The U.S. national holiday is celebrated on every continent. Everyone is happy today! It is Independence Day of United States of America, but many minds are on our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, including those of the nation’s lawmakers. Vice President Joe Biden is in Iraq today for meetings with the troops and Iraqi government officials.
President Obama prepares to meet Benjamin Netanyahu this week after he came back from a brief trip to Camp David. He will welcome military families to the White House tonight to watch the annual fireworks …

The death toll from a week of severe flooding in Romania rose to 23, while 2 were fatally struck by lightning. The flood damages continue to grow while the Danube rose to a record level in the eastern city of Galati at 21.94 feet (6.69 meters) and in the southern town of Fetesti, reaching 23.75 feet (7.24 meters), according to officials.
Over the past 10 days more than 7,000 people have been evacuated from hundreds of villages, officials said. However, worst hit so far was the region along Siret River in …