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Only 37% of people in Africa enjoy internet access — UN

UNDP also notes that Africa is experiencing an acute shortage of digital capacity, with only 2% of the world's data centers located on the continent

MARRAKESH, April 16. /TASS/. The ratio of Internet access in Africa lags far behind the global level, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), whose representatives are taking part in the 3rd international innovation and technology exhibition GITEX Africa, held in Marrakech on April 14-16, has concluded.

According to the UN agency, only 37% of the African population has access to the Internet, compared to the global average of 67%.

UNDP also notes that Africa is experiencing an acute shortage of digital capacity, with only 2% of the world's data centers located on the continent.

Participants in a panel discussion at GITEX Africa emphasized the importance of increasing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and data sovereignty in Africa.

The exhibition, organized under the patronage of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, has brought together more than 1,400 enterprises from 130 countries. They showcase their new developments in the use of artificial intelligence, telecommunications, cybersecurity, e-commerce, big data, financial technologies, logistics, healthcare and many other areas.

Trump administration lays out roadmap to streamline tariff talks with 18 countries — WSJ

US officials expects agreements on reciprocal tariffs to be reached by July 8

Movie icon Oliver Stone, ex-CIA officer to take part in Russian educational marathon

The marathon, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, will be held on April 28-30

Bank of Russia lowers its forecast for global economic growth — regulator’s head

The regulator also lowered the forecast for Russian exports this year, Elvira Nabiullina noted

Situation is far from scenario with significant decline of global economic growth

Governor of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina noted that the deterioration of trade and economic relations between the US and China was included into the risk-based scenario

Russian defense chief inspects Battlegroup Kursk — Defense Ministry

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost over 75,000 troops and more than 400 tanks since fighting began in the Kursk Region

UN World Food Program exhausts food supplies in Gaza

The organization estimated that food prices have "skyrocketed up to 1,400% compared to during the ceasefire"

Opposition in Georgia to use resignation of ruling party’s leader — expert

"Given the intense confrontation among political forces in Georgia, tensions are likely to escalate," Andrey Bystritsky noted

India looking at cutting Pakistan off from Indus water — minister

Chandrakant Raghunath Patil said that India plans to demineralize rivers to stop the stream and direct it to another waterway

Putin, Witkoff meeting for more than 2 hours now

From the Russian side, the meeting is also attended by Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and the head of Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev

Next few days to be very important for negotiations on Ukraine — Trump

The US leader also expressed confidence that a peace deal would get done soon, one that satisfies both Russia and Ukraine

Pollster says 13% of Ukrainians plan to leave country within six months

Ukrainians usually choose to move to Germany or Poland

Israel’s actions in Syria undermine regional security — top Syrian diplomat

"We have repeatedly stressed that Syria will be no threat to any country, including Israel," Asaad Hassan al-Shibani emphasized

Russian troops liberate six communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,320 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy tanks and seven multiple rocket launchers in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Friday’s blast outside Moscow once again shows Kiev’s true colors — Kremlin spokesman

"This once makes it clear that regardless of peace talks, we need to remain vigilant and be aware of the nature of this regime," Dmitry Peskov added

New Russia-US arms race already in progress — Academy of Sciences

Fyodor Voytolovsky, Director of the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized that Russia remains either the second or an equal first in terms of nuclear capabilities

Bitcoin price exceeds $95,000 for first time since February 24

Bitcoin is a decentralized system of a crypto currency of the same name based on the blockchain technology

French general predicts Russia will be through with special military op by Christmas

The French military expert confidently stated that Russia will continue its operations not only until it fully liberates the four federal regions but may even advance as far as Odessa

Special flight from US arrives at Vnukovo Airport

There are no regular flights between the two countries

Kiev may resort to terror attacks with use of biopathogens — Shoigu

According to the official, "the Ukrainian special services are actively seeking those supporting pro-Ukrainian nationalist and neo-Nazi groups"

Greater cooldown of global economy risky — Bank of Russia

The markets are living in constant uncertainty related to growth of import tariffs, regulator's chief Elvira Nabiullina noted

Trump says Washington 'ripped off' by allies

The US leader cited the European Union as an example, stressing that the union's relations with the United States are unfair, because Washington is losing about $300 billion from trade imbalances

Iran offers US interim deal on its nuclear program — news outlet

According to Axios, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pointed out that the sides may not be able to reach a final agreement on the nuclear program within the timeframe proposed by Donald Trump

