During the night in Yakutia, the dollar depreciates, introduces a fine for advertising Virtual Private Networks (VPN), and experiences a massive lightning storm.
In the political, environmental, military, and legal domains, August 1, 2025, was a day marked by notable events across the globe.
Russia
President Vladimir Putin signed a law granting police the power to freeze bank accounts without a court order, increasing state control over financial assets. This move comes as Russia continues to tighten its grip on financial regulations.
A state of emergency was declared in parts of Kabardino-Balkaria due to mudslides caused by heavy rains near Mount Elbrus. The region faced a natural disaster, adding to the challenges Russia is currently facing.
Russia ended its voluntary ban on intermediate-range missile deployments on August 4, citing threats from the US and Western countries. This decision marks a significant shift in Russia's military strategy.
Sakhalin Oblast was designated as the first Russian region to achieve carbon neutrality on August 2, a step towards addressing environmental concerns.
The Krasheninnikov volcano in Kamchatka erupted on August 3, its first eruption since the 15th century. The event serves as a reminder of Russia's geological activity and potential risks.
A cargo train collision with a tourist bus in Leningrad Oblast on August 4 resulted in one fatality. The incident highlights the ongoing need for safety measures in Russia's transportation sector.
Russia designated the Zimin Foundation an "undesirable organization" on August 5, reflecting continued tightening of NGO regulations.
Russia's military operations in Ukraine continue, with advances near Kupyansk and northern Kharkiv, amid ongoing conflict.
Other Countries and Global
US President Donald Trump imposed a new 25% tariff on Indian exports due to India’s economic cooperation with Russia, showing rising economic tensions.
The US State Department approved a $104 million Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine.
Former US President Joe Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer with bone metastases, a major health development noted globally on August 1.
Russia launched a significant drone attack on Kyiv, resulting in civilian casualties and damage. ICC charges against former Russian defence officials Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov for war crimes related to attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure remain.
Exchange Rates and Economic Outlook
Russian officials and media continue to present a narrative of economic resilience in anticipation of further US sanctions, with no immediate change in exchange rates detailed in the recent reports.
In other news, Italian actress and film star Adriana Asti passed away at the age of 94. The deadline for paying out one-time benefits to wounded military personnel, volunteers, and families of fallen soldiers has been set at up to 30 days. The law specifies that the fallen soldier and his cohabitant will not be considered civilian spouses if they were in a registered marriage with others during the specified period.
Active hotspots in the Democratic Republic of Congo are particularly concerning, with over 38,000 cases and 951 deaths reported in July alone. The Bank of Russia set the official dollar rate for August 1, 2025, at 80.3163 rubles. The Russian government submitted a bill for mortgage holidays for families with children under 1.5 years old upon the birth of the second or subsequent child.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a law banning the advertising of VPN services. The changes will come into force on September 1. The list of crimes that result in the loss of acquired Russian citizenship has been expanded by 72 articles.
Three earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.2, 5.0, and 5.8 occurred off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. UNICEF is raising alarm as unprecedented heavy rains in West and Central Africa are creating conditions for a catastrophic cholera outbreak, putting around 80,000 children in a dozen countries at risk.
Civilian wives of fallen special operation participants are now eligible for benefits, given certain conditions and the establishment of facts by the court. President Vladimir Putin signed a law expanding benefits for the families of fallen soldiers. The yuan rate was reduced by 28 kopecks to 11.0928 rubles.
Extremism, murder, sexual crimes against children, and cooperation with other countries against Russia have become grounds for revoking acquired Russian citizenship. The World Meteorological Organization has recognized a world record for the longest lightning strike, measuring 829 kilometers, which occurred in October 2017 in the United States.
- The policy-and-legislation changes in Russia, such as the law allowing police to freeze bank accounts without a court order and the designation of the Zimin Foundation as an "undesirable organization," reflect a tightening of control in political and NGO sectors.
- General-news outlets reported significant events in Russia's military, environmental, and transportation domains, including the end of the voluntary ban on intermediate-range missile deployments, the declaration of a state of emergency in Kabardino-Balkaria due to mudslides, and a cargo train collision with a tourist bus in Leningrad Oblast.
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