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Consumer Sentiment Index up 6 pp in Q1 2024 — statistics

"It is critical that growing demand of the population for purchases of goods and services was supported by development of the economy of the offer in key industries," Konstantin Tuzov noted

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. The Consumer Sentiment Index reflecting overall consumer expectations of households gained 6 percentage points (pp) quarter on quarter in the first quarter 2024 and stood at minus 7%, according to the Russian state statistical service.

The share of respondents positively assessing changes in the Russian economy during the next twelve months increased by 5 pp quarterly in the first quarter of 2024 to plus 27%. The share of neutral estimates added 4 pp to plus 48%. The share of negative estimates lost 8 pp to plus 24%.

"The consolidated consumer sentiment index has almost returned to 2014 figures. It is critical that growing demand of the population for purchases of goods and services was supported by development of the economy of the offer in key industries," research fellow of the Institute of Applied Economic Research Konstantin Tuzov told TASS in a comment.

The main conclusion that can be drawn is that the consumer demand will remain stable in the midterm to support the economy, the expert said. "Growth in real salaries will be the main factor stimulating the demand," Tuzov added.

Vladimir Putin's visit to China

Putin to visit Harbin on second day of visit to China

During his visit to the administrative center of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province, the russian president will be accompanied by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng

Russian forces advancing daily in special op, everything going according to plan — Putin

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Russia, China sign ten joint documents

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Fico shot multiple times, undergoes five-hour operation — doctors

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak, confirmed that doctors had managed to stabilize Robert Fico’s condition overnight

Iskander missile systems to take part in parade in Minsk for first time — Defense Ministry

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Russia’s Soyuz 2.1b rocket carrying remote sensing satellite takes off from Baikonur

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Yemeni Houthis claim delivering missile strike on US destroyer

Additionally, according to Yahya Saree, in the Red Sea, the Houthis attacked the commercial vessel Destiny en route to the port of Eilat in Israel

Putin, Xi sign statement on deepening relations

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US imposes sanctions against Russian police training center in Nicaragua

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Czech president speaks out in favor of halting hostilities in Ukraine

Petr Pavel believes it is "naive" to imagine that Kiev will be able to regain territory taken by Russia in the foreseeable future

King of Bahrain announces intention to boost cooperation with Russia

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Putin warns against imbalances in economy, industry related to special military operation

The Russian leader also stated the importance of diversification of military production at a meeting with commanders of military district troops

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AUKUS was established in September 2021 to implement the defense initiatives of Australia, the UK and the US in two areas

Russian-Chinese heavy helicopter project implemented on schedule — First Deputy PM

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov noted that "the contract implementation stage is already underway"

Emergency blackouts renewed in Ukraine

Over the past two days, blackouts have been introduced in all Ukrainian regions

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The Ukrainian army lost over 520 troops in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Putin arrives in Harbin to open Russia-China Expo

At the request of the Chinese president, his deputy Han Zheng will accompany Putin in Harbin

Ukraine’s military has about 2,000-strong garrison in Kherson — resistance fighters

Ukrainian service members have been moving little in the city lately and normally only at night, the Kherson Resistance guerilla unit commander added

Khrizantema anti-tank missile gets extended flight range in upgrade — Rostec

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Russia’s new defense minister should pay attention to strategic nuclear forces — expert

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IAEA to remain at ZNPP for ‘as long as it is needed’ — director general

"The nuclear safety and security situation at the plant remains extremely precarious and challenging," Rafael Grossi said

Russian deputy minister sees possibility of downgrading diplomatic ties with US

This will happen "if the West chooses the path of escalation," Sergey Ryabkov said

Russian diplomat says US authorities remind him of ‘rampaging street mobsters’

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The Chinese president said "the world is now facing changes unprecedented over the past century and has entered a new period of turbulence and change"

Urals defense firm boosts armored vehicles output 20% — Rostec

Kurganmashzavod is the largest enterprise in the Kurgan Region and a leading producer of the Russian defense industry

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During his visit to the administrative center of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province, the russian president will be accompanied by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng

Ukrainian servicemen complain about heavy losses due to shortage of equipment, munitions

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Russian stock indices in the green as trading closes on Thursday

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Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Blinken says Ukraine may engage in talks if Russia shows 'interest'

Antony Blinken noted that in terms of negotiations, these are "decisions for Ukraine to make"

International experts see no signs of drone launches from Zaporozhye NPP territory

IAEA said its experts examined the nuclear site’s perimeter and "other buildings, which they are permitted"

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"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Russia, China to ensure uninterrupted payments between economic entities

Russia and China have also reached an agreement to step up cooperation in the area of banking and insurance regulation, as well as facilitate the stable development of banking and insurance companies of the two countries

Russia-China relations not opportunistic, not directed against anyone — Putin

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Russian Aerospace Forces destroy three militant bases in Syria — Defense Ministry

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Confiscation of Russian assets by Estonia for transfer to Ukraine is theft — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin stressed that Russia considers this "a violation of international law"

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

Russia, China to work on creating equal, fair conditions for investment

According to the statement, the parties agreed "to actively use and unlock the potential of interstate coordination mechanisms in the area of investment"

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

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"The operation was carried out in response to the killing of field commander Hussein Makki near Tyre", Hezbollah said on its Telegram channel

Russia hails any peace initiatives for Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

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Israel to send additional forces to Rafah operation — defense minister

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Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 15th

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Adrian Coghill "must leave the territory of the Russian Federation within a week," the ministry said

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The audience, listening first to the Russian speech and then to the Chinese translation, applauded the Russian president's words

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The two countries are also set to hold joint naval and air patrols on a regular basis

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China expects peace to recover on European continent shortly — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader added that Beijing "is ready to play its constructive role"

Russia, China agree on developing railway cargo transportation, border crossings

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Prime Minister of Slovakia shot by 71-year-old assailant — report

The man reportedly owned his weapon legally

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

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Anatoly Antonov emphasized that US intelligence agencies had failed to provide any evidence

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After employing air-launched munitions, the pilots performed a missile evasion maneuver, fired flares and returned to their airfield, it said

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Some 80% of equipment at two Ukrainian thermal power plants destroyed

Yevgeny Garkavy, the technical director of Ukrainian electric and thermal power generation company Centrenergo, described the damage as "critical"

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The Turkish leader said it is unacceptable to break laws, and warned that "anyone who goes beyond the limits will be held accountable"

Woman, her four-year-old son killed by kamikaze drone near Belgorod

Another drone attempted to attack a filling station near the village of Bessonovka near Belgorod, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said

Patriot supplies unlikely to impact Russia’s plans to liberate Kharkov, expert says

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Kremlin aide says talks between Putin, Xi Jinping went 'very well'

Yury Ushakov noted that the leaders touched upon the issues "in the trade and economic area, but some foreign policy topics were also discussed"

Slovakia’s PM in 'very serious' condition, president-elect says

Peter Pellegrini added that "the next few hours and days" will be decisive for Robert Fico, who is staying at a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

West should assess risks of Russia's response to asset confiscation — Foreign Ministry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin noted that retaliatory measures "can be both symmetrical and asymmetrical in a variety of instruments, including legal, financial, and administrative"

Russia, Iran working to create single BRICS currency — Iranian ambassador

Kazem Jalali pointed out that the United States uses the dollar to create restrictions, and therefore the use of national currencies in mutual settlements is on the agenda

Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

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Blinken’s visit to Kiev shows US concerned over Ukrainian failures on frontline — diplomat

"He sang a song, ate some pizza and left," Maria Zakharova noted

Russia developing thermal imager for Black Sea Fleet to repel night naval drone attacks

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Russia, China note constructive role of Moscow format in Afghan settlement process

The last, fifth meeting was held in September 2023 in Moscow

Russia and China continue to strive to simplify trade in Asia-Pacific region — statement

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Four people killed, two injured in Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk

Four women died on the Petrovskogo Street

Russia mulls supply of powerplants for joint aircraft project with China — First Deputy PM

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Slovak PM Fico’s life out of danger — deputy PM

Robert Fico was wounded in a shooting incident that happened after a government meeting in the city of Handlova in the western part of Slovakia

Russian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

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Dnepr battle group destroys 15 Ukrainian boats in one day — Kherson governor

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Slovak leader urges suspension of country's campaign for European Parliament elections

Peter Pellegrini emphasized that "Slovakia must choose the path of peace and coolheadedness"

US law banning imports of Russian uranium will not cause problems — Rosatom CEO

Alexey Likhachev admitted that the Russian side is worried about this, but not much, as "the demand for Rosatom’s uranium products in the world is constantly growing"

Russia, China warn US, NATO against setting up military infrastructure in Afghanistan

The leaders of Russia and China also expressed their intention "to boost Afghanistan-related partner interaction both at the bilateral level and on multilateral platforms"

Ukrainian forces use US-made GLSDB munitions against DPR civilians for the first time

DPR head Denis Pushilin said that two civilians were killed and three were injured by Ukrainian strikes on Thursday

Putin, Xi Jinping conclude informal talks

During an informal lunch, each of the leaders was joined by four delegation members

US sanctions 2 Russians, 3 Russian-based companies over alleged links with DPRK

In particular, Rafael Gazaryan and the companies Trans Kapital and Rafort allegedly associated with him are blacklisted

Zelensky admits possibility of Ukraine losing Kharkov

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New relations, successes of China's automobile industry: what Putin, Xi said in Beijing

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Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

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Russia urges US to respond to its prisoner swap proposals — diplomat

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Treaty on Russian-Iranian strategic partnership 85% ready — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, "what is going on between Palestinians and the Israelis" have no impact of the negotiating process on the big treaty between Russia and Iran

Military conscripts in Ukraine to receive barcodes facilitating apprehension of deserters

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New head of Taiwan claims readiness for dialogue with mainland China

China’s authorities have repeatedly noted that what is known as the 1992 Consensus is a condition for dialogue with Taiwan, however, Lai Ching-te claimed not to support it