Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
U.S. Celebrates 250 Years Of Independence; Mourners Carry Slain Iranian Leader's Coffin; Pope Leo's Message To Americans. Aired 3-4a ET
Aired July 05, 2026 - 03:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:00:00]
BEN HUNTE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello, wherever you are in the world, you are now in the CNN Newsroom with me, Ben Hunte, in Atlanta, and it is so good to have you with me.
Coming up on the show, the United States celebrates 250 years of independence with fireworks displays all over the country and a speech by President Donald Trump.
Mourners carry the coffin of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as the second day of the public funeral ceremony is underway.
And on this 4th of July weekend, Pope Leo is urging his fellow Americans to show compassion to migrants.
Welcome. It was a day 250 years in the making. The historic celebrations are stretching into the night across the United States as the nation marks its 250th birthday. In New York, officials moved up the fireworks show because of excessive heat. There was a small fire on the Brooklyn Bridge, but it was extinguished and no one was hurt.
In Kansas City, the celebration combined America's 250th birthday, the centennial of the city's World War I museum, and the FIFA World Cup. This spectacular display was visible over Seward, Alaska.
And in Washington, President Trump took center stage to cap off the day's events. He spoke ahead of this fireworks display, billed as the largest in history. The president devoted much of his remarks to the American strength and the threat of communism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Americans will never let anyone take our freedom away, won't happen. And all these talks from the communists, they haven't got a chance. Not even a chance. We don't want communists in our country.
Never worked and it never will work. Americans must never forget that we are a historic and heroic people with a heroic spirit and a heroic purpose on this beautiful earth of ours. We are made the courage and the fire and the flesh and the blood of the best and the bravest people this world has ever produced. We are the bravest and the best.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: As Americans celebrated the country's 250th birthday, millions also had to contend with extreme heat and thunderstorms.
Michael Yoshida is in Washington, D.C., with more on how the July 4th celebrations played out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL YOSHIDA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Gates opened at the Salute to America event on the National Mall around 5:00 P.M. Saturday despite the intense heat. A severe thunderstorm forced an evacuation just a couple hours later.
Delayed but not deterred, President Donald Trump still took to the stage for a late night speech.
TRUMP: This is the big day. We want July 4th. We're not looking for July something else, because this is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, nothing like it.
YOSHIDA: Trump's celebration for America's 250th anniversary promised a record-breaking fireworks show.
STEPHEN VITALE, CEO, LIVE EVENTS/PYROTECNICO: We're going for the world record, but most importantly, we want the show to be memorable and aesthetically beautiful for the crowd and something that people will remember forever.
YOSHIDA: Over the last two days, a fierce heat wave also forced organizers to alter or cancel events in the capital and in communities all along the East Coast.
In Washington, D.C., the opening of the Great American State Fair was postponed by two hours Saturday. Friday, it had to temporarily shut down due to the heat.
RENEE SWART, MALL VISITOR: We were told that they were closing it down due to the heat. A lot of people were passing out.
YOSHIDA: First responders were on hand to quickly respond to any emergencies.
CHIEF JOHN DONNELLY, D.C. FIRE AND EMS: 4th of July is typically our busiest day of the year, where we run 500 to 600 calls a day. I think we're going to be over 1,000 this weekend.
YOSHIDA: The heat is also causing unhealthy air quality in some cities. On top of that, the extended fireworks displays will likely only make the air quality worse.
In Washington, I'm Michael Yoshida reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE) [03:05:00]
HUNTE: Ken Burns is a filmmaker who spent his career exploring the American experience. His work chronicles the history, leaders, and major cultural moments of the United States. He spoke with CNN's Anderson Cooper earlier about the country's founding document.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: I know there's certain parts of the declaration that particularly stand out to you, and I just want to ask you about some of them. For you, what is the best sentence in the declaration?
KEN BURNS, FILMMAKER: Well, I think the best sentence in the Declaration is the second sentence which is the -- you know, I think the second best sentence in the English language, and that's you know, after I love you. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Anderson Cooper also spoke to famed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and asked if she thinks the founders ever imagined we would reach this point. Here's just a quick part of what she had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN, HISTORIAN: The people living then, they didn't know that they were going to get through this. They lived with the same anxiety we live with today. And so that's why I think history's so important. At this time when it's being diminished, it's the one thing that can give us perspective.
COOPER: It gives you courage.
GOODWIN: It gives us hope. It absolutely does. Because we know that our ancestors got through these times. There was some fiber in those leaders, in those citizens. We've got to believe we have it in ourselves, too. I really think that's important.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Across the Atlantic, leaders in Europe congratulated the U.S. for 250 years of independence. The president of the European Council sent his warm wishes and highlighted what he called the, quote, enduring friendship, shared heritage, and common values that join the U.S. and Europe.
The U.K.'s Foreign Office posted this image, calling Britain and the U.S. the closest of allies. The post went on to say that the U.S. and the U.K. stood together, quote, in defense of freedom and democracy around the world. And NATO's official X account simply posted this image with a caption calling on followers to join them in celebrating, quote, our ally, the United States.
Patriotic celebrations took place all across America. In New York Harbor, more than 100 U.S. and allied military aircraft soared overhead during the Sail 4th maritime celebration as a sprawling flotilla paraded through the waterways.
Philadelphia marked the holiday by preserving a few pieces of this historic anniversary for future generations. The items, including sports merchandise and a crystal from the 2026 Times Square New Year's Eve Ball, have been sealed in a time capsule. Officials say it's meant to reopen in 2276 for the nation's 500th anniversary.
Let's take a look at that massive fireworks display once again that lit up Washington skies.
And now a welcome to our viewers joining us in the United States, happy 4th of July to you all.
Onwards, storms couldn't dampen the United States 250th anniversary celebrations in the nation's capital. A 40-minute fireworks display lit up the sky over Washington, D.C., far longer than a typical 4th of July show.
President Donald Trump marked the day's events with a speech celebrating the nation's history and highlighting his administration's achievements.
CNN's Julia Benbrook has the details for us.
JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was a long day here in Washington leading up to President Donald Trump's speech, but he did take the stage shortly after 11:00 P.M. Eastern. Weather related concerns led to evacuations on the National Mall and delays, but Trump made it clear that he planned to speak no matter what.
Writing on social media, storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting. We will wait it out. I don't care if it's 2:00 o'clock in the morning or in one hour from now, he said, adding, looks like it's going to pass. They always do, a message that he reiterated when he spoke to the crowd and honored America's 250th birthday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Tonight we come together for one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time, the 2 -- and you know what that is, 2-5-0, the 250th anniversary. And I do have to say this. One of my very brilliant people backstage said, don't worry about it, sir. We can do it maybe next week. I said, it doesn't work next week. This is the big day. We want July 4th. We're not looking for July something else.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[03:10:00] BENBROOK: In his speech, he talked about the nation's founding and also used some moments to highlight what he considers his biggest accomplishments in office so far. The president has drawn criticism for turning some of the events designed to honor America's anniversary into venues for personal promotion.
At one point, he said that the 4th of July celebration would include a Trump rally in addition to honoring America's founding. Following his speech, there was a massive fireworks show here in our nation's capital.
Julie Benbrook, CNN, the White House.
HUNTE: All right. Let's bring in Mark Shanahan for more about America's 250th. He's in the U.K. and is an associate professor of politics at the University of Surrey.
Two Brits talking about this, let's go. This was meant to be a celebration of America's 250th birthday, but President Trump also made himself the central figure in these events. Did he succeed in creating a unifying national moment? What do you think?
