"Russia is ready to launch the digital ruble for broad use starting Sept. 1, Central BankGovernor Elvira Nabiullina said, The Moscow Times reported on July 2.
Starting Sept. 1, all 12 systemically important banks must process digital ruble transactions, and major retailers will also accept the currency as payment. “Technologically, everything is ready. We did a great deal of preparatory work before this stage,” Nabiullina said.
It is unclear which other banks will work with the digital ruble. The Central Bank unexpectedly withheld the list of banks participating in the digital ruble platform." NV
"At least 12 people died and nearly 500 others were rescued after heavy rainfall flooded parts of Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said rescue and recovery operations continued on Tuesday, June 30, while one elderly person remained missing." W
"A very strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in the East China Sea 101 km (63 mi) from Okinawa, Japan, around noon at 1.04 pm local time (GMT +9). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD
"A strong magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean near Ostrov Shiashkotan island, Russia, in the late afternoon at 7.22 pm local time (GMT +11). The quake had a moderate depth of 76 km (47 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD
"Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has appealed to nearly 40 partner countries to urgently transfer Patriot missiles from their stockpiles in July in exchange for future deliveries already contracted for Ukraine, the Defense Ministry said on July 2.
The appeal comes after Russia launched one of its largest-ever aerial assaults against Kyiv overnight on July 2, killing at least 22 people and overwhelming Ukraine's air defenses with dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles alongside hundreds of drones." KI
"The number of people killed in Russia’s massive attack on Kyiv has risen to 23." Ukrin
"A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean 171 km (106 mi) from Tonga in the morning at 10.13 am local time (GMT +13). The quake had a moderate depth of 259 km (161 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD
"A total of 273 combat engagements were recorded between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian troops over the past day.
On the North Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk axes, six combat engagements were recorded. Russian forces carried out three airstrikes using four guided bombs and shelled Ukrainian positions and settlements 61 times, including four attacks with multiple launch rocket systems.On the South Slobozhanshchyna axis, Ukrainian forces repelled 22 Russian assaults. The invaders attempted to advance near Izbytske and Starytsia, as well as toward Volokhivka, Staryi Khutir, Hranove, Kudiyivka, Symynivka, and Khatnie.
On the Kupiansk axis, Russian troops launched two attacks toward Novoosynove.
On the Lyman axis, Russian forces attacked seven times near Dibrova and Lyman, as well as toward Novoselivka, but all attempts to break through Ukrainian defenses were repelled.
On the Sloviansk axis, the enemy carried out 30 assault operations in an attempt to advance near Riznykivka, Zakitne, Kryva Luka, and toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.
On the Kostiantynivka axis, Russian troops launched 13 attacks near Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, Ivanopillia, Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, and toward Raiske.
The Pokrovsk axis saw the highest level of enemy activity. Ukrainian defenders repelled 39 assaults as Russian forces attacked near Novooleksandrivka, Bilytske, Rodynske, and toward Myrne, Toretske, Shevchenko, Filiia, Kucheriv Yar, Vilne, Dorozhne, Svitle, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, and Udachne.
On the Oleksandrivka axis, Russian troops launched two attacks toward Ternove and Yehorivka.
On the Huliaipole axis, Russian forces carried out 32 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Rybne, Dobropillia, Novoselivka, and Huliaipilske, as well as toward Rizdvyianka, Kopani, Shyroke, Tsvitkove, and Charivne." Ukrin
