Stories from Moscow · Russia

Sanctions targeting five Russian oil refineries are being implemented ahead of a scheduled visit by Donald Trump. The move impacts approximately one-quarter of China's oil refining capacity.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated on April 4th that the US State Department is imposing American citizenship on children of Russian diplomats born in the United States. Zakharova claimed this action violates both international and US domestic law. She further asserted that the move aims to undermine the process of reducing bilateral friction between Russia and the US. She believes the US move aims to disrupt efforts to reduce friction in bilateral relations. A spokesperson from Russia's Foreign Ministry criticized the US State Department for imposing US nationality on children of Russian diplomats born in the US, calling it a violation of international and domestic law and an attempt to hinder the improvement of bilateral relations.

A rare first-edition Bible printed by Ivan Fedorov sold for nearly 5 million rubles at a Litfond auction in early April. The book is the first complete Bible printed in the Church Slavonic language and represents a Cyrillic publication. The volume contains over one thousand pages. The source noted that the publisher previously worked for the entire Soviet Union. A large-scale Cyrillic publication exceeding 1,000 pages has been sold for 5 million rubles. The publication was historically as the only publishing house of its kind serving the entire Soviet Union. Printed by Ivan Fedorov in 1581 at the printing house of Prince Konstantin Ostrogsky, the original run consisted of approximately 1,500 copies. Only about 350 copies are known to have survived to the present day.

A fund reported the sale of 24 billion in shares.

The company Petrochem, described as a major non-state entity, has been added to a sanctions list.

Approximately 69% to 70% of Russians admitted to feeling confused or 'stupid' when interacting with artificial intelligence and neural networks.

The Russian Ministry of Labor's production calendar for 2027 indicates citizens will have 118 days off. This total includes five three-day holiday periods. The government annually redistributes holidays to optimize labor and rest distribution, according to the source.

A Russian court has issued the first known criminal sentence regarding the display of prohibited symbolism. The case was initiated following the publication of a photograph of Adolf Hitler and a selfie featuring clothing with a pentagram on the social media platform VKontakte.

The Russian stock market fell for the eighth consecutive week as of Friday. This sustained downturn indicates ongoing economic pressures. The French CAC 40 index turned to close up 0.53%.

The Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia has prepared a draft government decree to regulate the transfer of citizens' genetic data outside the country. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported the initiative aims to protect sensitive information. The proposed document includes different transfer regimes, allowing data sharing without special permits for specific patient medical care. It also provides for the transfer of genetic data for the purposes of international scientific cooperation. The Russian stock market fell for the eighth consecutive week as of Friday.