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U.S. Celebrates July 4th; Trump's July 4th Speech; Heat and Storms Change July 4th Plans in Several Cities; Pope Calls for "Compassion and Generosity" Toward Migrants; Iran Mourns Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; Trump and Netanyahu Confirm Upcoming White House Meeting; Officials: 2,950 Plus People Dead Amid Ongoing Search Efforts. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired July 05, 2026 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:00:00]

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and a very warm welcome to all of our viewers watching from around the world and in the U.S. I'm Salma Abdelaziz in London. Let's get into the headlines.

An evening for the ages. That is how President Trump described the big 250th Independence Day celebrations in D.C. That is despite soaring temperatures and a storm delay. And Pope Leo had his own 4th of July message calling on the U.S. to receive immigrants with compassion and generosity. Plus, some unique bird nests are popping up across Ukraine. How researchers say these nests are documenting the impact of war on nature in the country.

ANNOUNCER: Live from London, this is CNN Newsroom with Salma Abdelaziz.

ABDELAZIZ: 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 actually moved the fireworks show up because of excessive heat. And in Kansas City, they combine the celebrations with America's 250th birthday, the centennial of the city's World War I museum and the FIFA World Cup. You're looking at the spectacular display that was visible over Seward, Alaska.

And in Washington, President Trump took center stage to cap off the day's events. He spoke ahead of the fireworks display billed as the largest in history. The president devoted much of his remarks to American strength. And in a thinly veiled swipe at his Democratic opponents, the threat of what he described as 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 of 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.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: Now, Ken Burns is a filmmaker who has spent his career exploring the American experience. His work chronicles the history, leaders and major cultural moments of the United States. And he spoke with CNN's Anderson Cooper just a short time ago about the country's founding.

(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, 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)

ABDELAZIZ: Now, patriotic celebrations took place all across America. In New York Harbor, more than 100 U.S. and allied military aircraft soared overhead during the Sail4th Maritime Celebration as a sprawling flotilla paraded through the waterways.

And in Philadelphia, they marked the holiday by preserving a few pieces of this historic anniversary for future generations. The items included sports memorabilia and a crystal from the 2026 Times Square New Year's Eve ball have been sealed in time capsules. Officials say it is meant to reopen in 2020-76 for the nation's 500th anniversary.

And at George Washington's estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia, 150 people from 50 countries took the oath of citizenship, becoming Americans on Independence Day.

Through it all, tens of millions 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.

[04:05:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(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 (voice-over): Trump's celebration for America's 250th anniversary promised a record-breaking firework 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 (voice-over): 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 (voice-over): 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 (voice-over): The heat is also causing unhealthy air quality in some cities. On top of that, the extended firework displays will likely only make the air quality worse.

In Washington, I'm Michael Yoshida reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: Now, Pope Leo is using the July 4th weekend to urge Americans to welcome immigrants with, quote, compassion and generosity. He delivered the message during a visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa. It's a major arrival point for migrants crossing from the Mediterranean. The Pope began his visit at the door to Europe. This is a piece of artwork that stands as a memorial to migrants who have died trying to make the crossing.

For more on the Pope's message, we're joined by CNN's Vatican correspondent, Christopher Lamb. He is live in Lampedusa. Good morning to you. Thank you, first of all, for joining us.

I mean, the Pope had such a packed day yesterday, Chris. He had public speaking engagements. He even issued a letter to the American people. And then he capped it off by meeting with the American ambassador to the Holy See. Do you have any sense of what took place there? CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Salma, it was a packed day for Pope Leo on this July 4th, Independence Day. I mean, his visit to Lampedusa sends a strong message about immigration and the need to care for migrants. I think what the Pope was trying to say is that behind the numbers and the statistics are people.

He went to the cemetery in Lampedusa where there is a grave for a six- month-old boy caught up in a shipwreck. He also met with a youngster who told him about his story, explaining his mother died. And it was really quite touching and moving to see the Pope encountering these people, the migrants, and also hearing their stories.

And I think Leo's decision to also send the message to the United States from Lampedusa for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence was, again, very significant because using the trip to the migrants' hotspot to then emphasize the importance of caring for migrants, of course, that was very significant. And Leo has clashed with the Trump administration on the crackdown on migrants. He's called that inhuman, and whilst Lampedusa was saying that migrants must be treated in a more human and humane way.

