5 things you need to know this weekend
1. Celebrating the Fourth? Enjoy, with caution
Barbecues and fireworks light up Fourth of July weekend, but revelers should pay attention to health and safety. Federal scientists released a study about how tiny particles from firework explosions affect respiratory tracts and lungs. On average, the air is at its worst from 9 to 10 p.m. on the holiday. And, protect eyes from firework fragments that shoot outward when lit. Eye injuries have more than doubled in three years, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report. As for safety, law enforcement will pay extra attention to landmarks while patrolling due to ongoing threats of attacks by the Islamic State and homegrown extremists. A statement issued by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson encouraged them "to be vigilant and prepared."
2. U.S. women set for rematch vs. Japan in World Cup final
The U.S. women's soccer team goes for glory and redemption in Sunday's World Cup final against Japan in Vancouver. The game will be a rematch of the 2011 final, which the U.S. lost on penalties after having the lead twice. The Americans are pumped up about facing Japan. "I think it's fantastic," U.S. coach Jill Ellis said. "These are two talented teams with a lot of history and rivalry, and I think it will be a classic match-up." After struggling early in this year's Cup, the U.S. women are coming off back-to-back commanding performances, including a 2-0 win against top-ranked Germany. Japan, meanwhile, needed a miracle in the semifinal to get past England, which lost on an own-goal with less than a minute left in the game.
3. Royals gather for Princess Charlotte's christening
The only baby that could steal the spotlight from Prince George will be christened Sunday as HRH Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana at the queen's Sandringham estate on England's east coast. As with all royal christenings, the ceremony will be private, with a small party of family (including Queen Elizabeth II), godparents and guests. Baby Charlotte, born on May 2, will be just over 2 months old. Portrait photographer Maria Testino, who has snapped the royal family before, will take the official portraits. Though the ceremony is private, the public can gather in the churchyard to see the royal family. And we can always count on gushing grandpa Charles to spill details.
4. Greeks to vote on bailout terms amid financial crisis
The big story of the week in financial markets has been the Greece debt crisis and the breakdown in negotiations between the Athens government and its eurozone creditors. On Sunday, Greeks will go to the polls in a referendum vote to decide whether to accept onerous bailout terms. If they vote "no," the country risks getting tossed out of the eurozone. So what did Greece do to get to this point? Well, Greece's crisis is over five years old now, but on Tuesday it missed a deadline to repay $1.8 billion to the International Monetary Fund. Greece's European creditors have said there will be no new negotiations until after the vote.
5. Sharks take over Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is promising more shark fare than ever during Shark Week, which kicks off Sunday. The annual programming fest is in its 28th year. This year's lineup includes Discovery's first expedition to Cuba, sequels to Air Jaws and Great White Serial Killer and "never before used shark technology to capture all-new shark images and shark behaviors." The Meerkat live video streaming app is set to join the fun. For critics who might find the timing of Shark Week insensitive after a spate of attacks along the East Coast this summer, Discovery is stressing the educational benefits of the programming. Feel like you've heard a lot about sharks lately? Yes, attacks on humans are up slightly.
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