The 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence has become yet another flashpoint in a politically divided America. There are even two different government organisations overseeing the celebrations.

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was set up by the US Congress in 2016 as a bipartisan body to oversee the semiquincentennial celebration and signed into law by Barack Obama. They branded the celebration as America250 and set to work to plan the national jamboree.

Freedom 250, meanwhile, was set up by the Trump administration under the supervision of the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. Federal funds were diverted from the congressional commission towards the events planned by the Trump-aligned celebration.

But more important than the squabbles over who owns the celebrations, the boycotts of the Great American State Fair or the controversies surrounding celebratory monuments such as the 250-foot triumphal arch, dubbed by its critics the “Arc de Trump”, are the battles being fought over whose interpretation of history will be presented as the nation looks back over its first 250 years.

The commemorative celebrations are being run through the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior. One of its most important monuments, the President’s House memorial in Philadelphia – where the first two presidents, George Washington and John Adams, lived and worked when the city served as America’s capital in the 1790s – has been at the centre of a controversy over competing interpretations of history.

This goes back to the early weeks of Trump’s second term. In March 2025 he issued executive order 14253: Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. The order requires the Department of the Interior to ensure that the educational materials in its jurisdiction – including the national parks – do not “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living (including persons living in colonial times), and instead focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people”.

It also ordered the restoration of sites removed or changed since 2020, when Confederate monuments had been removed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Finally, it charged vice president J.D. Vance with implementing the same policies at the Smithsonian Museum.

In November 2025 an administration official, Jeffrey Anderson, published an essay alleging that “woke orthodoxy” had hijacked America’s story. This was circulated to members of the Trump administration. The President’s House, he wrote, focused too much on the evils of slavery. There was not enough information about the achievements of the men who lived and worked there.

Working under the Secretary of State for the Interior’s order implementing the president’s executive order, the national park service began the removal of historical panels in places of national significance early in 2026. This included the President’s House memorial in Philadelphia.

Washington had infamously brought his slaves with him to the house and had moved them every six months to avoid Pennsylvania’s emancipation laws. The President’s House exhibit had told this story, something that Anderson’s essay had particularly objected to. This and other explanations of US history deemed to “inappropriately disparage Americans past” were removed.

Legal battle

The City of Philadelphia, which had been instrumental in the development of the President’s House site, took the administration to court over the decision. The administration’s lawyers argued that: “Ultimately, the government gets to choose the message it wants to convey.”

Presiding judge, Cynthia M. Rufe, disagreed. In a decision comparing the administration’s actions to the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s novel 1984, Rufe held that the US government does not have the power to “dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts”. She ordered the removals stopped and anything removed under the order to be replaced.

On June 18, her decision was unanimously overturned by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In a decision written by prominent conservative judge, Thomas M. Hardiman, the court held that the city had no “statutory, property, or contractual rights that
empower it to curate the exhibits in the President’s House”. His judgment praised the historical context provided by the replacement panels.

Activists and government officials disagree with Judge Hardiman, and so do Philadelphia’s tour guides. At the open-air site, volunteers share copies and read aloud from the removed intepretative panels.

The legal battle to oppose Trump’s executive order is not over. A coalition of interest groups sued the Department of the Interior, challenging the lawfulness of the removal of hundreds of exhibits and markers across the US, including the President’s House.

Less than a week before Philadelphia lost on appeal, federal judge Angel Kelley found that the government was seeking “to rewrite the Nation’s history with a white-out pen”. She ordered the government to stop removing the signs, exhibits and artefacts and return those that had already had been removed by July 3. In her view, the government had rushed to remove the items in time for July 4 and “it is equally important that our shared history be honestly told and fully restored by the 250th Anniversary”.

That order has now been paused by the First Circuit Court of Appeals until the full case can be heard. But the First Circuit is not bound by the decision in the Philadelphia case and is dominated by Democratic appointees. Split decisions by the federal circuit courts can lead the US Supreme Court to take up a case on appeal. Ultimately it might fall to America’s top court to decide whether the order to remove and replace exhibits is lawful.

The executive order states that museums “should be places where individuals go to learn – not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history”. Many critics believe that is exactly what the executive order does.

Now – as with so many of the contested decisions taken during the second Trump administration – it will be down to the courts. At stake, as the US prepares to commemorate and celebrate its 250th anniversary, is the nature of America’s story about itself.

Next, there’s nothing like a hot chocolate under the stars or a warm coffee while you listen to the dawn chorus, and for that you need a mug. It’s expensive, but I love the classic Kuksa, a hand-carved wooden mug made by the Sámi, an indigenous group who live nomadically in Scandinavia. I’d choose this every time over a metal cup, which I find leaves the liquid too hot and burns my tongue, whereas wood is perfect and water drunk from it tastes divine.

To keep my phone running, I always take a powerbank. My cheap and cheerful Belkin model does the job and doesn’t weigh much.

Everyone should take a water bottle to camp, but I always take a Sigg Traveller, because it conducts heat rather than contains it. Before I go to bed I boil water, fill the bottle, wrap it in a fleece and use it as a hot water bottle. Then by morning, it’s cooled down so I can drink it.

The camping kit you can live without

As long as camping has been mainstream, there have been manufacturers trying to sell you “must-have” items. Ignore them. They will take up space in your bag, and eventually, in landfill.

Examples that spring to mind include lamps (a headtorch strung from the roof of your tent works just as well) and French presses. For me, cowboy coffee – boiling the ground up beans and letting them settle in the bottom – is where it’s at. Camping kettles are also redundant; your stove will do this job and nearly all have pouring lids now. Another bugbear of mine is portable radios with torches, they are unwieldy, unnecessary and will annoy your neighbours. And don’t get me started on tent heaters. Finally, I’d veto marshmallow toasting sticks (find a stick – they are free).

Phoebe Smith is host of the multi-award-winning Wander Woman Podcast.

A GP shares four crucial warning signs of dementia that can appear before memory loss begins – here’s what to look for, and the importance of early detection

A GP has revealed that certain early indicators of dementia might become apparent even before memory loss sets in. Dementia is a progressive condition affecting brain function, resulting in a deterioration of cognitive abilities including memory and reasoning, alongside speech and emotional changes over time.

Studies indicate that more than 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia. One in 11 people aged over 65 in the UK have dementia.

The prevalence of dementia is rising as life expectancy increases. While there’s no cure available, swift diagnosis is vital so that a treatment strategy and medications can be implemented to manage symptoms effectively.

Dr Johannes Uys, from Broadgate General Practice, has identified several early warning signs that might signal the beginning of dementia. Though many associate memory difficulties with dementia, Dr Uys points out that physical symptoms can sometimes emerge before memory loss occurs.

He outlined four early signs to watch for, which are more frequently associated with particular forms of dementia, such as Parkinson’s disease dementia.

The expert further stressed that symptoms differ from one person to another, with each individual experiencing dementia uniquely.

“However, if you notice any of these early signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation. Early detection and intervention can help manage symptoms and provide the necessary support”, he added. Risk factors for dementia vary considerably, with some being unavoidable such as age, while others can be controlled through lifestyle adjustments in our earlier years.

Physical activity and a nutritious diet are recognised as reducing the risk.

Additional positive modifications include keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking, lowering alcohol intake and cholesterol levels. The NHS recommends that reducing saturated fats, salt, and sugar, while boosting fibre consumption could also prove helpful.

The GP proceeded to outline these four early warning signs to watch for:.

Prompt diagnosis of dementia enables swift support for patients. Yet, a recent Alzheimer’s Society survey discloses that just one in three people visits a doctor within the initial month of spotting dementia symptoms in themselves or a family member.

A survey of 1,100 people demonstrated that most individuals delay seeking assistance due to doubt about whether the symptoms are connected to the condition or simply indicators of getting older. It’s vital to understand that dementia isn’t a normal aspect of ageing, and if you’re growing progressively forgetful, particularly if you’re aged over 65, it’s recommended to see your GP.

