Russia’s former transport minister Roman Starovoyt killed himself Monday, July 7, 2025, hours after being officially dismissed by President Vladimir Putin.

The country’s Investigative Committee confirmed the incident via a statement on Monday.

Authorities said Starovoyt’s body was found in a Moscow suburb after the firing was announced, with “suicide” being considered the most likely cause of death.

Starovoyt, 53, served as Russia’s transport minister since May 2024.

He was previously the governor of the Kursk region, where Russia had battled a Ukrainian incursion.

The Investigative Committee said: “Today, the body of former Transport Minister Roman Starovoyt was found in his private car with a gunshot wound in the Odintsovo district.

“The main version (considered) is suicide.”

Russian state media and news agencies said Starovoyt shot himself.

It was not clear exactly when Starovoyt died.

(The Star.ng)

US President Donald Trump has warned that countries which side with the policies of the Brics alliance that go against US interests will be hit with an extra 10% tariff.

Trump has long criticised Brics, an organisation whose members include China, Russia and India, which was designed to boost countries’ international standing and challenge the US and western Europe.

“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff.

There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote on social media.

A deadline for countries to agree a tariff deal with the US had been set for 9 July but US officials now say they will begin on 1 August.

(BBC)

Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and America’s biggest political donor, has announced he’s creating a new political party following weeks of public disagreements with President Trump.

The tech billionaire made the announcement on Saturday through his social media platform X, claiming the current system has failed American voters.

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,” Mr. Musk wrote on X on Saturday.

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

However, Musk had not filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission by Saturday evening, though he indicated in another post that the America Party would participate in elections “next year.”