News Digest: Global Developments, Conflicts, and International Relations

Iran may drag conflict with US out until end of Trump’s presidential term — IRGC

According to Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, Iran has to attain deterrence so that the enemy never dares to attack it

Russia to resort to measures in response to growing NATO presence in Finland — embassy

According to a source in the embassy, Russia has repeatedly drawn attention to the detrimental consequences of this policy, and the diplomats are sure that Helsinki are aware of these signals

Over 1,000 pigs killed by fire at pig-breeding farm in Trans-Baikal Region

According to preliminary data, the fire was caused by a short circuit

Several sailors of US aircraft carrier tried to commit suicide — Military Times

The aircraft carrier has been in service for more than eight months instead of the expected six, and the staff does not know when they will be able to return home

Moscow to respond in kind if West seizes Russian commercial vessels — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that it wasn’t just about the areas where Russian vessels could be seized but wherever Moscow founds it necessary and reasonable

West Nile Fever cases imported to Russia from Thailand, Mali, CAR in 2026

No fatalities linked to West Nile Fever have been reported this year

Russia calls on Caspian littoral states to address Caspian Sea’s receding water levels

Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in Turkmenistan Pyotr Shchukin emphasized that there is currently no single scientific explanation for the causes of the present-day drop in water levels

Attempts to escalate situation in Caspian must be thwarted by littoral states

Pyotr Shchukin stressed that any attempts by extra-regional forces to bring geopolitical confrontation and military tension into these historically peaceful waters are aimed at undermining the atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust

EU wary of 'Trojan horse' as it considers faster enlargement — media

According to the sources, the European Commission was drawing up revised rules for new members, which will be presented to EU leaders at a European Council meeting on October 15

IN BRIEF: What we know about release of American Robert Gilman, convicted in Russia

Robert Gilman was detained in 2022 at the Voronezh railway station after being involved in a drunken brawl on the Sukhum-Moscow train

NATO Council says Russia 'bears responsibility' for drone incidents in Romania, Poland

The alliance intends to strengthen defenses on its eastern flank "from the Baltic to the Black Sea" and continue providing support to Ukraine

US could face 'bloodbath' if it launches ground operation against Iran — expert

Mikhail Margelov said there can be a lot of scenarios

Russia remains top oil supplier to India, China in June — OPEC

Russia supplied around 2.2 mbd of oil to India in June

Strait of Hormuz traffic falls five times since start of war — WSJ

The publication also noted that on August 11, 14 vessels managed to cross the Strait of Hormuz with 11 of them using the so-called Iranian corridor

Drop in investment levels in early 2026 cannot be described as dramatic — Bank of Russia

The overall level of investment activity remaining high, said Adviser to Central Bank Governor Kirill Tremasov

NGO sues Trump challenging paid access to his publications on Truth Social

According to the plaintiffs, last year alone, from 9,000 to 11,000 posts and reposts were published on the US leader's page

Washington seeks to cut embassy staff in Middle East — CNN

According to the TV channel, the US State Department does not expect to return to normal staffing in the region soon amid the looming threat of a full-scale return to war

Number of migrant deaths while crossing Mediterranean up significantly since start of year

According to the International Organization for Migration, 821 people died or went missing on the route through the central part of the Mediterranean Sea

US spends $533 mln on shell plant that produces nothing

Moscow has repeatedly stressed that Western arms supplies to Kiev and assistance in training Ukrainian servicemen only prolong the conflict and do not change the situation on the battlefield

Leavitt to leave White House press secretary post before September — Trump

Donald Trump noted that Karoline Leavitt will now be one of his top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party

Supreme Court finds Yabloko received about $36,000 from abroad

The party recieved donations from counterparties, who received funding from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and a number of other countries from July 9 to August 2

IN BRIEF: What we know about foiled terrorist attack against Defense Ministry officer

The suspect planned to blow up a car of the employee of the military commissariat of the Krasnodar Region

Russian forces advance 1 km north of Ustinovka in Kharkov Region — expert

Earlier, Andrey Marochko said that Russian forces have established control over Ustinovka and drove Ukrainian troops eight kilometers from the border with the Belgorod Region

Western pirate games to prompt Russian response anywhere, senator says

Konstantin Basyuk emphasized that there was no point in using diplomatic notes with those who speak the language of force

IN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on Western 'piracy, robbery', groundless Japan’s claims

The Russian president said the Pacific Fleet’s marines carry out missions in the Pacific Operational Area "boldly, professionally, and heroically"

All US bases will be seized if Washington uses nuclear weapons against Iran — IRGC

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi did not clarify whether the Iranian military would occupy the US bases on its own or with the help of other forces

Ukraine to lose its Western territories sooner or later — Putin

It may not happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, It may take one year, two years, 10 years or 15 years, Russian President said