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Exhibition of XVIII - early XX century merchant portraits opens in Moscow

MOSCOW, December 24, 22:08 /ITAR-TASS/. An exhibition of the 18th-early 20th century portraits of merchants as well as painting and photography opened at the State Historical Museum in Moscow on Tuesday.

“The exposition features the portraits of representatives of merchant families of the 18th- early 20th-centuries which were ordered and made for family portrait galleries,” Natalya Perevezentseva, the exhibition’s curator, said in an interview with Itar-Tass.

“One of the ideas behind the exhibition was to trace the evolution of official gala portraits to chamber photographic imprints on silver bars. The exhibits show the illusiveness and magic realism of the portrait genre,” the curator went on to say.

The exhibition will be open until March 31, 2014.

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

Polish opposition party calls for country to host nuclear weapons

Mariusz Blaszczak also urged Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss the issue with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is in Warsaw on a visit

Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that in case the inmates agree to this "mission," "they are promised full amnesty, reckoning they would never come back"

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

"Poland’s authorities make no secret of their striving to lean closer on the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and are actively using these ambitions in their hostile Russian policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

Ukrainian military’s shelling leaves two civilians wounded in DPR in past day

The Ukrainian armed forces carried out 22 attacks on residential areas in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

NATO makes Russia its neighbor by expanding eastward, Russian envoy says

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claimed that increased payments to the bloc’s budget were the cost of having Russia as a neighbor

Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

Sergey Krivonos added that relocation of troops from one direction to another will not solve Ukrainian forces’ problems, and that each fighter should be used according to their specialization

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The idea was proposed by Ilan Shor, the leader of the opposition electoral bloc called Victory

Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

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Earlier it was reported that the German automobile concern Mercedes-Benz plans to sell its enterprise located in the Solnechnogorsk district of the Moscow region

One more Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

The Kiev regime’s attempted terrorist attack on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle was thwarted

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

UNRWA chief plans to visit Russia soon

Philippe Lazzarini plans to hold talks with BRICS member nations

Biden to sign Ukraine aid bill on April 24

According to a statement released by the White House, the US plans to resume weapons supplies to Kiev this week

Canada allows Airbus to use Russian titanium despite sanctions — Reuters

"Airbus is aware of the Canadian government imposing sanctions on VSMPO and has obtained the necessary authorization to secure Airbus operations in compliance with the applicable sanctions," the company said

Energy facilities catch fire in Russia’s Smolensk Region following drone attacks

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Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

US Abrams tanks, Bradley APCs unloaded in Greece — report

The website underscores the great importance of the port of Alexandroupolis for the US and NATO

Russia and friendly countries produce almost 90% of components for Aurus cars — NAMI

"We developed this car in close cooperation with European, Korean and other foreign partners, but due to certain events we had to abandon this cooperation," Alexander Lebedev pointed out

US Senate approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

As many as 79 senators backed the initiative and 18 voted against

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

"The North-South transport corridor should become an example of the broadest international cooperation," the Russian leader said

Raisi doubts 'Israeli regime' to exist in case of its attack on Iran

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"We will keep building up overwhelming and strong military capacity to protect our sovereignty and security, as well as peace in the region," Kim Yo Jong said

Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

Funding will be provided from the federal, regional and local budgets, as well as taxes from gambling transferred to the organizer

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

North Korea stages first combined tactical drill simulating nuclear counterattack — KCNA

The drill’s main purpose is to demonstrate the reliability, superiority, might and diverse means of the DPRK's nuclear force

WADA biased towards Valieva due to anti-Russia stance — renowned coach

"Here is the attitude towards our country, the Russian girl, practically a child," Tatiana Tarasova stressed

De Beers cuts diamond mining due to unsold inventories

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Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

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According to Yonhap news agency, the trip may be related to the two countries’ plans to boost military ties

Russian troops destroy four boats with Ukrainian assault force on Dnieper River

Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup inflicted casualties on the 141st, 65th and 128th brigades of Ukrainian armed formations, delivered strikes on temporary deployment sites, military hardware and artillery positions of the Ukrainian army on the right bank of the Dnieper River, Vladimir Saldo said

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

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FSB raids terrorist cell in Dagestan that funded, armed Crocus City Hall attackers

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Russian envoy, authorities of Afghanistan call for unfreezing of Afghan assets

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

US using human rights topics to shake political situation in Russia — embassy

"Attacks against Russia mainly focused on challenging the legality of the special military operation in Ukraine", the Russian embassy said

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Ukrainian army loses 444,000 troops during military operation — Shoigu

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US expert says more ATACMS won't alter battlefield dynamics in Ukraine

"There is no magic weapon, there is no series of weapons that could change this" situation for the Ukrainian armed forces, Scott Ritter said

Four women killed in Zaporozhye Region in Ukrainian drone attack

The local emergencies services stressed that the car was targeted deliberately

Drone crashes in industrial zone in Russian city of Lipetsk

There were no casualties, egional Governor Igor Artamonov said

UN chief describes current state of climate as ‘preview of disaster’

Antonio Guterres stressed that the world community must reduce global greenhouse emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Ukrainian connection to Crocus terrorist attack undeniable — ex-SBU officer

Vasily Prozorov noted that the perpetrators could have been eliminated once they crossed the border

Calls for joint use of nuclear weapons with US dangerous — ICAN

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US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

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Armenia’s decision on CSTO membership its sovereign choice — secretary general

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Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

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Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

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Russia scraps plans to hold Immortal Regiment march in 2024 amid security threats

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No damage, casualties after drone attack over Russia’s Kursk Region

Roman Starovoit thanked air defense troops and the regional crisis center and cautioned residents against approaching the drone wreckage if found

Russian presidential envoy visits Afghanistan to discuss political cooperation

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West battlegroup destroys two Ukrainian drones, hit over 170 Ukrainian army’s facilities

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Israel retaliates missile launches from Gaza Strip — IDF

A warning had been issued before the attack calling on people to temporarily evacuate from the area

Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

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Russian envoy, Sudan's intelligence chief discuss military-political situation in republic

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Russian-Kazakh commission discusses border demarcation issues

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Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

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US authorities prepare military aid for Ukraine worth $1 bln — Reuters

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West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

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Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

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