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Turkmenistan’s GDP growth in Jan-Mar exceeds 10 %

70.5 percent of budget funds were earmarked in the first quarter of the current year for the implementation of the state’s social policy

ASHGABAT, April 14 (Itar-Tass) —— Turkmenistan’s rate of GDP growth in the first quarter of 2012 amounted to 10.4 percent in comparison with the same period of 2011, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov of the country said at an enlarged meeting of the government held here on Friday. “The results of the first quarter of this year as a whole give hope,” the head of state said. “The volumes of capital investments increased by 163.4 percent, foreign trade turnover - - by 156.4 percent and wages - - by 111.7 percent. The rate of national currency - - manat remains to be stable, and the level of inflation remains within the forecasted frames.”

According to the president, the share of industry within the GDP continues to grow, the rate of growth of construction, trade, transport, communications and the sphere of services remains to be high. “Internal stability, inexhaustible natural riches and the availability of a corresponding legal basis aroused great interest of major international companies in our country, ensuring a systematic inflow of foreign investments in the country’s economy,” Berdymukhamedov said. “The construction of more than 1,500 facilities worth about 32 billion dollars is a vivid example of this. At present, our state has no overdue debts to foreign states,” he stressed.

The reports of members of the government pointed to the fact that 70.5 percent of budget funds were earmarked in the first quarter of the current year for the implementation of the state’s social policy. Tens of residential houses, industrial enterprises, schools, kindergartens, buildings of educational establishments and sport schools were built. At the meeting, the president signed dozens of ordinances envisaging the construction of facilities of mainly social importance to the total sum of about 700 million dollars. Among them is the construction in every region of a modern rural settlement and marriage palaces, as well reconstruction and construction of new textile factories, multistory residential houses in big cities and cottages in villages.

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

An active accomplice of bandits was detained in the search operation and gave confessing testimony

Russia’s top brass mulls arming military pilots with PP-2000 submachine gun

A more compact PP-2000 submachine gun is meant to replace the Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle

Russia does not accept US policy to limit Cuba’s development — Putin

According Russian President, the Cuban people have been fighting this for decades and they are confident

Russia hammers Ukrainian energy, military sites in retaliatory strike — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kupyansk direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 55 personnel and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified

Belgorod Region attacked with 37 Ukrainian drones in past day

There were no casualties, but reported damage caused by drone and shelling attacks

Russia expanded its force of radar-evading ICBMs over past year, US general says

"Russia also continues to develop and test novel experimental weapon systems, like the nuclear-armed Poseidon transoceanic weapon and the Burevestnik nuclear-propelled cruise missile," said General Gregory Guillot, commander of the US Northern Command

Putin confident in Russia’s victory in special military operation

The Russian people show their best qualities in difficult moments, their courage and heroism, which is confirmed by the special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with military on May 7, following the inauguration ceremony

Hungary and China support peaceful settlement of international disputes — joint statement

The two sides reaffirm the importance of global security and peace

Hungary supports Chinese peace plan on Ukraine — Orban

Hungary urges for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, the prime minister said

Relations with Russia are really important for Israel — Ambassador to Moscow

Dialogue between Israel and Russia is important, including on those topics where the parties "absolutely disagree," Simona Halperin said

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

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Russian troops inflict 215 casualties on Ukrainian army in Donetsk area over past day

Russian troops advanced to better positions and inflicted casualties on four Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine

Serbia-China cooperation moving to new level, to continue strengthening — president

According to Alexandar Vucic, the two leaders discussed the free trade agreement with China, industry, science, innovation, artificial intelligence, cooperation in the military field, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, culture, education, health, air transportation

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

Christelle Neant said that the Ukrainian armed forces is drafting people with no military experience as part of its mobilization campaign and sends them to the frontline after "just two or three weeks of training"

Putin congratulates parade participants on Victory Day

Putin is confident in ensuring free and safe future of Russia and its united people

Russian FPV drones destroy observation posts of Ukrainian armed forces — Defense Ministry

These posts were located in the region of Ukraine bordering the Belgorod region, the ministry reported

Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle available for pre-order — acting Deputy PM

The Aurus Merlon made its public debut at the inauguration of the Russian President

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According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

Russian military fights Nazi followers in special military operation — Shoigu

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Hungary, China ink 16 cooperation agreements, including on nuclear energy

The cooperation agreements tackle such fields as investment, energy, trade, finance, customs control, agriculture, tourism, science, culture and media

France could bring to combat readiness 1,500 troops for Ukraine in April — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova also said the Kiev regime "continues to cleanse the media space and introduce total censorship in the country"