Specialists forecast that by 2050, an alarming 150 million people globally will be impacted by the condition, based on research published in the Lancet Public Health. Presently, approximately 900,000 people in the UK are living with it.

A spokesperson said: “Firefighters are working extremely hard to bring this fire under control. The amount of smoke being produced by this fire has been significant, and though the level of smoke has greatly reduced since our arrival, we advise people, particularly within the Haringey borough area, to continue to keep their windows and doors closed at this time.

The prehistoric cave dates back to the Lower Paleolithic era and was likely populated between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago, offering a rare glimpse into ancient daily life that archaeologists know very little about

A trailblazing archaeological find has unearthed a ‘time capsule’ showcasing the everyday life of an ancient population, remarkably preserved for millennia.

Archaeologists have made the extraordinary discovery of a prehistoric cave in Israel, which lay undisturbed for thousands of years, providing a snapshot of human life dating back between 400,000 and 250,000 years. This groundbreaking find, remarkably intact, is a treasure trove of information about an era of which archaeologists had hitherto known very little.

The cave, thought to have been inhabited towards the end of the Lower Paleolithic or Old Stone Age, offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of early hunter-gatherers.

This period, predating the advent of agriculture, urban settlements, monarchies, and written records, was marked by the use of basic stone tools for everyday tasks such as processing game, woodworking, and crafting simple garments.

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What makes this discovery even more remarkable is that relics found within the cave remain precisely where their long-forgotten users left them, affording scientists a rare opportunity to piece together an authentic account of the daily lives of these ancient people.

Researchers attribute the findings to the Acheulo-Yabrudian culture, not a specific ethnic group or civilization, but rather an archaeological label for sites that exhibit comparable technological developments and daily patterns.

As these people were unable to read or write, archaeologists identify the Acheulo-Yabrudian culture through the stone tools discovered across sites in the Levant, including handaxes, scrapers, and blades, reports the Express.

These artefacts enable archaeologists to categorise sites and determine which groups were exchanging which technologies, before dating the areas using geological and radiometric techniques.

The cave appears to be a snapshot in time with flint tools found alongside the bones of animals such as gazelles, deer, and horses, as well as indications that water was accessible nearby.

These findings imply the cave was an appealing spot for prehistoric hunter-gatherers to set up camp and return to repeatedly.

Researchers aim to determine how long people lived there and whether the tools and bones might indicate longer stays at campsites and more intricate social interactions.

The researchers also characterise the Acheulo-Yabrudian culture as existing during a significant transitional period in prehistory.

During this epoch, people crafted increasingly advanced stone tools, utilised caves more frequently, and left increasing evidence of the controlled use of fire.

Archaeologist Ron Shimelmitz from the University of Haifa said: “This time capsule belongs to a unique period at the end of the Lower Paleolithic era, just before Neanderthals and modern humans became dominant and spread across many regions. Only a handful of sites from this important phase have been uncovered in Israel and the wider Levant, and most of them are inaccessible for research.”

There are few surviving sites from this prehistoric chapter and it could offer a revolutionary new insight into the lives of prehistoric hunter-gatherers.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce are set to marry, concluding a three-year, intensely public romance that has consistently captivated global audiences. Their journey, from an initial podcast shoutout to this anticipated wedding, has unfolded in the public eye, becoming a modern celebrity fairytale.

‘Calling on the megaphone’

The high-profile romance between pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL tight end Travis Kelce reportedly began with a charmingly thwarted attempt at connection. In July 2023, Kelce attended Swift’s Eras Tour concert at Arrowhead Stadium, home of his team, the Kansas City Chiefs. The 250-pound athlete tried to give Swift a friendship bracelet bearing his phone number, but security prevented the exchange.

He later confessed on his “New Heights” podcast with brother Jason Kelce that he felt “a little butthurt” about not meeting her. The “Love Story” singer was reportedly charmed by his comments and subsequently called him. They began dating shortly thereafter.

