Donald Trump has lavished praise on the US military as part of a contentious Independence Day event in Washington.
The US President’s "Salute to America" parade featured military flyovers, a display of tanks, and fireworks.
Speaking at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, he said “We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag,"
Trump has been accused of politicising his the event in a bid to boost his hopes of getting re-elected next year.
Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to around 235
The death toll from two back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to around 235, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said in an interview with state television on Thursday.
Torrential rain brings disruption to Taiwan and Japan
Torrential rains from a passing tropical storm shut down a swathe of southern and parts of northern Taiwan on Friday, leaving more than 5 million people off work or school, while neighbouring Japan issued flooding and landslide warnings.
Australia considers tougher enforcement of social media ban for teens
Australia's prime minister said on Friday he was keen to make sure the country's social media ban for children was as strong as possible, as a new study found that the measure, the first of its kind and now six months old, had little impact on teen use.
GCC-US talks emphasise regional security, lasting peace
Foreign ministers from the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council countries have met in Bahrain, reaffirming their commitment to regional security and their longstanding strategic partnership.
UN agency pauses Hormuz ship evacuation after vessel attacked
The United Nations’ shipping agency on Thursday paused an evacuation effort to get hundreds of stranded ships and thousands of seafarers out through the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel was attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
