Global News Roundup: Strait of Hormuz Traffic, Putin Statements, and International Developments

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.

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.

Georgia hurts itself by saying no to diplomatic relations with Russia — Abkhazian official

Sergey Shamba stressed that Abkhazia would only be happy if relations between Russia and Georgia improved.

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.

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.

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.

Closing Strait of Hormuz to virtually wipe out growth in British economy in 2027 — TV

According to the analysis, the British economy could face a recession, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed until spring.

Kiev confirms limitation of data on Russian missile launches against targets in Ukraine

Ukraine has been experiencing a shortage of interceptors.

EU endangers itself by acting against civilian shipping — Russian Foreign Ministry

Today, Operation Irini is actually being used by the European Union to intimidate commercial carriers and obstruct the freedom of navigation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

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.

Rosatom chief proposes projects to develop science, production, exports

Alexey Likhachev highlighted three topics that, in his view, are of fundamental importance, yet the mechanisms for addressing them have not yet been fully established.

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.

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.

West always wanted to 'cancel' Russia, but now it's doing it brazenly — Medvedev

The politician noted that as soon as the special military operation had begun, it had come out in an absolutely cynical, undisguised, monstrous and even perverted form.

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.

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.

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.

Russia’s security must be ensured along all of its borders — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the situation in the Pacific Fleet’s operational area "is not easy".

AK-12 rifle more reliable, easier to use than foreign competitors — Kalashnikov CEO

The AK-12 is represented in export markets by the 7.62mm and 5.56mm caliber AK-15 and AK-19 models.

Zelensky's government 'nepotism' paves way for massive corruption — expert

In Ukraine, nepotism in corruption schemes has become a tradition, military expert Vitaly Kiselyov said.

Russia has right to attack any ships carrying cargo for enemy — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that Russian armed forces were capable of significantly extending their operations beyond the borders of the Black Sea basin.

Death toll from earthquake in Colombia up to 265

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near the city of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco department on August 10.

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.

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.

Russia slams Yerevan over plans to interrogate WWII veteran

It is hard to find clearer evidence of the moral and spiritual decay that leads to rapprochement with the modern faceless, morally impoverished Europe and fraternization with the neo-Nazi Kiev regime, Maria Zakharova stated.

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.

Japan expresses protest to Russia over Putin’s visit to Kuril Islands

Japanese foreign ministry claims that all the "northern territories," as Tokyo refers to the southern part of the Kuril Islands, including Iturup, are an "ancestral Japanese territory".

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.

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".

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.

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.