Russia
Russia, Cuba, Belarus and North Korea exempted from tariffs as already sanctioned
US President Donald Trump dropped a tariffs bomb on the whole world on “Liberation Day” by imposing sanctions on every country the US trades with – with a very few notable exceptions: Russia, Cuba, Belarus and North Korea.
Russia’s real wages up 9 6.5% in January as growth slows
Real wages grew by a handsome 6.5% y/y in January, according to preliminary Rosstat data just as the economy starts to cool, but it also brings down inflation.
Where the world is charging most tariffs - Statista
The Trump administration's recent move to impose tariffs on Chinese, Mexican and Canadian goods as well as steel and aluminium imports in general is once again breaking with long-standing US trade policy, Statista reports.
Russian service sector output nears stagnation in March posting 50.1
Russia’s service sector came close to stagnation in March, according to the latest S&P Global PMI data, posting 50.1, just a tick above the 50 no-change benchmark. (chart)
Russia defies sanctions with record number of billionaires in Forbes rich list
Russia posted a historic 146 billionaires in this year’s Forbes rich list boasting a combined wealth of $625.5bn – a new record.
Russia rushes Iran partnership treaty ratification ahead of US military build-up against Tehran
Russia expedites defence pact with Iran ahead of US military manoeuvres in the Indian Ocean.
Trump threatens extreme secondary sanctions on countries dealing with Russia if Putin doesn’t do ceasefire deal
President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind a sweeping bipartisan bill that could impose 500% secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian oil if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t do a ceasefire deal with Ukraine.
COMMENT: EU’s foreign policy chief Kallas’ releases a white paper on European Defence sector plans
EU foreign policy chief and former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas recently unveiled a controversial White Paper on the “Future of European Defence: Readiness 2030”, but it received a very mixed reception from EU member states.
Russian cult leader nabbed in Argentine human-trafficking swoop
Argentine authorities have dismantled a notorious Russian cult, arresting 15 individuals in a joint operation across two airports that has exposed a sinister network of alleged human exploitation.
Separatist Bosnian Serb leader Dodik meets with Putin to seek support
Dodik met with allies in Serbia, Israel and now Russia after Bosnian authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.
Russia offers to mediate US-Iran dialogue on nuclear programme
Russia has expressed willingness to facilitate constructive dialogue between the United States and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear programme
Russian manufacturing sector PMI goes into the red for the first time since April 2022, posting 48.2
Russia’s economic slowdown continued with the S&P Global manufacturing PMI going into the red for the first time since April 2022, shortly after the war in Ukraine started, posting 48.2, less than the 50 no=change benchmark.
Russian household well-being reaches highest level in a decade – BOFIT
The well-being of Russian households has reached its highest level in a decade, a survey carried out by the Bank of Finland institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT) found.
Putin’s upcoming India visit indicates deeper ties despite global shifts
Russian President Vladimir Putin is poised to visit India in the near future, marking his first trip to the South Asian nation since December 2021
What exactly is Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for the transactional multipolar world?
Did Russian President Vladimir Putin just endorse US President Donald Trump’s plan to annex Greenland? And what exactly is Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for a multipolar world?
US Defence Secretary Hegseth downgrades Russian threat, focus exclusively on Taiwan in new foreign policy strategy
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reoriented the US military to prioritise deterring China’s seizure of Taiwan and shoring up homeland defence, but has downgraded Russia to a second tier, along with several other potential enemies.
US postpones sanctions on Serbia's NIS for another 30 days
Negotiations have been ongoing between NIS representatives and US and Russian officials since the company was included in a broad package of US sanctions against Russia’s energy sector.
Russia close to withdrawing from the 30-day ceasefire deal – Peskov
Russia is close to withdrawing from the 30-day ceasefire deal struck last week, accusing Ukraine of breaking the agreement, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview with Ria Novosti on March 29.
Trump's promises of Russian sanctions relief are easier said than done
Friedrich Nietzsche said: “what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” and Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly insisted that Western sanctions have only strengthened Russia’s economy. But he still wants to get them lifted.
Death toll in Myanmar earthquake could hit 10,000 claims US agency
The death toll from the March 28 M7.7 earthquake in Myanmar has reportedly moved past the 1000 mark. It is expected to climb further with some claims hinting at several thousand people still unaccounted for.