NPR News: 07-05-2026 1AM EDT

Dale Willman· Host0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump kicked off the America two-fifty July fourth celebration a little late because of a storm delay. Speaking to thousands of people in the National Mall in Washington, D.C., he called the event one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time. Early in the day, military jets flew in formation past the Statue of Liberty in New York, trailing red, white, and blue smoke. New Yorker Vic- uh, Victor Lima was watching.

Victor Lima· Soundbite0:26

It feels really good. We gotta show support to our troops, law enforcement, everything, and we're really proud to be here in the US.

Dale Willman· Host0:33

Several weather, uh, severe weather canceled Fourth of July celebrations in a number of eastern cities. Huge crowds attended one of a series of funeral ceremonies Saturday for Iran's supreme leader, who was killed by US and Israeli airstrikes in February. A spokesperson for the funeral preparations says it was delayed this long because of the war. NPR's Hadil Al-Shalchi reports.

Hadil Al-Shalchi0:53

Iranian state media showed massive crowds at the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla, a large prayer complex where the casket of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was displayed draped with the Iranian flag. Recitations from the Quran echoed through the space, as well as chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." Some carried signs that said, "Kill Trump." The funeral comes during a fragile on-again, off-again ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran. US and Iranian negotiators met separately this week with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan. The Strait of Hormuz continues to be a flashpoint in the talks, and the pivotal waterway remains Iran's strongest bargaining chip.