Photos: Protests and celebrations mark a divided Fourth of July in America
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump danced along to the music as fireworks illuminated the National Mall. The duo joined in the festive spirit during the Independence Day celebration in Washington, D.C.Members of the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform during Fourth of July festivities at the National Archives, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington.Participants in an antique car prepare to take part in the Independence Day Parade in Santa Monica.New US citizen Kamilla Giliazova, from Russia, poses for a portrait following the Naturalization Ceremony on Independence Day at George Washington's Mount VernonPeople stand and take the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance on Independence Day at George Washington.Demonstrators protesting against President Donald Trump and his policies march toward the White HouseMembers of the Southern California Surf Academy prepare to participate in the Independence Day Parade in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday.A demonstrator takes part in a protest at City Hall against President Donald Trump's policies.- EndsMust Watch
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Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Russia launches largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began
Waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv overnight in the largest aerial assault since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago, officials said Friday, amid a renewed Russian push to capture more of its neighbor's land. Hours after the barrage that killed one person and wounded at least 26 others, including a child, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had a 'very important and productive' phone call with US President Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed how Ukrainian air defenses might be strengthened, possible joint weapons production between the US and Ukraine, and broader US-led efforts to end the war with Russia, according to a statement by Zelenskyy. Asked Friday night by reporters about the call, Trump said, 'We had a very good call, I think.' When asked about finding a way to end the fighting, Trump said: 'I don't know. I can't tell you whether or not that's going to happen.' The US has paused some shipments of military aid to Ukraine, including crucial air defense missiles. Ukraine's main European backers are considering how they can help pick up the slack. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to build up Ukraine's domestic arms industry, but scaling up will take time. The seven-hour bombardment of Kyiv caused severe damage across multiple districts of the capital in a seven-hour onslaught, authorities said. Blasts lit up the night sky and echoed across the city as air raid sirens wailed. The blue lights of emergency vehicles reflected off high-rise buildings, and debris blocked city streets. 'It was a harsh, sleepless night,' Zelenskyy said. Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities. Less than a week ago, Russia launched what was then the largest aerial assault of the war. That strategy has coincided with a concerted Russian effort to break through parts of the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, where Ukrainian troops are under severe pressure. Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine during the night, the country's air force said. The majority were Shahed drones, but Russia also launched 11 missiles in the attack. Alya Shahlai, a 23-year-old Kyiv wedding photographer, said that her home was destroyed in the attack. 'We were all in the (basement) shelter because it was so loud, staying home would have been suicidal,' she told The Associated Press. 'We went down 10 minutes before and then there was a loud explosion and the lights went out in the shelter, people were panicking.' Five ambulances were damaged while responding to calls, officials said, and emergency services removed more than 300 tons of rubble. In Friday's call, Zelenskyy said he congratulated Trump and the American people on Independence Day and thanked the United States for its continued support. They discussed a possible future meeting between their teams to explore ways of enhancing Ukraine's protection against air attacks, Zelenskyy said. He added that they talked in detail about defense industry capabilities and direct joint projects with the US, particularly in drone technology. They also exchanged views on mutual procurement, investment, and diplomatic cooperation with international partners, Zelenskyy said. Peace efforts have been fruitless so far. Recent direct peace talks have led only to sporadic exchanges of prisoners of war, wounded troops and the bodies of fallen soldiers. No date has been set for further negotiations. Ukrainian officials and the Russian Defense Ministry said another prisoner swap took place Friday, though neither side said how many soldiers were involved. Zelenskyy said most of the Ukrainians had been in Russian captivity since 2022. The Ukrainian soldiers were classified as 'wounded and seriously ill.' The attack on Kyiv began the same day a phone call took place between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Asked if he made any progress during his call with Putin on a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine, Trump said: 'No, I didn't make any progress with him today at all.' 'I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin because I don't think he's there. I don't think he's looking to stop (the fighting), and that's too bad,' Trump said. According to Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, the Russian leader emphasized that Moscow will seek to achieve its goals in Ukraine and remove the 'root causes' of the conflict. 'Russia will not back down from these goals,' Ushakov told reporters after the call. Russia's army crossed the border on Feb. 24, 2022, in an all-out invasion that Putin sought to justify by falsely saying it was needed to protect Russian-speaking civilians in eastern Ukraine and prevent the country from joining NATO. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called out Russian disinformation efforts. The Ukrainian response needs to be speedy as Russia escalates its aerial attacks. Russia launched 5,438 drones at Ukraine in June, a new monthly record, according to official data collated by The Associated Press. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said earlier this week that Russia also launched more than 330 missiles, including nearly 80 ballistic missiles, at Ukrainian towns and cities that month. Throughout the night, AP journalists in Kyiv heard the constant buzzing of drones overhead and the sound of explosions and intense machine gun fire as Ukrainian forces tried to intercept the aerial assault. 'Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv,' Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on social media platform X. 'One of the worst so far.' Ukraine's Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko described 'families running into metro stations, basements, underground parking garages, mass destruction in the heart of our capital.' 'What Kyiv endured last night, cannot be called anything but a deliberate act of terror,' she wrote on X. Kyiv was the primary target of the countrywide attack. At least 14 people were hospitalized, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Zelenskyy called the Kyiv attack 'cynical.' In Moscow, the Defense Ministry claimed its forces targeted factories producing drones and other military equipment in Kyiv. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles. Another 208 targets were lost from radar and presumed jammed. Russia successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones. Debris from intercepted drones fell across at least 33 sites. In addition to the capital, the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Kyiv regions also sustained damage, Zelenskyy said. Emergency services reported damage in at least five of Kyiv's 10 districts.
Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
Donald Trump admits 2020 US election defeat in his ‘life evolution video', says ‘They tried to end my…'
US President Donald Trump released a new video on his social media platform, Truth Social, on July 4, offering a rare and candid reflection on his personal and political journey. The video, titled 'Best life evolution video of President Donald J Trump" has his initial open admission of his loss in the 2020 presidential race. A subtitle in the clip states, 'Lost 2020 elections but remain committed to Make America Great Again (MAGA)", representing a significant shift from his earlier remarks where he consistently asserted the election was 'rigged' or stolen. It traces Trump's life from his childhood, through his business career, and into his years as a political figure, highlighting the challenges and controversies Trump faced during his presidency, referencing times when he felt 'pressured and attacked", It further alludes to a near assassination attempt in July 2024, underscoring the personal risks and dangers Trump says he has endured. It begins with his journey at New York Military Academy from 1959-1964, followed by various tasks after graduation from taking over Trump organisation to building grand Hyatt hotel to opening Trump Tower and others. It says Trump "took financial hits and weathered business bankruptcies in 1990s. It mentions about his presidential bid in June for running in 2015 election as Republican, which he calls 'an upset victory' when he was elected as 45th President on November 8 in 2016, further featuring that he signed key legislation and executive orders during his tenure. The video concludes stating that he has returned to office as 47th President of America on January 20, 2025, adding, 'They tried to end my story…but all they did was write a new chapter in America's History." Trump won the 2024 election on November 6, 2024, defeating Kamala Harris and securing the necessary electoral votes. His inauguration took place in the US Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025, becoming the second president in US history, after Grover Cleveland, to serve two non‑consecutive terms. Some of the sweeping executive orders issued by Trump during his initial days in office included rescinding birthright citizenship, revoking gender identity recognitions, and withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
India Gazette
27 minutes ago
- India Gazette
EAM Jaishankar extends greetings to US on Independence Day
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday extended warm greetings to the Government and people of the United States on the occasion of their Independence Day. In a post on X, the EAM expressed confidence in the continued strengthening of the India-US strategic partnership, rooted in shared democratic values and common interests. 'Warm wishes to SecRubio, the Government and the people of the USA on their Independence Day. Confident that our strategic partnership, anchored in shared values and common interests, will deepen for the benefit of our peoples,' Jaishankar wrote. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Secretary Rubio on July 2 while participating in the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Washington and discussed the bilateral partnership between the two countries in the fields of security, critical technologies, connectivity, energy and mobility. The Independence Day in America marks the date back in 1776 when Americans broke away from being ruled by the British, who had been on the continent since the 16th Century. The holiday remembers the day in 1776 when the 13 American colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming citizens' right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This year, US President Donald Trump signed the 'Big Beautiful Bill' into law, during a military family picnic at the White House on US Independence Day. The administration had aimed to have the legislation finalized by July 4, The Hill reported. 'We made promises, and it's really promises made, promises kept, and we've kept them,' Trump said from the balcony overlooking the South Lawn. 'This is a triumph of democracy on the birthday of democracy. And I have to say, the people are happy.' The signing ceremony was attended by First Lady Melania Trump, members of the Cabinet, and several Republican lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Rep. Jason Smith, The Hill reported. The event also featured a flypast of two B-2 bombers, the same type of aircraft used in last month's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. 'One Big Beautiful Bill' was passed with a final vote of 218-214 in the House of Representatives on Thursday, with two Republicans, Representative Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick, voting against it, The Hill reported. (ANI)
