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Dniester region's parliament OKs candidate for premiership

Within several weeks Stepanov will propose candidates to head ministries and local administrations

TIRASPOL, January 18 (Itar-Tass) — The Dniester region’s parliament has approved the candidacy of former industry minister Pyotr Stepanov nominated by the president of the unrecognized republic for premiership.

Stepanov served as Minister of Industry in 2007.

The Dniester region established the post of prime minister last year ahead of the December presidential election won by Yevgeny Shevchuk. The parliament approved amendments to the relevant law abolishing the position of vice-president.

Within several weeks Stepanov will propose candidates to head ministries and local administrations. The president appoints independently only the head of the customs committee, ministers of defence and law enforcement structures, and of foreign affairs.

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Kremlin declines to comment on alleged assassination attempt on Zelensky in Poland

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

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Military base near Iran’s Isfahan hit following attack — newspaper

The sources said that Iranian forces managed to destroy several small drones near the city of Tabriz, about 800 kilometers from Isfahan

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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This measure is not a prohibitive one and will make it possible to make competitive conditions equal for Russian producers, the ministry said

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North Korea conducts new anti-aircraft missile test — KCNA

A power test of a super-large warhead designed for "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile was held as well

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the leaders who rule countries where they claim to be from while holding foreign passports "will not enjoy support and authority for long"

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Ahmad Haqtalab argued that Israel had been conducting "subversive and terrorist activities" against the Islamic republic's nuclear infrastructure for year

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Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

Armenia has to define CSTO’s zone of responsibility on its territory, says Lavrov

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Ukrainian drone damages energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kaluga Region

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

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Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported

Hungary to not intervene in Ukrainian conflict on any side, PM says

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

"The Hungarian community’s opportunities to use its native language in the fields of education, culture, media and self-governance have been significantly limited," Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto specified

US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

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Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

Chinese analyst sees US veto on Palestine as reflection of arrogance, double standards

Wang Wen stated that it’s still very hard to achieve a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

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About 30 events in 26 countries to be held as part of Russian Film Festival — minister

The geography of work in the culture sphere was wider before but "all the horizontal ties are kept," Olga Lyubimova noted

Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

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Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

There is still no full clarity regarding the future of Ukraine's western regions, the Russian foreign minister went on to say

Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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BRICS looking at creating common digital payment platform

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Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

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Blast rocks military base south of Baghdad — Reuters

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Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

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Water level of Ishim River in Russia’s Tyumen Region surpasses dangerous mark

It has reached 911 centimeters

Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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Russia delivers 34 strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure over week — top brass

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