10 things you need to know today: July 4, 2015

1. Greek prime minister calls bailout deal 'blackmail,' urges 'no' vote

In a short televised address Friday, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras asked Greece to vote "no" on Sunday's bailout referendum. "I ask you to say no ultimatums, blackmail, and fear-mongering," he said. Polls show both sides neck-and-neck, and many Greeks are reportedly confused by the technical language of the referendum, which is over a bailout deal that is reportedly off the table. Greece's financial conundrum hit new levels when it missed its Tuesday deadline to make a $1.8 billion loan payment to the International Monetary Fund.

The New York Times

2. U.S. officials ramp up security in light of July Fourth terror threats

Governors and law enforcement officials are increasing security Saturday in light of State Department warnings of a heightened risk for a July Fourth terrorist attack. Authorities didn't have one specific threat to highlight, but are especially mindful of any threats from suspected ISIS supporters in the country. In particular, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday he is upping security statewide for various holiday celebrations. "We are keenly aware that New York State remains a top target for terrorists," he said.

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CNN ABC News

3. Head of Vietnam's Communist Party to visit Obama at White House

Nguyen Phu Trong will become the first leader of Vietnam's Communist Party to ever visit the United States when he meets with President Obama at the White House next week. They will reportedly discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement that would foster closer relations between the U.S., Vietnam, and 10 other Pacific Rim nations, as well as security concerns with China. The meeting is seen as a sign of growing ties between the two countries, and will mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations following the Vietnam War.

AFP

4. Iran, world powers reportedly reach agreement on sanctions relief

Iran has reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. and five other world powers on lifting economic sanctions, a key part of a nuclear deal, anonymous diplomats told The Associated Press on Saturday. The tentative agreement, which hasn't yet been signed, is expected to relieve some international economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbing their nuclear program. Negotiators face a July 7 deadline, extended from June 30 after more than a year of talks. Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a YouTube video Friday negotiations had "never been closer to a lasting outcome."

The Associated Press BBC News

5. JetBlue first major airline to offer direct NYC-Cuba flights

JetBlue ran its first official direct flight from New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport to Havana's José Martí International Airport on Friday, the first in a planned series of weekly charter flights. It's the first major airline to do so, though smaller outfit Sun Country was the first to start servicing the two cities. JetBlue also runs flights to Cuba from Florida cities following the easing of travel restrictions earlier this year as the two nations work to restore diplomatic ties.

Time

6. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will 'make changes' to GOP's open records restriction

Wisconsin Gov. and expected presidential primary candidate Scott Walker (R) said Friday he'd work with legislators to make changes to a Republican-backed, committee-passed measure that would prevent the public from accessing most public records created by elected officials. "Prior to the budget going to the full Legislature for action, Gov. Walker plans to work with legislative leaders to make changes to the provisions included in the current proposal related to the state's open records law," his spokeswoman wrote.

The Capital Times

7. 400-foot Ferris wheel strands 66 riders

The 400-foot Orlando Eye Ferris wheel shut down after a technical glitch Friday, stranding 66 riders. No one reported injuries, and all were rescued from the attraction in an hours-long procedure. The wheel shut down as a safety precaution, and rescuers used a backup generator to restore power and help passengers off two at a time. The ride, known for Nik Wallenda's nerve-wracking walk across earlier this year, has had several technical difficulties since opening to the public in May.

The Associated Press

8. Reddit in turmoil after reported firing of administrator

Reddit users shut down hundreds of the site's sub-sections Friday following the alleged removal of Victoria Taylor, the online discussion board's director of talent and supervisor of the popular Ask Me Anything function. Moderators, often Reddit community members as opposed to employees, set subreddits to private in protest. "I want to apologize to our community for yesterday," interim CEO Ellen Pao said Friday. "We handled the transition in a way that caused some disruption, and we should have done a better job."

Mashable Time

9. The Confederate flag on The Dukes of Hazzard car will be painted over

Golf champ Bubba Watson announced on Thursday that he'll swap the Confederate flag atop his General Lee, the iconic car from the TV show Dukes of Hazzard, for an American one. In 2012, he purchased the car used in the show's first episode. Watson's tweet comes on the heels of TV Land's announcement that it would stop airing reruns due to the flag's prominence in the show. After murders at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, the Confederate flag has been increasingly shunned.

Talking Points Memo

10. Solar-powered plane makes historic flight

The Solar Impulse made history on Friday when it landed without incident in Hawaii. Flying 5,000 miles from Japan and spending 118 hours in the air, the Impulse set records in distance and time for manned, solar-powered planes. The pilots Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard, who switch off flying legs of the trip, are on a quest to circumnavigate the globe. Next stop: New York.

BBC News