Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were overcome with emotion during the farewell ceremony for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, breaking down in tears as thousands gathered to pay their final respects. The funeral drew massive crowds from across Iran, reflecting the late leader's influence over the country's political and religious landscape. Senior officials, military commanders and mourners attended the solemn event amid heightened regional tensions following recent conflict with the United States. The ceremony marked a significant moment in Iran's history as the nation mourned one of its most powerful and influential leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy during America's Fourth of July celebrations by saying the United States had "given Iran a week off" during the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump used the occasion to underscore U.S. military strength while criticizing Tehran, as Iran held large-scale mourning events attended by millions. The remarks came amid heightened tensions following the recent U.S.-Iran conflict, with Iranian leaders warning against further provocations. The contrasting events—America's Independence Day celebrations and Iran's state funeral—symbolized the deep geopolitical divide between the two nations and their continuing war of words. (PC: Reuters)

India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved defence procurement proposals worth nearly ₹52,000 crore to strengthen the Army, Navy and Air Force. The approvals focus on advanced missile systems, anti-drone technology, air defence, surveillance equipment and unmanned warfare capabilities. The move aims to improve India's operational readiness and enhance its ability to counter emerging security threats. The proposals received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), allowing the procurement process to move forward. Officials said the acquisitions will significantly modernise the armed forces and strengthen India's overall defence preparedness through advanced military technology. (PC: India Today)

A Polish woman has sparked online debate by accusing sections of the media of applying double standards in reporting Europe's ongoing heatwave. She argued that extreme temperatures in some countries receive extensive international attention, while similar or worse conditions elsewhere are often overlooked. Her comments, shared widely on social media, have fueled discussions about media priorities, regional representation, and consistency in climate reporting. The controversy comes as Europe experiences severe heat, prompting health warnings, wildfire risks, and disruptions across several countries. The debate highlights growing public scrutiny of how climate-related events are covered by global news outlets.

The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara is set against growing security concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine and renewed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for European allies to increase defence spending. Trump has argued that Europe should shoulder a greater share of NATO’s security burden, while alliance members debate meeting ambitious defence spending targets. Leaders are also expected to discuss continued military support for Ukraine, strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, boosting defence production, and maintaining alliance unity. The summit is viewed as a crucial test of NATO’s cohesion amid evolving geopolitical threats and transatlantic tensions. (PC: AP)

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded with what officials described as "positive progress" toward implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Discussions focused on easing regional tensions, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, and broader peace efforts following earlier negotiations. While no final agreement was reached, both sides agreed to continue diplomatic engagement through further technical and indirect talks. Mediators expressed optimism that the latest discussions had narrowed differences and strengthened the foundation for future negotiations, raising hopes for greater stability and reduced tensions in the Middle East. (PC: The Hindu)

A massive wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, has killed at least 30 people and injured more than 150, making it one of the deadliest attacks on the city this year. Rescue teams continued searching through the rubble of collapsed residential buildings for survivors, while authorities declared a day of mourning. Ukrainian officials condemned the assault as a deliberate attack on civilians and renewed calls for stronger international support. The strikes caused widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure, underscoring the continuing intensity of the Russia-Ukraine war and its devastating humanitarian impact. (PC: AFP)

The United States and China are entering a new phase of their AI rivalry, with semiconductor restrictions, alleged technology theft, espionage concerns and fierce competition over advanced AI models driving geopolitical tensions. China's latest AI model, GLM-5.2, has drawn praise from Silicon Valley, highlighting how rapidly the technology gap is narrowing despite US export controls on advanced chips. Experts say Washington still leads in cutting-edge AI hardware and research, while Beijing is accelerating domestic innovation and reducing reliance on foreign technology. The escalating contest is increasingly shaping global trade, national security and the future balance of technological power. (PC: HT)

Russia launched a large-scale overnight assault on Kyiv using missiles and drones, triggering explosions across the Ukrainian capital and forcing residents into shelters. Ukrainian air defences intercepted many incoming threats, but several strikes caused casualties, damaged residential buildings and disrupted critical infrastructure. Emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish fires and rescue affected residents. Ukrainian officials condemned the attack as another escalation targeting civilian areas, while authorities continued assessing the full extent of the destruction. The latest barrage underscores the ongoing intensity of the war and the persistent threat facing Ukraine's cities despite strengthened air defence systems. (PC: X)

The body of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, arrived at a major religious complex in Tehran for funeral ceremonies, according to Iranian state media. Thousands of mourners gathered under heavy security to pay their final respects as senior political, military and religious leaders attended the procession. The funeral comes amid heightened regional tensions following recent conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Authorities have implemented extensive security measures across the capital, while the leadership transition and its potential impact on Iran's domestic politics and regional relations remain under close international scrutiny. (PC: AP)