NPR News: 07-03-2026 4PM EDT
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What are the impacts of extreme heat on Fourth of July celebrations?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Fourth of July celebrations in some parts of the country are being canceled amid record-breaking temperatures. NPR's Kat Lonsdorff reports that the National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings in 23 states.
The high temperatures are largely due to a heat dome looming over the northeastern U.S., stretching from southern Maine to the mid-Atlantic and as far west as Missouri. Multiple governors issued warnings for residents to be mindful of the heat while celebrating, telling people to stay hydrated and take air-conditioned breaks. Philadelphia canceled its 4th of July parade due to heat concerns. The event was supposed to be one of the largest in the country. Several other cities also canceled their celebrations, including some in the D.C. area. But official events in Washington, including a massive fireworks display on the 4th, are still proceeding as planned.
How are wildfires affecting fireworks restrictions this year?
Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News.
Record dry conditions in many areas have elevated fire risks this year, and that is going to mean restrictions on fireworks displays across the nation. Utah has banned personal fireworks due to extreme wildfire risk. In Colorado, where several large wildfires continue to burn... There are also restrictions. Steena Sieg from Colorado Public Radio has more.
The Gold Mountain fire has forced evacuations outside the picturesque mountain town of Ouray. Evacuated local Belinda Willis was horrified to see people lighting a bonfire on a recent night and urges everyone to celebrate the 4th safely.
Don't think of yourself. Think of others.
What is the significance of the Iranian supreme leader's funeral?
We cannot go into this like, oh, it's my 4th of July and it should be... Wonderful, because it's not wonderful right now.
We're in the middle of a crisis. To the east, a huge blaze near Pueblo has destroyed homes and remains a top firefighting priority in the country. Over the weekend, three firefighters died in a fire near the Utah border. For NPR News, I'm Steena Sieg in Grand Junction, Colorado.
The Iranian government is preparing for the days-long funeral of the Iranian supreme leader, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last February. Official ceremonies begin tomorrow, and PR's Hadil al-Shalshi reports not all Iranians feel this is a moment to note.
There will be memorial ceremonies and processions for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran and the city of Qom. Then the remains will be taken to Shia holy sites in Najaf and Karbala in Iraq.
How is France coping with the record heat and rising death tolls?
He will be buried next Thursday in his birthplace of Mashhad. Iranian authorities are expected to shut down streets and the airspace. Some Iranians say the funeral is a time to say good riddance to the authoritarian leader, who led the country since 1989. A 38-year-old doctor who wants to remain anonymous for fear of government retaliation says she hopes this funeral will mark the end of a dark chapter in Iranian history. I don't care about which pit the body will be dumped in, she says. Hadil Alshalchi, NPR News, Istanbul.
This is NPR. Health officials in France are reporting that deaths last week surged by 29 percent as the nation battled its hottest week on record. Paris was hardest hit with a 63 percent increase in deaths.
What role did U.S. troops play in Nigeria's fight against ISIS?
American troops deployed to Nigeria early this year to help fight Islamist militants have mostly returned to the U.S., senior military official says. NPR's Joel Bright has details.
The head of the U.S. Africa Command, General Davin Anderson, says some U.S. soldiers returned home after carrying out joint military operations with Nigerian troops that significantly degraded ISIS leadership in Nigeria. A spokesperson for Nigeria's military says despite the withdrawal... Several U.S. military personnel remained stationed in Nigeria to help with intelligence sharing. The Pentagon deployed more than 200 troops to Nigeria early this year to help train the local military in their fight against Islamist insurgents, but soldiers went on to conduct airstrikes and combat operations against ISIS targets. Joe Bright, NPR News, Lagos.
How are communities in Venezuela responding to the recent earthquakes?
More than 2,500 people in Venezuela are known dead after twin earthquakes struck around Caracas last week.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the impacts of extreme heat on Fourth of July celebrations?
0:01–0:51
2
How are wildfires affecting fireworks restrictions this year?
0:51–1:33
3
What is the significance of the Iranian supreme leader's funeral?
1:33–2:28
4
How is France coping with the record heat and rising death tolls?
2:28–3:14
5
What role did U.S. troops play in Nigeria's fight against ISIS?
3:14–4:05
6
How are communities in Venezuela responding to the recent earthquakes?
4:05–5:03