Russian officials said on Saturday night that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on an oil terminal at the port of St. Petersburg. Governor Alexander Beglov reported that the city faced a large-scale drone assault, with air defenses shooting down 72 drones. One drone reportedly crashed in the Peterhof area. The attack damaged an oil terminal in the Kirovsky district, but authorities later brought the situation under control, and no casualties were reported.

Local Telegram channels had earlier shared reports of a fire at the port’s oil terminal. Russia’s Defense Ministry separately claimed that its forces destroyed or downed a total of 389 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including Crimea, as well as over the Azov and Black Seas. Ukraine has not commented on the incident, and the Russian claims could not be independently verified.

The incident highlights the continuing escalation of drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides reporting frequent aerial attacks on infrastructure and military targets.

The United Arab Emirates has announced major changes to its entry and residency visa policies, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. The 14-day and 60-day entry visa options have been extended to citizens of six additional countries—Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa—beyond the previously eligible Indian nationals. The list of countries whose residents qualify for certain visa benefits has also been expanded to include Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Dubai visitors can now obtain single-entry tourist visas within 48 hours through approved agencies.

Dubai authorities have revised the property-based two-year residency visa rules, removing the previous minimum property value requirement of AED 750,000 for sole ownership. For jointly owned properties, each investor must hold a share worth at least AED 400,000. The UAE has also granted a 30-day grace period to visitors previously exempted from overstay fines due to airspace closures, requiring them to regularize their status or leave by July 9.

Additionally, Dubai is introducing a “smart medical visa” to streamline healthcare travel, while visa issuance for citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan has been temporarily suspended to prevent Ebola spread.

Mohammad Shahin Malu, a July Movement activist who was injured during the 2024 mass uprising, called for giving Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ten years to lead the country. He made the remarks on Saturday at the 'July National Conference 2026' held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the anniversary of the July-August uprising, mourning, and victory.

Speaking on behalf of injured families, Malu said that if people love their country, they should allow Tarique Rahman a decade to bring change, arguing that such time would encourage expatriates to return home for work. He alleged that the interim government had treated BNP-aligned victims of the July-August movement differently and claimed to have suffered personally for his loyalty to the party.

The conference was attended by Tarique Rahman as chief guest, along with senior government officials including the home minister, state minister for liberation war affairs, chief whip, and law minister, as well as political leaders and representatives from various sectors.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents stopped an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push an Indian citizen into Bangladesh through the Jimonal border area of Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Friday near the Nayabari area of Ward 3 under Patgram Union.

According to BGB and local sources, members of the BSF’s Bagdobara camp tried to push the Indian citizen across the border between pillars 818 and 819, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Rangpur Battalion 51 BGB’s Patgram Border Outpost. BGB patrol members and local residents intervened, prompting the BSF personnel to retreat and take the individual back into Indian territory.

No official statement from the BGB regarding the incident was available at the time of reporting.

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has ordered an investigation into allegations of misappropriation of donation materials at the Badrinath Dham in India. The directive came on Friday following social media claims of financial irregularities, shortly after similar accusations surfaced regarding donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi said the committee is taking the matter seriously and has asked for written explanations from concerned officials and employees.

The allegations were raised by an organization named Bhairav Sena, which also demanded a fair inquiry into claims against the president’s personal assistant. Dwivedi denied that the accused individual was his personal secretary, clarifying that the person is a permanent government employee who previously served under three former presidents. BKTC CEO Sohan Singh Rangad confirmed that CCTV footage from the temple premises was reviewed but found to be unclear.

Rangad added that an internal committee has been proposed to conduct a detailed investigation. He warned that if wrongdoing is proven, strict disciplinary and legal action will be taken under the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and employee conduct rules.

Local residents of Ward No. 5 in Katiadi Municipality, Kishoreganj, organized a human chain and protest program on Saturday afternoon at Kadamtala area beside the Kishoreganj–Bhairab regional road. The event was held under the banner of the local Anti-Drug Committee and community members to demand action against the growing spread of drugs and gambling in the area.

