RUSSIA-ECONOMY

MOSCOW — In a surprise decision, Russia's central bank on Friday cut its key interest rate, which it had hiked in previous months to support the collapsing ruble, in order to help the fading economy. The bank explained its decision to cut the rate from 17 percent to 15 percent by saying that the risks of an economic slowdown are now higher than the risks associated with the ruble's drop. The currency's 50 percent drop since the summer has caused a spike in inflation. 

NETHERLANDS-BROADCASTER RAID

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A 19-year-old student carrying a fake pistol who forced his way into the Dutch national broadcaster and demanded airtime was in custody Friday as police investigated his motives. Prosecutors and police have not identified the man who was seen pacing around a TV studio at the NOS broadcaster's headquarters in the city of Hilversum Thursday night holding what appeared to be a pistol with a silencer. However, Dutch media widely reported his name as Tarik Z., a student at the Delft Technical University. 

WAR CRIMES-SREBRENICA

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Appeals judges at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal have upheld genocide convictions against two senior Bosnian Serbs for their roles in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, the first final judgment for genocide by the United Nations court. 

EUROPE-ECONOMY

FRANKFURT, Germany — Falling oil prices and a weak economy have sent prices in the eurozone even lower ahead of the start of a 1 trillion euro ($1.1 trillion) stimulus effort by the European Central Bank. Consumer prices fell 0.6 percent in the 12 months to January, accelerating the 0.2 percent annual drop from December. 

HUNGARY-GERMANY

BUDAPEST, Hungary — German Chancellor Angela Merkel is traveling to Budapest next week for talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that come at a time of strain between the two nations, with Orban moving closer to Russia and imposing higher taxes and other burdens on German and other foreign companies operating in the country. 

GREECE-BAILOUT

ATHENS, Greece — The ratings agency Fitch says an agreement between Greece's new left-wing government and rescue lenders is still possible but is warning that drawn-out negotiations pose a "high risk" to the country's fragile economy. The agency said Friday both sides have a "strong incentive" to reach an agreement to release the remaining money from 240 billion-euro ($270 billion) bailout programs, despite a pledge by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipas' government to renege on several key commitments made to lenders. SENT: 130 words, photos.