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IMF improves Russia's GDP forecast, expects it to grow by 0.3% in 2023 and 2.1% in 2024

The October forecast of the International Monetary Fund for 2023 improved by 2.6 p.p., as well as by 0.6 p.p. for 2024

© AP Photo/ Andrew Harnik

WASHINGTON, January 31. /TASS/. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upwards the estimates of Russia's economic development and forecasts the country's GDP to grow by 0.3% in the current year and by 2.1% in 2024, according to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook update published on Monday.

According to the cited estimates, Russia's GDP declined by 2.2% in 2022. It follows from the document that the IMF has raised its October forecast for Russia's growth in 2023 by 2.6 percentage points, as well as its forecast for 2024 by 0.6 percentage points.

Earlier this month, the World Bank presented its World Economic Outlook. It follows from the document that Russia's GDP will decline by 3.3% this year, while next year it will grow by 1.6%.

Putin establishes scholarship for Olympic athletes, coaches

The size of the scholarship depends on its category; its maximum size stands at $555 every month

Russian policy paper says foreign NGOs step up extremist activity aimed against Russia

Russia views the support of such activities by unfriendly countries, including the initiation of "color revolutions," as an extremist threat

Slovak PM calls on EU to pay urgent attention to Ukraine's decision to halt gas transit

Robert Fico stated that the EU's governing bodies had not adequately evaluated the negative consequences of halting gas transit through Ukraine

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Former Armenian defense minister detained in Moscow

Arshak Karapetyan has been put on the international wanted list under a number of articles of the Criminal Code, law enforcement bodies told TASS

Press review: Middle East may host Putin-Trump talks as experts probe Kazakhstan crash

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 26th

Scholz polling increasingly worse as German chancellor candidate — Bild

For comparison, ahead of the 2021 election, the CDU/CSU bloc enjoyed the support of 27% voters in opinion polls and came ahead of Scholz’s party by just a 9.5% margin

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

According to the head of state, the system's serial production has begun

Gazprom supplies 42.4 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine to Sudzha

The application for pumping through Sokhranovka was rejected by the Ukrainian side

Thirteen officers who fled Syria detained while crossing border into Lebanon

According to a Lebanese security source, local residents spotted the fleeing Syrian soldiers in a pickup truck that had crossed the border near the village of Mish Mish in the Akkar border district

Jeju Air plane returns to airport after departure due to landing gear problem - media

The plane took off from Gimpo International Airport on Monday

Putin signs law on increased penalties for armed mutiny

According to the law, a participant in a mutiny may be exempted from criminal punishment if they voluntarily and promptly inform the authorities or otherwise contribute to "preventing further harm to the interests of Russia"

US, UK carry out airstrikes on Houthi sites in Yemen — report

According to the Houthi-controlled television channel, two strikes hit targets in the Hodeidah province. No further information was provided

Expert offers to use navy ships to escort tankers after Eagle S incident

Alexander Stepanov believes that NATO intends to lock the Kaliningrad enclave, to lock the Russian trade fleet in Neva estuary and to simultaneously block the Leningrad naval base

Russian units attack Ukrainian troops near Kurakhovo power plant in DPR — republic’s head

"Russian units are also storming the industrial zone and we are also seeing combat in the vicinity of the thermal power plant," he said in a video address published on his Telegram channel

Russia open to talks on Ukraine, agreement must be ironclad — Lavrov

"I would like to particularly emphasize that this can only be about reliable, legally binding agreements which must remove the root causes of the conflict and enshrine the mechanism of the impossibility to violate them," he explained.

