WASHINGTON (AP):Across the United States (US), many Americans are celebrating their country’s 250th birthday by closing their ears to all the partisan shouting. All the fingernails-on-chalkboard screeching out of Washington. All the clamour of social media agitprop.Instead, in varied ways, they are tuning into their own personal concepts of America the Beautiful.

America has come to a landmark moment of pride and patriotism — and a time of division and doubt. As the country turns 250 on Saturday, Americans are stepping out for celebrations…

This proud and boisterous occasion is undeniably tinged with both division and doubt

Negative news from the US often skips over the good