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This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Alex Ritson, and in the early hours of Sunday, the 5th of July, these are our main stories.

Americans turn out to mark 250 years since the Declaration

of Independence, but a severe heat wave has seen some festivities scaled back or cancelled.

A senior Venezuelan official has insisted that search and rescue operations are still ongoing

following last month's devastating earthquakes as the number

of confirmed fatalities rises to almost 3,000. France has become the second team to reach the

quarterfinals of the men's football world cup after beating Paraguay. Also in this podcast,

what's expected to be a huge procession, millions are expected to turn out.

Many will, but many won't.

Those who suffered during the restrictions and repression of his nearly four decades of rule.

Our chief international correspondent reports from Tehran on the funeral of Ayatollah Ali

Khamenei. Severe weather has been disrupting events in the United States which are being

held to mark the 250th anniversary of America's independence from Britain.

The flagship Salute to America Gala in the capital Washington, D.C. was delayed,

with attendees evacuated and told to seek shelter due to thunderstorms.

President Trump has been accused by opponents of politicizing the celebrations.

In a major speech in Washington, he had this to say.

America will never be a communist country, won't happen.

Communism is a loser, and it always will be.

The communist system is the opposite of the American system and the communist

...