NPR News: 07-04-2026 1PM EDT
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What happened at the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hurst. Four months after the Iranian supreme leader was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes, his funeral ceremonies began in Tehran today. Empire's Hadil al-Sholchi reports the funeral comes amid a fragile ceasefire between the U.S., Israel and Iran.
Iranian state media showed huge crowds gathered at a prayer complex in Tehran waving red flags symbolizing revenge and chanting mournful songs. Women wept openly and black-clad men beat their chests in unison, a tradition in Shia funerals. It was the first in a series of ceremonies and processions for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes in February. World and religious leaders attended a funeral ceremony yesterday. The Pakistani prime minister, the president of Iraq, and a delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas were all in attendance. Kamenei will be buried in his birthplace of Mashhad next Thursday.
How are extreme weather conditions affecting Europe and the U.S.?
Hadil Alshalchi, NPR News, Istanbul.
As the eastern U.S. melts in high temperatures and humidity, parts of Europe are also sweltering in another heat wave barely a week after record-breaking temperatures in several countries. Portugal and Spain are now bracing for a rash of wildfires. Alison Roberts reports forecasters say the hot, dry weather will continue for days.
The last heat wave caused thousands of excess deaths in France alone, and this one is expected to last longer. Temperatures are forecast to climb all the way to southern England. In Portugal, more than 1,000 firefighters are battling a blaze that started Thursday, injuring at least seven people. The government has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, sourcing four extra water-bombing planes and a military emergencies team from Spain. It's declared a state of alert through Monday, raising readiness and banning public access to forests and the use of machinery in them.
What are Americans planning for Independence Day celebrations this year?
Almost all of mainland Portugal is now at maximum or very high fire risk. For NPR News, I'm Alison Roberts in Lisbon.
The majority of Americans are planning to celebrate Independence Day with a cookout or barbecue, and spending on food is expected to set a record this year. Empire's Alina Selyuk reports the average is forecast to top $94 a person.
The National Retail Federation bases its forecast on a big survey of shoppers, and it finds that the vast majority of people plan to celebrate Independence Day, 87%. That's roughly in line with recent years after a big dip during the pandemic lockdowns. But the average food spending has been rising for a while as the U.S. faces stubborn inflation. This year, the price of beef is a big driver. The survey also shows that how Americans celebrate does not change much year to year, with most people doing a cookout or a picnic, then 44% going to a fireworks show or community celebration, and then small equal shares of people choosing to see a parade, deciding to go on vacation, or not celebrating at all.
What impact are Ukrainian drone strikes having on Russia's oil infrastructure?
Alina Seluk, NPR News.
You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Russia says Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg as Kyiv continues to bombard oil infrastructure in Russia, creating a fuel crisis and political pressure on the Kremlin. Ukraine's President Zelensky says the attack is part of what he calls long-range sanctions against Russia. Russian President Putin dismissed the strikes as not critical. 250 years ago, the second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence. That's not its only legacy. Another is the modern Congress, as NPR's Sam Greenglass reports.
The Continental Congress did not look much like today's institution, but it represented the glimmers of a fledgling representative government as 13 disparate colonies slowly coalesced around independence.
How does the historical legacy of the Continental Congress influence modern governance?
Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle's Philadelphia district is home to Independence Hall. He organized a congressional delegation there to mark the anniversary.
To return to the room where it all began and remind ourselves that we are the inheritors of this great tradition.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What happened at the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
0:00–0:59
2
How are extreme weather conditions affecting Europe and the U.S.?
0:59–1:55
3
What are Americans planning for Independence Day celebrations this year?
1:55–2:54
4
What impact are Ukrainian drone strikes having on Russia's oil infrastructure?
2:54–3:51
5
How does the historical legacy of the Continental Congress influence modern governance?
3:51–4:53
6
What are the main topics for discussion at the upcoming NATO summit?
4:53–5:03