Bank Rossii lowered the refinancing rate, seen as the limit for borrowing, to 11.5 percent from 12 percent and reduced the repurchase rate charged on central bank loans to 10.5 percent from 11 percent. The cuts are effective as of Friday.
The restart of the world's largest nuclear power plant was suspended in Japan on Thursday, with the operator saying it does not know when the problem would be solved.
Stocks rallied Thursday after President Donald Trump rowed back on threats to hit key European countries with tariffs over their opposition to a US takeover of Greenland.
Emerging Turkish talent Zeynep Sönmez said she had never known an atmosphere like it as she extended her trailblazing Australian Open run on Wednesday in front of an electric crowd.