Taiwan reports approach of 23 Chinese planes, six vessels

16 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ

German lawmaker slams Ukrainian diplomat for demanding more weapons

According to Sevim Dagdelen, Friedrich Merz, Economic Minister Robert Habeck and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz 'will probably continue to burn German taxpayer money in Ukraine'

Ukraine’s army reports forced retreat to ‘last defensive line’ in Donbass area

Ukraine’s General Staff admitted earlier that the frontline situation remained tense for the Ukrainian army

Ankara debunks claims that Erdogan had contacts with Israel on Syria

The Department for combating disinformation in the Turkish Presidential Office pointed out that its policy towards Israel in regards to the "policy of genocide," carried out in the Gaza Strip, remains unchanged, and the two countries do not engage in any contacts

Russians would ask for success in special military operation, survey reveals

The survey results show that more than half of Russians follow the tradition of making a wish as the New Year’s chimes strike

US must make first step to restore ties with Russia — Lavrov

"So we’ll see. If the Americans begin to take our interests into account, dialogue will gradually recover. If not - then everything will remain the way it is," the top Russian diplomat said

FACTBOX: It’s all about the tree: How Russia celebrates New Year

The main New Year’s tree celebration takes place in the State Kremlin Palace

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

Ukrainian forces attack Kherson region hospital with drone, chief doctor seriously injured

His deputy was killed, Head of the region Vladimir Saldo reported

Kazakhstan sends AZAL plane flight recorders to Brazil for decoding

"The flight recorders will be delivered to the CENIPA," the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan said

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

Baku demands Moscow admit guilt, punish those responsible for AZAL plane crash

Russian, Azerbaijani presidents hold telephone conversation on Aktau plane crash

INTERVIEW: US applies Ukrainian scenario to pressure China — Lavrov

"We do not make assumptions about the plans of the future US administration", Russian Foreign Minister said

Germany seen defenseless against Russia’s Oreshnik missile system — report

Bild said the German Foreign Ministry commissioned an internal government analysis on defense from ballistic missiles

Georgia expects steps from new US leadership to improve relations — PM

On November 30, the US State Department announced that the United States had suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia

29,500 square meters of Kerch Strait cleared of oil after tanker incident

The Krasnodar Region anti-crisis center said that 460 meters of booms have been deployed in areas where that would be effective, 250 of them - around the stern of the Volgoneft-239, stranded near Taman

RuStore surpasses AppStore in terms of user audience in Russia — minister

Maksut Shadayev noted that Chinese developers have increased investments in promoting their applications in the store fivefold this year and spent 60 million rubles ($590,088)

US believes Ukrainian forces to be pushed out of Kursk Region in few months — Bloomberg

According to the report, Ukraine lacks personnel and Kiev has no confidence in further provision of military aid by the West

US Treasury says China-related hackers breached its systems — report

This is not the first time the US recently made allegations of attacks by Chinese-affiliated hackers on US infrastructure

Russia updates record for rice harvest surpassing 1.2 mln tons — Agriculture Ministry

At the same time, almost two thirds of the production falls on the Krasnodar region - in 2024 the rice harvest in the region amounted to 829,000 tons

Finnish president wants to be more Ukrainian than Ukrainians — Lavrov

" I know that Kiev's officials never stop speculating about the illegitimacy of the Russian Federation, because the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was written down in the UN Charter," the Russian foreign minister said

Fighting erupts on border between Afghanistan, Pakistan — report

According to sources, light and heavy weapons were employed in the skirmishes

The Carter Center confirms death of former US president Jimmy Carter

The Carter Center non-governmental organization confirmed the death of Jimmy Carter

Musk calls idea of Russian NPP on Moon ‘interesting’

US entrepreneur and founder of the SpaceX space technology company Elon Musk has called the prospect of delivering a Russian nuclear power plant to the Moon in 2033-2035 "interesting."

Kiev loses nearly 400,000 soldiers on Lugansk’s frontline in 2024

Andrey Marochko noted that over the year the Russian army did not just manage to withstand the onslaught of the Ukrainian armed forces and mercenaries, but also "successfully advanced" deep into the enemy’s defense

US to shut down federal agencies, departments on January 9 to honor Jimmy Carter’s memory

Some offices, department and agency facilities will continue to operate on January 9 "for reasons of national security, defense or other public need"

Over 340 military officials’ cars set on fire in Ukraine over year

According to the report, the majority of these crimes occurred between Spring and Summer this year

Public debt back on Europe's agenda for first time in five years — media

It estimates that increasing public debt during the coronavirus pandemic was not seen as a priority in European countries due to low interest rates

Kazakh president warns against misinformation, provocations about plane crash near Aktau

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the General Prosecutor's Office and the government commission to conduct an impartial investigation of the plane crash near Aktau

