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First semifinal of Eurovision-2012 held in Baku

The first semifinal of the Eurovision-2012 song contest began at the Crystal Hall here on Tuesday

BAKU, May 23 (Itar-Tass) — The first semifinal of the Eurovision-2012 song contest began at the Crystal Hall here on Tuesday. The show is broadcast to 46 countries for an audience of 100 million televiewers.

The Russian folk song group Buranovskiye Babushki (Buranovo Grannies) is also participating in the contest. Along with the Russian folk singers, a place in the finals is being contested by representatives of another 17 countries: Montenegro, Iceland, Greece, Latvia, Albania, Romania, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, Israel, San Marino, Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Austria, Moldova, and Ireland. Ten finalists are to be named on the strength of the viewers' and the jury's voting.

The second semifinal is to be held on May 24 to determine another ten finalists. The finals of the song contest will see performances by representatives of 26 countries, including those from the five Eurovision founding countries -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain -- which automatically qualify for the finals, as well as Azerbaijan as the host country.

Noone has any doubt that the Buranovo Grannies with their song "Party for Everybody" will qualify for the finals: the Russian performing group is one of indisputable favourites at the contest. Almost throughout the week that preceded the Eurovision-2012, the group remained in the lead as a result of interactive voting among members of fan clubs and journalists.

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

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Earlier, the "Columbine" movement was recognized a terror group

Israeli aviation strikes towns in Gaza Strip

According to Al Jazeera, air strikes hit the towns of Deir al Balah and Rafah

Izvestia correspondent Semyon Eremin killed in special operation zone

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

He also said that the US military contacted Russia and the United Kingdom while evaluating the potential of the Iranian attack

Proposals on Russian assets confiscation undermine financial system — Finance Minister

Russia urges the International Monetary Fund to resume the effort of improving the global monetary and financial system, Anton Siluanov noted

S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

Victor Gumenny said the advanced systems may solve the tasks of air-space defence and may fight hypersonic weapons

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

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

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North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

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

The law enforcement employees exert efforts to identify the instigators of this crime, Igor Krasnov said

One crew member of jet crashed in Stavropol Region killed, search for another continues

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, an Aerospace Forces’ Tu-22M3 bomber crashed after completing a combat mission while returning to the airfield

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

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israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan was to address the council after Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour

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

US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

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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

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Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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Ukrainian drone damages energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kaluga Region

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

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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

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Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

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

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

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

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Death toll in Gaza Strip since tensions escalated exceeds 34,000 — Health Ministry

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

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

Ararat Mirzoyan also said that Yerevan is currently making efforts to expand cooperation with the European Union and the United States

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Security guarantees on Ukraine did not apply to Crimea, Donbass — Lavrov

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