independence day

There was no ceremonial meeting between officers of the Indian and Chinese armies on the Independence Day today at the strategic Nathula border amid the continued standoff at Doklam, but personnel from two sides exchanged sweets.

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) promoted sports diplomacy at a U.S. Independence Day celebration Thursday, featuring a performance by the Chicago Luvabulls cheerleaders and Taiwanese and American athletes, including the winner of this year's NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Cuban ambassador Carlos Fernández de Cossío has for the first time attended the 4th of July celebrations by the United States embassy in Pretoria. De Cossio even had a private meeting with US ambassador Patrick Gaspard on the sidelines of the celebrations at his official home on Thursday. The Miami theme included the serving of Cuban food and a performance by an Afro-Cuban band.

U.S. President Barack Obama has marked the National Day of the United States at the Universal Exhibition in Milan with a video message. "Hello and congratulations to Milan Expo 2015," the president said on the special day organised on the occasion of July 4, U.S. Independence Day.