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Loved ones gathered at Infosys Theater in Madison Square Garden Thursday for Swift and Kelce's rehearsal dinner.

Loved ones gathered at Infosys Theater in Madison Square Garden Thursday for Swift and Kelce's rehearsal dinner.

New York is getting pretty old.

A three-armed spacecraft rocketed into orbit Friday to rescue a NASA telescope that’s in danger of crashing back to Earth.

Saudi Delegation Makes Unexpected Appearance In Tehran For Start Of Ayatollah's Funeral

Friday and Saturday kick off what will be up to a week of solemn funeral observances for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - a major historic event which is expected to draw some 15 to 20 million mourners in Tehran and across Iranian cities.

Iran on Thursday issued a warning to the United States and Israel, Reuters reported:

"We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the U.S. and the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and to think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country," Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement carried by state media.

Coffins containing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei & members of his family at a mosque in Tehran, after their deaths during the opening of the US-Israeli 'Operation Epic Fury'. Getty Images

The funeral procession events are expected to extend all the way to July 9, upon which the late Ayatollah will be buried in his hometown of Mashhad. Qom, as well as Shia centers in Iraq will also observe large-scale funeral events.

Delegations representing various governments in the region have begun arriving in Tehran on Friday to pay their respects, though the Iranian government has made clear that no European governments were invited.

There has already been some surprises, with Reuters reporting that Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji and his delegation have showed up in Tehran to pay their respects - though they weren't officially expected, per Iranian state publications...

⚡️BREAKING: Unexpected arrival of Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister at the funeral ceremony of Ayatollah Khamenei

While Oman and Qatar were on the list of foreign delegations, Saudi Arabia was Not pic.twitter.com/zjGrnKJ8TK

— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) July 3, 2026

This is perhaps a symbolic sign of a thawing of sorts between Gulf GCC states and Iran, at a moment the extended ceasefire continues to hold in order to give peace negotiations centered in Qatar and Switzerland a greater chance of success.

Media reports have indicated that the Trump administration is holding off any further military action during the funeral proceedings, and given that in Washington major July 4th events will kick off over the weekend, which marks the 250th anniversary of America's founding.

One delegation which was indeed expected, and has arrived amid the cameras are the Russians, headed by Dmitry Medvedev, former president and now Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council:

Russia's Medvedev and the Russian delegation paid their respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. pic.twitter.com/FjCjQGDs0R

— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 3, 2026

Also, regional media notes that "Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian paid his respects on Friday before the remains of Ali Khamenei, accompanied by government officials including the Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf."

"State television footage showed Masoud Pezeshkian praying before the former supreme leader's coffin, upon which a black turban rests," Middle East Eye reported. For more details on what to expect in the coming days, read our:

Buried On The 4th Of July: Mediators Pledge Quiet Between US, Iran To Allow For Ayatollah Khamenei's Funeral

Below is a round-up of some of the latest headlines and developments via MEE:

• Ali Khamenei’s body arrived at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla mosque, where mourners have begun gathering ahead of Saturday’s funeral.

• Iranian authorities expect more than 20 million people to participate in funeral ceremonies, which will conclude with Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad on July 9.

• A red flag from the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad was placed over Khamenei’s coffin during ceremonies in Tehran.

• Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, the new commander of the IRGC, made a rare public appearance during a memorial event in the Iranian capital.

• Pakistan’s interior minister arrived in Iran ahead of the funeral as foreign delegations continue to gather for the ceremonies.

• President Donald Trump said Iran has “almost agreed” to US demands and confirmed negotiations with Tehran will continue.

• Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said lasting peace in the region must be comprehensive and free from external interference.

• Iran’s UN representative warned that any US violation of the memorandum of understanding would trigger an Iranian response.

• Iran’s military command instructed vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to follow designated routes or face a “forceful response”.

• In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun called for international pressure on Israel to implement the framework agreement, while Israel announced the Givati Brigade had completed its mission in southern Lebanon.

Below: Medvedev and the Russian delegation are given a warm red-carpet welcome in Tehran, after which he proceeds to where the slain supreme leader's coffin is displayed for mourners:

The Russian plane indeed carried Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council & special envoy of Putin, arrived in Iran to participate in the farewell ceremony & pay his respects to the martyred leader of Iran. https://t.co/zI795Kzkuw pic.twitter.com/jfKGTf7AcE

— Arya Yadeghaar (Backup) (@AryJeayBackup) July 3, 2026

As for the Saudis visiting Tehran, this in and of itself is a rare, unexpected development in relations - given the two sides have only slowly reopened diplomatic relations in the past few years, with mutual embassies going active - a feat largely mediated by China. Might their be some backchannel diplomacy happening while the Saudis are there? 

Tyler Durden Fri, 07/03/2026 - 12:50

Dalton Rushing will get a chance for a do-over. When Shohei Ohtani takes the mound for the Dodgers on Friday night, Rushing will be behind the plate. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that would be the case on Thursday, in the wake of Rushing and Ohtani’s glaring miscommunications during an outing in Minnesota last week that...

WWE wasted little time solving the Oba Femni problem it created — but it was all for the best. 

