A day that mixed markets, geopolitics and symbolism began with reports that Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, underscoring how the war is still reaching deep into Russia’s energy infrastructure and threatening logistics tied to global commodity flows. In India, investors are watching closer to home as Laser Power & Infra prepares to launch its ₹742-crore IPO on July 9, a test of appetite for new issues backed by solid manufacturing revenues and profit growth. Beyond business, politics and identity shaped the headlines: marking America’s 250th Independence Day, President Trump leaned into exceptionalism and revived anti-communist rhetoric, while Pope Leo, speaking from migrant gateway Lampedusa, urged the U.S. and Europe to welcome and protect immigrants. And in sport, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut against England offered a contrasting note of youthful promise and national pride.