>> Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor, Johnston.
Crowds pack the National Mall in Washington, DC last night to celebrate the nations 250th birthday.
“President Trump took the stage after severe weather, forced evacuations and delays.”
>> For 250 years, the United States of America has been the hope, the promise to light and the glory among all of the nations of the world. All over the world, they try and be like us, nobody can be like us and with God's help.
We will always be this or even better.
>> Trump also praised the U.S. military honor veterans and declared what he called a new golden age of America. The president mixed those themes with campaign style attacks on Democrats and renewed calls for his election reform proposals. The night ended with a massive fireworks display. Earlier in the day, thousands gathered on the National Mall despite the triple-digit heat. The extreme weather even forced a temporary evacuation before the celebration continued.
NPR's Jeff Brumfield reports. >> Temperatures topped 100 degrees as fighter jets flew over the National Mall.
“Watching was Patricia Smedley, she was visiting from England.”
>> I'm not used to this sort of heat coming from the UK. >> Smedley has been visiting the U.S. for decades. She doesn't begrudge Americans at all for that little war they fought with her country way back when. >> Though you'd made the right decision in 1776, believe me. >> Many others told NPR they were excited to be there witnessing America's 250th birthday.
Jeff Brumfield and PR news. Some of Iran's top officials attended the funeral of the country's former Supreme Leader today. He and four of members of his family were killed in a U.S. Israeli air strike in February. But as NPR's Hadeel Al-Shanty reports, one high profile figure was not there.
>> Iranian state media showed three of Ayatolladi Hamanay's sons and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard,
General Ahmed Wahidi, who was rarely seen in public. They were all performing the ritual Islamic funeral prayers for Hamanay. Iran's president, Speaker of Parliament, and the head of Iran's elite military goods force were also there. Some were sobbing profusely. Their shoulders shaking. But one notable absence was that of Ayatolladi Hamanay.
Iran's new leader and Ali Hamanay's fourth son. Mustafa Hamanay took over power from his father and march, and is yet to be seen in public as many top leaders stay in hiding to protect their whereabouts for fear of assassination. It's unclear if Mustafa Hamanay will take part in any of the ceremonies planned for his father's funeral. Hadeel Al-Shanty and PR news Istanbul. >> This is NPR news in Washington.
>> The massive heat wave that's been gripping a large section of the country is starting to ease. Temperatures are cooling a bit in parts of the northeast and mid-Atlantic. For Caster say, dangerous heat is still lingering across the south lower Mississippi valley and parts of Texas, where triple digit temperatures in high humidity continue. Heat index values could still top 105 in summer areas.
Along going heat wave didn't stop competitive food eaters from seeing who could down the most hot dogs on Coney Island Saturday. Steve Kestenbaum was at the annual Nathan's Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. >> Part of a barger George Shays voice echoed out across Coney Island. >> We just now. >> The heat wave impacted performances and Chestnut was off his record pace.
>> He ate 66 hot dogs and buns and 10 minutes for his 18th win. >> This is America, we endure, we keep going. >> Thousands of spectators including Hans Mata of Edison New Jersey persevered under the sun to watch Chestnut devour the competition.
“>> I'm a huge fan, I think whatever someone can dedicate so much of themselves.”
Keep something that's all off the beaten top. It just shows true passion. >> Mickey Sudo won the Women's Belt for the 12th time. For NPR news, I'm Steve Kestenbaum in Coney Island at New York. >> The Fethow world cut round of 16 continues today with a pair of marquee matchups.
Five-time champion Brazil faces Norway and East Rutherford New Jersey while co-host Mexico takes on England. >> I'm Windsor Johnston and PR news in Washington. >> As America marks 250 years, remember we the people make a free press possible.
Together, we hold the powerful to account with reporting for the public funded by the public at plus.npr.org.