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

Battlegroup Center units fully liberated the settlement of Novokalinovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic and battlegroup West units fully liberated the settlement of Kislovka in the Kharkov Region

Israel and Russia double number of flights for spring and summer — ambassador to Moscow

Tourist flow between the countries is not high for a number of reasons, Simona Halperin said

US does not want to support Israel in Rafah operation — White House

"The President has directed his team with continuing to work with Israel to refine their strategy to inflict an enduring defeat on Hamas," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said

Belarus, Russia conduct tactical nuke drills amid current situation — Lukashenko

"An escalation is ongoing," the president said

Ukrainian army leaving positions near Avdeyevka over Russia’s incessant gunfire — POW

The escape gives only a few a chance to survive as frequently incessant Russian artillery accurate strikes rule out this option for Ukrainian troops, Yury Yurechko noted

Ability to pay with Russia’s Mir card in Laos will attract tourists — Putin

Russian President noted that last year the countries showed a modest growth in trade and economic interaction

UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Pashinyan remains silent over opposition’s demand for his resignation within one hour

Neither the government’s press office nor Pashinyan himself have somehow responded to the opposition’s demands yet

Combat aircraft fly over Moscow’s Red Square in Victory Day parade

Nine Su-30SM heavy multirole fighter jets and MiG-29 frontline fighters flew over Moscow’s Red Square, performing the Kubinka Diamond stunt

Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Hungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principle

Indonesian ambassador says Su-35 fighter jets contract remains in force

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares said that around 30% of weapons in service with his country’s armed forces are Russian-made

Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Opposition begins mass rally in downtown Yerevan

Republic Square is crowded, with Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a leader of the Bagrat movement, among the protesters

Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova said veteran organizations in unfriendly countries weren’t affected by the decision not to invite officials

Israel does not rule out a new deal with Hamas — Ambassador to Russia

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Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Prime Minister pointed out that the world had recently undergone serious transformations, as the world order had changed to become multipolar

Russian paratroopers thwart attempt by Ukrainian troops to cross Dnieper — ministry

The coordinates of the targets were transmitted to the group’s artillerymen, who hit the infantry positions and also destroyed the Ukrainian armed forces’ boats

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Russia’s 6th-generation fighter jet to get lasers capable of burning missile homing heads

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US losing favor around world, while Russia's image improving — poll

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TASS outlines domestic electronic warfare systems

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According to Roman Kodryan, enemy losses totaled up to 55 servicemen over the past day

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There are no dates for the event on its official website

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US war veteran says he would like go to Victory Day parade in Moscow

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Putin submits Mishustin's candidacy for post of prime minister to State Duma

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Festive processions, gatherings, assemblies and reception ceremonies are held across Russia on May 9 to honor veterans of the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War

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Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 8th

Senior Russian diplomat warns about proportional response to threats coming from Finland

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Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

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Russia holds Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square

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Lavrov characterizes Europe's economic problems due to US pressure as ‘monstrous’

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Russia observes moment of silence for those killed fighting against Nazism

The television program showed portraits of fallen heroes and animated candles of remembrance

Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

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Ukrainian president appoints Zaluzhny ambassador to London

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London blatantly lies to justify anti-Russian steps, including expulsion of attache — MFA

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At least 90,000 soldiers attend Victory Day celebrations across Russia

Celebrations marking have been held in over 300 cities and towns across Russia

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

US plans to return to previous schedule of weapons deliveries to Ukraine

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller had no specific announcements to make

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route to supply Russian gas to western and central European countries

Russia's top prosecutor supports ‘legitimate’ criminal case against US financier Calvey

The prosecution had "sufficient grounds" for opening a criminal case

European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

This decision must now be approved by the EU Council at ministerial level

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Parades, concerts across Russia to mark Victory Day on May 9

In Moscow, the celebration will open with a ceremonial parade on Red Square at 10 a.m.

Dollar down to 91.85 rubles, euro down to 98.04 rubles as trading on Moscow Exchange opens

The yuan-to-ruble exchange rate increased by 0.65 kopecks and amounted to 12,632 rubles

US veteran says Soviet Union turned the tide of World War II

Frank Cohn said the people that refuse to do justice to the Soviet role in the war simply don't understand what was going on

Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

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Opponents’ escalation policy forces Russia to enhance nuclear deterrence, says diplomat

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported earlier that the General Staff had launched preparations for drills with missile formations of the Southern Military District jointly with aircraft and naval forces

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

Over 882,000 Ukrainian men now EU refugees — statistics agency

Most Ukrainian refugees live in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic