city contract, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Frank Carone, along with his brother and two others, were taken into custody, said the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke on condition of anonymity.

No other details were immediately available. Indictments were expected to be unsealed later Wednesday.

Carone’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, called the indictment “weak” and “based on purely circumstantial evidence that’s not worth the paper upon which it is printed.”

“Today’s indictment is a sad day for our criminal justice system,” Aidala said in a statement. “It epitomizes the government first finding a target and then spending three years and enormous taxpayer resources to find a crime.”

In a separate statement, Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for Adams, said Carone “dedicated decades of his life to public service, the legal profession, and helping countless individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations throughout New York.”

“This is an ongoing legal matter and my prayers are with his family,” Shapiro’s statement said.