The United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of its independence with fireworks, military flyovers, concerts and public events across the country despite severe weather disruptions. In Washington, DC, President Donald Trump addressed a crowd at the National Mall after thunderstorms delayed the celebrations. The event featured a flyover by the new Air Force One and a large fireworks display. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and extreme heat affected celebrations in several states, causing event cancellations, power outages and travel disruptions. Communities nationwide also hosted parades, concerts and citizenship ceremonies to mark the historic milestone. (PC: BBC)

Iran strongly criticised US President Donald Trump after he said the United States could eliminate Iran's remaining leadership with "one shot" during the funeral ceremonies of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran described the remarks as lacking "civilisation" and "honour", saying they violated diplomatic norms and showed disrespect during a period of national mourning. Trump, however, added that such action would not be taken because Washington wanted to keep negotiations with Iran alive. The exchange comes as thousands gather in Tehran for Khamenei's funeral, with tensions between the two countries remaining high despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. (PC: India Today)

Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” echoed across the ceremony. Poet Mohammad Rasouli openly questioned why US President Donald Trump was still alive, drawing loud cheers from the crowd in the first direct public call for Trump's death by a funeral emcee. The event featured banners and posters targeting Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The funeral, delayed due to the war, comes as Iran negotiates with the US over ending the conflict. Khamenei’s son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is expected to strengthen the country's leadership after the ceremony.

A major controversy has erupted in Pakistan after Muhammad Raza Dar, a close relative of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, was named among suspects accused of abducting and gang-raping two foreign women in Lahore. The victims, from the Netherlands and Venezuela, allegedly met Raza Dar in Singapore through a cryptocurrency business connection before travelling to Pakistan, where they were reportedly abducted on June 29. Police rescued the women after one victim’s father alerted authorities from Spain. Four suspects, including Raza Dar, have been arrested and remanded to five days’ police custody. Investigators said the high-profile case is being examined from every possible angle. (PC: Times Now)

Iran has confirmed it will introduce service fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz after the current 60-day free-passage arrangement expires, while offering “special” treatment to countries that supported Tehran during its recent conflict. Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said the fees would cover safe passage, vessel monitoring and environmental protection, stressing they should not be viewed as a toll. Iran is coordinating the new system with Oman despite US opposition to the proposal. The Strait of Hormuz, which carries nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and LNG exports, reopened after the Iran-US ceasefire, with permanent negotiations still underway. (PC: News18)

A protest movement in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has called for worldwide demonstrations on July 5 to highlight what organisers describe as an escalating crackdown by Pakistani security forces. Led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the campaign seeks international attention while asserting that its movement remains peaceful and focused on fundamental rights. Addressing a gathering in Rawalakot, Advocate Mehrah Khawja criticised Pakistan’s military, stating there was “no law” permitting the army to kill civilians, and urged overseas Kashmiris, particularly in the United Kingdom, to organise protests from Birmingham to London. He also criticised Pakistan’s leadership, saying it lacked the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. (PC: WION)

US President Donald Trump said Washington could eliminate Iran’s remaining leadership “with one shot” if it chose to, referring to senior Iranian officials gathered for the state funeral of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28. Trump, however, said the United States deliberately avoided such action to preserve ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran. “They are all there. One shot, but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with,” he told Axios. Trump had earlier said he had given Iran a “week off” to observe Khamenei’s funeral before diplomatic efforts resumed. (PC: MSN)

US President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning during the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, claiming the United States could eliminate Iran's remaining leadership "with one shot" but had chosen not to because there would be no one left to negotiate with. Trump also said Washington was pausing negotiations during the mourning period, describing it as a gesture of goodwill. His remarks came as massive crowds gathered across Tehran for Khamenei's funeral amid heightened security, anti-US slogans, and fragile regional tensions following the recent conflict and an uneasy ceasefire. (PC: Reuters)

Iran issued a fresh warning to the United States and Israel during the funeral ceremonies of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei declaring that “divine retribution” against both nations was near. In a message carried by Iranian state media, Ozmaei said Iran’s armed forces had renewed their commitment to Khamenei’s legacy and would continue defending the Islamic nation. Speaking on behalf of personnel guarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, he described the funeral as a renewed pledge to uphold Khamenei’s ideals and resist what he called the front of “arrogance and disbelief.” Khamenei was killed in coordinated US-Israeli air strikes on Tehran on February 28, 2026. (PC: X)

Iran has begun days-long funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran following his death in an airstrike earlier this year. Massive crowds gathered at the Grand Mosalla, where his casket was displayed in a glass enclosure as mourners chanted slogans, waved flags and observed traditional Shiite mourning rituals. The ceremonies are being closely watched for the possible public appearance of his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. Several foreign leaders and delegations have paid tribute, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Mehbooba Mufti, who joined condolences in Tehran.