Russia

Nicaragua recognises Russian annexation of four Ukrainian regions

bnl editorial staff July 31, 2025

Nicaragua has formally endorsed Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions, becoming one of the few countries to explicitly back Moscow's territorial claims as Putin seeks international legitimacy for his seizure of sovereign territory.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov calls Syria a 'good friend'

bnm Gulf bureau July 31, 2025

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia considers Syria a long-standing and reliable friend during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani.

IMF corrects growth forecast upwards – Statista

Katharina Buchholz for Statista July 31, 2025

Despite uncertain market conditions amid the Trump administration's tariff regime and major global conflicts, the International Monetary Fund has upped its global economic growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 slightly, Statista reported on July 30.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there are signs Russo-Ukraine war could stop soon as fatigue builds

Ben Aris in Berlin July 31, 2025

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on July 30 that there are “many signs” that suggest the war in Ukraine may soon be at least temporarily halted but warned that even a ceasefire would not change Poland’s policy of building up its army.

Trump to impose 25% tariffs on Indian imports, penalises Russian oil and arms purchases

bno - Chennai Office July 31, 2025

US President Donald Trump has announced that a 25% tariff, along with an unspecified additional penalty, will be imposed on imports from India starting August 1, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil and military equipment

Russian forces close in on Pokrovsk, Ukrainian defences under growing pressure

Ben Aris in Berlin July 30, 2025

Russian troops are steadily advancing on key logistical hub Pokrovsk in the Donbas from the north, east, and south, using small infantry groups and drone surveillance to stretch Ukrainian forces facing acute manpower and equipment shortages.

Mexican cartels exploit Ukraine war to acquire military drone technology

bne IntelliNews July 30, 2025

Ukrainian counterintelligence has discovered that Mexican and Colombian criminal groups have infiltrated the country's volunteer programme to acquire advanced military drone capabilities for narcotics operations.

Russia quake triggers tsunami alerts along South America's Pacific coast

bne IntelliNews July 30, 2025

A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 29 July, prompting a cascade of tsunami alerts across the Pacific, with varying responses across the region.

Yango Group rolls out bilingual AI assistant ‘Yasmina’ in Oman

bnm Gulf bureau July 30, 2025

Russian tech-driven Yango Group launched Yasmina, its human‑like bilingual AI assistant, in Oman.

Russia passes toothless “platform economy” law

bne IntelliNews July 30, 2025

The Russian State Duma passed the so-called “platform economy” bill regulating marketplaces and other digital platforms on July 26, according to The Bell citing Duma proceedings, but the final version watered down most proposed restrictions.

Strongest earthquake in Kamchatka since 1952 triggers tsunami alerts across Pacific

bne IntelliNews July 30, 2025

The strongest earthquake since 1952 hit Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula sending a 4m high tsunami towards Hawaii and triggering alarms across the Pacific on July 30.

Huge earthquake in Russia's Far East triggers Pacific-wide tsunami alerts

bno - Taipei Office July 30, 2025

One of the most powerful earthquakes recorded this year struck Russia's Far East in the early hours of July 30, triggering tsunami warnings across the northern Pacific, including for Japan, Alaska, Hawaii and as far south as New Zealand.

Trump to kill US Climate Crisis commitment by gutting the EPA of its powers

Ben Aris in Berlin July 29, 2025

The Trump administration will end any pretence of trying to fight the accelerating Climate Crisis with a plan to gut the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its authority and end its core programmes to reduce emissions.

Low trust in CBR communications pushes up inflation expectations to 13% - InFOM

Ben Aris in Berlin July 29, 2025

Inflation expected by Russian households for the next 12 months did not change in the last month and remain elevated, according to according to InFOM’s survey, commissioned by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). (chart)

Israel's Netanyahu discusses Iran with Russia’s Putin

bnm Gulf bureau July 28, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Iranian issue during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian media reported.

Trump sets new 10-12 day deadline for Russia to act on Ukraine

bne Berlin bureau July 28, 2025

US President Donald Trump has set a new deadline of 10 to 12 days for Russia to make progress towards ending the war in Ukraine or face consequences.

KSE: Russia’s military-industrial expansion may be unsustainable

Kyiv School of Economics July 28, 2025

Russia’s wartime economy has delivered a dramatic expansion in defence production since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But according to KSE, this growth could prove both unsustainable and destabilising in the medium term.

Trump to shorten Russia’s 50-day ceasefire deadline to 10-12 days

Ben Aris in Berlin July 28, 2025

US President Donald Trump he will greatly reduce a 50-day deadline for Russia to sign a ceasefire with Ukraine and end hostilities there, because he was “disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reports on July 28.

Putin worked as a stuntman in 1970s Soviet movie industry – report

Ben Aris in Berlin July 28, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have performed stunt work in Soviet war films during the 1970s, according to former colleagues and a recently resurfaced caption in a St Petersburg university exhibit.

Ukraine’s EU bid should remain linked to Moldova’s accession - Zelenskiy

Ben Aris in Berlin July 28, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukraine’s EU accession bid should remain linked to Moldova’s in a wake of the passage of the controversial Law 21414 that guts Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms.

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