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Merkel declares extension of quarantine over COVID-19 in Germany

Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder, who also attended the press conference, called this "Easter lockdown"

BERLIN, March 23. /TASS/. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and authorities of federal states have agreed to extend quarantine until April 18, the Chancellor told reporters after talks, which ended early on Tuesday.

"From April 1 to April 5 (when Catholics celebrate Easter) the principle of reducing contacts will be in effect," Merkel said. So, the restrictions during the weekend will be in force not only on Holy Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but also on two additional days - on April 1 and April 3.

Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder, who also attended the press conference, called this "Easter lockdown.".

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Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

Ahmad Haghtalab said on April 18 that Tehran has identified the location of Israel's "nuclear centers" and will be ready to destroy them in case the Jewish state responds to the recent Iranian attack on Israeli military facilities

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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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Israeli Air Force attacks airfield in southern Syria during strike on Iran

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Russia always prefers talks to fighting, wars, says Lavrov

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Sounds in Isfahan due to air defense work to repel attacks by suspicious objects — general

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

The final rehearsal of the military parade will take place on May 5

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Argentina’s NATO partnership bid to let US tighten its grip — expert

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

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At least 16 Syrian troops killed in terrorists’ ambush in east Syria — TV

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Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Iran threatens to attack Israel's "nuclear centers" in case of aggression on its part

Ahmad Haqtalab argued that Israel had been conducting "subversive and terrorist activities" against the Islamic republic's nuclear infrastructure for year

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

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

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Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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Chinese analyst sees US veto on Palestine as reflection of arrogance, double standards

Wang Wen stated that it’s still very hard to achieve a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Earlier, the media reported, citing a US official, that Israel had launched a missile strike on a site in Iranian territory

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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West, Kiev indulge in nuclear blackmail by demanding control of ZNPP — Russian MFA

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West frightens voters by 'Russian threat' to win elections — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that the anti-Russian rhetoric of Western politicians in power intensifies as the elections approach

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Russian instructors help train over 10,000 Central African troops — CAR president

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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"

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

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

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West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

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Russia ready for Ukraine talks, but not with Zelensky — Lavrov

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

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Nord Stream AG's refusal to pay compensation destroys Western insurance system — diplomat

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Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the demarcation process also involves risks, but they are manageable, after which "Armenia will become ten times stronger"

Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

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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"

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

The two other State Duma members mentioned in the verdict alongside Karpov are Viktor Kazakov and Georgy Karlov

Military base near Iran’s Isfahan hit following attack — newspaper

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Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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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

Russia, Iran maintain contacts on nuclear security - deputy foreign minister

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

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Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

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Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

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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

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

The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

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"

Iran says drones downed over Isfahan launched from country's territory

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