Russia
Russia widens its tax net as war spending drains financial buffers
Mining profits, investment income, online imports and foreign-company assets are targeted as the budget deficit exceeds revised plans.
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Results for “Foreign Reserves”
Russia
Asia
ASEAN defence summit tests US attention as the Middle East war drains capacity
Pete Hegseth faces allied questions on readiness, the South China Sea and alliance reliability while China maintains a lower-level presence in Cebu.
Middle East
Iran's rial falls to new low as central bank offers up to $2 billion
The currency weakened beyond 2.68 million rials per dollar as sanctions, the naval blockade and inflation above 70% drove demand for hard currency and gold despite a state-bank intervention.
Russia
Russia's wealthiest provide over 1% of state spending through wartime donations
Budget documents show 471 billion roubles in so-called voluntary contributions after a March meeting with Vladimir Putin, helping limit a deficit swollen by wartime costs.
United States
Bessent proposes US-China notification channel for dangerous AI incidents
The US Treasury secretary said Washington plans to propose an emergency AI notification process to Beijing, focusing on uncontrolled agents, cyber and biological risks and the resilience of critical systems.
Asia
Philippines urges ASEAN talks after deadly Myanmar airstrike in Rakhine
As ASEAN chair, Manila expressed concern after an airstrike in Kyauktaw killed 50 people and wounded dozens, while offering to facilitate a regional response led by Myanmar.
Europe
Swiss voters reject stricter neutrality rules and preserve room for NATO cooperation
Final results showed 70.2% opposition in every canton to a constitutional initiative that would have restricted independent sanctions and peacetime cooperation with military alliances.
India
India's rupee and bonds face renewed pressure as oil rises and Iran diplomacy fades
Elevated oil prices, multi-year highs in global yields and growing expectations of an RBI rate increase left Indian markets exposed during a holiday-shortened week, despite continuing central-bank support.
Russia
Trump says Putin wants a Ukraine deal as doubts persist across Western intelligence
Donald Trump said a phone conversation convinced him that Vladimir Putin wanted to end the war, but intelligence officials in the United States, Ukraine and Europe remained skeptical about the Russian president's intentions.
Latin America
White House details Pentagon stake in new Venezuela oil partnership
A new company with North American Blue Energy Partners would give the Pentagon 35% ownership, guarantee the State Department 20% of output at cost and hold century-long rights over 17 fields.
Africa
US development agency prioritizes Moroccan energy, minerals and infrastructure projects
USTDA has identified energy, critical minerals, digital infrastructure and transport as priorities while its Morocco grant portfolio approaches $25 million.
China
Indonesia and China deepen defense, energy and technology cooperation
Jakarta and Beijing agreed on joint exercises, a munitions factory and wider food, energy, minerals and satellite projects while Indonesia preserves formal nonalignment.