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Russia reduces its holdings of US state debt to $3.75 bln

Long-term US Treasury securities stood at $2 million

WASHINGTON, April 16. /TASS/. Russia reduced its holdings of the US sovereign debt from $4.503 billion in January to $3.753 in February, according to documents published by the US Department of the Treasury on Friday.

Long-term US Treasury securities stood at $2 million (unchanged from January), while short-term amounted to $3.751 billion (down up from $4.501 billion in January), the US agency said in its update.

Russia, once a significant holder of the US state debt, started its sell-off of US Treasury securities in spring 2018. In April 2018, Russian holdings were nearly halved - from some $96 billion to $48.7 billion. Next month, in May 2018, the figure further dropped to $14.9 billion.

Japan remains the biggest holder of the US state debt with approximately $1.3 trillion dollars, followed by China with $1.05 trillion and the United Kingdom with 625.2 billion.

Container shipments by Russian Railways add 9.4% in 4M 2024 — company

The increase was the highest in container traffic of lumber and chemical and mineral fertilizers

US concocting latest counter-offensive narrative to justify aid to Kiev — DPR head

Denis Pushilin stressed that Ukraine would not be able to launch a new counteroffensive before 2025

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Cuban president hails Putin’s taking presidential office for another term

"March election demonstrated a record-breaking voter turnout," Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Russia signals unfriendly countries by inviting ambassadors to inauguration — diplomat

"We assumed that some of them (ambassadors from unfriendly countries - TASS) would not come, which is what happened in the end," Sergey Ryabkov pointed out

French Foreign Ministry denies France sent troops to Ukraine

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops to Ukraine, citing a statement by former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Hamas confirms participation of its delegation in Cairo talks

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Top UK diplomat knows nothing of repentance, Lavrov says

David Cameron "reiterated his position that British weapons can be used by the Ukrainians to attack any target on Russian territory," the minister emphasized

Belarus won’t succumb to provocations or go to war with anyone — president

The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

Expert on inaugural speech: Putin proposes equal dialogue, West will hear these signals

It is stressed that Vladimir Putin proposes a certain general model, a certain general solution to the security system

Serbian government adopts several documents on cooperation with China

"These documents cover such spheres as infrastructure, agriculture, information and communications, as well as tourism," the government said

Container shipments by Russian Railways add 9.4% in 4M 2024 — company

The increase was the highest in container traffic of lumber and chemical and mineral fertilizers

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

Putin signs decree setting Russia’s development goals for 2030

The decree is titled On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 and for a Longer Term until 2036

Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

"We elect out parliament. We elect our president. We vote for the president or don’t want to vote for the president. And we insist that we have the right to do it the way we want to do it," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Advertising campaign launched in Ukraine to enroll volunteers into army

Ukrainians are expected to more actively sign up for "more prestigious and possibly better equipped units"

Putin directs to scale up revenues of small technology companies

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British envoy reiterates London’s course on aiding Kiev will continue — Foreign Office

British Ambassador to Russia Nigel Casey was warned that any British military facilities and vehicles on Ukrainian territory and beyond may become targets in response to Ukrainian strikes, carried out via British-made weapons

IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech

The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

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Kiev troops presumably used ATACMS missiles to strike Lugansk — politician

"Missiles hit an oil storage facility within city limits," Vladimir Rogov said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

According to Euroclear's new chief executive Valerie Urbain, the likelihood that the depository will win these cases is quite low

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

Emergency Ministry employee detained in Kherson Region over collaboration with Ukraine

According to the investigators, he kept improvised explosive devices for sabotage operation

Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

The Australian side "calls black white and lays the blame on someone else" in its comment on the incident, Zhang Xiaogang noted

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 7th

Putin’s schedule of foreign travels almost finalized — Presidential Aide Ushakov

It is noted that this schedule primarily concerns "major summits"

Belarusian forces to rehearse tactical nuclear strikes as part of snap readiness test

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Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

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New round of talks in Cairo to be Israel’s last chance to return hostages — Hamas

The Israeli officials said on condition of anonymity that "indirect talks" on the draft ceasefire agreement are expected to begin in the Egyptian capital city on Tuesday evening

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

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Maria Zakharova recalled that this figure was 72% in 2002

FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

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The head of state set the task to increase the level of the gross added value in real terms and the production index in the processing segment of the industry by at least 40% by 2030, compared to the level in 2022

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"

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Light damage was caused and no injuries were reported

German envoy recalled from Moscow returns to Berlin — media

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Putin formally takes office as Russian president for six-year term

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Hamburg branch of AfG seeks to expel party member over trip to Russia as election observer

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Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

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Belarus to respond instantly to any military aggression, says Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus would not draw any lines

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

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Ukrainian army last weekend tried to regain positions near LPR's Svatovo — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that on Easter Ukrainian troops opened fire on the territory of the LPR and positions of Russian troops

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Russia looking into reports about sending of French troops to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

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Bolivian president wishes Putin success on path toward new world order

Luis Arce congratulated Vladimir Putin, who today took office as President of Russia for the fifth time

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

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Russia to open embassy in Sierra Leone this year — Lavrov

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in January 1962

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities

Russia values Qatar, Egypt’s mediatory efforts on Gaza — senior diplomat

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UK ambassador leaves Russian MFA after being summoned

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Turkish expert says Putin's inauguration speech echoes what he said in Munich years ago

Aydin Sezer recalled that during the Munich Security Conference back in 2007 "Putin said that the unipolar world had no future and a multipolar world order was needed"

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

In Malmo, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned for May 9 and 11

US accuses Russian Khoroshev of creating LockBit cyber-crime gang — Department of State

The Department of State has announced a $10 mln reward for information "leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev"

Medvedev warns Russia will pull no punches with France in response to Macron

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Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

The group’s EBITDA amounted to $19 bln in 2023 against $44.9 bln in the previous year

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

Russian lawmaker sees 'scare effect' in West as Russia prepares for nuclear drills

Vladimir Chizhov insisted that the drills do not mean "the Russian side is ready or intends to use these weapons immediately"

Claims about Russia’s plans to attack NATO a lie, US intelligence ex-officer says

According to Rebekah Koffler, US intelligence agencies regularly leak classified information to certain media, if it benefits the American political establishment

Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

"Congratulations president Putin and congratulations people of Russia with your president," Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch party Forum for Democracy said

Kyrgyz president arrives in Russia to attend Victory Day parade

Sadyr Japarov was met at the Vnukovo-2 airport by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin

Insolent western policy makes Russia hold tactical nukes drills — ambassador

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Apple unveils new iPad, stylus

In particular, the new iPad Air was presented with 11" and 13" diagonal

Stay in custody extended for Russian held over suspected spy activities in Estonia

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Belarusian president sees aggravating military situation at western, southern borders

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After drone attack on Kremlin Russia has no choice but to eliminate Zelensky — Medvedev

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Tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus intended for defense, says Lukashenko

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Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

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US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen collective air and missile defense in Europe

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Senior Russian diplomat, Libyan general discuss ensuring Libya’s sovereignty

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