Putin, Witkoff exchange brief greetings in English upon their meeting in Moscow

After the handshake the Russian leader and the US special envoy retreated to a negotiating table in the Kremlin

Lavrov hears 'whispers' from French about mending ties

The Russian foreign minister criticized what he described as a "false and crude primitive explanation" of the Ukraine conflict being promoted in French society

Trump comments on killing of senior Russian army officer

Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff and the Russian Defense Ministry’s negotiator, was killed in a car explosion on Friday morning

US intends to push Russia to accept Kiev's right to its own army — news agency

At the same time, Bloomberg emphasized that these proposals have not yet been finalized and may be changed

Iran confirms acquisition of Russian Mi-28, Su-35, Yak-130 aircraft

The agency said the aircraft were already in Iran and accepted into service

Kiev says received no US warnings of withdrawal from peace process

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Paris that US President Donald Trump may abandon efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine if no progress is made soon

Ukraine masses up troops, vehicles in village close to Russia’s Belgorod Region — official

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, Ukraine is also busy assembling various military equipment

Relations between Moscow, Bishkek don't need adjusting — Russian embassy

Kyrgyz law enforcement told TASS earlier that a female employee of the Rossotrudnichestvo office in Kyrgyzstan and three other defendants in the case of recruiting mercenaries for a foreign army would be released from custody and placed under house arrest

Europe, Ukraine push back against some US peace settlement terms — Reuters

According to the agency, primary disagreements between the US’ suggestions on the one hand and Europe and Ukraine’s proposals on the other, "are over the sequencing for resolving questions over territory, the lifting of sanctions on Russia, security guarantees and the size of Ukraine's military"

Breakdown in relations with Berlin not Moscow's doing — Russian ambassador

Sergey Nechayev stressed that Moscow "did not deliberately burn any bridges in the Russian-German dialogue"

Putin doesn’t currently plan to reach out to leaders of India and Pakistan — Kremlin

Earlier, India reduced the staff of its embassy in Islamabad by almost a half, declared military advisors of the Pakistani embassy in India personae non gratae, and shut down the key Attari checkpoint on the border with Pakistan

Trump says Witkoff had good meeting

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that President Vladimir Putin had received Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin

NATO has several options on table regarding Zelensky's fate — foreign intel chief

In February, the SVR press bureau reported that "NATO headquarters is preparing a large-scale operation to discredit Zelensky"

Syrians from Latakia, Tartus take shelter from violence at Russian base — Moscow’s envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Russia urges the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs "to pay special attention to the humanitarian situation in these regions"

Direct impact of US tariffs on Russia is minimal — Central Bank chief

According to Elvira Nabiullina, Russian exports to the US are insignificant

Russia’s Rublev through to Round 3 of 2025 Madrid Open after French Monfils withdraws

The 2025 Madrid Open is a clay-court tournament played at the Park Manzanares in the Spanish capital between April 22 and May 4

Sending peacekeepers to historical Russian lands may lead to WWIII, Shoigu warns

According to Sergey Shoigu, rather, the notion of `peacekeepers’ conceals the pursuit of control over Ukraine and its mineral resources

Putin-Witkoff meeting takes place on Elbe Day, recalling WWII alliance

Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov stressed that the 1945 event "is a symbol of the two countries’ combat alliance in the fight against Nazism"

Trumps says work on peace deal between Russia, Ukraine proceeding smoothly

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with visiting US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff

Leader of Georgia’s ruling party Garibashvili says quits politics

According to the former Georgian Prime Minister, he fulfilled his role by holding various positions in the government and the party and sees no need to stay in the party and in politics in general

Putin-Witkoff meeting ends after lasting three hours

The previous encounter took place in St. Petersburg on April 11 and lasted for more than four hours

Ukrainian Security Service seizes Asian-flagged cargo ship, arrests crew

The service claims that the vessel was allegedly loaded with wheat in the port of Sevastopol in late 2024

Crimea to remain Russian — Trump

According to the US president, "everybody understands" that Crimea has long been part of Russia

Europe eventually to take path of peace in Ukraine conflict, Hungarian PM says

According to Viktor Orban, "it's time to end the military frenzy in Europe," which persists in spite of the US’ efforts on settling the Ukrainian conflict