But he did take time yesterday to celebrate Independence Day by going to the U.S. ambassador's residence, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. It's quite unusual for a pope to go to an ambassador's residence to visit someone representing a country as a diplomat. And I think that showed how important the day was for Pope Leo, the first American pope.

And so, he managed to, I think, combine both sending an important message to the United States but also celebrating the day. Salma.

ABDELAZIZ: Chris there on how Pope Leo sent a message to his home country while also observing the day as well. Thank you so much for that update.

Now, Iran is observing 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. More details after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:10:00]

ABDELAZIZ: Iranians are continuing to mourn the loss of their longest-serving supreme leader. You're at live images from Tehran, where day two of the public farewell ceremony for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is now underway.

Earlier, we saw mourners carry the coffin of the slain leader to a very emotional crowd. Khamenei was killed in the first U.S.-Israeli airstrike that launched the war with Iran. Now, Iranian state media reported that officials expect about 15 million people will take part in this week's funeral events. That is despite massive turnout. Many observers are watching to see whether Iran's new supreme leader, Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, will finally make his first public appearance since ascending to power.

For more on all of this, CNN's Leila Gharagozlou joins us live now from Abu Dhabi. Good morning to you, first of all. So, yet another day of mourning has begun just a short time ago in Iran. We know that millions of people, according to Iran's authorities, are expected to take part in this multi-day event.

[04:15:00]

But I saw in the schedule today that this is supposed to be the day for family prayers. And we've already seen two of the sons of the slain supreme leader this morning. Are we going to see the new Supreme Leader today? And if not, what is expected to take place, Leila?

LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CNN PRODUCER: Yes. So, it's very unlikely that we see Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader, today. Most experts expect that if we do see him, it will likely be on Thursday when the body of the former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is laid to rest in Mashhad, his hometown. Until then, it's considered to be unlikely that we see him. There are still security concerns that have been cited by Iranian officials around his -- any public appearances of the new supreme leader.

Now, today, alongside the family prayer, is also the second day, as you said, of the public funeral ceremony. So, we're going to keep seeing Iranian civilians from all around the country come to pay their respects to the former supreme leader.

Now, tomorrow, we're going to see a procession through the city of Tehran. That's also expected to bring in more crowds into the capital city. And over the next six days or so, we're expecting to see about 15 million people mourn the former supreme leader.

Now, from Tehran, they're going to go to Qom, which is the religious epicenter of Iran. This is where you see a lot of the seminaries. Then they're going to go to Karbala and Najaf, which are two very important cities to Islam and Shiites in particular in Iraq. Then they're going to end up in Mashhad. So, we have a very packed next few days.

Tomorrow, though, we're going to see those really striking images that we often see out of Iran for these state funerals, the last ones being last year around the war, where a number of generals were killed. And also, one of the biggest ones was General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Salma.

ABDELAZIZ: Leila there on what we expect today, no sighting as of yet of the new supreme leader. Thank you very much.

For more on all of this, I'm joined now by Sanam Vakil. She is the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House. Good morning to you. I hope you're well today. Thank you for breaking this down with us.

So, you know, we were just speaking to Leila there about the sheer number of people that Iran's authorities say are involved in this morning ceremony. It estimated some 2.2 million people traveled on the metro system just on Saturday morning. A total of 15 million people are going to take place, take part in this rather.

How much of what we're seeing here, Sanam, is a genuine outpouring of support for the slain leader himself? Is it simply a display of nationalism, or is there something altogether different here?

SANAM VAKIL, DIRECTOR, MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA PROGRAM, CHATHAM HOUSE AND ADJUNCT LECTURER, MIDDLE EAST STUDIES DEPARTMENT, JOHNS HOPKINS: Well, it's a pleasure to be with you. I will be very honest. We just don't know. I think there are all sorts of motivations for people coming out. Obviously, Ali Khamenei was leader for many decades.

So, there could be connection, affiliation, and deep sadness about his death. Others could be coming out for those nationalistic impulses. People could be joining because this is something to do. This is a moment of national but also religious commemoration, and the leadership is trying to present it as such.

And then, finally, there could be incentives involved. We just don't know, you know, what the system has done to organize this participation. There are rest stops. There is food provided along the way. So, there's that aspect, as well, that the regime in Iran has used over the years to bring people out and to make this gathering seem really legitimate.

