A wooden boat carrying students returning from state exams sank in central Congo, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, according to authorities. The incident occurred in Kasai province as the vessel was entering the confluence of the Sankuru and Kasai rivers. Such boating tragedies are frequent in the region, often attributed to overcrowding and late-night travel.

The annual July 4 parade in Washington has been canceled due to extreme heat, which organizers deemed a significant risk for participants and spectators. The National Park Service made the announcement shortly before the parade was set to start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, coinciding with the celebration of America's 250th Independence Day.

More than 165 million people in the United States are facing extreme heat and humidity, with temperatures forecasted to remain at 38°C (100°F) for several days. As a result, Fourth of July events have been canceled in cities including Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, due to safety concerns related to the brutal weather conditions, according to BBC World.

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July, extreme heat is expected to disrupt festivities from Washington to Los Angeles. The heatwave poses challenges for planned events and celebrations across the country, potentially affecting attendance and safety measures.

More than 165 million people in the US were experiencing extreme heat on Friday, with record temperatures affecting the East Coast and Midwest, according to the US National Weather Service.

According to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, forty people have drowned in France due to heatwave-related incidents since last Thursday. This surge in drowning deaths coincides with a peak heatwave affecting Europe.