| * Russia slashes 2013 growth forecast * US warns on N Korea nuclear missile * Myanmar opens hydrocarbons auction * Hungary: inflation at record low, but the devil is in the details * Rosneft: sell off plan announced, but don't hold your breath * Iran nuclear official runs for presidency * Maduro campaigns in shadow of Chávez Markets: mixed Russia slashes 2013 growth forecast
Russia has slashed its economic growth forecast for 2013 by a third on the back of an unexpected slowdown in the first quarter.
http://on.ft.com/10RSasq US warns on N Korea nuclear missile
North Korea appears to have developed a nuclear weapon that can be delivered by missile, according to the Pentagon's intelligence agency, a milestone in the country's nuclear programme that could heighten the already tense atmosphere on the Korean peninsula.
http://on.ft.com/ZMksrw Myanmar opens hydrocarbons auction
Myanmar has opened a long-awaited auction for 30 offshore oil and gas exploration blocks in its latest effort to attract foreign investment even as it considers recasting a series of older contracts with outside companies.
http://on.ft.com/16WNa6d Hungary: inflation at record low, but the devil is in the details
The Devil being in the details is a phrase with much resonance in Hungary – especially when, as on Thursday, things look rather too good. "Inflation at record low" said the headlines. Indeed, annual consumer inflation fell to 2.2 per cent in March, well below the consensus of 2.5 per cent and the lowest ever recorded since the transition to a market economy.
http://on.ft.com/17tmlcU Rosneft: sell off plan announced, but don't hold your breath
A big announcement from Russia's economy ministry today: Russia may privatise an additional 19 per cent ofstate-owned Rosneft this year, in addition to the 5.7 per cent stake it sold to BP in March as part of the TNK-BP deal.
http://on.ft.com/10ZbYdc Iran nuclear official runs for presidency
Iran's former top nuclear negotiator, Hassan Rohani, announced on Thursday he would run for president in June and promised to help ease international sanctions over the country's nuclear programme.
http://on.ft.com/ZPBzBo Maduro campaigns in shadow of Chávez
Hugo Chávez's unmistakable voice booms out over a red-shirted crowd in a lusty rendering of the Venezuelan national anthem. Only it is not the late socialist leader who then goes on to address the campaign rally but his successor, Nicolás Maduro.
http://on.ft.com/YPaV03 Emerging Markets
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CNX Nifty down -0.92% at 5,542 Currencies
€/$ 1.31 (1.31)
$/¥ 99.43 (99.67) Commodities
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