MARK SHANAHAN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICS, UNIVERSITY SURREY: To an extent. I mean, talking about exceptionalism and triumphalism and talking, at least initially, about the messages of unity were what we would expect from someone who was trying to draw the parties together to try and draw all of the people of America together. But the very fact that it was Trump making this speech at the end of July the 4th, almost going into July the 5th, meant it was always going to be divisive, and he could not help but go back to his campaign speeches to talk about communism, to have pokes at his opponents, to talk about the legislation that the Republican Party is trying to bring through.
So, it's quite different from the four other living presidents who all made relatively sober, uniting speeches or put out remarks earlier on in the day. Trump cannot get away from delivering a political speech. It's what he thrives on. It's what he loves to do, and he was enjoying himself last night.
HUNTE: He most certainly was. President Trump did use both his Mount Rushmore speech and his address in Washington to warn about what he called a renewed communist menace in America, like you said. How significant is that messaging, and who is it that he was trying to reach with it?
SHANAHAN: Well, he's thinking November. He's thinking of the elections that are coming up for the midterms. He wants voters to vote Republican. He's not on the ticket this time round, but the Republican Party is, and it is under threat. The economy is not doing brilliantly well. The wars that he was going to end on the day he arrived in office are still going on. And we are at an inflection in American history at the moment. America feels more authoritarian than the Founding Fathers would ever want it to be.
But we have the great salesman for America in Donald Trump, in the White House, talking up its successes. It is a hugely successful country, but trying to make that success about him and about his policies.
So, it was voters who were his primary audience. He was also talking to the rest of the world, but probably less so last night. And the underlying message was he's delivering success to America, that may be questionable in places, but get out in a few months' time and vote Republican.
HUNTE: The celebrations themselves were affected by extreme heat and then severe thunderstorms, with evacuations and delays too. Do you think that those disruptions changed the tone of what the White House wanted to be a flawless showcase?
SHANAHAN: Yes. It hasn't felt flawless all week. And one thing we can see, the White House is not in control of the weather. Maybe it tries to make the weather politically, but it really suffered last night from the extreme heat.
If they thought, again, if they could re-plan this, they probably wouldn't have some of the events in the same way. But July the 4th is always going to be around the hottest time of the year. I guess this administration doesn't like to talk about climate change, but we are seeing the outcomes of climate change. It meant that crowds were down in the early parts of the year. It meant the delays last night. And it could not be seen as a flawless ceremony.
There were brilliant parts of it. The flyovers from the jets stuff that was happening elsewhere in the country as well, did make this a very strong celebration. But I don't think people will look at the events in Washington, D.C., and probably think of them even as memorable as the bicentennial back in 1976.
[03:15:01]
This felt more politicized, and it was staging that didn't quite connect.
HUNTE: So, all of that being said, after a weekend like this, do you think America leaves its 250th birthday feeling more united or more divided about what being American actually means in 2026?
SHANAHAN: I think being American is still around those ideas of liberty, equality, individual rights, democracy, the rule of law, but some of those are very much under threat. We see laws being pushed to the extreme, individual rights being pressed against, particularly if you're from any kind of minority in this country.
The American dream is still out there, but perhaps at the moment it feels more of a white dream, it feels more of an ethno-nationalist dream. It feels more of a dream for the few rather than necessarily the many. I say it's America is at a point of inflection. The rest of this year is going to be really, really important. It's a fantastic country. One of the greatest countries in the world ever, but it's got to prove itself as the greatest democracy through the next two rounds of elections.
HUNTE: Okay. Mark Shanahan, thank you so much. We'll leave it there. Still to come, Iran enters the second day of public mourning for its former supreme leader. But questions persist over the whereabouts of his successor, his son, and who is actually leading Iran.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:20:00]
Welcome back. Iranians are mourning the loss of their longest serving supreme leader. We are seeing live images there from Tehran, where day two of the public farewell ceremony for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is underway. Earlier, mourners carried the coffin of the slain leader to an emotional crowd.
Khamenei was killed in the first U.S.-Israeli airstrike that launched the war with Iran. Iranian state-affiliated media report that officials expect around 15 million people will take part in this week's funeral events. Despite the reportedly massive turnout, many observers are watching to see whether Iran's new supreme leader will finally make his first public appearance since ascending to power.
