Morning Edition · Saturday, July 4, 2026
Markets
Ukraine Strikes a Major St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, Widening the Economic War on Russia's Fuel Revenue
A drone attack on one of Russia's largest fuel export hubs deepens a campaign aimed at Moscow's oil earnings, even as global crude prices remain near multi-month lows.
Geopolitics
Iran Buries Khamenei as Succession Divisions Break Into the Open
Six days of state funerals began in Tehran for the leader killed in the recent conflict, while the absence of his son exposed a contest over who now holds power.
Geopolitics
Russia Claims Capture of Kostiantynivka, a Gateway to Ukraine's Donbas Strongholds
Moscow says it has taken the eastern city after heavy fighting, a claim Kyiv has not confirmed and which independent sources have not verified.
Markets
India's Small-Cap Rally Intensifies as Retail Money Chases Triple-Digit Returns
Retail investors bought heavily into smaller Indian stocks that rose as much as 185 percent in three months, even as fund managers warn the broad market may pause.
Tech
Europe's Top Court Makes Google's 4.1 Billion Euro Android Fine Final
The Court of Justice rejected Google's last appeal, ending an eight-year fight and allowing damages claims from rivals.
Macro
India Courts the Chinese Market Even as the West Talks of Decoupling
New Delhi's envoy pushes for greater Indian exports to China, a reminder that much of the Global South is hedging rather than choosing sides in the US-China split.
Geopolitics
South America's Political Map Turns Rightward
A series of elections has brought market-friendly and hard-line conservative leaders to power across the continent, driven by crime, economic crisis and fatigue with the left.
Geopolitics
Saudi-Led Coalition Threatens Force as Houthis Reopen Yemen's Skies to Iran
The coalition warned of a strong military response after Houthi forces blocked Saudi warplanes and allowed an Iranian aircraft to land in Sanaa.
World
Tens of Thousands Protest as Germany's AfD Opens Party Conference
Roughly 20,000 demonstrators marched in Erfurt against the far-right party, in confrontations that police called largely legitimate but marked by some violence.
Geopolitics
China's Grip on African Ports Now Extends to the Software That Runs Them
A study finds Beijing controls not only stakes in about a third of Africa's ports but increasingly the automation and artificial-intelligence systems that operate them.
World
Extreme Heat Cancels a July 4 Parade as America Marks 250 Years
Around 160 million Americans faced heat warnings on Independence Day, forcing Washington to scrap a parade as the country celebrated its anniversary.
Geopolitics
Russian Diplomats Say Bosnia's International Oversight Is Being Wound Down
Moscow's envoys claim the decades-old outside administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina is ending, a contested account of a long-running dispute over the country's sovereignty.