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Explosions in Damascus during Macron visit: What we know
Blasts occurred near hotel French president was reportedly staying in shortly after he departs for presidential palace.
![Exhausted Cubans endure blackout as Havana slowly gets power back [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-1783399764.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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How a son rescued his father from the rubble of Venezuela’s earthquakes
After the June 24 earthquakes, ex-firefighter Jesus Garcia found himself working to save his dad and younger brothers.
This immigrant served in the US military. Now he faces deportation
Benito Miranda Hernandez completed three tours during the Iraq war but now faces removal from the US to Mexico.
White nationalists march in Washington, DC, area during July 4 festivities
Donald Trump has faced condemnation for failing to forcefully reject white nationalists during his presidency.
Argentina's Ara Libertad ship sails by the Statue of Liberty in New York City as part of Sail250's Parade of Sail, part of the US's Independence Day festivities [Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo]
Macy's Fourth of July fireworks explode over New York City on July 4. [Carlos Barria/Reuters]
Cuban singer-songwriter Willy Chirino performs at the FIFA Fan Fest on Independence Day in Miami, Florida. [Marco Bello/Reuters]
Officials in Washington, DC, called on attendees at the Great American State Fair to seek shelter ahead of an evening thunderstorm on July 4. [Cheney Orr/Reuters]
A football fan dressed as a US Revolutionary War hero waves a sign that reads 'Happy birthday USA' before the July 4 World Cup match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Texas. [Karen Warren/AP Photo]
Twice-deployed Marine Sergeant Diakaria Sangare, one of the many immigrants serving in the US armed forces, poses for a portrait following his naturalisation ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 4. [Rod Lamkey Jr/AP Photo]
A giant American flag is spread across the baseball field in Washington, DC, before the July 4 game between the Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. [Nick Wass/AP Photo]
Joey Chestnut and other competitive eaters race to swallow as many hot dogs as they can during the 2026 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 in New York City. [Anna Connors/AP Photo]
Joey Chestnut gestures as he participates in the 2026 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, New York City, on July 4. [Jordan Tovin/Reuters]
A man wears a US-flag-themed suit to the Texas World Cup match on July 4 between Morocco and Canada. [AFP]
A US Navy Band performs before the World Cup match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Texas, in honour of US Independence Day. [AFP]
Members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front exit a metro station in New Carrollton, Maryland, as the group reportedly holds neighbourhood marches around the US capital on July 4. [Reuters]
Military planes fly over New York City, spraying jets of red, white and blue, during the Sail250 Parade of Sail event on July 4. [Kena Betancur/EPA]
A sightseer in nautical clothing records the Sail250 Parade of Sails from the shores of New York City on July 4. [Angelina Katsanis/Reuters]
Military members wave flags in a march through New York City to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Independence Day. [Angelina Katsanis/Reuters]
The Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Marching Saints twirl flags as they prepare to march in the Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC, an event that was ultimately cancelled due to excessive heat. [Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters]
A large US flag waves over the 'O Say Can You See!' event in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 4. [Jon Cherry/AP Photo]
Protesters carry a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence as they participate in a 'We The People 250' through Washington, DC, on July 4. [Joe Raedle/Getty IMages via AFP]
Demonstrators at the 'We the People 250' march showcased a version of the Declaration of Independence that was roughly 700 feet long, or 233 metres, to denounce the erosion of civil rights. [Joe Raedle/Getty Images via AFP]
The sun rises on July 4 over the Freedom 250 Ferris wheel at The Great American State Fair in Washington, DC. [Finn Gomez/Getty Images via AFP]
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From: NewsFeed
Russia’s Medvedev says Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s ‘nuclear weapon’
Dmitry Medvedev says Iran’s ability to disrupt traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is equivalent to possession of a nuclear.
Published On 4 Jul 2026
Trump hints Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu may visit US as early as next week
The visit would mark Netanyahu’s seventh visit to the US since Trump returned to office for a second term as president.
From: NewsFeed
Thousands gather as Khamenei funeral ceremonies open in Tehran
Thousands of mourners attended the public grand procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Khamenei in Tehran.
Published On 4 Jul 2026
From: NewsFeed
Trump calls communism a ‘mortal threat’ at US 250th birthday event
Trump calls communism a ‘mortal threat’ at US 250th birthday event.
Published On 4 Jul 2026
From: NewsFeed
Quakes reduce Venezuela tourist town to rubble, leaving economy in tatters
Quakes reduce Venezuela tourist town to rubble, leaving economy in tatters.
Published On 3 Jul 2026
‘A nightmare’: Struggling with the aftermath of Venezuela’s earthquakes
Many survivors are sheltering in tents set up in public parks, after twin earthquakes destroyed rows of buildings.
