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Russia's federal budget deficit for January-June 2026 stood at 5.73 trillion rubles ($75 billion), or 2.5% of GDP, according to the Finance Ministry. The deficit was 2.35 trillion rubles higher than in the same period last year, attributed to advance financing of expenditures. Oil and gas revenues fell 22.7% year-on-year, while non-oil and gas revenues rose 16.3%.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has restored Syria's voting rights, citing a 'significant change in circumstances' since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The decision, adopted by consensus and co-sponsored by 67 states, follows concrete steps by the new Syrian authorities to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat and address outstanding chemical weapons issues.
The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has acknowledged the International Volleyball Federation's (FIVB) decision to lift restrictions on Russian athletes and will discuss its implications at a later date, according to a statement reported by TASS.
Ukraine has launched drone strikes on Russian oil tankers and refineries, including a significant attack on two vessels in the Sea of Azov. The attacks have caused fuel shortages across Russia, prompting Moscow to ban diesel exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the strikes are a response to Russia's ongoing attacks.
Experts interviewed by TASS say global diamond prices are unlikely to rebound quickly, with market recovery potentially taking 2-3 years. De Beers' recent price cuts and the collapse in demand for small and medium-sized natural diamonds amid rising synthetic production are key factors. Alrosa reports early signs of a turnaround, driven by investment-grade stones and recovering demand.
President Donald Trump has agreed to grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors domestically, as Kyiv faces critically low stockpiles amid intensifying Russian strikes. The offer, made at the NATO summit in Ankara, is seen as a diplomatic victory for Ukraine, though experts caution that production could take years.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Russia is ready to strengthen technological partnerships and launch joint projects with all friendly nations, citing growth in non-resource, non-energy exports and progress toward industrial independence at the Innoprom exhibition.
Ukrainian officials say a US license to produce Patriot interceptor missiles is being processed but could take months, with production potentially delayed by a year or more due to complexity. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin announced a lower-cost Patriot interceptor, the PAC-3 ACE, with initial production possible within 36 months.
Serbian Government Minister Nenad Popovic stated that Serbia's economy is open to cooperation with Russia and China, alongside its existing ties with the EU and the US. He highlighted the shifting economic vector toward the East and BRICS nations, speaking at the Innoprom exhibition in Yekaterinburg.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov discussed the potential for further Putin-Trump talks, US mediation in Ukraine, and Russia-China drills, while questioning Washington's neutrality and criticizing Trump's remarks on escalation.
The Kremlin said Donald Trump did not call Vladimir Putin as planned, citing the US president's busy schedule in Ankara, while reiterating Putin's openness to dialogue. The reports come amid conflicting accounts of a separate call between the two leaders ahead of the NATO summit.
Russia's Federal Security Service has detained a Russian national over an alleged plot to assassinate a senior Defense Ministry official using a drone with explosives, and a separate suspect on high treason charges. The FSB claims Ukrainian intelligence, with Western backing, was behind the plans, which Moscow says were foiled in a large-scale counter-terrorism operation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is fully aware of US weapons and military technology supplies to Ukraine and holds no illusions about it. He also expressed hope that US efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully will succeed, while Russian air defenses reported intercepting Ukrainian drones over multiple regions.
Australia and India have finalised arrangements for uranium exports during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia. The deal, announced alongside a civil nuclear agreement, aims to support India's clean energy goals under IAEA safeguards.
Russia and China launched the Joint Sea 2026 naval exercises in Qingdao, focusing on submarine rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and joint operations. The drills, which concluded on July 13, included live-fire exercises and were framed by both sides as defensive and not directed against third countries.
During a three-day state visit to Ulaanbaatar, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh declared a shared vision for cooperation, focusing on critical minerals, trade, and advanced technologies. They agreed in principle on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at boosting annual bilateral trade to US$1 billion by 2030. Lee also highlighted Mongolia's potential role in bridging the divided Koreas and attended the Naadam festival as a special guest.
Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer known for the 1980s hit 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' has died aged 75 in a hospital in Portugal. Her family confirmed she was being treated for an illness. The song's enduring popularity and her distinctive voice are highlighted across global obituaries.
At the Drone Expo 2026 in Kazan, Groza Group presented the Night Witch combat hexacopter, the Gadalka electronic reconnaissance system, and the Sova-55 reconnaissance UAV. KRET also showcased the Saturn-30 drone. The systems feature advanced capabilities including long-range detection and extended flight times.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UN Chiefs of Police Summit 2026, including with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who appreciated Pakistan's role in promoting peace. Naqvi also met his Russian and Chinese counterparts to discuss security cooperation, and with Sri Lanka's public security minister to boost coordination on narcotics and police training.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Mozambique as part of his African tour, offering support against the insurgency in Cabo Delgado and discussing economic cooperation. He also criticized the West's stance on Ukraine, while Mozambique expressed appreciation for Russian aid.