At least 17 killed in Israeli strike on munitions depot in Damascus Governorate — TV

According to the TV channel, a drone likely belonging to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked a munitions depot near Adra about 25 kilometers away from the Syrian capital

Syrian ports of Latakia, Tartus fully resume operations — official

Both ports are now serving ships and handling cargo normally

Chinese embassy tells US to stop smearing Beijing in cybersecurity affairs

The comments came after the New York Times reported on Monday that the US Treasury Department accused China-related hackers of breaching its electronic systems

Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

Illegal migrants must leave Russia or legalize their status until April 30 — decree

The deportation requirement will not be applied to foreigners, who want to stay on legal grounds and have met several preconditions

Ukrainian troops attempt unsuccessful counterattack in DPR — republic’s head

The adversary attempted a counterattack with several of these attempts resulting in enemy losses

Putin establishes scholarship for Olympic athletes, coaches

The size of the scholarship depends on its category; its maximum size stands at $555 every month

Milanovic, Primorac to vie for Croatia's presidency in run-off on January 12

The incumbent president, Zoran Milanovic, who opposes sending Croatian soldiers to the Ukrainian conflict zone, secured first place with 49.12% of the votes after 99.59% of the ballots were counted

Putin congratulates foreign leaders on New Year and Christmas

The list did not include the leaders of the UK, Germany, the US, France, Japan, and other large states unfriendly to Russia

Biden announces around $2.5 bln in aid for Ukraine

The American president also said the US Department of Defense is in the process of delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds and thousands of missiles to Kiev

Syria may take four years to organize elections — new authorities

"Before any real elections, we need to hold a general census," Ahmed Sharaa pointed out

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 13th

Ukrainian forces lose up to 310 servicemen in Russia’s Kursk direction

One infantry fighting vehicle was destroyed, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

MOEX, RTS indices rise by 0.81% in early trading session

The yuan fell to 13.58 rubles

Ukraine loses over 250 servicemen over past day in Kursk Region, another surrenders as POW

Russia's army continues to defeat Ukrainian formations in the Kursk Region

Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Russia ready to modernize Belarusian combat helicopters

The Belarusian Army operates 12 Russian-made Mi-8MTV-5-1 military transport helicopters

Dollar exchange rate surges by almost 6% surpassing 111 rubles on Forex

The euro exchange rate is trading above 109 rubles

Gazprom to limit gas supplies to Moldova up to zero from January 1 over contract breach

The company notes that the restriction will remain in effect until Gazprom notifies Moldovagaz in writing otherwise

Ukrainian troops leave their positions in Shevchenko near Krasnoarmeysk

"The Ukrainian military has abandoned its positions in Shevchenko. They could not withstand the onslaught of our troops and combined strikes," the sources told TASS

Kiev’s newly built host airfields for F-16s to be wiped out before paint dries — experts

It is noted that the Russian Armed Forces will wait until the construction work reaches a certain point and then carry out strikes to destroy what has been built

Kremlin points to a wide range of countries to host negotiations on Ukrainian conflict

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow respects the peacekeeping efforts of various countries

Kiev signs deal with World Bank on $15 bln loan from US using Russian assets

The agreement will include funds from the PEACE in Ukraine project and part of the $20 bln US contribution to the G7 initiative, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal announced

South Korea to inspect all Boeing 737-800s after Jeju Air plane crash

The country has declared a week of mourning

US, UK special services plotting terror attacks on Russia’s bases in Syria — intel agency

"Washington and London presume that in such conditions they will be able to achieve more quickly their geopolitical goal of ensuring their long-term dominance in the region on the basis of a repulsive concept of the rules-based order," the statement reads

Decision-making centers in Kiev may be targets of Russia’s strikes, says Lavrov

Moscow selects targets for strikes on the territory of Ukraine, proceeding solely from threats to Russia, the foreign minister stressed

Russia not satisfied with Trump team’s proposals on Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, Lavrov noted that Moscow has not received any official signals from the United States on the Ukrainian settlement at the moment

Special aircraft brings Kyrgyz citizens injured in plane crash near Aktau to Bishkek

The plane arrived at the international airport in the Kyrgyz capital on the night of December 30

