America’s role in world affairs and its special relationships with allies and partners were on full display Saturday as world leaders offered congratulations and praise while the U.S. celebrated its 250th birthday.

«This year marks a truly historic milestone and a moment of great celebration for Americans everywhere,» The United Kingdom’s King Charles III wrote in a statement . «It offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the remarkable journey of the United States over the past two and a half centuries, and to honour all that has been achieved since 1776.»

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Pope Leo XIV, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, extended his «heartfelt congratulations» to the American people on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

«In marking this anniversary, it is important to recognize that freedom of religion has long been central to the American promise, protecting both individual dignity and the peaceful coexistence of a diverse people,» Leo wrote in a statement.

Pope Leo XIV arrives for the canonization Mass of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

In France, authorities illuminated the Eiffel Tower in red, white and blue in what Paris described as a «heartfelt tribute to America’s 250th anniversary» and «a powerful reminder that the friendship between our two nations dates back to the 18th century.»

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that the United States was «founded on freedom, democracy, and responsibility.

«Germany and the USA have always enjoyed a close friendship. Especially in challenging times, our transatlantic partnership remains indispensable,» he wrote on X.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote that July 4th marks «one of humanity’s brightest, strongest, and most influential dreams – the American Dream of an independent, free, and prosperous nation that defends people’s freedom, faith, and the pursuit of happiness.»

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry shared a statement from President Vladimir Putin to his American counterpart: «Donald, I wish you and your loved ones health, well-being and every success, and I wish all citizens of the United States happiness and prosperity.»

 An FDNY boat sprays its hoses in tribute in front of the Statue of Liberty ahead of an international parade of tall sailing ships in New York Harbor on July 04, 2026 in New York City. The international fleet of ships gathered in New York’s harbor as the nation celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.  (Vincent Alban/Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday spoke with President Trump to congratulate him and the United States.

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U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

«The prime minister said in their conversation that the U.S. is a guarantor of global freedom, and Israel greatly values the close ties between nations,» according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee at the American embassy in Jerusalem on Friday.

«I am extremely moved and happy to be here at the American Embassy in Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel, at the Embassy which was launched by President Trump in his historic recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,» said Herzog. «American Independence is one of the greatest moments in history, and it has changed the fate of humanity.»

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In a letter to Trump, Herzog wrote, «This is also a time to express our deepest appreciation for the unique and unbreakable partnership between the United States of America and Israel. Our two nations draw from the same wellsprings of the Bible, and we share the same fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity.»

Argentina’s President Javier Milei attended the U.S. Embassy in Argentina’s Independence Day celebration, which included the national anthems of both countries, live music, and celebrity lookalikes.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi noted that her country had gifted America 250 cherry trees . «Going forward, Japan and the United States will continue to work together to further strengthen the bonds between our two countries,» she wrote on X.

Hsiao Bi-khim, vice president of Taiwan, threw the first pitch at an American Institute in Taiwan baseball event celebrating America’s founding. «Our countries share beliefs in freedom & democracy, & baseball is loved by both our peoples. Congrats and Happy July 4,» she wrote.

President Donald Trump and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan talk on Thursday, May 15. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, said the «journey of the United States’ founding is one of determination and resolve , values that continue to underpin the enduring partnership and mutual trust our countries share today.»

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of congratulations to Trump, wishing the president «continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of the US steady progress and prosperity.»

Pakistan , which is acting as a mediator in ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran, extended «warmest congratulations and best wishes to the United States of America and its people on its 250th Independence Day.»

Attendees watch the Independence Day fireworks display along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Qatar, another mediator in the talks with the Iranian regime, released a statement from HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani who sent a cable of «congratulations to HE President of the United States of America Donald Trump on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.»

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Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said the Declaration of Independence «gave birth to a new nation founded on the ideals of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

«For 250 years, our transatlantic partnership has been shaped by our shared values and family bonds. And, at times, it has been strengthened by the immense bravery and lives lost in the defence of freedom,» she added.

El equipo panameño de Búsqueda y Rescate Urbano (USAR-PAN11) tiene previsto regresar este domingo a Panamá, tras concluir una semana de intensas operaciones en Venezuela para apoyar las labores de respuesta al terremoto que sacudió ese país el pasado 24 de junio. La llegada del contingente está programada para las 7:21 p.m. al Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen.

Durante la misión, integrada por 35 rescatistas y dos unidades caninas K-9, los especialistas panameños evaluaron 170 estructuras, entre edificios multifamiliares y residenciales, en el estado La Guaira, una de las zonas más afectadas por el sismo.

Las inspecciones permitieron identificar riesgos estructurales, establecer prioridades para las intervenciones y apoyar la búsqueda de posibles sobrevivientes en coordinación con las autoridades venezolanas y otros equipos internacionales.

El Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil (Sinaproc) informó que los rescatistas trabajaron divididos en cuatro grupos para ampliar la cobertura operativa. En las últimas jornadas recorrieron siete avenidas con edificaciones dañadas, donde también brindaron atención médica a personas afectadas por la emergencia.

Uno de los momentos más significativos de la misión ocurrió cuando el equipo panameño logró recuperar el cuerpo de una persona que permanecía atrapada entre los escombros del edificio Marina Place, ocho días después del terremoto.

La operación comenzó tras recibir información de residentes sobre la posible ubicación de una víctima en la estructura colapsada. Los rescatistas, apoyados por las unidades caninas, realizaron más de cinco horas continuas de remoción de escombros hasta localizar el cuerpo, que ya no presentaba signos vitales.

