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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Kiev to present amended law on Donbass special status — reports

The video conference is scheduled to begin at noon

MOSCOW, August 19. /TASS/. The Ukrainian side will present a new version of the law on the special status of Donbas at a video conference of the Contact Group’s political subgroup on Wednesday, a source close to the talks has said.

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OSCE monitors continue being intimidated in Ukraine, Moscow says

"The video conference is scheduled to begin at noon. The Ukrainian side is expected to present there its amendments to Article 10 of the law on the special status," the source has told the LuganskInformCenter.

Under Article 10 of the law on the local self-government in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the key provisions of the legislation will be in force only after the local authorities are elected at snap polls.

The representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics have stated many times that this is a blatant violation of the Minsk peace agreements reached in February in the Belarusian capital.

The LPR’s negotiator at the Minsk talks, Vladislav Deinego, has earlier called on Kiev to discuss the draft law on local elections in certain areas of Donbas. He said the Ukrainian side has to first secure the agreement of the Contact Group as demanded by the Minsk deal.

The peace deal struck by leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France envisaged a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and people’s militias starting from February 15.

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Eastern Ukraine

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Israel assesses effectiveness, consequences of strike on Iran — media

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Palestinian envoy says Israel plans to destroy Palestine

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Ceasefire necessary for implementation of UN humanitarian resolution on Gaza — UN envoy

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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"

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EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

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Alexander Orlov noted that recently French President Emmanuel Macron "has made a number of questionable moves that have increased the divide" between both countries

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

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Press review: Iran fires back at Israel and Russia, West spar over AI rulebook

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Russia-China military-technical cooperation not directed against other states — diplomat

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Tasnim refuted foreign media reports about an incident at a nuclear site in Isfahan

G7 foreign ministers set to call on all sides to exercise restraint in Middle East

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel will "most likely" respond to the recent Iranian attack

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

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

Shoigu visits presentation of over 30 promising weapons, including robotic vehicles

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German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

Commenting on the men's arrest, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: "Our security services have prevented possible explosions aimed at undermining our military assistance to Ukraine"

Algeria pledges to return to Palestinian membership issue — envoy

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Iran completed operation, to respond with greater force if needed — envoy to Russia

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Energy prices help US economy to develop better than Europe — IMF

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Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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Press review: US throws Russia New START curveball and Washington's aid balancing act

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 17th

Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

The Ukrainian army used the outbuilding as an ammunition depot, which accommodated about 15 fighters at the time of the air strike, spokesman Sergey Lebedev specified

Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

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US deploying missiles in Philippines to endanger global security — Russian envoy

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran

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"

Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

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US gives nod to Israeli operation in Rafah in exchange for canceling major attack on Iran

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Russia says its forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk area

The Ukrainian army losses were up to 70 servicemen, three motor vehicles, a D-30 howitzer, 2 Plastun-3000 electronic reconnaissance stations and a Nota electronic warfare station

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

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

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

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Effort to grant full UN membership to Palestine will continue — Russian mission

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Chief prosecutors of Russia, Venezuela sign cooperation agreement in Caracas

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

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

On April 10, the vehicle was also spotted when the North Korean leader visited Kim Jong Il Military and Political Academy