Trump spoke separately with Putin and Zelenskyy about ending the war in Ukraine ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. The calls came as Russia and Ukraine disputed control of Kostiantynivka and Moscow-installed officials reported casualties from a Ukrainian attack in Crimea.
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Reform UK says Nigel Farage broke no parliamentary rules after reports that George Cottrell, a longtime ally convicted of wire fraud in the U.S., provided support before Farage became an MP. The Liberal Democrats have asked the parliamentary standards commissioner to investigate.
Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of China’s Zion Church, has been released from detention and arrived in Los Angeles after President Donald Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping. Rights advocates said at least eight other Zion Church members remain detained.
Storms, heat and power outages disrupted U.S. 250th Independence Day events, including a delayed address by President Donald Trump in Washington. Celebrations continued nationwide with fireworks, concerts, naturalization ceremonies and messages from former presidents.
Ukraine said it hit a major oil terminal in St Petersburg and the Kronstadt naval base as part of a long-range drone campaign against Russian energy and military targets. Russian officials reported widespread drone interceptions and disruptions, while Ukraine denied Moscow’s claim that Kostyantynivka had fallen.
Pope Leo XIV used a visit to Lampedusa to urge Europe to protect and integrate migrants while supporting development in their countries of origin. His appeal came as Europe and the United States place growing emphasis on tougher border controls, detention and deportations.
Washington canceled its Independence Day parade because of extreme heat but moved forward with America 250 flyovers, Trump remarks and a record-seeking fireworks show. Security was heightened as celebrations also unfolded in Times Square and Philadelphia.
President Donald Trump used a July Fourth anniversary speech at Mount Rushmore to warn of a “communist menace” and call for changes to voting laws. The event included a flyover, fireworks and praise for the four presidents carved into the monument.