ABDELAZIZ: And the one thing that I think everyone who is observing this funeral has been looking for is, of course, the appearance of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. We heard there from our correspondent that it would be believed that if he was going to show up, it would be later on in the week. Do you think we're going to see him make a prediction here for me? And if we're not going to see him, what does that mean?

VAKIL: I don't believe we're going to see him. I think that there have been plenty of interlocutors that have suggested as such. But there are two reasons. One, of course, could be the extent of his injuries as a result of being in the same building, in the same room that killed his father, his mother, his wife, and onward members of his family.

But secondly, of course, while there is a ceasefire and maybe a formal end to the conflict between the U.S. and Israel, the security threat of further strikes and assassinations is still very much out there, and I don't think that the system in Iran would try to compromise that.

[04:20:00]

They've already lost one supreme leader. It would be a huge security disaster if they lost a second one.

ABDELAZIZ: And that obviously is a gap there in what is supposed to be a massive display of power. The messaging here from the Islamic Republic is clear, right? It is trying to show it is unbroken by the U.S.-Israeli war. Is that true? Does the country's leadership remain strong, or is this just a great illusion? VAKIL: Well, I think it does show that it is unbroken. This ceremony and this commemoration, which should have happened immediately after he was killed, showcases the pageantry, the resilience, the resistance, being still very much there as key themes and important to the symbolism of survival. And the fact that they're able to put on this massive display without a supreme leader is also, I think, symbolic to a certain degree.

We'll have to see if this six-day commemoration is a turning point for them in some way or another. They've been trying to project strength, unity, nationalism in standing up to the war and showcasing their survival. And there's been less reliance on religious imagery and ideology.

So, we'll have to see if this is a turning point in relying more on the supreme leader or more on the sort of collective leadership and strength that they have used over the past number of months to survive the war.

ABDELAZIZ: And on that concept of a turning point, because that's so interesting, this concept that you're bringing up here, this is obviously not just about messaging externally, it's about messaging internally. How is that being done? How is that being conveyed to people inside Iran who have just, of course, endured this week's long war?

VAKIL: Well, I think it's important to remember that Iran is a massive country of 90 million people, and many of your viewers will remember the protests over the past few years, including the brutal protests in January that were horribly repressed, and we still don't have an accurate number of those that were killed.

On the other side of the protesters, there are loyalists or diehard supporters of the Islamic Republic, and I think this base, this constituency, needs to be acknowledged by the regime itself, and these protests should be bookended by these memorial services. Over the next few days, you will see perhaps that base that is equally loyal, equally supportive, and comes out to rally, not just around the flag, but rally in support of the Islamic Republic and its ideology of religion and resistance combined together.

ABDELAZIZ: Sanam Vakil there on a very critical moment in Iran's history as it mourns the death of its slain supreme leader, thank you so much.

President Trump says that a meeting with the Israeli prime minister could take place as early as next week, and an Israeli source familiar with the matter says that Benjamin Netanyahu plans to see Mr. Trump as early as Monday. The two leaders have not met since the country's launched the war with Iran. Our Oren Liebermann has more on this from Jerusalem.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with President Donald Trump on Friday evening. The two leaders have been in regular communication. Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th birthday of the United States of America, and then, according to the readout from the prime minister's office, he said the two had agreed to meet in Washington soon.

Now, that's very interesting. Before the war, Netanyahu had multiple times visited Trump. He prided himself on visiting more than just about any other world leader. But Netanyahu hasn't met with Trump since the war began at the end of February, as we have seen strains between the two leaders on how to handle Iran.

Trump is very clearly pushing for diplomacy with Iran. He wants a deal. He wants the 60-day memorandum of understanding to turn into a bigger, broader agreement with Iran. Netanyahu has long been skeptical of Iran's intentions behind these negotiations, and he has pushed for a return to strikes against Iran. He would like to see a resumption of the war, and Israel's defense minister had said it could be a blue- and-white operation, in other words, a unilateral Israeli attack or operation against Iran, as Israel believes the job is not complete.

[04:25:00]

And, frankly, you see that in the funeral of former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in that part of Israel's goal was the toppling of the regime, and yet you see now the regime not only out in force, but also defiant. Israel defiant to the U.S.

