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RUSSIA'S ECONOMY

Decline of Russia’s GDP in 2015 could reach 3.7% — minister

© ITAR-TASS/Anton Tushin

MOSCOW, November 23. /TASS/. Decline of Russia's GDP by the end of 2015 may be less than the projected 3.9%; recession in the Russian economy is over, Russia’s Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev said Monday.

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IMF expects Russia’s GDP to decline by 0.6% in 2016

"Quarterly estimates show that the recession, according to its definition, is over. Nevertheless, compared with last year, we are seeing a decline. As a result, we expect the decline of 3.9%. Maybe less - 3.7%," he said.

Ulyukayev noted that the lowest point of the recession has passed in June and July of this year.

"Various sectors of the industry feel differently. Earlier this year, the situation was worse in the industries that focus on consumer demand. Now the situation has changed, investment demand has improved," Ulyukayev said.

According to him, at the end of 2015 the decline of investment in capital expenditure will amount to 10%.

The minister believes that the instability in the financial market is getting closer to the end. "Deposits of the population and legal entities grow, which indicates confidence in the banking and financial system. We can see that deposits increased by 15% this year in nominal terms," ·he explained.

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Russian Economy Ministry expects trade balance surplus to decline

Exports of goods are expected to drop to $419.7 bln this year. Imports are forecast to grow to $315.7 bln in 2024

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Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

In Maxim Buyakevich words, neither the talks nor their outcome can change the existing political and territorial realities

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"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

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Pipeline gas exports are forecast to edge up by 7% to 108 bln cubic meters

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The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

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As Elvira Nabiullina stressed, the decisions taken last year to increase the key rate made it possible to significantly reduce persistent inflationary pressure

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"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

Yury Popov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, also said that one shelling attack on the positions of government forces was reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone from positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra

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According to Sergey Ryabkov, discussions around the deployment of NATO nuclear facilities in Poland are an "unfolding story"

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According to the minister Gergely Gulyas, the North Atlantic Alliance "wants to provide financial assistance, as well as supply weapons and train Ukrainian soldiers"

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Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

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According to the report, Israel is willing to acceprt the release of women, men over 50 years old and those seriously ill

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The strike was conducted by Israel Air Force’s aircraft in the area of Meidoun in Lebanon

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Ingrida Simonyte called for getting ready for such a turn of events right away, and not just watch and wait

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The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

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Exports of goods are expected to drop to $419.7 bln this year. Imports are forecast to grow to $315.7 bln in 2024

Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

In this regard, Sergey Shoigu mentioned the operation that Tehran carried out "in retaliation for a blatant attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus"

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Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

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"We want Russia to participate in exploration and mining of gold and coltan in the country," Venezuelan Minister of Industries and National Production Tarek El Aissami said

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The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later

West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

The resolution gained 13 votes

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Moscow hopes that Brussels will pay attention to its vital interests in the end, Russia's top diplomat said

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According to the diplomat, Russia is engaged in "fierce battles on this issue in different committees of the General Assembly"

Russia may abolish gold export duty from June 1 — Finance Ministry

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"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

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At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

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Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

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Andrzej Duda slammed the reported instances of Russian missiles entering Poland's airspace as "a Russian provocation"

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Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said the brigades had completely or partially destroyed 135 units of Israeli military equipment over the past three days

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"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

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Vasily Nebenzya stressed that insurers conclude on their own that the "explosion at the gas pipelines was made using an explosive devices, willfully and due to political motives," thereby confirming its terroristic nature

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The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Putin’s inauguration to take place on May 7, senator says

According to the law, the president-elect takes office for six years

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The detention was reported earlier by the media, which said that police had captured Tajik national Djumokhon Kurbonov

Russia’s natural population decline shrinks by 24% yoy in January-August — statistics

The Federal Statistics Service noted that mortality in the eight months of 2023 decreased by 9.8%, and the birth rate dropped by 2.5%

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Scholz asks allies to find additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine

Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US

Miguel Salgado’s ‘Shame’ wins main prize at Moscow International Film Festival

The film is focused on two teenagers Pedro and Lucio, who are forced to fight each other to the death in order to survive after being abducted

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

Beijing sticks to the principle of non-alignment with any blocs, the Chinese leader said and called on Washington "to refrain from teaming up in small groups"

International cooperation needed to investigate Nord Stream incidents — Russian diplomat

According to Nebenzya, the real goal of the West, which is seeking to persuade the world of the futility of international efforts, is "to keep on telling the tale of lost time" as long as possible in a hope that "international community will forget about this terrorist attack"

Russian troops destroy 89 Ukrainian UAVs, 5 boats in Kherson area over past day

"Battlegroup Dnepr units conducted active counterbattery warfare and destroyed enemy drones, manpower and equipment on the right bank of the Dnieper River," Governor Vladimir Saldo said

Annual inflation in Russia gearing down to 7.82% over week — Economy Ministry

"Inflation in the consumer market slowed down to 0.08% over the week from April 16 to 22, 2024," the ministry informed

Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

"It is very difficult to negotiate with those who are unable to make decisions, even if they want, they can’t, and only act as a side to a difficult conflict," Vladimir Medinsky explained

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Ship receives damage in missile attack off Yemeni coast — UKMTO

The Master has reported two attacks

Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

The amendment gained seven votes from countries including Russia and China

Singapore Airlines resumes flights to Moscow starting from January 20

Flights will be carried out on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Space station’s orbit raised by 1 km — Roscosmos

According to preliminary information, the average altitude of the orbital outpost was increased to 414.8 km above the Earth’s surface

Iran announces establishment of Basij voluntary naval force

According to the commander, the unit has already recruited 55,000 members and has 33,000 small vessels that are equipped with 107mm missiles

US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Russia, India plan to launch ‘green corridor’ project in trade shortly

The sides supported the early launch of the green corridor project aimed at the simplification of customs operations

Bank of Russia does not rule out keeping key rate at current levels until year's end

The Bank of Russia also does not rule out raising the estimate of the neutral key rate in the near future

Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

The United States should not cross the red lines with regard to China’s sovereignty and security, Wang Yi added

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

Timur Ivanov was removed from the office of deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation of the federal government’s civil service

Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister said that the sides would exchange opinions on how to develop bilateral relations along the path outlined by Bolivian President Luis Arce and Russian President Vladimir Putin

EAEU trade turnover reaches record high level of $8.7 bln in 2023 — Russian Prime Minister

The trade turnover between Russia and Belarus reached 4 trillion rubles ($43.8 bln)

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

About 20% of weapons sent to Kiev end up on black market – Russia’s UN mission

Dmitry Polyansky said that some of the weapons supplied to Kiev are "in the darknet, which means that it is available to anyone"

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the situation is as though a year-long probe into a murder yielded a conclusion that "the victim was murdered"