Aunque el desenlace fue lamentable, las autoridades destacaron que este tipo de operaciones permite ofrecer respuestas a las familias de las víctimas y completar las labores humanitarias en escenarios de desastre.

Además de esa intervención, los especialistas panameños inspeccionaron todos los puntos donde familiares y residentes reportaron posibles personas atrapadas, utilizando equipos especializados de búsqueda, herramientas de evaluación estructural y perros entrenados para la localización de personas bajo estructuras colapsadas.

Las evaluaciones técnicas realizadas durante la misión también sirvieron para determinar el nivel de riesgo de las edificaciones afectadas, establecer áreas seguras para el ingreso de los rescatistas y facilitar la coordinación de las operaciones con los organismos venezolanos de protección civil.

El contingente mantuvo operaciones ininterrumpidas durante toda su permanencia en Venezuela, respaldado por especialistas en búsqueda y rescate, personal técnico y las unidades caninas.

Según Sinaproc, la misión se desarrolló con el objetivo de contribuir a la salvaguarda de la vida y brindar apoyo a las comunidades afectadas por uno de los desastres naturales más severos registrados recientemente en la región.

Como parte del cierre de las operaciones, el Gobierno de Venezuela realizó este viernes un acto de reconocimiento al equipo USAR-PAN11 por su participación en las labores de búsqueda y rescate. Las autoridades venezolanas agradecieron la cooperación brindada por Panamá durante la emergencia, destacando la experiencia y capacidad técnica del contingente desplazado al país sudamericano.

La participación de Panamá forma parte de los mecanismos internacionales de asistencia humanitaria que permiten movilizar equipos especializados cuando un país solicita apoyo tras una catástrofe.

Los equipos USAR están entrenados para intervenir durante las primeras horas y días posteriores a terremotos, explosiones o colapsos estructurales, cuando aumenta la probabilidad de localizar sobrevivientes entre los escombros.

Entretanto, las autoridades venezolanas continúan actualizando el balance de la tragedia. El presidente del Parlamento, Jorge Rodríguez, informó que el número de fallecidos ascendió a 2,645, mientras que los heridos alcanzan los 12,666.

Además, 15,050 personas quedaron sin vivienda como consecuencia del desastre y unas 86,117 familias han recibido algún tipo de asistencia humanitaria desde que ocurrió el terremoto.

El reporte oficial también indica que fueron rescatadas con vida 6,462 personas, mientras que 885 edificios sufrieron daños de distinta magnitud y 189 colapsaron por completo. Para atender a la población afectada, las autoridades habilitaron 59 campamentos temporales donde permanecen miles de damnificados mientras avanzan las labores de recuperación.

Con el retorno previsto para este domingo, Panamá concluye una misión que combinó operaciones de búsqueda, evaluaciones estructurales y asistencia humanitaria, reafirmando la capacidad de respuesta de su equipo USAR y su participación en acciones internacionales de apoyo ante desastres.

President Donald Trump pardoned nine people convicted of violating the Clean Air Act by tampering with diesel vehicle emissions-control systems.

On Friday, Trump announced six of the pardons on Truth Social, arguing that the men he granted clemency to were «persecuted by the Biden Administration» and punished for «fixing their car.»

Eight of the people Trump pardoned were diesel mechanics or car tuners who were prosecuted for selling and installing so-called «defeat devices» into trucks, according to a Fox News review of federal court records.

These devices reprogram trucks to bypass federally required emissions controls and suppress diagnostic warnings. Without them, many diesel trucks can enter a «limp» mode that limits speed — sometimes to as little as 5 mph — until the emissions system is restored.

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Trucks can also enter this limp mode when emissions controls fail. These failures are extraordinarily common and have been causing massive headaches for truckers and farmers for years, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

People are more than willing to pay top dollar to mechanics who can do the job of disabling the emissions-limiting systems.

Matthew Geouge, one of the pardon recipients, ran two companies that sold illegal tuning devices. Just from the sale of those devices alone, his firms grossed more than $10 million, according to his December 2021 plea agreement.

Emissions-capping technology, specifically Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems, is also prone to malfunctions in extremely cold weather.

A tractor trailer refuels with diesel fuel at a Kwik Star gas station in Mitchellville, Iowa, on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Bryon Houlgrave/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Brad Bylsma, a state equipment fleet manager for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), said in March that DEF systems account for a «significant portion of our maintenance issues and costs» with state-owned diesel vehicles.

Frederic Sifuentes, the president of Alaska-based transportation service, put it more bluntly.

«The percentage of breakdowns we have here in Alaska with the DEF systems is roughly 85 percent of the time,» he said.

Another pardon recipient, MacKenzie «Mac» Spurlock, was a mechanic in Alaska who modified emissions controls on vehicles for exactly this reason, according to Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.

«Four years ago, about 30 armed EPA agents conducted a military-style tactical raid of Matanuska Diesel, owned by Mac Spurlock — a devoted husband and father, small business owner, and veteran of the Alaska Air National Guard,» Sullivan said in a statement celebrating Spurlock’s pardon.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) speaks during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

«His shop had assisted trucking businesses by modifying several diesel emissions-control systems mandated by a one-size-fits-all Obama-era emissions regulation, ensuring the vehicles wouldn’t shut down in Alaska’s harsh, subzero conditions,» Sullivan added.

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The other men who received pardons for similar conduct included Ryan and Wade Lalone, Tim Clancy, Joshua Davis, Barry Pierce, Aaron Rudolf, and Jonathan Achtemeier, CBS News reported.

In late January 2026, the Trump administration announced it would no longer pursue criminal charges for manufacturers, distributors and users of defeat devices. Civil penalties could still apply.