Israel will no doubt be watching this very closely. First, of course, to see if there are any signs of Mojtaba Khamenei. If he has attended the funeral of his father, and what it says if he is or isn't there, and then what other leaders are there.

Iran has issued a threat to Israel and the United States, should they choose to disrupt or carry out any operations during the funeral itself, but I think it's quite clear that Israel is watching this very closely, as these negotiations for the memorandum of understanding are ongoing.

Oren Liebermann, CNN, in Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: Let's go now to Venezuela, where the death toll is climbing after last month's devastating double earthquakes. Government officials now estimate that at least 2,954 people have been killed. Some experts fear that that number is actually just a fraction of the actual toll, and say the final tally could potentially surpass 10,000 deaths.

While search efforts continued Saturday, acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, recognized several international rescue teams as honorary heroes of Venezuela.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DELCY RODRIGUEZ, ACTING VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The Venezuelan people will never forget the helping hand that came to care for us, to help us, to comfort us, and to stand by us.

Those who are now leaving our homeland, may you all leave with a piece of Venezuela in your hearts as a token of the deep gratitude we feel toward each and every one of you rescuers who were here, risking your own safety to save others. I can't imagine a more beautiful sight than when a citizen of the world crosses borders to help another.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: We're going to take a quick break. For our viewers in North America, I'll have more news in just a moment. For our international viewers, Inside Africa is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:30:00]

ABDELAZIZ: Welcome back to CNN Newsroom. I'm Salma Abdelaziz in London.

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. Storms in some other parts of the country, the nation's capital, threatened to slow 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)

ABDELAZIZ: 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. 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.

ZOHRAN MAMDANI, NEW YORK MAYOR: All right. No pressure.

CROWD: Five, four, three, two, one.

SIDER: Yay. I love it. The lights are on. Happy 4th.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: That is the mayor there lighting 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 VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: So, how have you been celebrating today?

MAMDANI: Well, you know, today began with Sail Forth 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 Governor's 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: Yes. 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.

SIDNER: Yes, that's true. That's true.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: Now, one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest was in Minneapolis. That is where President Trump's immigration crackdown left two U.S. citizens dead in January.

On Saturday, crowds turned out to celebrate Independence Day and enjoy the dazzling fireworks show. The event also included music, dance sessions and outdoor yoga. While the big celebrations in the country's major cities earned much of the attention on Saturday, Americans all across the country gathered to show their patriotic pride, including residents of a small town in Minnesota who had two historic anniversaries to celebrate. Samie Solina from CNN affiliate KRE 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 (voice-over): -- 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 (voice-over): This year is extra special, with the United States 250th birthday.

[04:35:00]

SOLINA: OK. 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 (voice-over): Here's to the next.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we've come a long way, but we still have work to do.

SOLINA (voice-over): 250 years.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: CNN National Correspondent Nick Watt is in Los Angeles taking in the star-studded 4th of July festivities at America's block party on the country's West Coast.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: L.A. Coliseum. Scene of two Olympics already. A third coming. And a scene of celebration of America's birthday. Queen Latifah, Chaka Khan, Smashing Pumpkins, Chris Stapleton, fireworks, flybys, and a whole lot of hot dogs. This has been the West Coast edition of America's birthday, and it's been pretty great.

Perfect weather here out West. Not taking a dig at anybody else, but perfect weather out here in the West, and a great celebration. We've seen MAGA hats and sombreros, and everybody having a great time. This has been L.A. saying happy birthday, America. Back to you guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: Now, I want to bring you here to Britain, where we now have news that 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 submitted a formal request for police security, but was told that protection would not be provided.

For more on all of this, we're joined by Anna Cooban. She is here in London. Good morning to you, Anna. So, Meghan, Archie, Lilibet, they were expected to arrive in London. What happened? What's changed here?

ANNA COOBAN, CNN REPORTER: Well, Salma, what's changed? Really, we have to go back to 2020, when Harry and Meghan stepped away from the royal family. That automatically meant that they don't necessarily get taxpayer-funded police protection when they visit the U.K. Now, what Harry and Meghan have repeatedly said is that they need this in order to keep their family safe. They get numerous security threats.

And so, a couple of the big questions are, will the rest of the family join Harry on different engagements around the U.K.? So, he won't just be in the capital, London. He'll be in Birmingham, for example, an event which is really forecasting ahead to next year when the Invictus Games, this sporting competition he founded 10 years ago, that will take place. So, will they join him for that? That's a big question.

