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State Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin to take part in Pope Francis enthronement

The ceremony will be held in the Vatican on March 19

MOSCOW, March 15 (Itar-Tass) – State Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin said he will take part in the enthronement of new Pope Francis.

“On Tuesday, March 19, I’ll represent the Russian Federation to take part in the enthronement of the new Pope,” Naryshkin said.

The ceremony will be held in the Vatican on March 19.

Argentina’s Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, who had been archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected as new Pope Francis on Wednesday, March 13, after the two-day College of Cardinals.

Pope Francis replaced Benedict XVI, who stepped down from office.

US to impose new sanctions against Iran in upcoming days — White House

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Moldovan Constitutional Court approves initiation of referendum on EU accession

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Russian intelligence chief, Egyptian president stress readiness for security cooperation

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Senior Russian diplomat warns West against aggressive statements about Russia

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Dubai Airport will not receive flights until weather improvement

Departures from the airport will continue, the operator noted

Olympic flame lit in Ancient Olympia, kicking off 2024 Paris Summer Games journey

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Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros

Construction of future manned spacecraft reached its final stage — Roscosmos CEO

The spacecraft’s first flight is planned for 2028, Yury Borisov said

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Yoav Gallant pointed out that "the Iranians attacked [Israel] aggressively, using over 500 weapons"

President asks French leader, European Council chief to discuss Georgia issue

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PACE supports use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine

The non-binding document stipulates that "assets would be deposited in an international trust fund" and will be used for compensation purposes

Russia supports priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in SCO — Foreign Ministry

Andrey Rudenko emphasized that Russia is providing all necessary assistance in the meaningful preparation of the summit in Astana

Italy manages to fully substitute Russian gas supplies, says Energy Security Minister

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IDF says chief of Hezbollah’s Radwan forces in central, western Lebanon killed

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Yerevan has no territorial claims to Baku — Armenian representative to UN court

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Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russian diplomat blames US for current Middle East crisis

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the US had long been promoting "exceptional allegations" about some non-mandatory UN Security Council resolutions

White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Joe Biden had made it clear that the United States would not take on a combat role in Ukraine

France to invite Russia to events marking 80th anniversary of Normandy invasion

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in turn, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet received an official invitation

Riot police dispersing protesters near Georgian parliament building

Riot police used tear gas to push protesters back from the building entrance

Putin, Raisi set for expansion of cooperation between Russia, Iran — Kremlin

It is noted that the two leaders also discussed the latest escalation in the Middle East

Russian security chief urges measures against 'ethnic enclaves' in Russia

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Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the date of Putin’s visit to Turkey would be agreed via diplomatic channels

Israel plans to send 'painful message' to Iran in response to attack — newspaper

According to the report, Israel’s war cabinet will meet on April 16 for a third straight day

Xi Jinping proposes four principles for resolving Ukrainian crisis

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Investments in Russian economy gain 10% in 2023 — PM

"Agreements on protection and encouragement of capital investments, special investment contracts and infrastructural budget loans" are among support measures, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Istanbul treaty can serve as basis for dialogue with Ukraine — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that any political and diplomatic search of the solution "can only be based on negotiations"

US not going to be in armed conflict with Russia — official

The President of the United States has made that very clear

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Russian forces pummel Ukrainian army, equipment in 133 areas over past day

Russian troops took better frontline positions in the Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

US, UK deliver another series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

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Prices for cocoa beans reach all-time high exceeding $11,000 per ton — ICE Futures data

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Russian Industry Ministry supports higher import duty on wines from NATO countries

"Two hundred or not two hundred, but the duty can and should be increased," Viktor Evtukhov noted

Roads blocked, flights canceled in UAE due to heavy rains

The heavy rains have flooded highways and low-lying roads

Gazprom SPKA to create low-orbit satcom system — deputy CEO

Sergey Masalov said that the constellation will comprise 78 satellites

China’s Jetour plans to sell up to 50,000 cars in Russia this year

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Russian finance ministry considering abolition of export duty on gold

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Putin reflects on Donbass, Novorossiya's difficult journey to reunite with Russia

The Russian president stressed that "this is another great event in our country’s history"

Russian Ocean Way vessel docks at Socotra, captain needs medical aid

Stanislav Beryozkin was taken to a hospital to undergo thorough examination, with all the required tests made

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Russian sports communities must maintain ties with int’l federations — sports minister

According to Oleg Matytsin, despite the fact that Russian athletes perform without the anthem and the national flag, everyone understands where these athletes come from and that they compete for the great country

Kiev recognizes Russia's tenfold superiority in artillery shells

Vladimir Zelensky admitted that Ukraine had no chance of winning victory without support from the West

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Israel may strike Iranian territory to demonstrate its capabilities — TV

"We are continuing our efforts to prevent further escalation," the US official said

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Slovakia to oppose Ukraine’s NATO membership bid — PM

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Putin signs decree on spring draft to armed forces

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Russian watchdog blocks websites of hosting providers

FastComet provider limited the access to its resources on its own, a source in the industry told TASS

IAEA temporarily recalls inspectors from Iranian sites — Russian envoy

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European far-right conference with Orban as participant banned in Brussels

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Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 16th

The Silver Galosh award became a political anti-prize

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Russian, Israeli security chiefs discuss current escalation in Middle East

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Georgian parliament passes bill on foreign agents in first reading

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Envoy reports dozens of Russians killed in Ukrainian attacks in past week

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Zaporozhye Region lawmaker survives assassination attempt — authorities

An explosive device was placed on the gate of his house’s courtyard at eye level

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Ukrainian troops hunker down in abandoned apartments in Kherson — governor

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Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Russian Armed Forces hit IRIS-T air defense system launcher, Ukrainian ammunition depot

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Russia to float out universal nuclear-powered icebreaker on May 25

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Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

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Russian, Cuban top prosecution officials sign 2024-26 cooperation program

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Russian troops destroy fake Ukrainian ambulance with UAV operators in Kherson area

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Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Russian stock indices plunging on Tuesday — market data

The dollar surged by 0.67% to 94.42 rubles, the euro edged up by 0.41% to 100.24 rubles

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Iran says it won’t prevent return of Russian sailor from seized ship — MFA

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Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

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