Speakers at the protest, including committee leaders and local dignitaries, alleged that the rise of drugs and gambling has worsened law and order, leading to increased theft, robbery, and insecurity among residents. They said that despite changes in government and local representatives, criminal activities have not decreased. The speakers added that a community-based Anti-Drug Committee has been formed to combat the issue, and its members regularly detain drug users and dealers for handover to authorities.

Participants further claimed that those involved in drugs and gambling have no political identity but are being protected by an influential group. They urged the administration to take strict and effective measures to restore safety in the area.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the modern world is passing through a deep and multidimensional crisis rooted in ethnic, religious, linguistic, cultural, and geographical divisions. He emphasized that lasting solutions cannot come from dominance but through mutual respect, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. He made these remarks on Saturday at a hotel in Dhaka while inaugurating the Al Ummah Foundation’s website and Al Ummah Journal.

The minister described the foundation’s initiative as timely amid global instability and division, expressing hope that it would serve as an open platform for intellectual exchange among people of diverse philosophies and ideologies. He said diversity in language, ethnicity, religion, and culture is a natural part of human civilization, and no group or ideology can realistically dominate the world. He added that history shows war and power displays have never provided lasting solutions, while free thought and mutual respect have advanced civilization.

Welcoming the initiative on behalf of the government, Swapan said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration supports peaceful coexistence, harmony, and an inclusive world order. He expressed hope that the Al Ummah Journal and website would enrich dialogue and understanding among different cultures and nations.

BNP leader and adviser to the party chairperson Aslam Chowdhury has drawn renewed attention in north Chattogram politics after unofficially securing the highest votes in the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency during the national election. Despite this, his victory has become entangled in legal complications following an Appellate Division ruling related to loan default allegations. His legal team confirmed preparations are underway to take necessary steps under the law.

Chowdhury, a former joint secretary general of the BNP, was arrested in 2016 on sedition charges and later faced 76 cases under various laws. The BNP claims these were politically motivated, while state agencies have described them as part of legal procedures. After his release from prison in August 2024, he intensified organizational activities across northern Chattogram, which local observers say revitalized the party’s grassroots.

Supporters allege his long imprisonment severely affected his business ventures under the Rising Group, including steel, shipbreaking, and real estate operations. Analysts believe his current challenges include rebuilding organizational unity, balancing old and new leadership, and navigating ongoing legal processes that could shape the region’s political dynamics.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has warned that Tehran will not tolerate the military presence of non-regional powers in the Strait of Hormuz. His statement came as France and the United Kingdom announced their readiness to deploy joint forces to ensure safe navigation through the vital waterway.

In a post on social media platform X, Gharibabadi said Iran considers itself responsible for the security of the strait and will take any military activity there seriously. He emphasized that the security of the Strait of Hormuz lies in the hands of the coastal nations and warned that those who create problems will face consequences.

France and the United Kingdom, in a joint statement, described the Strait of Hormuz as a crucial maritime route for the global economy. They said ensuring safe passage for all nations’ vessels is a matter of global importance and confirmed that Oman has agreed to cooperate with them to maintain maritime safety in the area.

At least 13 countries refrained from attending the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, reportedly due to intense pressure from the United States. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the countries that stayed away include several from Eastern Europe, Africa, the Persian Gulf, and East Asia. Some governments later attempted to explain their absence through diplomatic channels, but Tehran rejected those explanations.

The report cited an unnamed senior source claiming that US officials conducted a five-day “comprehensive campaign” to discourage foreign delegations from traveling to Tehran for Khamenei’s memorial. On June 26, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly issued a secret directive instructing all American embassies to warn host governments that attending the funeral would be considered an “unfriendly act” and could harm bilateral relations. Two Arab diplomats told Tasnim that Rubio personally discussed the issue with at least five Arab foreign ministers, while US ambassadors in Africa reportedly warned that participation could jeopardize American development aid.

