Ukrainian drones have struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg as Kyiv ramps up bombardment of Russia’s oil infrastructure. The attacks have created a fuel crisis in Russia and political pressure on the Kremlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” against Russia. He said Ukrainian forces also hit a military target on the island of Kronstadt. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the strikes as “not critical.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials deny Russian claims of capturing the city of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region.

Small business owners in U.S. tourist destinations say they’re seeing more Americans sticking closer to home this summer. Businesses around Lake Tahoe, which straddles California and Nevada, and in Asheville, North Carolina, and World Cup host Kansas City in Missouri say they've noticed customers trading in overseas vacations for road trips and day excursions. Though anecdotal, the reported boost to domestic tourism comes as higher airfares and gasoline prices have made vacations more expensive. The FIFA World Cup soccer tournament and celebrations of the nation’s 250th birthday have given some U.S. residents additional incentives to create summer memories without going far.

President Vladimir Putin remains unfazed by Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries, despite severe fuel shortages. He dismisses the situation as "not critical" and insists the war will continue until his goals are met. Analysts note that Russian forces have been stalled in recent months. On Thursday, the Russian military launched a deadly attack on Kyiv, killing at least 30 people. There have been over 50 reported Ukrainian attacks on energy facilities in Russia and occupied Crimea since March, badly denting the country's refining capacity. Putin downplays the impact, pledging to accelerate repairs and boost air defense production. He rejects ceasefire proposals, demanding Ukraine withdraw from contested regions.

A three-armed spacecraft is rushing to the rescue of a NASA telescope that’s in danger of crashing back to Earth. Northrop Grumman launched Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft on Friday from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. The Pegasus rocket blasted off from the belly of a modified airplane, putting Link on course to reach NASA’s Swift Observatory in about a month. Launched in 2004, Swift is sinking faster than ever because of recent solar storms. NASA is paying $30 million for Katalyst to capture the telescope and boost its orbit so it can continue tracking the universe’s biggest explosions.

International soccer fans came to cheer the competing World Cup teams. But they’re also delighting fast-food chains and local restaurants in the tournament's host cities with their rave reviews of North American cuisine. Overseas fans are making a point to try regional specialties like Canadian poutine, lobster rolls and Texas barbecue. They're also seeking out chains they can't find overseas, like Waffle House and Chick-fil-A. Ranch dressing is another hit, prompting the Transportation Safety Administration to remind travelers that bottles need to go in checked bags. A London resident said of the large portions of American food he's tried in Dallas, Boston, New York and Atlanta: “It’s greasy, it’s disgusting, but it’s absolutely glorious.”

The U.S. Justice Department and 17 states have reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers over allegations of that the companies illegally colluded in a multiyear scheme to raises prices. The companies — Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch — are accused of colluding between June 2022 and March 2025 to inflate egg prices. To resolve the states' claims, the settlements require the companies to collectively pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs. They must also adopt antitrust compliance programs and stop communicating with competitors about pricing. The settlements still require court approval. Critics criticized the terms, saying they're too lenient.

President Donald Trump is launching Trump Accounts on July 4, aiming to boost financial independence for children born during his second term. Parents can open accounts for these children, receiving $1,000 from the government and potentially more from billionaires who've pledged funds. The funds are managed by private firms and are invested in the stock market. Children can access the money at age 18 for specific purposes, such as education or home buying. The program has faced criticism for failing to address kids’ immediate needs and for potentially widening the wealth gap. Affluent families that can afford to put their own money in the accounts will realize the greatest benefits.