Russian customs seized a cocaine shipment concealed in a cargo of bananas after being warned by foreign partners about the possibility of drugs hidden in the cargo. The seized cocaine was estimated to be worth about 20 billion rubles on the black‑market, and, according to gdelt, the haul was the largest cocaine seizure recorded by Russian customs.

The vessel, Cool Emerald, was operated by ForCool Carriers, a Cyprus‑based operator. Gdelt reported that other vessels in ForCool Carriers’ fleet have previously been used to transport drugs.

In July of the same year, the FSB seized 820 kg of cocaine in a separate bust, reported by rt.com.

President Donald Trump sat with CNBC’s Joe Kernen in the Oval Office on Thursday for an interview about his finances, the economy and legislation, reported by cnbc.com. During the interview, Trump said he feels bad that the presidency creates a conflict of interest in his children’s investments and made remarks about insider information related to purchases of cupcakes and energy‑efficient trucks. CNBC also reported that the investments of the president’s children have been heavily scrutinized and that the Trump administration approved deals with companies in which they invested.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile returned to South Africa after concluding a working visit to Russia that included Moscow and St. Petersburg on Monday 23 June 2025, according to sanews.gov.za. Mashatile’s activities during the visit focused on strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations between South Africa and Russia. He arrived in Moscow on Tuesday 17 June 2025, was welcomed by Russia’s Deputy Head of State Protocol Andrei Milyaev, Deputy Director of the African Department Andrei Stotlarov, and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes, and laid wreaths at the Mausoleum of Moses Kotane and J.B. Marks in the Novodevichy Cemetery, a United Nations Heritage Site in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with BRICS high‑ranking officials responsible for security matters at the Constantine Palace on 12‑13 September 2024, reported by en.kremlin.ru.