The funeral took place four months after the start of Iran’s war with the United States and Israel, drawing millions of mourners across the country.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt described Generation Z as lazy and overly influenced by liberal ideals during an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters. She claimed that some young Americans complain about economic conditions and suggested that if they were sent to Cuba or Iran, they would quickly want to return to the United States. Leavitt argued that liberal teachers and professors have shaped Gen Z’s mindset, weakening their work ethic and sense of responsibility.

She emphasized that the United States was built on merit, hard work, and individual effort, referring to this as the 'American Dream' that must be preserved. When Watters raised questions about economic pressures and the high cost of living, Leavitt said such factors influence young people’s attitudes and behavior. She also noted that some parents are opting for homeschooling or religious schools to keep their children away from what she called liberal or communist influences.

Following the interview, Leavitt’s remarks drew widespread criticism on social media. Many users argued that she ignored real economic challenges such as high housing costs, student loans, and limited job opportunities, calling her comments disconnected from reality.

An attack was reported at the family home of Mahabub Hossain Samir, the recently former general secretary of the Savar unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, a day after his detention. According to the victims, the assault, vandalism, and attempted occupation were led by Sathi Akter, wife of alleged drug figure Shamim Reza. Five women were injured in the incident.

On Saturday, Shirin Akter filed a written complaint with Savar Model Police Station, naming Sohrab, Sathi Akter, Nilufa Yasmin, James Gomez alias Gupta Kajol, Shakib, Rakib, and Monir among the accused, along with several unidentified individuals. The complaint stated that the attack stemmed from a land dispute and involved looting and assault on women, including Rumi Akter and Minara Begum, who were hospitalized.

Police confirmed receiving the complaint and said they had visited the scene. The investigating officer, Nur Mohammad, stated that legal action would follow upon completion of the investigation.

Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement has threatened to strike Saudi Arabia’s airports and key installations, accusing Riyadh of violating Yemeni airspace. In a statement on Friday, July 3, the group claimed that a Saudi warplane attempted to block the landing of an Iranian civilian aircraft at Sana’a International Airport. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sari warned that any further Saudi aggression would trigger ground and maritime attacks on Saudi targets.

According to Al Jazeera, Sari said the attempted intrusion occurred at 5:20 a.m. local time and was repelled by Houthi forces. He asserted that the Iranian aircraft, carrying over two hundred stranded, injured, and ill passengers, later landed safely in Sana’a and returned to Tehran with a delegation. The Houthis stated they remain ready for any confrontation and are working to break the Saudi-U.S. blockade.

The warning follows a recent large-scale prisoner exchange between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis. Despite a UN-brokered truce in 2022 that reduced major clashes, tensions remain high as Yemen’s conflict continues to cause severe humanitarian suffering.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for national unity and collective progress, emphasizing that the achievements of August 5 belong to all citizens, not any single person or political party. He made the remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, during the 'July National Conference 2026' organized to mark the anniversary of the July-August uprising, mourning, and victory.

Rahman stated that all killings will be tried according to the law, cautioning that justice must not turn into injustice. He pledged that the government will honor the sacrifices made during the July movement and avoid dividing the nation. The prime minister reflected on personal losses and hardships over the past 17 years, saying his late mother and brother would have advised him to move the country forward without revenge.

Earlier at the event, Rahman presented the July Memorial Award to families of martyrs and injured fighters of the July movement, recognizing their contributions to the nation.

Severe flooding across Ghana this week has killed at least 34 people and displaced 89,736 others, according to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). Richard Amo Yartey, director of NADMO’s inspection department, confirmed the figures on Friday, noting that 12 of the deaths occurred in the capital, Accra. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams continue to locate missing persons.

Yartey told local media that emergency teams are still working to find those unaccounted for while distributing relief supplies to affected communities. NADMO reported that seven regions have been impacted by the floods, with the Greater Accra Region suffering the most severe damage, displacing 54,712 people. The Central Region followed with 21,882 displaced, while Volta, Western, Ashanti, Western North, and Eastern regions also reported significant impacts.

Officials indicated that ongoing rescue and relief operations remain a priority as authorities assess the full extent of the disaster and continue verifying missing persons’ data.