Entire Kursk Region to be mopped up soon — Russian Security Council chief

According to Sergey Shoigu, the situation in the special military operation zone is now the key factor influencing both international affairs and the situation inside Russia

Russia needs to develop domestic production of rare earth metals — top security official

Sergey Shoigu underscored the importance of creating backup production facilities, given the threats that emerged during the special military operation

Global economy is at critical point — Russian finance minister

"TWe are witnessing heightened risks to financial stability, mounting inflationary pressures, and a weakening of fiscal discipline," Anton Siluanov said

Monument to Big Three Allied leaders installed in Crimea

The huge statue is the work of the famous Georgian-born sculptor Zurab Tsereteli

Putin says Ukrainian soldiers make restaurants military targets by holding parties there

This issue needs to be addressed, perhaps, through bilateral talks, according to the president

Trump points to progress in talks with Russia, Ukraine amid 'fragile' situation

The US president stressed that it would be "a big honor" for him to broker an agreement between Moscow and Kiev

Russia delivers batch of wheat to Syria first time under new power — source

The Pola Marina vessel supplied 6,600 tons of wheat to the Syrian port of Latakia on Sunday, April 20

Uncertainty in global economy was key topic of IMF, WB spring session

The IMF also lowered its outlook for global economic growth from 3.3% to 2.8% in 2025

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate for April 26-28 to 82.65 rubles

The regulator lowered the official euro exchange rate by 35 kopecks, to 94.3593 rubles

Russian air defenses destroy seven Ukrainian UAVs over Crimea, Belgorod Region

Six Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs were intercepted over the Republic of Crimea

Trump says he has 'his own deadline' in talks on Ukraine

The US president declined to specify what timeframe he was referring to

Bank of Russia addressed global trade wars in its macro forecast

The regulator also revised growth rates of the international economy and slightly lowered the estimate of oil prices

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine contains provisions on potential response to West

"This doctrine is available to the public," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia receives no requests from India, Pakistan to help resolve conflict — Kremlin

Earlier, India almost halved its embassy staff in Islamabad, declared the military advisors of the Pakistani diplomatic mission in India personae non gratae, and closed the key Attari checkpoint on the border with Pakistan

Trump says serious about idea to make Canada, Greenland part of US

Asked whether Donald Trump wants to be remembered as a president who expanded American territory, he replied, "Wouldn’t mind"

Russian Foreign Ministry cites Kiev's link to killed Russian general

"If the investigation confirms that Ukraine is behind this, it will again demonstrate to the international community the barbaric and treacherous nature of the Kiev regime," Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Trump says most points on Ukraine deal agreed to

According to the US president, sides need to meet "at very high levels"

Trump says meeting with Zelensky in Rome 'possible'

Before leaving for Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the US president said that he would "meet with a lot of the foreign leaders"

Kremlin confirms Putin meeting with Witkoff

This is the second meeting between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff in the last two weeks

Some French EP members want to come to Moscow on Victory Day — Lavrov

"This mere fact demonstrates that there are principally different views on our common history, on our present and, I am sure, on our shared future," the top Russian diplomat noted

Russia ready to strike deal on Ukraine, but some details yet to be agreed — Lavrov

"We are busy with this exact process," the minister said

Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $19.32 per metric ton from April 25

The duty on corn will be $9.65 per metric ton, the Ministry of Agriculture said

Russian foreign intelligence chief says that Moldovan leader is indeed 'playing with fire'

Sergey Naryshkin commented on the situation with Gagauzia's head Evghenia Gutsul and other politicians

Zelensky seeks to deceive Trump, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova also stressed that Zelensky 'is now also eliminating his own fellow citizens who live in the rest of Ukraine'

Trump is the only leader ready to address root causes of Ukrainian crisis — Lavrov

According to Russian foreign minister, US leader said "it was a huge mistake to pull Ukraine into NATO, and this was a mistake by the Biden administration, and he wants to rectify this"

Trump administration lays out roadmap to streamline tariff talks with 18 countries — WSJ

US officials expects agreements on reciprocal tariffs to be reached by July 8

Flight from US that arrived in Moscow on Friday morning leaves Russian airspace

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin received US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin

Ukraine submits peace terms to US, ready to trade land for security guarantees — newspaper

According to the report, the Ukrainian plan consists of five points, the first of which concerns renouncing its claims to Crimea and the regions that became part of Russia after the start of the special military operation