‘On the bleachers’

Taylor Swift’s public appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games commenced in September 2023. She first attended a game, seated beside Travis Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce; the couple later departed Arrowhead Stadium. A newcomer, Swift became a regular fixture, cheering on Kelce at several subsequent matchups. During a Christmas Day contest, she notably wore a Santa hat featuring Kelce’s jersey number, 87. Swift later remarked, “Football is awesome, it turns out. I’ve been missing out my whole life.”

‘Karma’

The pair’s courtship takes on a globe-trotting flavor in November 2023, when Kelce attends a Swift Eras Tour concert in Buenos Aires. “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me,” Swift sings on stage.

‘Running over to me’

February 2024 saw Taylor Swift fly over 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) from her Tokyo Eras Tour concerts to Las Vegas. She attended the Super Bowl to watch Travis Kelce’s Chiefs. After the Chiefs’ overtime win, Swift joined the post-game celebration, sharing a kiss with Kelce.

‘So high school’

Swift releases her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” in April 2024. Fans hear references to Kelce in lyrics such as “You know how to ball, I know Aristotle.”

‘Crowds in the stands went wild’

Kelce attends a dozen Eras Tour shows in Sydney, Singapore, Paris and other cities in February through July 2024. In London, he makes a surprise appearance on stage wearing a black tuxedo and top hat during “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.”

‘Saw the scoreboard’

In February 2025, two months after wrapping up the Eras Tour, Swift attends her second Super Bowl. This time the Chiefs lose.

‘Love story’

August 2025 is set to feature Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift side-by-side on the “New Heights” podcast, where Swift will announce her forthcoming pop album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” As the pair record, a lush flower garden will be created in the backyard of Kelce’s Kansas City mansion, amid pink and white roses, for his proposal. Thirteen days later, the couple will announce their engagement on social media with a photo captioned: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

Richard Ayoade, a comedian and actor who is best known for playing Moss in sitcom The IT Crowd, visited Little Apple Bookshop in York to sign copies of his books whilst in the city last week.

He was visiting York last Wednesday (June 24) as part of his Afterthoughts tour at The Grand Opera House, which was inspired by his book of the same name.

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Philippa Morris – who started the bookshop with Tim Curtis – said that they had invited Richard to the shop to sign books, after previous signed copies had ‘flown out’ around Christmas time.

She said: “Basically, we knew he was performing at the theatre, so we asked his publisher if he’d mind popping in to sign a few books. We were all so pleased that he came – it was a baking hot day and his train was delayed, but he still popped in before his soundcheck.

“He was really sweet, humble, and softly spoken. Just a lovely and quiet man, which was so nice considering all of his achievements.

“He made us laugh too – after taking the photo, Tim said that he looked a bit startled and Richard replied saying that was how he tends to look.”

Little Apple Bookshop still has signed copies of Richard Ayoade’s books for fans pick up.

The burglary took place in Poppleton Road in the early hours of June 25, between 3am and 5am.

North Yorkshire Police said two bicycles, a chainsaw, a bike trailer, a blue Makita drill in a blue case and other small tools were stolen.

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The force has released images of some of the stolen property and a person the force said could have information which could assist its investigation.

A force spokesperson said: “We are sharing images of the stolen property and are asking members of the local community to remain vigilant and keep an eye out for these items.

“Please be particularly mindful of anyone attempting to sell these items online, through social media marketplaces, or at local car boot sales.

“We would also ask residents to report any suspicious activity involving these items to the police immediately.”

Officers are appealing for information and are urging people to check their CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage from the area during the time of the incident.

Anyone who has seen the stolen items or has information can contact nabiel.galab@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference 12260117981.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Residents are in uproar after cowboy parking operators dug up a field on the edge of their village to make an illegal park and ride. 

To the hundreds of holidaymakers booking a spot at New Farm Parking before jetting off from Stansted Airport, the site appears perfectly safe and legal. 

The signage is professional, spaces are sold online and the car park even appears on price comparison websites.

But the owners of New Farm – which charges drivers around £75 a week – were served with an enforcement notice last September and told to stop trading. Instead they have appealed and are expanding.

Police, trading standards and the county council have all failed to stop them.

Huge piles of earth have been piled up around the site on the edge of the village of Elsenham, five miles from the airport.

One couple who left their car at the car park this week as they headed off on holiday suspected something was amiss after the operators told them they must pay an additional £20 for a lift to the airport.

They looked worried as they asked the Daily Mail, ‘Is our car going to be alright?’ before heading for the airport in one of the site’s minibuses.

A fuel pipe runs beneath the ground there and one local politician fears a devastating explosion if diggers continue carving out more car park spaces.

Huge piles of earth have been piled up around the site on the edge of the village of Elsenham, five miles from the airport

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Members of the public have been using the site without realising it is unauthorised 

New Farm is run by SC Parking Ltd, which is owned by a developer from Barking called Aurangzaib Cheema. 

He has argued he should be allowed to carry on with his business as the site is already full of cars with bookings in place.

Ray Gooding, who sits on Uttlesford District Council – the planning authority in charge of enforcement – said of the car park: ‘It’s the bane of our life. It’s a very difficult situation.

‘They are carrying out works on a piece of land with an airport fuel supply line and in addition to that they’re selling parking space and the evidence is they are using unregistered drivers to drive minibuses to take people to the airport.

‘They’re asking for cash from people who have paid upfront for parking to take them to the airport. At the moment they’re slipping between the various enforcement agencies.

‘Uttlesford District Council are waiting for the secretary of state to decide on the enforcement notice.

‘This is having a major impact on the people of Elsenham where drivers are taking people back and forth to the airport at all times and speeding through the village. I am trying to get all the agencies together and find a plan of action.’

Mr Gooding criticised the behaviour of the individuals operating the car park. 

‘The worst part of it is there’s some fairly threatening behaviour meted out towards the neighbours because they’re gradually encroaching on other people’s land,’ he said. 

‘They’re continually running their diggers. There’s a fuel oil pipeline that runs below the surface there and they’re excavating in the vicinity of that.

‘If that were breached we’d probably lose a couple of villages and the airport as well. It would be a major event.’

Leighton Bishop, 18, has started a Facebook group of residents opposed to the site.

Large earth banks have been built around the site – angering locals 

Professional signage gives drivers the impression they are arriving at a legitimate site 

He said of the car park: ‘It’s been expanding and expanding. Frankly, their behaviour has been outrageous.

‘Their reason for appealing is there are cars on the site and they don’t want to lose money. The fact is, they have set up an illegal business.

‘They’ll be doing 50 miles per hour through our village.

‘If you’re driving too slow their drivers will stick two fingers up. They’re just smiling and waving now. They’re driving through the village 24-7.

‘It’s a big frustration the way the authorities are handling it. They’re risking lives every day.

‘My parents were driving through the village and one of them was doing 50mph in the 30mph [zone].

‘I really began to notice what was happening last October or November. It started off as a car park and just got bigger and bigger.

‘They ask people to pay [for parking] through a bank transfer. They operate under three different names.

‘You give them the money. They take your keys to look after and you go on holiday and get on a minibus and go to the airport. A lot of people go there and [find] their cars have been driven around while they’re on holiday.’

Car park users have complained online about returning from holiday to find small change and snacks missing from their cars or their mileage being too high and their vehicles dirty.

Another resident, who did not want to be identified, said: ‘It started off with a few cars being parked there and then it started growing and growing and then questions started to be raised about the legalities of this place.

‘Within the last year, it started to get significantly bigger. It’s going through the legal process and they’re still expanding through to the back.’

She said: ‘It is brazen. It looks like the council feels they cannot do much more because it’s gone to appeal. It feels like the council doesn’t want to rock the boat.’ 