North Korea announces extremely tough US strategy

Kim Jong Un highlighted "landmark achievements" in building up the country’s defense capabilities

Bosphorus transit suspended due to malfunction of tanker en route to Russia

The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

Air defenses thwart nearly 170 Ukrainian air attacks on DPR over week

The system also intercepted a fixed-wing drone attempting to attack the Makeyevka machine-building plant

Trump’s Greenland comments could be part of policy of countering Russia and China — media

Trump’s transition team did not respond to a TASS request for comment

FACTBOX: New Year’s celebrations in Russia

In 2024, according to a government decree, December 29-31 (Sunday through Tuesday) will be days off, while December 28 (Saturday) will be a working day

Foreign Minister of Syria to make his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia

Hassan al-Shaybani said that the new Syrian authorities hope to build strategic relationships with Riyadh in all areas

Colorectal cancer vaccine to be able in Russia in 2025

Veronika Skvortsova noted that research is currently ongoing on drugs targeting glioblastomas and melanomas - malignant brain tumors and skin cancers

Russian forces liberate DPR’s Novotroitskoye — top brass

The battlegroup East has eliminated up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the military emphasized

Russia says battlegroups North, Dnepr cause Ukraine to lose up to 160 troops over past day

"Units of the battlegroup North struck manpower and equipment of Ukraine’s mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, a territorial defense brigade and formations of foreign mercenaries near Volchansk, Liptsy, Slatino and Neskuchnoye in the Kharkov Region," the ministry said

Azerbaijan toughens rules of stay for Russian citizens

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov has signed a decree on the matter

Upgraded T-90M tank to enter service soon

The first consignment will be enough to rearm one battalion

Russian Su-35S jets cover combat aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian troops in Kursk area

It is highlighted that the Su-35S fighters practiced aerial cover in the designated area for sorties by bombers and attack aircraft and army aviation helicopters in delivering air strikes at Ukrainian armor and manpower

Experts to assess damage to black box following South Korea plane crash

Earlier reports indicated that one of the two black boxes - the flight data recorder - had sustained damage by the time it was discovered

Russian chess grandmaster Volodar Murzin wins FIDE World Rapid Championship

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the winner of last year’s championship, was earlier disqualified for breaching the dress code

Two militants killed while preparing terrorist attack against Kadyrov

They had arrived in Grozny on instructions from warlord Doku Umarov

Ukrainian Armed Forces attack settlements in Russia’s Belgorod region over 50 times

One person was injured, the region's governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un wishes to Putin, Russia that 2025 be year of ‘great victory’

The North Korean leader said he was sending the wishes on behalf of himself, the Korean people and all the service personnel of the country’s armed forces

Russia to respond to blocking of media Telegram channels in EU — diplomat

Zakharova noted that blocking a Russian news outlet is seen as the reinforcement of the West’s policy to suppress

Court issues warrant to detain impeached South Korean president — agency

According to the agency, it has not yet made a decision about its next moves regarding the president

INTERVIEW: Georgia’s people, new government lack desire to become West’s pawn — Lavrov

He noted that over many years, Washington and its allies have been using "color revolutions" as a tool to contain their geopolitical rivals and get rid of those unwanted

Press review: EU preps for gas cuts via Ukraine as China boosts naval and air power

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, December 28th

Investigators of Azerbaijan Airlines crash to release findings within 30 days — official

The Kazakh Transport Ministry earlier announced that it sent flight recorders from the plane to the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center in Brazil

Fox News includes Biden’s Putin slip-up in top political gaffes of 2024

The list also concludes Biden calling Donald Trump’s supporters "garbage" during the US presidential campaign

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

Russian troops liberate Novoelenovka settlement in Donetsk People's Republic

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces hit energy facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, airfields, storage depots, command posts, and launch sites for attack drones over the day

Conference on Syria’s future to take place in Damascus in early January — report

The conference will involve 1,200 people, who will represent all segments of the society, as well as various religious and ethnic groups

Moscow condemns Israel’s disproportionate strikes on Yemen — Russia’s UN envoy

Information in the media that the IDF air force attack on Yemeni ports was planned in advance is alarming, Vasily Nebenzya emphasized