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State Duma to debate bill on drug tests for students of schools, universities Jan 18

The first vice-speaker noted that the drug addiction tests will be voluntary

MOSCOW, January 17 (Itar-Tass) – The State Duma will debate the first reading of a bill, which introduces voluntary drug addiction tests for the students of schools and universities, on Friday, January 18, First Vice-Speaker of the State Duma Alexander Zhukov (United Russia) told reporters after a meeting of the State Duma Council on Thursday.

The lawmaker noted that these drug tests were already introduced in several Russian federal constituents. “Unfortunately, a high percentage of young people abuse drugs,” he noted. Zhukov explained that the bill will introduce the preventive procedure to expose the students of schools and universities that abuse drugs.

The first vice-speaker noted that the drug addiction tests will be voluntary. The drug tests will be taken with the consent of the students over 15 years old or with the consent of their parents, if the teenagers are younger than this age.

The specific State Duma health protection committee recommended the lower house of parliament to approve the bill in the first reading.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Afghan Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall outside Moscow

The ministry’s Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, that considers it a blatant violation of all human standards

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CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

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Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

Ahmad Haghtalab pointed out that the Iranian Army and other security forces protect Iranian nuclear facilities using the most advanced equipment, so "national nuclear centers are completely safe"

Court arrests man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

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Russia says its forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk area

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Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

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UK imposes sanctions against leading Iranian military figures — Foreign Office

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US veto for Palestinian membership proves Washington’s anti-Palestinian stance — Hamas

The movement called upon the international community to "break free from Washington’s influence and support the struggle of the Palestinian people"

EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Sergey Ryabkov said that "very soon, Russia and Iran will have new additional opportunities to discuss the situation in the Middle East in general, as well as details of what is going on there at this point"

Protesters give Georgian government one hour to revoke foreign agents bill

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US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

A total of 12 countries, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the document

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

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Ukrainian military under constant gunfire by Russian troops near Urozhainoye, says POW

Yevgeny Pogrebnyak said that he was treated well by Russian troops in his captivity

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Palestinian envoy says Israel plans to destroy Palestine

"This is a plan of extremist government", Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN Riyad Mansour said

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Tehran’s two major airports cancel international flights — Mehr

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Vasily Nebenzya described the US veto as a "fruitless attempt to stop the inexorable course of history"

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

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

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

Iran intends to bolster military cooperation with Russia — envoy to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Iran had demonstrated its ability to ensure security and nudge the region toward a de-escalation

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

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

Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

Maria Zakharova also pointed to the fact that Ukraine's special services do not give up attempts to "massacre their former compatriots"

Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

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Vehicles, equipment participating in Victory Day parade depart for Moscow — ministry

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Investigation into Crocus terrorist attack underway, traces lead to Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted the need to "wait for official information from the investigation"

Iran tells US about April 13 attack on Israel, it does not want escalation — top diplomat

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US blackmails other countries at United Nations — Russian mission

Dmitry Polyansky said "this shameful neocolonial tactics are fully exposed now in the context of Gaza War"

Russia will not 'shake up' relations with Argentina due to its partnership with NATO — MFA

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia and Argentina maintain a good dialogue at various levels

Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"

Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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

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Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Germany moves to exclude Russia from concentration camp liberation celebrations

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Press review: Ukraine, Israel vie for EU’s attention and Georgia passes controversial bill

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US names lack of reforms as reason to block Palestinian membership resolution

US deputy envoy Robert Wood also noted that "Hamas - a terrorist organization - is currently exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral part of the state envisioned in this resolution"

Putin points to high risk of new epidemic outbreaks

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France-Russia relations hit rock bottom — ex-envoy to Paris

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MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

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