Drivers have complained of shoddy service, including claims their vehicles have been moved around in their absence 

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The nearby village of Elsenham, which has mobilised in opposition to the disruptive eyesore 

The site sits on the main road as you drive into Elsenham. A sign either side of the black metal gates reads ‘Welcome to New Farm’. 

Professional signage show it is accessible for wheelchair users and protected by cameras and a big ‘P’ gives the impression that it’s a proper car park.

A large temporary building at the entrance has a big ‘reception’ sign and an email for customers to use if they have a complaint.

A man behind the reception screen had a row of car keys in front of him with orange tags on.

Customers arrive and report to reception to hand in their keys and stand with their suitcases to wait for the minibus that pulls up by reception to take them to the airport.

Customers returning go to reception to collect their keys. The Mail watched one woman leave who seemed perfectly happy with the experience.

But neighbour Jowita Gosturani, 40, said: ‘They’ve expanded all the way to the path on the track at the back. Obviously they are doing well with their business.

‘People coming to the New Farm car park ask locals for directions. Their minibuses are going up and down all the time. They have been left to do whatever they want.’

Uttlesford District Council has been contacted for comment.  

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

If you’re dressing for the office right now, you’ve probably exhausted your wardrobe’s supply of work-friendly dresses, floaty skirts and basic vest tops. 

And while we’re certainly not ready to give up either just yet, there’s something to be said for a great pair of trousers when you want to look put together with minimal effort. 

That’s exactly why we’re bringing you one of M&S’s latest drops – a pair of smart, linen-blend tailored trousers that should definitely be in your summer wardrobe.

Priced at £46, they’ve got a wide-leg that feels relaxed rather than ‘70s, and the fabric is light enough that you don’t feel weighed down, even on hot days. 

M&S Linen Blend Pinstripe Wide Leg Trousers

Available in three lengths, these pinstripe, wide leg trousers are a perfect option for nailing summer office style.

Made from a linen and viscose blend, they’re smart enough for work meetings, but feel comfortable and cool when the temperatures start to climb.

Style them with the matching waistcoat for a co-ord look, or a crisp white shirt and strappy sandals.

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Buy Now for £46

The high waisted design means they sit comfortably without feeling tight or restrictive, which honestly makes a big difference when you’re wearing them all day in the office, and they come in three different lengths: petite, regular and long, so there’s no need to worry about getting them taken up or only reaching your shins. 

Made from a 52% linen, 48% viscose blend, they feel light and breathable but don’t lose their shape or wrinkle quite as much as a 100% linen pair would – ideal for times, like work meetings, when you need to be a little more polished. What also makes them such a great buy is how easy they are to style.

They slot straight into a capsule wardrobe and you can wear them with whatever you already own: crisp white shirts, relaxed blouses or simple black vests, even lightweight knitwear when the office air-con is on full blast.

If you’re more of a co-ord wearer or want to jump on the viral trend, wear the trousers with the matching Linen Blend Striped Waistcoat and pair the outfit with black strappy sandals and a braided tote bag. 

M&S Linen Blend Striped Waistcoat

Embrace the co-ord trend and pair the trousers with the matching waistcoat.

In a longline style with a V-neckline, two welt pockets and a single button fastening, it’s super flattering on a range of body shapes and the ultimate in cool-girl office wear.

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As these trousers are new to M&S, there aren’t many reviews yet, but shoppers who have managed to secure a pair of their own seem genuinely impressed. 

‘I bought these trousers to wear with the matching waistcoat. Perfect fit and stripes. Very flattering. Priced well and make a lovely outfit,’ said one review left by a shopper named Grannymorph. 

Shopper, Rikki52, said: ‘Very pleased with these smart summery trousers with a proper tailored look and they fit well.’

And a review left by Sweetsandreads read: ‘Very comfortable loose trousers, a little bit smarter than denim but not too formal, will be perfect for my holiday.’

It’s pretty clear that, as far as summer workwear goes, these trousers will be staples in your wardrobe for years to come. 

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