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US Federal Reserve lowers key rate by 50 bp to 4.75-5%, first time in four years

The US Federal Reserve also lowered its forecast for US GDP growth in 2024 to 2% from 2.1%

MOSCOW, September 18. TASS/. The US Federal Reserve System, which serves as the country's central bank, has lowered its key interest rate to 4.75-5% after a meeting, according to a statement on the US regulator's website.

The rate cut was expected by the market. The indicator was at its highest level since 2000. The Federal Reserve last cut the rate in 2020 to support the economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It later peaked at 5.25-5.50% due to rising inflation.

The US Federal Reserve also lowered its forecast for US GDP growth in 2024 to 2% from 2.1%. The forecast for economic growth in the country for 2025-2027 was kept at 2%.

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Seafood trade volume this year may exceed 2022 total — UN FAO

Oleg Kobyakov noted that one of the most important factors in ensuring food security and increasing the volume of fish supply to markets is the fight against production losses and product spoilage due to improper storage

Iran pledges to take measures in response to attack on ambassador in Lebanon

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN said that "the continued terrorist actions and violations of international law by the Israeli regime pose a serious threat to international peace and security"

Russian forces take control of two settlements in Kursk Region

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Exploding pagers disrupt Hezbollah’s communications network — ex-CIA operative

According to Robert Baer, the pager attack rendered the Lebanese Shia group unable to coordinate operations effectively, giving Israel a significant strategic advantage

NATO sets new tasks for Tallinn in event of conflict with Russia — Estonian General Staff

Major General Vahur Karus noted that, as opposed to a decade ago, Estonia can unequivocally count on allied units, stationed on its soil, to immediately participate in a conflict with Russia

BRICS platforms alternative to dollar, euro attract increasing number of states — Lavrov

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Russia destroys key Ukrainian highways leading to DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

As a result, according to the security services, Krasnoarmeysk has been virtually cut off from supplies

Japanese company probing into reports that its walkie-talkies exploded in Lebanon

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Zaluzhny objected to attacking Russia’s Kursk Region — media

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Israeli intel officials sent messages in Arabic to pagers before they exploded — media

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Putin extends food embargo on imports from Western countries for two years

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Press review: US shifts rhetoric on Ukraine and walkie-talkie explosions rock Lebanon

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Israel behind Hezbollah walkie-talkie explosions — media

According to the sources, the walkie-talkies were stuffed with explosives in advance by Israeli intelligence and then supplied to Hezbollah as par of the emergency communication system to be used during combat operations with Israel

US afraid Israel may launch offensive in Lebanon — media

The newspaper emphasized that Israel had deployed a military contingent of thousands of special forces and paratroopers from the south to the north of the country

US strengthens military alliances, groups against China — Chinese Foreign Ministry

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Russia strongly condemns unprecedented attack on Lebanon, its citizens — MFA

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Israel lambasts new UN General Assembly resolution on Palestine

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European Parliament urges end to restrictions on strikes on Russia with Western weapons

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New bomber Tupolev-22M3M presented in Kazan

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Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

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Russian forces move to better positions in Zaporozhye Region — politician

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Pavel Durov shows no interest in contacts with Russian authorities — envoy

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Islamic State terrorists seeking to destabilize situation in Afghanistan — diplomat

"Of special concern for us are security risks stemming from the continuing terrorist activities of the Islamic State Afghan wing," Vasily Nebenzya said

US mistaken if it thinks nuclear conflict would affect Russia, Europe only — diplomat

Anatoly Antonov reiterated that there must never be a nuclear war and that there can be no winners in any nuclear conflict

Lebanon blasts must be thoroughly investigated — Russian Duma speaker

In Vyacheslav Volodin's opinion, the possibility of mass production of "such ‘weapons’ takes terrorism to a new level"

Russian units strike energy facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial complex

Russia’s battlegroup Center has continued to advance into enemy defenses and wiped out more than 500 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said

European Parliament calls for arrest warrant for Maduro

The lawmakers recognized Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate president of Venezuela and urged EU member countries to do the same

Tver region governor says no serious injuries in drone attack on Toropets

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Russian troops entrenched in liberated settlements of Kursk Region’s Sudzha District

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Press review: Hezbollah pagers attack threatens wider war and Russia ready to test nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 18th

Snowden said exploding pagers in Lebanon likely to be stuffed with explosives

Former NSA employee and whistleblower blamed Israel for this, slamming its actions as reckless, bordering on terrorism

Israel unveils new Gaza deal proposal to US — media

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Russia firmly committed to principles of UN Charter unlike West — Lavrov

In this context, the foreign minister noted with appreciation that the position of Russia enjoys "the broadest support from like-minded BRICS countries and other states of the world majority"

Harris may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

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Mexican president-elect refuses to visit Ukraine

"I will attend certain international events, which we consider important, but we will not travel much - our responsibility lies here," Claudia Sheinbaum said

In contrast to Lebanon pager attacks in Russia impossible — expert

Anton Nemkin explained that nowadays almost all the functions that pagers once performed have been completely taken over by smartphones, messengers, social networks and e-mail

First five Baikal aircraft will be delivered in 2026 — minister

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Peace talks between Russia, Ukraine unlikely to happen in near future — DPR head

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Israeli military chief endorses defensive, offensive plans for country’s north

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Belarus ready to cooperate with Ukraine on same terms as with DPR

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Israel set up fake pager manufacturing company — media

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Turkey’s top diplomat confirms Ankara seeks to join BRICS

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Zelensky may be overthrown if Ukraine fails to hold elections — Ukrainian MP

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UN chief, Security Council should condemn attack on Iran’s ambassador in Lebanon — mission

Iranian mission said that UN must also condemn "violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and attacks and targeting of Lebanese civilians"

New wave of explosions in Lebanon affects personal devices, including phones — TV

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Russian aviation wipes out base of Ukrainian militants in DPR — expert

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike with a glide munition