US extends deadline for Lukoil asset sales until August 22

The US Department of the Treasury will allow specific financial transactions involving Lukoil International GmbH to proceed until August 22, according to an official statement published via Reuters.

Romania F-16 jets down drone near Danube Delta

​Romanian Air Force F-16 jets intercepted and shot down an unidentified drone over national airspace on Saturday morning, July 25.

Montenegro ends visa-free entry for Russians, Belarusians

​Montenegro will end visa-free entry for citizens of Russia and Belarus starting October 31, 2026, according to an official government decree reported by the independent outlets Kovcheg and Astra.

Sberbank to stop servicing foreign currency Visa cards

Russia’s Sberbank has begun notifying clients that it will discontinue servicing foreign currency and multi-currency Visa cards starting September 1, 2026, according to a report by The Moscow Times, citing TASS.

Russia sees record surge in funeral firms in H1 2026

Russia registered a record number of new funeral service providers in the first half of 2026. Between January and June, 995 new companies and sole proprietorships entered the market, marking a 22.5% increase compared to the same period last year, according to The Moscow Times.

Germany seeks UNESCO status for Green Belt on former death strip

Germany is seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for its Green Belt (Grünes Band), a 1,400-kilometer ecological corridor stretching along the former border between East and West Germany.

EU adopts 21st Russia sanctions package; Moldova and Ukraine talks delayed

EU ambassadors reached an agreement in Brussels on Thursday morning to impose new sanctions on Russia. These sanctions aim to extend the price caps on Russia's oil exports. After weeks of tense negotiations, the restrictions were revised and adapted in response to Greece's reluctance, which is based on the country's dependence on energy imports from Russia.

UN FAO report: Global hunger drops to 645m as Africa faces crisis

Global hunger levels eased slightly in 2025, but ongoing armed conflicts and climate disruptions threaten to erase recent gains, according to the latest annual report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

IMF approves $690 million tranche for Ukraine

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund has approved a new $690 million funding tranche for Ukraine. The decision follows the completion of the latest review under the country's four-year Extended Fund Facility arrangement. Funds are expected to reach Kyiv within days, according to reports from RBK-Ukraine.

Houthi blockade threatens Saudi energy exports

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, threatening global energy supplies and international trade beyond the Persian Gulf.

Poland warns of Russian false-flag drone attacks

Poland faces a "very high" and continuous threat of Russian provocations, requiring immediate defensive readiness, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz warned.

Russia expands military recruitment to organized crime convicts

The Kremlin is expanding its prison recruitment pipelines to reinforce frontline forces in Ukraine. A new package of bills submitted to the State Duma broadens the categories of convicts eligible for military service.