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Date:2026-07-04 UTC

Iran begins multi-day funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei, drawing millions of mourners as the regime projects continuity and calls for revenge. Russia launches its largest attack on Kyiv since the start of the war, killing at least 31, while Ukraine retaliates by striking a major oil terminal in St. Petersburg. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry at Madison Square Garden in a star-studded ceremony officiated by Adam Sandler.

Iran begins dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iran begins dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader KhameneiIran has commenced a multi-day funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a February airstrike during the ongoing Iran war. Hundreds of thousands gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 4, with millions expected to participate across processions in Qom, Najaf, and Karbala before burial in Mashhad. The ceremony serves as a major political moment for the regime, which is using the event to project stability and power. Khamenei's son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has been named as the new Supreme Leader.

Sources:
Iran begins dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war (AP News)
Dayslong funeral for late Supreme Leader Khamenei begins in Iran, in photos (AP News)
Iran prepares for dayslong funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war (AP News)
Funeral of Iran's former supreme leader 'intensely political moment' (BBC)
Dayslong funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei begins in Tehran (NPR)

Iran promotes continuity and revenge at Khamenei commemoration

Iran promotes continuity and revenge at Khamenei commemorationComplementing the funeral coverage, Iranian authorities are using the commemoration events to emphasize a message of regime continuity and calls for revenge against Israel and the United States. The late leader's legacy of confrontation with the West and domestic repression is being highlighted. Meanwhile, reports indicate Iran continues its crackdown on dissent at home even amid the mass mourning period.

Sources:
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran with iron fist while confronting the US, will be buried (AP News)
Iran promotes message of continuity and revenge at Khamenei commemoration (Al Jazeera)
Iran Is Still Pursuing a Crackdown on Dissent at Home (NYT)

Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg oil terminal

Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg oil terminalUkraine struck a major oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Russia, on July 4 as part of an intensified long-range drone campaign. Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed the terminal in the Kirovsky district was hit during a large-scale drone attack, with 72 drones reportedly shot down over the city and surrounding region. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy described the strikes as part of Ukraine's 'long-range sanctions' targeting Russian oil infrastructure that funds the war. The port of Vysotsk was also hit in the same operation.

Sources:
Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg oil terminal in latest long-range attack on Russia (AP News)
Ukraine hits major oil terminal in Russia's St Petersburg (BBC)
Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg oil terminal and nearby port (The Guardian)
St. Petersburg oil terminal hit as Ukraine presses long-range drone campaign (CBC)

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry at Madison Square Garden

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry at Madison Square GardenTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce were married on July 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with around 1,000 guests in attendance. Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony, Swift's brother Austin served as her 'man of honor,' and Kelce's brother Jason was the best man. The couple wore custom Christian Dior couture designed by Jonathan Anderson. The couple donated $26 million to various charities ahead of their wedding.

Sources:
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding was the spectacle you expected it to be (CNN)
Dior dress, Adam Sandler and a man of honour: What we know about Taylor and Travis's wedding (BBC)
Inside Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s big bash: a garden in the Garden (SCMP)

Russia launches deadliest attack on Kyiv since invasion began

Russia launches deadliest attack on Kyiv since invasion beganRussia launched its largest attack on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began, firing 74 missiles and 496 drones in an 11-hour barrage that killed at least 31 people and injured over 100. All districts of Kyiv were hit, with over 30 locations damaged including residential buildings, an ambulance station, and energy infrastructure. Russia's Defense Ministry said the attack was retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities. Kyiv declared July 3 a day of mourning as search and rescue operations concluded.

Sources:
Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv was exceptionally deadly. Here’s why (CNN)
Russia lands heavy strikes on Ukraine’s capital, killing at least 21 (AP News)
July 4th events threatened by heat wave. And, Russia strikes on Ukraine's capital (NPR)
Deadly, large-scale Russian attack shakes Kyiv as Ukrainian strikes batter Moscow's oil sector (CBC)