Europe incapable of deploying military contingent in Ukraine, says French military expert

According to retired French colonel Peer de Jong, France and the UK, which are the main advocates of this idea, do not have any resources in support of such ambitious plans

Press review: Vatican adjusts after Pope’s death as Moscow eyes Afghan projects post-ban

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 22nd

Lengthy period of tough monetary policy needed to reduce inflation — Bank of Russia

Further action of the Central Bank will depend on the pace of inflation to slow down, the regulator said

Russian Embassy to participate in celebrations of meeting on Elbe

The meeting will also be attended by Michael Kretschmer, minister president of the Saxony federal state

Putin-Witkoff talks see progress made — Putin’s envoy

The meeting between the Russian president and the US special envoy lasted three hours

EU must stop funding wars in the world — MEP

Harald Wilimsky urged the EU to adhere to its core principles

Ship repair in Arkhangelsk to grow 2.5 times by 2035, local authorities say

Over five years, the number of vessels that entered the Arkhangelsk docks for repairs and maintenance has increased from 180 to 350 a year

Intense fighting continues in Gornal village as Ukraine seeks to deploy reinforcements

The Ukrainian army command tried to deploy several assault groups equipped with armored units but they were eliminated

Kiev lost much territory, would struggle to get it back — Trump

"They lost a lot of territory," US President said

Russia makes $5 mln contribution to UN WFP to supply food to Syria — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya also said that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization is finishing work with the Syrian authorities to agree on "how to implement the $8 mln Russia-funded project aimed at restoring the country’s agriculture sector"

Russia, Turkey call for normalization in Syria, ceasefire in Gaza — Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that both parties underscored the importance of uniting international efforts to achieve sustainable normalization in Syria, while unwaveringly respecting its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity

Share of foreign investment in Russian OFZ bonds up to 4% in March 2025

The par value of OFZ bonds owned by nonresidents as of the beginning of April 2025 totaled $11.6 bln

Press review: White House irritated with Zelensky’s behavior as India-Pakistan ties worsen

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 25th

Russia reserves right to use nuclear arms in event of Western aggression — Shoigu

According to the official, Russia is "carefully monitoring Europe’s military preparations"

Putin, Trump won’t issue joint Elbe Meeting statement — Kremlin

The Kremlin said earlier on Friday it is symbolic that the latest meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff happened on the day of the 80th anniversary of the Elbe meeting

Russia being polite, never discusses details of talks in public as Zelensky does — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, Moscow is making and considering serious proposals on settlement of the Ukrainian conflict

Russia has not yet received results of Nord Stream blasts probe from Germany — ambassador

Sergey Nechaev recalled that Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz explicitly stated that the incident was a terrorist act and emphasized that the perpetrators and organizers of this heinous event must be identified and brought to justice

FACTBOX: Senior Russian military officer killed in explosion near Moscow

The person is Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, the Russian Investigative Committee said

Kremlin spokesman describes US envoy Witkoff’s visit to Russia as shuttle diplomacy

According to Dmitry Peskov, "it is about mediation efforts that the United States is making"

Key rate as 'prescription drug' to fight inflation — Central Bank

TASS has collected key statements of the Central Bank chief

US special flight from Moscow arrives in Oman — airport

The aircraft en route from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on the morning of April 25

Turkey, Russia finalized consultations on Middle East in Istanbul — source

During the meetings at the deputy foreign minister level, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov represented their respective countries

US puts no deadline on Ukraine negotiations — Trump

The US president said he wants "to do it as fast as possible"

Investments growth rate in Russian economy to gear down — Central Bank

The investment activity in Russia are now close to high levels of the last year, the head of the regulator said

Former US official doubts that Zelensky will take chance for peace in Ukraine

Colin Powell said that Vladimir Zelensky should "call elections for a date certain in the not too distant future, and become the savior of what remains of an independent and neutral country in the heart of a new Europe ready to build with Russia a new security architecture for Eurasia"

Russia scales up domestic production in response to reduced trade with Europe — IMF

The Russian economy is expected to see "a quite sharp slowdown this year from last year's growth," Director of the European Department at the International Monetary Fund Alfred Kammer said

Reopening of Nord Stream pipeline depends on Germany’s political will — Russian ambassador

According to Sergey Nechayev, the German coastal town of Lubmin had everything in place to start getting gas