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Bank of Russia’s forecast suggests space for reducing key rate in 2024

The next meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia is scheduled for April 26

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. The basic forecast of the Bank of Russia assumes room for reducing the key rate this year, the regulator’s Deputy Governor Alexey Zabotkin said.

"Our [baseline] forecast suggests room for a key rate decline this year," he said.

Earlier on April 1, the Bank of Russia indicated conditions whereupon key rate slashing is possible, according to the summary of discussions of the relevant issues. "Key rate reduction requires further stable slowdown of current inflation; cooldown of consumer lending and consumer activity; lowered toughness of the labor market; and lack of materialization of pro-inflationary risks from the side of the budget or external conditions," the regulator said.

On March 22, the Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia kept the key rate at 16% per annum, noting that current inflation pressure is gradually weakening, but remains high. The next meeting is scheduled for April 26.

Dollar grows to 91 rubles, euro declines to 98.82 rubles on Moscow Exchange

The yuan rate remained unchanged,at 12.587 rubles

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

According to Russian Railways, the document includes on cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation, as well as in the field of personnel training

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

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

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

According to Roman Shkurlatov, two Patriot systems will not make Kharkov safe

Russia does not trust NATO, feels emotional repulsion — Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov

Sergey Ryabkov underscored that Russia will work with those "who are ready to negotiate on an equal basis"

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

The man reportedly owned his weapon legally

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

Russian troops repulsed ten Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

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

Both countries also expressed gratitude for collaboration within the G20 and stated their commitment to "continue joint steps at this platform in order to promote inclusive and mutually beneficial processes of economic globalization"

Top brass sees possibility of US warships provocatively entering Northern Sea Route

Igor Kostyukov noted that NATO was stepping up its military activities in the Arctic region

Cuban president calls on US to remove Cuba from list of state sponsors of terrorism

US presidential election’s outcome to make no difference to Russia — senior diplomat

"There are no prospects for the overall situation to change for the better, given the fundamentally anti-Russian consensus among US elites," Sergey Ryabkov said

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

In addition, 23 drone control centers were destroyed and 34 drones shot down or disabled

Putin arrives in China on state visit

The Russian president is scheduled to visit Beijing and Harbin

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

Hezbollah drones attack Israeli military base some 50 km from border with Lebanon

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

Russia, China praise dialogue as best form of settling Ukrainian crisis — statement

"The parties proceed from the fact that in order to ensure a sustainable settlement of the Ukrainian crisis it is necessary to eliminate its root causes and to adhere to the principle of indivisibility of security," the document said

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

What we know about attempt to assassinate Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico

Robert Fico was shot after a cabinet meeting in the city of Handlova in western Slovakia

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

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"

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

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

Russian envoy slams Washington’s allegations of Moscow posing threat to US elections

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

Russian diplomat says US authorities remind him of 'rampaging street mobsters'

"Among the powers that be in the United States and other key Western states there have gathered quite a few personalities who are, by and large, provocateurs, whose raison d'être is to test Moscow’s strength," Sergey Ryabkov said

During special op, West delivered some 800 tanks, 30,000 drones to Kiev — top brass

NATO's and partners have already allocated than $132 billion for the purpose, including over $63 billion spent by the United States, said Igor Kostyukov

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

Alexander Dubinsky argues that the only situation where the president can continue to fulfill his duties after the expiration of his term is the period until the president-elected takes office

Serbian president says ready to assist Moscow-Kiev talks

The leaders of China and the United States should play the role of mediators in these talks, Aleksandar Vucic said

Russia, China against sports politicization, discrimination based on national affiliation

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Putin says Russians, Chinese 'brothers forever'

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

Russia-China Expo to kick off in Harbin with Putin’s attendance

The event will continue until May 21, running in parallel with the 33rd Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair

Russian Su-25 attack aircraft wipe out Ukrainian equipment, personnel over past day

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

Putin, Xi sign statement on deepening relations

The document was signed after extensive Russian-Chinese negotiations

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

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

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

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"

Military conscripts in Ukraine to receive barcodes facilitating apprehension of deserters

According to the new law on tightening the rules of mobilization, men (regardless of deferments and reservations) will have to update their data in military registration offices within 60 days from that day and will have to carry a military card with them at all times

Xi Jinping says ready to maintain close communication with Putin — Xinhua

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"

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

Emergency blackouts renewed in Ukraine

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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

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"

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

Press review: Putin embarks on state visit to China and assassination attempt on Slovak PM

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 16th

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

According to the Russian leader, Russia and China together uphold the principles of justice and a democratic world order that reflects multipolar realities and a world order based on international law

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

Four people killed, two injured in Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk

Four women died on the Petrovskogo Street

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Strikes by Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed three bases of militants who came out of the (US-controlled) al-Tanf zone

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

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

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

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

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"

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The Russian foreign minister specified that Beijing has "an absolutely correct position, essentially, to sort out root causes and collectively remove them"

Russian deputy minister sees possibility of downgrading diplomatic ties with US

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

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

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Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak mentioned the construction of a gas pipeline with a capacity of 50 billion cubic meters of gas through the territory of Mongolia

US imposes sanctions against Russian police training center in Nicaragua

According to Washington, the training center "contributes to anti-democratic actions and repressions from the Ortega-Murillo regime"

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Russia-China cross-cultural years to span beyond major cities — Putin

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Zelensky admits possibility of Ukraine losing Kharkov

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Andrey Derkach pointed out that "the criminal case that was initiated against Burisma was being actively investigated under [Ukrainian] Prosecutor General [Viktor] Shokin [in 2014-2016]"

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Denis Manturov recalled that the format of participation in this project has been revised, and Russia is ready to provide the necessary in-house competencies for the project on the basis of an agreement between the parties

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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"

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

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

No plans to interfere in US elections, senior Russian diplomat says

Moscow has never interfered in election campaigns in any country, Sergey Ryabkov said

Erdogan says government knows 'puppet master' behind reported conspiracy

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

Ukrainian troops shelling civilians in Kharkov Region villages they were driven from

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Russian troops destroy 600 combat aircraft in Ukraine operation — top brass

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

According to Roscosmos, the satellite will enter its intended orbit nine and a half minutes after the takeoff

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"

Russia, China express concern over effect of AUKUS agreements on stability in Asia Pacific

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

King of Bahrain announces intention to boost cooperation with Russia

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said he was grateful to Russian President Vladimir Putin for sending his envoy to the Arab League summit, and commended his "desire to strengthen relations with Arab countries"

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

The devices help detect targets at a distance of over 1 km

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

Russia, China to expand cooperation in information and communications technologies

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Deputy head of Altai region government detained in Moscow

Details are not known, a law enforcement source has told TASS

Russia, China sign ten joint documents

The agreements penned included an initiative to develop the Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, protocols on requirements for beef and other products exported to China

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

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Russia, China set up joint academy of fundamental sciences

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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"

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

The first rehearsal of the mechanized parade takes place at the Lipki airstrip in the eastern part of Minsk on Thursday

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

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

Ukraine’s terror attacks on Russia 'revenge' for military failures — North Korean envoy

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Russia and China to set up commission for development of Northern Sea Route — Rosatom CEO

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State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

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Russia hails any peace initiatives for Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

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Russia expels UK defense attache from Moscow in tit-for-tat move — Foreign Ministry

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

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

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