Author: Steven Sahiounie

According to the updated forecast for the socio-economic development of Russia, Russia’s GDP growth is expected to be 1.2% this year, and 2% in 2024 MOSCOW, 9 August. /TASS/. Annual inflation in Russia stayed practically unchanged from the previous week, at 4.43% from August 1 to 7, according to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. It was previously reported, inflation on July 31 was 4.42%. “Prices remained virtually unchanged from August 1 to August 7, 2023. Inflation was 4.43% year-on-year. Prices in the food segment fell as a result of cheaper prices for fruits and vegetables. Price growth rate in…

US, EU, and UK defense contractors have been major beneficiaries of weapons sales to Ukraine The revenues of the top Western defense contractors have been soaring, with American weapons makers dominating the global arms industry, Defense News reported on Monday. According to the magazine’s new ranking of the top 100 defense firms, in 2022, America’s top five weapons contractors made $196 billion in military-related revenue. The ranking shows that four US-based companies were among the world’s top five military contractors. The US has emerged as the main source of weapons for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, having committed around…

Analysts attribute the depreciation to the drop in foreign exchange earnings from exports and domestic demand The Russian ruble on Wednesday continued its slide against major global currencies, dropping to a new 16-month low. According to MOEX data, the Russian currency was trading above 98 rubles to the US dollar at 11:33 GMT, its weakest level since March 25, 2022. The ruble also weakened against the euro, dropping to nearly 108. Analysts explain the ruble’s depreciation by the drop in foreign exchange earnings from exports which are unable to cover the increasing local demand for foreign currency amid the stabilization…

The authorities have ordered the evacuation of the entire facility A powerful explosion has rocked a factory in the town of Sergiyev Posad outside of Moscow, with evacuation efforts underway, the local authorities have said. The incident took place on the territory of the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant, which according to its website designs and produces optical and electronic equipment. Prosecutors have confirmed the preliminary data that the explosion occurred in the pyrotechnics warehouse. Andrey Vorobyev, Moscow Region’s governor, said citing emergency services that 31 people were injured in the blast, with three of them being taken to an intensive care…

Mohamed Bendriss’ death has been linked to Marseille police officers who have been suspected of shooting a lethal flash ball at the 27-year-old. Five police officers in Marseille have been taken into custody for questioning regarding the death of a 27-year-old man during the turmoil that unfolded in the French city on July 1, The Guardian reported. The officers are part of the elite Raid (Research, assistance, intervention, dissuasion) tactical unit and were among a total of 20 members from this unit who were interrogated. The questioning pertains to the injuries sustained by Mohamed Bendriss, which occurred amid nationwide mass protests following…

SAMA TV reporter, Firas al-Ahmad, and three members of the army forces were martyred when an explosive device planted by terrorists went off on their way back to al-Shayyah in Daraa countryside. That was after combing the border with Jordan from drug dealers and covering a thwart of drug smuggling operation. “The car carrying Firas and others of army members was targeted in an IED planted by terrorists on a road in the area of al-Shayyiah in Daraa countryside, claiming his life along with three members of the army immediately, a field source told SANA. Source: SANA

According to Maria Zakharova, the EU is currently unable to guarantee anything, even directly within the bloc itself, due to a “political and ideological deadlock” Western countries’ statements about providing security guarantees to Ukraine are empty, groundless excuses, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. “Security guarantees presuppose the words ‘guarantees’ and ‘security’ and, overall, a range of certain characteristics as well, but these are missing here. No one here can even say anything about it, so these are empty, absolutely groundless excuses that are becoming more and more numerous,” the diplomat told Sputnik Radio. Zakharova also highlighted Tuesday’s statement by…

The intervention of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) military is unlikely to help normalize the situation in Niger, Alexey Zaytsev, the deputy director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday. “We support the mediation efforts undertaken by the African community in order to assist the Nigeris in overcoming the current crisis. At the same time, we proceed from the fact that the intervention of ECOWAS troops in a sovereign state is unlikely to contribute to both the achievement of lasting peace in Niger and the stabilization of the situation in the subregion as…

The Metropolitan Police in Washington, DC, reports that crime rose significantly in 2023 compared to 2022, with arson, robbery, and homicide seeing the most significant increases. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has released its year-to-date crime comparison report, shedding light on the evolving crime landscape in the nation’s capital. As of August 8, 2023, the data show an alarming increase in violent crimes. Homicide has seen a significant surge of 28%, with reported cases jumping from 126 in 2022 to 161 in 2023. Similarly, instances of sex abuse have risen by 19%, escalating from 79 to 94 cases. Assault with…

66% of respondents do not want Berlin to support Ukraine with Taurus missiles capable of reaching Moscow, according to a survey by RTL and n-tv Most Germans are opposed to providing Kiev with long-range missiles that could potentially be used to hit targets deep in Russian territory, according to a new RTL and n-tv poll released on Tuesday. A survey conducted by the Forsa research institute on behalf of the two German channels found that only 28% of German citizens want their government to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles, which carry a 500kg warhead and have a range of about…