Leila Gharagozlou joins us now live from Abu Dhabi. Leila, we are looking at live pictures here from Tehran as people gather. Can you just walk us through what we're seeing and what's still to come?
LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CNN PRODUCER: Yes, so as you said, today is the second day of the public funeral ceremony for the former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and already we're seeing such big crowds come to Tehran ahead of tomorrow's procession through the city, and we're seeing a real outwardly display of grief and emotion.
And I think to really understand what we're seeing in the pictures, it's important to understand how the theatrics of funerals really work in Iranian culture. So, in our culture, both religiously and culturally, there is a lot of outward display of emotion. You'll see a lot of people crying, including public officials, like the president or the speaker of parliament. There's a lot of bombastic rhetoric, for example, these calls for vengeance or revenge that we saw with Fred earlier when he was speaking to Iranians there. So, you get a lot of emotion, and that only escalates as these funeral processions kind of continue.
So, tomorrow, we're very likely to see a lot of frenzied emotion as the coffins get carried throughout the city of Tehran. And this is something that Iranian officials have a bit of concern about, because as people try to get as close as they can to the coffin and really express their grief, you often get a stampede and people actually dying in these funeral processions. So, it is something that Iranian officials are a little bit worried about, but it's part of our culture to show a lot of emotion.
Now, I will say after Tehran, they're going to move the funeral to Qom. Qom is the religious epicenter of Iran, a lot of the seminaries, so we're also expecting to see big crowds there. From there, they're going to go to Karbala and Najaf in Iraq, two very important cities to Shiites in particular, and then they're going to end the funeral in Mashhad at the ayatollah's hometown.
And I think the other really important thing to understand within the broader concept of this funeral is that this isn't just a supreme leader or head of state. He is a very important religious figure within the Shiite Islamic world. So, the emotion that we're seeing, what we're going to see over the next six days is going to be because of his dual role as both a head of state and this religious figure.
HUNTE: Okay. Leila in Abu Dhabi, thank you.
Pope Leo is urging Americans to welcome immigrants with, quote, compassion and generosity. He delivered the message during a July 4th visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a major arrival point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The pope began his visit at The Door to Europe, an artwork that stands as a memorial to migrants who have died trying to make that crossing.
For more on the pope's message, we are joined by CNN's Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb live in Lampedusa for us.
How was the pope's message received over there?
CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ben, I think the Pope's message had quite a bit of impact here in Lampedusa because he highlighted the tragedy of migration, the migration crisis, pointing to the thousands who have died trying to make the crossing to this island in Lampedusa, which, of course, is closer to Africa than it is to mainland Italy.
He went to the cemetery where there was a grave to a six-month-old boy who had died in a shipwreck. The pope also met with a youngster who told him about his own story about losing his mother.
[03:25:01]
And so the pope really highlighting the personal tragedies and the stories involved in this crisis, not just talking about numbers but people. And I think that part of the pope's message really resonated with people.
And, of course, coming to Lampedusa on July 4th, U.S. Independence Day, did send a strong message, and he released that letter to Americans reminding them of the history of the United States in welcoming new arrivals and calling on them to continue in America to welcome immigrants with compassion and generosity.
When the pope got back though to Rome, he went to the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See's residence, Ambassador Brian Burch, to celebrate July 4th. That was unexpected. It wasn't on the pope's official or published itinerary. And so the pope, whilst coming to Lampedusa to highlight migrants and the crisis that is taking place, also celebrating July 4th, going to the residence of the ambassador and spending some time on July 4th, Independence Day, celebrating U.S. independence. Ben?
HUNTE: Okay. Christopher Lamb, thank you so much. Ukraine's president is urging allies to help stop what he called Russia's terror in his country. He spoke after a massive glide bomb strike in the city of Sumy, which left four people dead. 33 others were injured when the bomb hit the city center on Friday. Officials say the fatalities included a five-year-old child and her mother.