“Faster-moving drones that are harder for Ukraine to intercept will likely generate increased civilian harm, much as other strike package adaptations have in the past."

Eerie white smoke spread across the roughly 10-lane plaza for about two minutes before a raging inferno suddenly erupted and swallowed a nearby toll building, turning the calm sky into a fiery nightmare.

If you give yourself to this show, if you put yourself in that house with these people, this show is like getting hit in the head with a can full of blood-red paint. I mean that in the most complimentary way.

Follow Page Swift live updates from OUR royal wedding, from the exclusive celeb guest list to every detail of the decor, dress and more from inside MSG. 

The monster heat dome along the East Coast could mean less-than-splendid viewing conditions for the Big Apple and other cities.

It’s in him. He’s shown it. Somewhere inside of Roki Sasaki, there are qualities of a frontline starter. Despite incredible natural gifts, Roki Sasaki has failed to put it all together. Here’s something else that’s equally certain: Sasaki has no control over his gifts. As much as he said he’s become more familiar with the...

The agency is giving drivers a harsh ultimatum.

The visit came ahead of Saturday’s celebration of American independence.

More than one million grill brushes have been recalled after frightening reports emerged of people accidentally swallowing the tool’s loose metal bristles.

After an emotional — and controversial — win Thursday in the World Cup, Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo donned late ex-teammate Diogo Jota’s No. 21 jersey and pointed to the sky. Their 2-1 win over Croatia in the first round came on the eve of Jota’s death in a car crash last year, and the team...

Why The Left Really Hates Trump's America 250 Celebration

Authored by Fred Fleitz via American Greatness,

Earlier this week, I walked around the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Despite the heavy negative press coverage, I thought it was impressive and inspiring.

The event boldly portrays American patriotism and exceptionalism across our great nation to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday. It runs from June 25 through July 10, featuring more than 150 exhibits from all 56 U.S. states and territories, along with businesses, innovators, and civic organizations. There is a towering Ferris wheel, a stage with live music and performances, family-friendly attractions, military ensembles, flyovers, and daily cultural programming. An innovation center showcases booths from SpaceX and NASA.

A notable contrast: while the people of France and several other European countries are suffering from the summer heat because of their leaders’ environmental extremism, which hates air conditioners, all 150 exhibits at the Great American State Fair are air-conditioned.

On July 4th, the celebration will culminate in an epic Independence Day event featuring the world’s largest fireworks show over the nation’s capital.

This is just one part of President Trump’s bold America 250 initiative. He also hosted the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn—a high-energy night of championship fights watched cage-side by the president himself alongside his family and UFC CEO Dana White. And in August, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will bring IndyCar racing to the streets of Washington, near the National Mall—the first motor race of its kind in the nation’s capital, showcasing American speed, ingenuity, and the thrill of competition around our iconic monuments.

These large-scale, energetic spectacles are classic Trump. That is why his many unhinged critics have viciously attacked these patriotic events saluting our nation’s 250th birthday.

At its core, much of the backlash reflects a deeper disagreement.

Trump’s events celebrate love of country, national pride, and American achievement—ideas that directly challenge the strain of anti-American sentiment common on the political left. Many critics view the United States not as history’s greatest force for peace, prosperity, and liberty, but as a flawed or villainous power. They tend to see patriotism itself as problematic.

This perspective was evident in prior administrations.

Under President Biden, aggressive DEI initiatives reshaped military policies, contributing to a recruitment crisis. Trump reversed those policies and restored merit-based standards, and military enlistment has rebounded strongly. Similarly, President Obama’s “apology tour,” when he traveled the globe to apologize for America’s supposed history of arrogance and immoral policies, and Obama’s public skepticism toward American exceptionalism treated our nation’s founding principles and achievements as sources of shame rather than of pride.

In education, many parents grew concerned about curricula that emphasized America’s flaws while downplaying the nation’s founders, the sacrifices of its military, and the principles that have made the country exceptional. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is now advancing reforms aimed at closing the federal Department of Education, returning more authority to states and localities, and promoting curricula that focus on America’s heritage and accomplishments.

President Trump is restoring patriotism and traditional values. His America 250 celebration and the Great American State Fair are central parts of this ambitious effort to reconnect Americans with the story of our nation’s greatness. The fair does not lecture or divide—it invites families to celebrate the people, traditions, innovations, and spirit that make America the greatest nation on Earth.

Despite the left’s predictable whining and the media’s relentless negativity, the vast majority of the American people are with Trump. They want to see their country honored, not torn down. They want their children to grow up proud of the United States, not ashamed of it.

Take your family to the Great American State Fair in DC this week. Bring your children. Ride the Ferris wheel. Explore the pavilions. Watch the performances. On the Fourth of July, stand together and witness the historic fireworks that will light up the sky over the National Mall.

This is what a confident, unapologetic America looks like. This is Trump and America 250—and it is exactly what our country needs right now.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden Fri, 07/03/2026 - 12:20

The woman said she met the scammer posing as the prince on a dating site before their conversations shifted to WhatsApp.

The San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team shared the alert Friday as officials appealed to the public for help finding the missing pair.