One man died in Iowa after a tree fell on him as nearly 700 severe weather events were recorded over three days

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An Illinois man whose home was destroyed by a tornado on Thursday was pulled from the rubble by a police officer and a photojournalist, who captured the terrifying storm and subsequent rescue in dramatic video footage.

Scott Lasker, who describes himself as a storm chaser, recorded the tornado ripping through the town of Streator and was filming the damage it inflicted when he came across the man trapped in the debris of his house.

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© Photograph: Brandon Eliott/Reuters

© Photograph: Brandon Eliott/Reuters

© Photograph: Brandon Eliott/Reuters

At least five have declined to participate, the latest sign that the national 250th birthday celebration has become a fragmented and partisan affair as the president seeks his imprint.

© Al Drago for The New York Times