Pentagon chief urges Asian allies to boost defence spending over China concerns
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Asian allies to increase military spending, warning of growing concern over China’s rapid military exp...
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Analysts suggest that the ruble’s remarkable performance is largely due to the absence of capital outflows that typically occur when global investors pull back from riskier markets. This trend has been exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts, which have resulted in a weaker US dollar. Additionally, Russia’s high key interest rate has provided further support to the ruble, making it more attractive to investors compared to other currencies.
Experts point out that the ruble’s strength is also a result of the broader economic environment, particularly the ongoing “tariff wars” under U.S. President Donald Trump, which have contributed to the dollar’s recent downturn. As global uncertainty continues to impact the value of major currencies, the ruble’s rise underscores the shifting dynamics of the international currency markets.
Despite the ruble’s strong performance, analysts caution that its future trajectory remains closely tied to the evolving global economic landscape, particularly trade relations and the impact of U.S. monetary policy. Nevertheless, the ruble’s exceptional growth in 2025 highlights its increasing resilience in the face of ongoing global volatility.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Asian allies to increase military spending, warning of growing concern over China’s rapid military expansion and wider activities in the region.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Voting has begun in Malta’s parliamentary election, with opinion polls suggesting the ruling Labour Party is on course to win a fourth consecutive term.
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