The city is located near the Russian border, where the Kremlin is trying to expand what it describes as a buffer zone.
All right, for our international viewers, Connecting Africa is next, and for viewers in North America, there's so much more CNN Newsroom right after this. See you in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:30:00]
HUNTE: Welcome back. I'm Ben Hunte. Let's take a look at today's top stories.
Despite extreme heat and thunderstorms, the United States pulled off a spectacular 250th birthday party. The fireworks in Washington, D.C., started late, but lasted for 40 minutes. Organizers say some 850,000 fireworks exploded from ten different sites in the nation's capital. Before the show, President Trump spoke about American ideals.
In Iran, thousands of mourners have gathered in the capital for the second day of a public funeral for the country's former supreme leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the first U.S.-Israeli airstrike that launched the war with Iran. He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba, who has not been seen in public since becoming Iran's new supreme leader.
Pope Leo is urging Americans to welcome immigrants with, quote, compassion and generosity. He delivered the message during a July 4th visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a major arrival point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
Celebrations large and small rang out across the U.S. on the 250th anniversary of the country's founding. San Francisco celebrated July 4th with this massive light show. Wow. Storms in other parts of the country, including the nation's capital, threatened to stop the festivities. But in Washington, D.C., the show went on. After a storm delay, U.S. President Donald Trump gave a speech celebrating the Founding Fathers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: It all started with the miracle of history that lives forever in the heart of every single patriot. In Philadelphia, our Founding Fathers summoned the courage of giants and the wisdom of centuries to boldly proclaim these timeless truths. They declared that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with sacred, unalienable rights by the hand of our Creator, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In signing their names to the roster of freedom, those 56 patriots put everything at risk, stepped onto the stage of destiny, and seized a victory for the ages, and that's what it was. And this is an evening for the ages, I believe. This is something very special.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: The city of Philadelphia celebrating the United States historic anniversary by leaving a message for future generations. They have buried a time capsule that won't be opened for another 250 years, on the country's 500th birthday.
Wakisha Bailey of CNN-affiliate KYW has all the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHERELIE PARKER, PHILADELPHIA MAYOR: Generations in the future, they'll remember this moment. I want to hear you all say, One Philly, a united city, one America, a united nation.
WAKISHA BAILEY, KYW REPORTER (voice over): Here inside Independence National Historical Park, hundreds gathered to watch America 250's official time capsule lowered into the ground.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it's just wonderful. It is just the meaning behind it for future generations.
BAILEY: Inside are contributions from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. territories, and all three branches of the federal government. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known for its efforts to feed the hungry, also contribute a piece of granite from Salt Lake City.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our hope is that they'll look back at us as we look back on those who went before us 250 years ago, people of faith, of honesty, of courage, and people who loved one another.
BAILEY: Officials say the time capsule will serve as a snapshot of America at its 250th birthday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think they're going to be very proud that this is a great country and hopefully it will still be a great country then.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: One of the country's most anticipated Independence Day celebrations had to be rescheduled in a New York minute. The Macy's 4th of July fireworks show began about 20 minutes earlier due to an oncoming storm.
[03:35:00]
Over in Midtown, CNN helped New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrate the occasion from one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Can we count down from five?
SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's do it.
BLACKWELL: All right, let's do it.
SIDNER: Here we go.
BLACKWELL: All right, no pressure.
SIDNER: Five, four, three, two, one. Yes. I love it. The lights are on. Happy 4th.
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D-NEW YORK CITY, NY): Happy 4th.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: The mayor lit up the Empire State Building in red, white, and blue for America's 250th birthday. Our Victor Blackwell and Sara Sidner spoke with Mamdani about celebrating his first Independence Day as the mayor of New York.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLACKWELL: So, how have you been celebrating today?
MAMDANI: Well, you know, today began with Sail 4th 250. I was standing alongside Governors Hochul and Sherrill, and a number of veterans across our city as we celebrated the 250th anniversary of our nation with incredible ships passing us by on Governors Island.
SIDNER: All right. So, a guy from Uganda, I don't know if you know who I'm talking about, of Indian heritage --
MAMDANI: Yes, ma'am.
SIDNER: -- is now the mayor of the most fabulous city, I'm going to argue, in the world.
MAMDANI: I would agree with you.
SIDNER: I know people will fight with me over that.
MAMDANI: They're not here.
SIDNER: Have you lived the American dream yourself?
MAMDANI: You know, I think that I'm living one of them, and I think the beautiful thing about today is it's a chance to celebrate that the promise of our nation is still true, that promise of opportunity, of freedom, of self-determination. And to be the mayor of our city today, it's something more than I could ever ask for.
BLACKWELL: And so, I mean, it was, what, 100 and some change here today. They don't give you, like, a mayoral short set or anything.
MAMDANI: You know, I came in, we had the coldest weather.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
SIDNER: That's true.
MAMDANI: And now the hottest.
SIDNER: That's true.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: That heat touched many 4th of July celebrations across the U.S., but it wasn't enough to break up the patriotic party in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Kirstyn Clark of CNN affiliate WRAL looks at how the capital city honored the historic anniversary.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTYN CLARK, WRAL REPORTER AND ANCHOHR (voice over): Patriotism and pride on full display as Americans, young and old, commemorate the nation's history. It's a day full of emotions for Maureen Gilchrist.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My mom, may she rest in peace, she was a big patriot. My dad was in the military for 21 years. My Uncle Donny, God bless him, was born on this day. My Uncle Bobby was born on July 3rd. So, celebrations were about the family and the country.
CLARK: Families from all walks of life were taking in the sights and sounds, celebrating not only America, but every corner of North Carolina.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is just a great day where people can come together for one cause, a simple cause, togetherness.
CLARK: Even those from out of state.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're actually from Spotsylvania, Virginia, up near Fredericksburg area.
CLARK: And now that you're here, how is it so far? Are you liking the parade?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
CLARK: And from out of the country got in on the fun.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I moved here recently from Egypt, so it's great to be here in America. I love it.
CLARK: Just as Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty showed up, so did the intense heat.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a little warm.
CLARK: Hydration stations, fans, and pockets of shade were a big help, and some even had an escape plan ready to go.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're going to the Marbles Children Museum, so we're going to enjoy some air conditioning and some water, and drink lots of water, and take lots of breaks.
CLARK: The keys to staying safe as the temperatures climbed on a day too significant to keep people at home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, it is monumentous heat, but right now it's not bad, right? You know, a little sweat, but it's worth it. It's worth it. You know, it'd have to be, like, 120 to keep me away from this morning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: A security dispute is casting a shadow over Prince Harry's upcoming trip to the U.K. We'll be live in London with all of the details next.
And the World Cup's round of 16 kicked off on Saturday, advancing two teams into the quarterfinals. After the break, we'll have the latest results and a look at the clashes that still lie ahead.
See you in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:40:00]
HUNTE: Welcome back. Britain's Prince Harry will not bring Meghan or their children to London next week amid a dispute over security arrangements. Harry had hoped his family would join him for the five- day visit. He had submitted a formal request for police security, but was told that protection would not be provided.
Let's speak to Anna Cooban from London. Ana, what is the latest? Are Meghan and the kids heading over or not?
ANNA COOBAN, CNN REPORTER: Well, that's the big question. There's just a whole lot of confusion. And I think in order to kind of understand why we're here, we have to go back to 2020 when Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, and that basically meant that they were downgraded in terms of the Home Office, the U.K.'s Home Office police protection list. It means that when they go to the U.K., they won't automatically get that. And so Harry has been very clear in saying that there are multiple threats against his family and that he can only bring them to the U.K. if he believes that it is completely safe.
