UK sanctions oil traders over Russian energy ties
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
The Russian rouble surged past 81 to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, marking a 40% increase since the beginning of 2025.
The currency's rise is largely attributed to rising oil prices, which have bolstered Russia's main export sector. At 0900 GMT, the rouble was up by 1.5%, reaching 80.90 to the dollar in light trading ahead of the Orthodox Easter holiday. Oil prices saw a 3% jump on April 17, further supporting the rouble's gains.
This marks the rouble's strongest position since June 28, 2024, signaling a notable recovery for the Russian currency. The rouble has gained significantly since the start of the year, buoyed by expectations of easing tensions between Russia and the United States. Despite this, the rouble has remained unaffected by recent comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested that President Donald Trump may soon abandon efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine unless clear progress is made.
Against the Chinese yuan, which the Russian central bank uses for foreign exchange interventions, the rouble was up 0.1%, trading at 11.08 on the Moscow Stock Exchange. The rouble's resilience reflects both the strength of Russia's energy exports and the ongoing shift in global financial dynamics.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
Cardinals from 70 nations have gathered in Vatican City to begin the historic conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis 17 days ago. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in Church history, showcasing Francis’ legacy of inclusivity.
In a notable shift from traditional Republican policy, President Donald Trump has proposed raising taxes on high-income earners to help finance broader tax cuts for middle- and working-class Americans.
Ukraine is exploring whether to replace the U.S. dollar with the euro as its reference currency, as Kyiv aligns more closely with the EU and global trade fractures deepen.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, in a widely expected move as the central bank navigates a complex economic environment marked by slowing inflation, global trade tensions, and political pressure.
Ford is raising prices on three of its Mexico-made models starting May 2, becoming one of the first major automakers to react to U.S. President Donald Trump's steep auto tariffs, which are reshaping industry costs and consumer prices.
As European NATO countries rush to strengthen their armed forces, large pension bills threaten to divert funds from urgently needed military hardware.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment