The Russian Central Bank on Friday lowered its key interest rate for a second time in a row, shedding 2 percentage points from 20 to 18 percent. "The current inflationary pressure, including sustained pressure, is decreasing faster than previously predicted.

Domestic demand growth is slowing down," the bank said in a statement. It added that further decisions on the key rate will be made depending on the stability of the slowdown in inflation and the dynamics of inflation expectations. Meanwhile, the bank lowered its estimate for Russia's inflation in 2025 from 7-8 to 6-7 percent. In June, the bank cut the key rate from 21 to 20 percent, the first time since last October.

mitv

US President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday for a five-day visit. He is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the trade deal they reached earlier this year.

Trump is expected to remain in Scotland until Tuesday. US media have reported that he will visit golf resorts owned by his family's business. In May, the US and Britain were the first to announce what Trump called a "breakthrough" in tariff negotiations. The two leaders later signed the agreement.

After arriving in Scotland, Trump said he will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. He added that there was a "good 50-50 chance" for a trade deal with the EU. Trump is also expected to return to the UK in mid-September as a state guest after receiving an official invitation from King Charles.

mitv

A Saudi delegation led by Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, attended Syrian-Saudi Investment in Damascus on Thursday. In his speech at the forum, the Minister said companies with investments across continents, and which invest worldwide, are eager to invest in Syria in the fields of energy, industry, infrastructure, real estate, financial services, health and more.

This forum witnessed the signing of 47 agreements and memoranda of understanding worth a total of nearly 24 billion Saudi riyals, covering the fields aforementioned.

mitv

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday that it will keep key interest rates unchanged at its latest rate-setting meeting. The deposit facility rate, through which the central bank steers the monetary policy stance, remains unchanged at two percent. Inflation in the euro area inched up to two percent in June from 1.9 percent in May, according to data released by the statistical office of the European Union.

The ECB said in a statement that domestic price pressures continue to ease and wages grow at a slower pace. As inflation in the euro area hovers around the targeted level of two percent, the ECB reaffirmed that it is determined to make sure the inflation stabilizes in the medium term.

mitv

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that China "always advocates" all parties solve economic and trade issues through equal dialogue and consultations, to protect a good environment for international economic and trade cooperation.  Jiakun said at a press after US President Donald Trump announced a "massive" deal with Japan. On Tuesday announcement, Trump said the reciprocal tariffs will be 15 percent.

mitv

MORE than 60 of leading German companies, including Siemens and Deutsche Bank, pledged on Monday to invest 631 billion euros (US$735 billion) in the country by 2028 in a joint effort to restore investor confidence, according to the German newspaper Handelsblatt.
The initiative, titled “Made for Germany,” will be formally presented to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil later on Monday. It includes capital expenditure, research and development spending, and commitments from international investors.
The announcement comes as Ger many seeks to reverse sluggish growth and attract private capital, helped in part by a recent overhaul of fiscal rules and the creation of a special fund for infrastructure investment. Germany’s industrial competitiveness has been strained by high energy prices and structural challenges, prompting growing calls for deeper reforms.
“We need political courage for structural change, and bold steps must follow,” Siemens CEO Roland Busch told Handelsblatt. “But we also need companies that believe in Germany as a location and are ready to invest. Both must come together quickly to build momentum.” — Xinhua

GNLM

CHINA’S railway freight volume reported stable growth in the first half of 2025, with more efficient network operation and improved services, the national railway operator said Sunday.
The national railway system transported a total of 1.98 billion tonnes of cargo in the period, marking a year-on-year increase of three per cent, according to China State Railway Group Co Ltd. The daily average number of loaded freight cars reached 182,400, up four per cent from the same period last year.
The company said it made full use of the integrated rail network and pushed forward market-oriented reforms in railway freight transport to boost logistics capacity, efficiency and service quality.
During the January-June period, coal transport totalled 1.02 billion tonnes, and the freight volume for metallurgical goods and grain rose 8.6 per cent and 9.8 per cent, respectively. International freight also posted stable performance.
The Central Asia freight train service operated 7,349 trains, a 25 per cent increase from a year ago. The China-Laos Railway transported nearly 3.03 million tonnes of cross-border cargo, up nine per cent. — Xinhua

GNLM

Japan’s top negotiator for trade talked with the United States has left for Washington as the US is poised to impose a 25-percent tariff on imports from Japan starting August 1.

Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei made his eighth trip to the US capital for tariff negotiations.

Speaking to reporters before his departure, Akazawa said that negotiations would not be easy as both Japan and the US need to protect their national interests.

mitv

Rome   July 20
As a trade deal between the United States and the European Union (EU) remains unresolved, Italy is grappling with dual challenges: a new round of U.S. tariffs that could directly hit its export-reliant economy and a weakening U.S. dollar that effectively acts as an "implicit" tariff on Italian exports.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the decision to impose a 30 percent tariff on imports from the EU and Mexico starting Aug. 1, adding fresh uncertainty for Italian exporters who depend heavily on the American market.
According to Italy's National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), Italy ranked as the EU's third-largest exporter to the United States in 2024, with shipments to that market accounting for 10 percent of its total exports, a share comparable to Germany and higher than France or Spain.
In 2024, Italy posted a trade surplus of 39 billion euros with the United States. Exports to the United States represent 22.2 percent of Italy's sales to non-EU countries, exceeding the EU average of 19.7 percent. Italy's top export sectors to the United States include beverages, automobiles, and other transport equipment, according to a report by Confindustria, Italy's major association representing manufacturing and service companies.

Yadanar Bon Newspaper

In the Gers region in southern France, a dealcoholization center produces nearly 6,000 hectoliters of non-alcoholic wine to meet new consumption trends.

In the facilities, alcohol molecules are removed while preserving the aromas of the wine, using a multi-step process intended to ensure the quality of the beverage. To make a quality dealcoholized wine, an excellent base wine is a must. Consequently, a well-managed vineyard, healthy grapes and good winemaking.  There is also an awareness, especially among younger people, that alcohol is somewhat less of a societal, social, or belonging phenomenon. It’s also about enjoying good quality products without unnecessary side effect.

mitv