Now, he appealed that decision by the Home Office, and then that was knocked back last year. His own private security detail has said that -- well, have said that they're looking into a way to try to make the trip work, but this would be an important trip. It would be the first time that all four members of that family, Archie, Lilibet, Meghan, and Harry, were in the U.K. together and potentially meeting other members of the royal family since 2022.
We know that Prince Harry has made a few trips back to the U.K. since they left in 2020 for his grandmother's funeral, for King Charles's coronation, and a private meeting with King Charles in September. But there is a big question mark hanging over whether or not we're going to get the whole family together this week.
HUNTE: Okay. Anna Cooban, thank you so much.
The World Cup's round of 16 is up and running. Two teams survived Saturday's matches and now head to the quarterfinals. Morocco knocked out host country Canada, breaking open a scoreless match after halftime and pulling away for a 3-0 win. This is another historic victory for Morocco as they become the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals more than once.
Next, they will face France, who edged out Paraguay 1-0 in a hard- fought and very physical match. Star striker Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock with a penalty kick, there it is, in the second half, sending two-time champions France into their fourth straight World Cup quarterfinal.
The round of 16 resumes later today. Five-time champion Brazil will take on Norway in New Jersey, and England face off against Mexico in the host nation's capital, Mexico City.
A ship carrying more than 1,000 Americans departs from Athens shortly for a Mediterranean tour, but there's one planned port of call that it won't be making.
[03:45:07]
Turkish officials have banned the ship from docking in the country's ports, citing, quote, moral reasons.
The ship, known as the Scarlet Lady, caters to LGBTQ passengers. Turkish officials say they canceled the docking because the passengers were known for, quote, behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society.
CNN has reached out to Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Turkish embassy in Washington for comment. The president and CEO of the cruise company said, this is the first time in over 30 years that a country has banned them from docking.
Earlier, I spoke with Randy Slovacek. He's the editor of the news outlet, The Randy Report, and a passenger on that ship. Here's just a quick part of what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDY SLOVACEK, EDITOR, THE RANDY REPORT: I'm currently in Athens. We arrived here Thursday, and we were all at dinner, and we got an email suddenly telling us, hey, the itinerary's changed. And you could see people around the restaurant going what? What? And then the more we looked into it, we were getting the details.
As a journalist, I thought I was going to be on vacation, but I had to jump into this because I do focus on LGBTQ issues in my writing. And what we found out was, apparently, the story is, sometime in June, a local venue in Turkey, a nightclub, apparently posted a social media invite to, hey, Virgin Atlantis cruisers, if you'd like to come by our place, we'd love to have you. That caught the attention of local officials, who felt that suddenly they're now noticing that Atlantis Cruises was coming.
Now, I should note that Atlantis, in its 36-year history, Atlantis has been to Turkey 13 times. I was actually there with Atlantis two years ago. There have never been a problem. There's never been a problem, none at all. But suddenly, they have a problem. They actually shut down -- the local authorities shut down the local nightclub. And then that shutdown escalated things even further, that it got more attention, and higher up officials decided, well, maybe this ship shouldn't be stopping here, because, as you mentioned, something about moral values --
HUNTE: Moral values, yes.
SLOVACEK: -- or family values. We are just a group of people who are just touring the world and trying to see everything we can.
HUNTE: So, what explanation did the cruise company give you?
SLOVACEK: They explained to us exactly what had happened. They apologized. Rich Campbell, the president, he apologized to us in the email and he said, I'm so sorry this has happened. It's never happened. Atlantis has never been denied docking in a country ever in its entire history. This is the first time.
So, he was very forthright, saying, we apologize deeply. And in 48 hours, as far as I could tell, it was some very small window of time, they rerouted our tour, and now we're going to Cairo. So, now we get to see the pyramids in Egypt, hey, win, and we're also going to be going to Crete, which sounds great to me, too.
So, at the end of the day the sad part is, you know, seeing Turkey would've been great, but at the end of the day, on these ships, we get to these locations and we get off and we paid often $300, $400, $500 for an excursion to explore these cities.
