International News 03 July 2026
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Fuel Shortages Disrupt Russian Farming as Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Energy Infrastructure
Fuel shortages across several regions of Russia are beginning to affect the agricultural sector, with farmers in major wheat-producing areas expressing concern over their ability to complete the harvest due to limited supplies of diesel and gasoline. The shortages have been linked to a series of long-range Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian oil refineries and fuel storage facilities as part of Kyiv’s strategy to increase pressure on Moscow by disrupting its energy infrastructure. Despite being one of the world's largest oil producers, Russia has experienced widespread fuel distribution disruptions, leading to long queues at gas stations and prompting residents to share information on social media about stations that still have fuel in stock. Online videos have also highlighted the impact of the shortages, showing disputes among motorists waiting in line as well as humorous posts about soaring fuel prices. Internet search data further indicate a sharp rise in searches for methods of transferring fuel between tanks, underscoring the growing concern over fuel availability across the country.
Iran Warns U.S. and Israel Against Military Action Ahead of Khamenei’s Funeral
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after a senior Iranian military commander warned the United States and Israel against launching attacks on Iran ahead of the state funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The warning comes as Iran prepares a series of official ceremonies honoring Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war. Speaking through Iranian state media, Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Tehran was fully prepared to respond forcefully to any external threat or act of aggression. He urged the United States and what Iran refers to as the "Zionist regime"—Israel—not to miscalculate the consequences of military action, warning that Iran’s armed forces would deliver a severe retaliation against any attack on the country.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/iran-ancam-as-dan-israel-jelang-pemakaman-ali-khamenei
SK Hynix to Invest 100 Trillion Won in New Chip Plants Amid South Korea’s AI Expansion
SK hynix announced plans to invest 100 trillion won (approximately Rp1,161.3 trillion) to build new semiconductor manufacturing facilities, including a plant dedicated to producing NAND flash memory. The investment forms part of South Korea’s broader strategy to extend the economic benefits of the artificial intelligence boom beyond the Seoul metropolitan area by strengthening the country’s semiconductor industry. The company said the projects, located in the city of Cheongju, are part of a wider US$2.1 trillion investment initiative unveiled this week by South Korea’s leading chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics. The broader plan also includes the development of a new semiconductor cluster in the country’s southwest, along with expansions of existing manufacturing facilities, reinforcing South Korea’s ambition to remain a global leader in AI and advanced semiconductor production.