Iran to Show Defiance in Six-Day Funeral for Supreme Leader
Final preparations are underway for Ali Khamenei's six-day funeral, an event intended to be an epic display of national power, resilience, and social cohesion. The former supreme leader was killed in the opening salvo of a US-Israeli attack on Iran in February. The ceremony, beginning Saturday in Tehran and ending with burial on Thursday in Mashhad, is expected to draw millions.
Iran's first vice-president, Mohammad Reza Aref, who is leading funeral organization, described the event as 'the most important event of this century' and the most attended since the 1979 revolution. The scale of the funeral aims to relay political and religious messages of resistance to the world. At the request of Iraqi politicians, Khamenei's body will also be carried through the Iraqi Shia cities of Karbala and Najaf.
Successor's Absence and Threats
Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader's son and successor, is not expected to appear. He was severely injured in the same US-Israeli strike that killed his father, along with his wife and 14-month-old daughter. The extent of his injuries remains unknown, and he has only issued written statements, including one distancing himself from ceasefire negotiations but sanctioning their continuance. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, threatened to kill him this week, stating he was marked for death.
Trump Warns NATO Ahead of Summit
Donald Trump has called it 'ridiculous' for the US to maintain its current support for NATO, less than a week before a summit in Ankara. He wrote on Truth Social that Washington's relationship with NATO 'is not reciprocal.' NATO's Article 5 has been invoked only once—after the 9/11 attacks. Trump has long complained about European defence spending, and under US pressure, NATO leaders agreed last year to boost spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
FBI Surge in Georgia Election Investigation
The FBI has ordered 260 staffers to Georgia to assist in investigating the 2020 election in Fulton County, continuing the administration's focus on Trump's false claims of a stolen election. A memo obtained by the Associated Press describes this as a 'priority investigation.' FBI agents seized hundreds of boxes of ballots and documents from the county, which is heavily Democratic. Georgia's votes were counted three times, each affirming Joe Biden's win. The justice department says it is investigating 'irregularities' in the county.
Other News
More than 100 passengers and 23 crew members on a Princess Cruises ship fell sick from suspected norovirus, now docked in San Francisco for disinfection. Louisiana's Republican attorney general has been indicted on criminal charges for allegedly intimidating officials over a court overhaul law. Pro-Palestine protesters who blocked the Golden Gate Bridge were convicted of misdemeanors, but a jury failed to reach a verdict on felony conspiracy charges. UK investigators uncovered an international network of drug-facilitated sexual assault. MLB player Cade Cavalli was suspended seven games for inciting a brawl.
World Cup Viewership Record
The US men's national team's World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina became the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in US history, with over 33.5 million viewers. The US advanced to the last 16. Tiny Cape Verde also made waves as fans celebrated their team's performance.
Culture: Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton on 'The Invite'
In the sex comedy 'The Invite,' Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton explore marital bed death. Wilde told the Guardian, 'When you hear yourself laugh at something, that feels revealing, and then when someone else does so too, the quiet shame you felt is immediately relieved.'
Trump's Campaign to Erase US History from National Parks
Critics say the Trump administration is rewriting history by removing signs alluding to climate change, immigration, genocide, and slavery from national parks. A policy backed by the judiciary aims to reconstruct a preferred version of US history.
Climate Check: US Heatwave Threatens Celebrations
A heat dome bringing high temperatures and humidity to the central and eastern US and southern Canada is expected to be 'virtually impossible' without climate change, researchers say. The heat could threaten Independence Day events and World Cup matches this weekend.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Donate $26M to Charities
Ahead of their reported wedding at Madison Square Garden, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have donated $26 million to charities, a representative confirmed. Superfan Laura Snapes questioned the narrative that marriage would slow Swift's career, stating, 'Did I take a nap and wake up in the 1950s?'
