MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) – The real rate of the ruble's appreciation in 2005 will be 10%, 2% beyond the forecasted 8%, and year-end inflation will exceed the government's target, 8.5%-10%, to reach 11%, Central Bank of Russia Chairman Sergei Ignatyev said Friday.

MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) – Russia's gold and currency reserves grew by more than $40 billion in the first 10 months of 2005, Russia's Central Bank chairman said Friday.

MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) -Russia's hydrometeorological agency forecasted Friday that pollution of the Amur River near the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk would not exceed the maximum allowable concentration (mac) levels.

BAKU, November 25 (RIA Novosti) – Azerbaijan's opposition is not ready for dialog with authorities, a presidential administration official said Friday.

MOSCOW. November 25 (RIA Novosti)-The chairman of the Russian Central Bank, Sergei Ignatyev, said Friday that the CBR could cut the refinancing rate from its current 13% by the end of the year.

MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) – The share of currency in the money supply is gradually decreasing in the Russian economy, the chairman of the Central Bank of Russia said Friday.

MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) – Major shareholders of Russian oil major Sibneft have nominated 11 candidates for the new board of directors to be elected at a general shareholder meeting a month from now, the company said in a press release Friday.

MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) -Russia's hydrometeorological agency forecasted Friday that pollution of the Amur River near the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk would not exceed the maximum allowable concentration (mac) levels.

* President Vladimir Putin said he hoped the State Duma would make a balanced decision after a debate on a bill on the activity of non-government organizations in the country

NOVO-OGARYOVO, November 25 (RIA Novosti) – Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev met with President Vladimir Putin Friday to report on the progress of national welfare projects.