And then, secondly, where will they stay? We know that they were going to stay at a private residence and a royal residence, and being at a royal residence automatically means that you get police protection. But then Buckingham Palace clarified that King Charles' invitation to allow them to stay at a royal residence had not been accepted. So, those are two of the very big questions.

And it will be a big trip if they all come, because it has been four years since we saw both of the children, Meghan and Harry, together in the U.K. And there is the potential that if that does happen, that they will meet with other members of the royal family. And we know that this has been a very tricky relationship over the years. Harry was in the U.K. in September for a private meeting with his father, who's undergoing cancer treatment. Will the rest of the family have a meeting with the king? That is all to be worked out in the next few days, Salma.

ABDELAZIZ: Anna Cooban there on an update as those security arrangements continue to be discussed, thank you so much.

Now, in Ukraine, the conflict is impacting the environment. Coming up, what bird nests are revealing near the war's front line?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:40:00]

ABDELAZIZ: Ukraine's president is yet again 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 killed four people. Thirty-three others were injured when the bomb hit the city center on Friday. And officials say the fatalities included a five- year-old child and her mother. The city is near the Russian border, where the Kremlin is trying to expand what it describes as a buffer zone. Researchers say the war in Ukraine is changing more than just the landscape. Birds' nests found near the front lines are providing a remarkable glimpse of the conflict's impact on nature. CNN's Sebastian Shukla has this report for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEBASTIAN SHUKLA, CNN PRODUCER (voice-over): Along Ukraine's frontline, soldiers are finding unexpected creations, bird's nests, made up of fiber optic cables.

These cables are used by both Ukrainian and Russian troops to guide their aerial attack drones. Using fiber optic cables to fly them allows fighters to bypass electronic jamming by the opposing side.

Vast areas along the nearly 1,200-kilometer front line are covered in these discarded cables. Each one stretching for up to 20 kilometers across streets and rooftops. And now, birds are using them, along with grass to make nests.

AUKE-FLORIAN HIEMSTRA, BIOLOGIST: These nests are very unique. I've never seen nests like this before and I've seen many, many, many bird nests. So, this is something truly unique and something very special and also something which is really telling a story.

And so, it's not just interesting bird-wise, but it's even like history-wise really documenting a certain moment in time. And by documenting this nest, we're also documenting the impact of war on nature in Ukraine.

SHUKLA (voice-over): As for how the cable nest affect the birds, a biologist says the impact is mixed. The cables could harm the birds if they become entangled, but they could also help the birds make a stronger nest. Researchers say it's still unknown which species of birds actually build them in the first place.

HIEMSTRA: Ukraine has a very high biodiversity, and so there are actually many birds that could be the one who build it. So, we're still looking for the architects of these nests.

[04:45:00]

And so, for that, we want to use DNA barcoding so we are going to look for DNA traces still in the nest to determine who actually made the nest.

SHUKLA (voice-over): One of the nests found will remain in Kyiv in the war museum. Another will be sent to the Netherlands for further study, researchers said.

Sebastian Shukla, CNN, Berlin.

(END VIDEOTAPE) ABDELAZIZ: Protesters chanting, this is your end, as Albania's Flamingo Revolution shows no signs of stopping. Tens of thousands of people have urged Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign on Saturday. Albania is experiencing its largest anti-government protest since the fall of communism. They started as pushback against a controversial luxury resort backed by President Trump's daughter and son-in-law. But the protests have expanded into a wider movement against corruption.

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 the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York.

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.

Now, visitors in Paris can add one more item to their to-do list in the City of Light, taking a plunge in a river that was once considered way too polluted for safety. That story and more just ahead.

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[04:50:00]

ABDELAZIZ: The World Cup's round of 16 is off and running. Two teams survived Saturday's matches and now head into the quarterfinals. Morocco knocked out host country Canada, breaking open a scoreless match after halftime and pulling away for a 3-nil win. It's another historic victory for Morocco as they become the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals more than once.

Next, they'll face France, who edged out Paraguay 1-0 in a hard-fought and physical match. Star striker, Kylian Mbappe, broke the deadlock with a penalty kick 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 will face off against Mexico in the host nation's capital, Mexico City.

