Iran Supreme Leader's Funeral Draws Massive Crowds, Revenge Calls
Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Senior Iranian officials appeared in public for the ceremony amid heightened security. Chants of "revenge" echoed through the crowds as the nation mourns its leader killed in war. The event has become an intensely political moment for Iran's leadership succession.
U.S. President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 4, described by Moscow as "businesslike." Trump also held a separate call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, repositioning himself as a peacemaker. The Kremlin said Trump offered to help end the Russia-Ukraine war. Meanwhile, one person was killed in an attack on Crimea during the diplomatic outreach.
President Trump hosted a July 4 celebration marking America's 250th anniversary, mixing patriotic themes with partisan attacks on his political opponents. The event drew Trump supporters despite scaled-back festivities. Trump used the occasion to deride his foes and rally his base ahead of the upcoming election season.
Jin Mingri, founder of one of China's largest underground churches, has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States. His release came weeks after President Trump requested clemency from Chinese authorities. The case has drawn international attention to China's policies on unregistered religious groups.