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Blasts in Brussels

Life in Brussels gets back to normal as authorities downscale terrorist alert

Frequent police sirens around heard in the city are possibly the sole reminder of what has already gone down in history as "Black Tuesday"

© AP Photo/Martin Meissner

BRUSSELS, March 25. /TASS/. Life in the Belgian capital is getting back to normal slowly but surely in the wake of the March 22 terrorist attacks, as the authorities have downscaled the terrorist alert to third level. Public transport is back to the streets and most city residents have resumed their habitual business routine. Police control is less conspicuous. Frequent police sirens around heard in the city are possibly the sole reminder of what has already gone down in history as "Black Tuesday."

Transport and schools

Public transport, suspended immediately after the terrorist attacks, is resuming normal operation. More Brussels metro stations opened on Thursday morning than on Thursday.

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Moscow slams Western reports on Russia’s reaction to Brussels terror attacks

"Four lines reopened in the morning. Far from all stations will operate, though: 38 of the 69," the municipal transport department STIB said. Previously, only 20 stations or so opened their doors to passengers. The metro closes as early as 18:30-19:00 for security reasons. Friday will be no exception, the transport department said.

The city’s railway stations are operating with some restrictions. Only one of the several entrances is open and passengers have to spend some time in long lines. Queues at the central railway station are dozens of meters long.

Schools officially reopened on March 23. Whereas in the previous days some educational establishments were still sending "School closed today" text messages to students’ mobiles and many parents preferred to keep their kids at home, the situation has changed for the better towards the weekend.

Policing has eased in the European Quarter, where one of the bombs exploded at the Maelbeek metro station. No large police contingents armed with automatic rifles or heavy military trucks are seen around the European Union offices anymore. Security at the entrances to the European Commission and the European Council stays tight. Queues remain here, too.

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Rhythm of life nearly back to normal

Social and cultural life in the city is almost back to normal. Theaters, museums, concert halls, shops and trading and entertainment centers are open. Whereas in the first days following the terrorist attacks businesses were complaining about the lack of customers, the usual hustle and bustle is back again.

The most favored tourist musts are crowded. Yet the spontaneous memorial commemorating the March 22 terror attacks’ victims still draws far more visitors that the city’s main square, Grand Place. Since Black Tuesday it has been covered by a huge carpet of burning candles, flowers, postcards and touching notes. Visitors keep bringing flowers and candles and leaving colored chalk drawings on the asphalt around the Brussels Stock Exchange and the BSE building itself.

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There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

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Maria Zakharova warned that if US nuclear weapons were deployed to Northern Europe, "the security of the countries hosting these weapons will by no means get stronger, but on the contrary be harmed"

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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"

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Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

Comprehensive mechanisms require to be worked out, the head of state noted, responding to a proposal to add new tools to support of congress and exhibition activities

Russian Embassy to Austria denied participation in ceremony at Nazi concentration camp

The embassy said that the Austrian Mauthhausen Committee had also cautioned the organizations of Russian compatriots in Austria against participating in the event

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The incidents were related to flights that were not coordinated with the Russian side and involved unmanned aerial vehicles

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The speaker’s shocking remarks sparked outrage among the public

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Bank of Russia keeps key rate to prevent inflation from being double-digit, Putin says

According to the head of state, such risks still exist

Russia says its battlegroup West seized better positions

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Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

The Houthis also confirmed that the movement will "continue its military operations, impeding the navigation of Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, the Arab Sea and the Indian Ocean"

Iran calls on BRICS states to facilitate ceasefire in Gaza Strip

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza

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The President and business representatives are satisfied with outcomes of the meeting, Dmitry Peskov noted

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Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

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Good GDP growth results showed in first months of 2024 — Putin

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The situation can take a sudden turn for the worse from one minute to the next, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said

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"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

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Country’s leader Kim Jong Un said the systems feature advanced technologies and "will contribute to strategic changes in the process of strengthening the artillery forces."

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

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Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

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Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

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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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Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

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Apart from that, IDF fighter jets delivered strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of Kfarchouba in southern Lebanon and in Markaba

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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"

Ukraine to cease to exist unless it enters into talks, Belarusian president warns

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky should have realistic expectations

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Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

This charges carries a punishment of up to 15 years behind bars

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Russian international reserves up $2.5 bln in one week exceeding $603.2 bln — Central Bank

Russia’s international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian government

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Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

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

Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

The goal "is to put more pressure on Crimea," The New York Times said

Industrial Development Fund will get additional capitalization of 300 bln rubles — Putin

The head of state stressed that companies implementing projects can already use special support measures, and the state will expand these business opportunities

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

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

The date and location will be announced later

Azerbaijan, Armenia have installed 20 border markers so far

Expert groups from the two countries continue their work

Russians not let to Turkish Airlines flights to Mexico due to US pressure on it — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that such problems exist for Russians using Turkish Airlines flights to other Latin American countries

Casualties reported after Ukrainian strike on residential house in Zaporozhye Region city

The rescuers are involved in efforts to clear the rubble of a five-story house on Kuibyshev Street

European Parliament urges EU states to regard Russian presidential vote as illegitimate

The resolution passed in a 493-11 vote, with 18 abstentions

Russia needs to boost production of goods based on domestic technologies — Putin

The President undescored that Russia did not plan to produce absolutely everything domestically

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

ATACMS shipment proves ‘Zelensky’s formula’ needed in US as ‘smoke and mirrors’ — diplomat

"Washington’s plan is sickeningly simple, as it means dragging everyone under the pretext of ‘peace intentions’ to an empty gathering, while bolstering Zelensky’s terrorist potential," Maria Zakharova said

US military advisers, if sent to Ukraine, won’t come close to frontlines — Pentagon

"United States has no intent of conducting combat operations inside of Ukraine, nor are these forces going to be anywhere near the frontlines," Patrick Ryder said

Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

China vows decisive response to US move to deploy intermediate missiles in Asia-Pacific

The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson stressed that "US steps are posing a major threat to security and stability of regional players"

Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

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"

Global community condemns use of terrorists in geopolitical struggle — Russian official

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev noted that the heads of foreign delegations expressed sincere condolences to the Russian people over the casualties of the attack on a concert hall outside Moscow

Venezuelan foreign ministry, Russian embassy hold joint conference in Caracas

The event brought together almost 200 diplomats, foreign ministry staffers and experts in international relations

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

US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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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

Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

Work will continue to develop the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, primarily regarding the use of currencies different from the US dollar," the Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov pointed out

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Russian cosmonauts begin first spacewalk in 2024

Oleg Kononenko and Nikolay Chub are expected to spend 6 hours and 52 minutes outside the orbital outpost

Hungary sees Ukraine conflict entering new phase, NATO involvement rising

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

Positive trends in Russian economy become stronger — Putin

"Despite unprecedented challenges we face in recent years, positive trends are becoming stronger in national economy," the head of state said

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

According to the article, the United States "is putting the finishing touches" on one of its largest Ukraine military aid packages to date, which may be announced on Friday

Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

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

Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed to media reports, according to which Ukrainian embassies in a number of countries are openly campaigning local citizens to join the so-called International Legion of Ukrainian Territorial Defense

West’s unwillingness to give up hegemony escalates tensions in world — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, this creates conditions for the devaluation of international law and its institutions and the erosion of the UN's central role in resolving global and regional conflicts