25 Dead as Record Temperatures Scorch Nation

A brutal heatwave across the United States has claimed at least 25 lives as temperatures soared above 100°F (38°C) in more than 20 states. The extreme weather marred the country's 250th-anniversary celebrations over the holiday weekend.

New Jersey reported the highest toll, with 22 deaths across 10 counties. Many victims were elderly individuals found in homes without air conditioning, outdoors, or in parked cars. In Illinois, one death was attributed to heat stress complicating heart disease, while Mississippi reported two heat-related fatalities, including an 83-year-old woman who collapsed in her garden.

In Washington DC, emergency services treated 51 people for heat-related issues during public events on Saturday. Several festivities, including parades and fairs, were cancelled or temporarily closed due to the "life-threatening" conditions.

While cooler air is expected to bring relief to the Northeast and Midwest, the "heat dome" is now moving toward the mid-Atlantic and southeastern regions. Scientists warn that such extreme events are clear indicators of the global climate crisis driven by greenhouse gas pollution.

Health officials urge the public to stay hydrated, remain in air-conditioned environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors and relatives