Dangerous US heatwave looms over 4 July holiday, World Cup and Swift wedding

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Dangerous US heatwave looms over 4 July holiday, World Cup and Swift wedding Figure caption, Ben Rich looks at the heatwave developing across the eastern United States bringing stifling heat and humidityByDarren Bett, Lead Weather Presenter and Ana FaguyPublished18 minutes agoMillions of people across the US East Coast are enduring dangerous heat and humidity, with temperatures expected to reach and stay at 38C (100F) for several days. The National Weather Service has warned that the heat index - a measure of how hot it feels based on temperature and humidity - could reach as high as 115F in cities such as Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York over the 4 July weekend. The soaring temperatures are raising concerns as President Donald Trump hosts a celebration marking America's 250th birthday and multiple World cup matches take place outdoors.

The heatwave follows an unprecedented spell of early summer heat across Europe, with record highs across the continent. The stifling heat that has been blasting the Midwest will intensify into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states on Thursday and Friday. Extreme heat warnings continued on Thursday from the Midwest to the Northeast.

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"This level of rare and long-duration heat, with little or no overnight relief, affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration," the National Weather Service said in a warning. By 9:00 EST (14:00 GMT) on Thursday, temperatures were already close to 90F in Washington and New York City. Figure caption, Could a heatwave hit Taylor Swift's wedding?

Maximum temperatures could hit 100F in New York Central Park on Thursday and Friday. This would be the first time in 12 years that New York has been this hot. "My recommendation to all New Yorkers is to stay inside and stay cool," New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned at a press conference, "and if you happen to be getting married at Madison Square Garden, you will be staying inside and you will be staying cool, and I think it's a good example to set for the city at large.

"Pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce are reportedly celebrating their wedding on Friday at the New York arena on Friday. Image source, Bloomberg via Getty ImagesImage caption, Pedestrians carry umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun during high temperatures in Washington, DCFurther south in the nation's capital, the city could record four days in a row of 100F heat. This has only happened twice before.

On Thursday, the United States Capitol Police announced that only essential personnel would be allowed to attend a rehearsal for a 4 July concert in Washington, due to concerns about members of the public gathering amid the excessive heat. Trump is expected to speak outside at a 4 July celebration on Saturday, despite the predicted high temperatures; the president has maintained he wants to gather outside for the celebration.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.