Now, Nike has long been in the business of helping train your body. But now the athletic company is setting its sights on your mind. CNN's Anna Stewart steps into Nike's latest wearable tech, footwear designed to get inside your head.

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ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Don't mind me. I'm just trying to stimulate my brain's sensory motor network with my feet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hanging off the backstretch for the final time. STEWART (voice-over): Nike used to be all about making you run faster, jump higher, just do it. Now, it's entered the neuro-wearable segment. These shoes, the Nike Mind, are designed to improve mental focus and reduce stress. Nike says they tune down the part of the brain responsible for mind wandering. These foam nodes 22 in total per shoe are supposed to stimulate sensory nerves on the feet. They also stimulate conversation.

Would you wear them?

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: No.

LAUREN MOOREHOUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What are they?

STEWART: They are mind-altering shoes.

MOOREHOUSE: It looks like an indoor slipper. Or like maybe something you'd wear to the beach?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just weird -- weird-looking, but I will say that because it's you, you pull it off.

STEWART: That's why we're friends.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nike is the first company to create a team like the Mind Science Department.

STEWART (voice-over): Nike is struggling in the competitive space of sportswear and athleisure. Shares are down 74 percent over the last five years. It may be losing its footing on our feet, but now it's trying to get inside our heads with wearable tech, or should that be wearable wellness?

ISHARA DHARMASENA, PROFESSOR OF SMART TEXTILES, LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY: The wearable technology at present, most of them, what they're trying to do is that they're trying to use more batteries, more electronics inside the wearables. But this technology is different in a sense that this is a passive neuro-wearable technology in my view.

STEWART: Well, I can tell you that these shoes are comfortable, a little bit hot, but are they mind-altering? I don't even know how you could quantify that, but I can tell you that my mind has been almost 100 percent focused on the fact that I am wearing these.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, those are really ugly shoes.

STEWART: Oh, wow. Straight out there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sorry, Nike. Won't be wearing them anytime soon.

STEWART (voice-over): Well, today they've been attention stealers rather than attention focuses. And so, far I feel no change in stress levels. You know, I think feet up rather than shoes on probably works best for me.

Anna Stewart, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABDELAZIZ: Parisians are now able to get a break from the sizzling heat by taking a dip in the Seine River. It was open to the public on Saturday for a second year in a row, even though swimming was off- limits for decades because of pollution. Melissa Bell explains how the river has been transformed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Forget climbing the Eiffel Tower. The cool new thing to do in Paris is to swim beneath it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very quiet. Yes, very nice, and you can see some very little fish in the water, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We swim in Copenhagen, where we come from as well. So, we don't really mind, actually.

[04:55:00]

BELL (voice-over): Others are still a little hesitant.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have not, like, entered the water, but I think the idea of, like, lounging by the Seine is really cool.

BELL (voice-over): It's hard to imagine that the Seine River was once a toxic mess, home to half of Paris' untreated wastewater. In fact, for a hundred years, swimming in it was strictly prohibited. Now, for the first time, for the second year in a row, public swimming areas will be open till the end of August.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First, I would like to guarantee them that the quality of the water is very good. Secondly, it's an amazing occasion to discover Paris in a different way.

BELL (voice-over): A swimmable Seine was one of the pledges of the 2024 Paris Olympics. 1.4 billion euros were spent getting the river clean enough for the athletes to compete in it, but the idea was always to give ordinary Parisians their river back, too.

BELL: A few years ago, the idea of swimming in the Seine River would have seemed crazy, but then again, this is a city in which it is often said that the only sane thing is the river.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: A 61-year-old is the Wife Caring World Champion for the ninth year. The 2026 Wife Caring World Championships were held in central Finland on Saturday. 60 couples from 12 countries competed up in the main race. Six teams took part in the team event. The race featured a range of competitors, including the first wheelchair-bound female participant being carried and a woman carrying her male partner. The winner actually underwent back surgery last year, but that did not stop him from crossing that finish line, first carrying his partner.

July 4th is a big birthday for a giant panda in Mexico. Xin Xin marked her 36th birthday on Saturday at Mexico City's Wildlife Conservation Center. The panda ate a special cake made with her favorite foods as zoo visitors took photos and videos. She's the only giant panda in Latin America and has lived beyond the expected lifespan of her species.

Thank you so much for watching. I'm Salma Abdelaziz. I'll be back with more news after --

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