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Russian Central Bank cuts key rate to 5.5% per annum

© Gavriil Grigorov/TASS

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia reduced the key rate by 50 basis points at once for the first time since October 2019 to 5.5% per annum, the regulator said in a statement following its board meeting on Friday.

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"On 24 April 2020, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to cut the key rate by 50 bp to 5.50% per annum. Since the March Board of Directors meeting, the situation has changed dramatically. Significant restrictive measures have been introduced to combat the coronavirus pandemic both in Russia and across the world, which negatively influences economic activity," the statement said.

This creates material and prolonged disinflationary influence on price dynamics from the aggregate demand perspective, which offsets the effect of temporary pro-inflationary factors, including those related to the fall in oil prices, the regulator added.

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Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"

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Iran says drones downed over Isfahan launched from country's territory

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Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Zelensky's formula should be put aside for Ukraine talks, Lavrov says

"One should clearly support the need to seek solutions that take into account the balance of security interests and ensure the indivisibility of security," the top Russian diplomat underlined

West frightens voters by 'Russian threat' to win elections — Lavrov

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Moscow-based embassies of NATO countries helped anti-government groups, Lavrov says

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No plans for pauses in fighting if talks on Ukraine begin, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the situation on the ground had changed significantly

Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran

Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

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UN Security Council vote exposes practically full isolation of US — Russia’s UN mission

Vasily Nebenzya described the US veto as a "fruitless attempt to stop the inexorable course of history"

Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

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Tehran’s two major airports cancel international flights — Mehr

Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad International Airport suspended their operations until 10:30 a.m. local time

Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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More than 100 employees of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies are fencing the shores and filling the least reliable dam segments

Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

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