Well, there's well over 1,000 people on the ship. So, let's just multiply 500 times 1,000. We're talking maybe $500,000 that is not going into the economy in Turkey. So, I feel for these local vendors that look to tourism to feed their businesses. They're not getting that money now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Thousands of people attended the annual pride event in Madrid on Saturday. Participants said the event was meant to celebrate the LGBTQ community, as well as support advancing civil rights. The Madrid Pride event is one of the largest in Europe, and began after a 1969 Stonewall riot in New York.
As well as that, over 35,000 people marched in London's pride parade on Saturday. This weekend's pride festival is estimated to attract 1.8 million visitors to the U.K. The event is focused heavily on issues important to the LGBTQ community, such as trans rights, visibility for black and brown people, and chosen family rights.
Americans put on quite a show to celebrate their nation's birthday. Coming up, a look at some of the spectacular events that helped communities paint the night red, white, and blue. See you in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:50:00]
HUNTE: Welcome back. World leaders are reacting to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Britain's King Charles sent a message of congratulations, hailing the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. as one of extraordinary evolution.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Declaration of Independence was a major milestone in world history. He used his message to call for constructive, equal, and mutually beneficial relations between the U.S. and Russia, saying it was in the interest of the international community.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's foreign minister compared America's fight for freedom with Ukraine's war with Russia, writing that, America's values of liberty, independence, and the right to choose your own future are at the core of Ukraine's statehood.
And in Germany, a message of a more visual kind as Berlin's Brandenburg Gate was illuminated in the colors of the American flag. Berlin's mayor says the gesture recalls the support the U.S. has given to the city's freedom.
The sky above New Orleans was lit up in celebration of America's 250th birthday. Firework displays filled the night all across the city. Nearly a dozen shows were planned in southeast Louisiana for the 4th of July.
Crowds turned out and looked up to watch the fireworks shows over Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city's display was a part of its Red, White & Boom 4th of July celebration.
[03:55:00]
The event included music, dance sessions, and outdoor yoga too.
While the big celebrations in the country's major cities and much of the attention on Saturday, Americans all across the country gathered to show their pride, including residents of a small town in Minnesota who had two historic anniversaries to celebrate.
Samie Solina from CNN affiliate KARE has their story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAMIE SOLINA, KARE REPORTER (voice over): Delano's claim to fame --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's amazing. It's one of the best places to be for the 4th of July.
SOLINA: -- is their 4th of July celebration.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This year especially is 150th anniversary of Delano.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy 4th.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been going on forever.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is my 22nd year doing the Delano 4th of July parade. The first year I was six weeks old.
SOLINA: This year is extra special, with the United States 250th birthday.
Okay, what does 250 years mean to you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That means strong roots, right? Been around for a while.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My daughter, for example, right now is serving as an officer in the Navy. I'm extremely proud of her, and she is continuing that tradition of giving back to your country and being prepared to sacrifice.
SOLINA: What do you think about how far we've come, 250 years?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Superb. There is no country like this on Earth.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We take care of each other. That's what means the most. That's 250 years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've done great in 250 years. Came a long way.
SOLINA: What do you hope America accomplishes in the next 250 years?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Make everything free candy, bikes, cars.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Free ice cream.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, free ice cream.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beat homelessness, healthcare for everybody, affordable maybe.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: More equal rights for everyone, that there's not as much racism and diversity and things like that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: More peace, no war.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody take care of each other more than we are right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't really particularly care what party people are a part of. I care about my country. I care about my fellow citizens, and that's -- I wish everybody did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: More love, more compassion, more togetherness, everybody enjoying each other, having a good time, smiling.
SOLINA: Here's to the next.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we've come a long way, but we still have work to do.
SOLINA: 250 years.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: All right. That's all I've got for you. Thanks for joining me and the team. I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta. There's more CNN Newsroom right after this. See you tomorrow.
[04:00:00]
