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Italian PM Draghi steps down, government instructed to uphold its duties

Upholding "the current duties" means the government will not have full powers until a new government is formed after an early parliamentary election

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi

© AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

ROME, July 21. /TASS/. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has offered his resignation to the country’s president Sergio Mattarella.

The president "took note" of Draghi’s resignation letter, and instructed the government to uphold its "current duties," the president’s office said in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier, Draghi told the lower house of parliament that he would inform the head of state of "his intensions." He is expected to address the Chamber of Deputies briefly by midday local time.

Upholding "the current duties" means the government will not have full powers until a new government is formed after an early parliamentary election. The president should dissolve parliament and announce the date of the voting.

Draghi handed in his previous resignation after a vote of confidence last week, but that was rejected by Mattarella, because there was still a viable majority willing to support the government.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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

The US Congress House of Representatives earlier passed bills on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

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Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Sergey Ryabkov noted that such problems exist for Russians using Turkish Airlines flights to other Latin American countries

US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

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Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

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According to Major General Yury Popov, nine violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019

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

Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

Dmitry Peskov added that the issue of fighting against long-range weapons being supplied to Ukraine and potential strikes on the areas where they are concentrated "is rather under the purview of <…> the armed forces"

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Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

Annual inflation in Russia gearing down to 7.82% over week — Economy Ministry

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

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US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

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Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

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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

North Korean film shown in Moscow to mark anniversary of Putin-Kim meeting

Minister Plenipotentiary of the North Korean Embassy in Russia Lee Yeong Jin emphasized that "today's screening will contribute to further intensifying cultural exchanges, deepening mutual understanding and friendly relations between the peoples of North Korea and Russia"

Russian diplomat thanks Tajik authorities for help in probe into Crocus terrorist attack

The sides also exchanged views on the progress in the implementation of large-scale tasks set by the heads of the two states and heads of government along the political, trade, economic and migration trajectories, the implementation of projects on the cultural and humanitarian fronts

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

Russia to submit its own resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space to UNSC

Proposal for a UNSC resolution will take into account the results of the discussion of the US-Japanese document, as well as the progress on this subject, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

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

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

US shifted conflict in Europe onto EU, NATO shoulders to weaken Russia, says Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader specified that the US had organized the conflict in Europe, in this case in Ukraine, and "shifted it onto the shoulders of the European Union and NATO, promising to help with money"

Over 330 bodies recovered from mass grave at hospital in Khan Yunis — TV

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Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

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Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

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Some people in 2021 Kabul terror attack were killed by gunfire, not explosion, CNN reports

According to the report, the source said he heard "a mass volume of gunfire" after the blast from where US Marines were standing

Ukraine’s EU accession to require 20% increase in union’s budget — European Commissioner

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Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

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Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

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

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

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German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

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IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

US spends millions of dollars on studying UFOs, 'covers up' information — congressman

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Stockmann company to buy Russian business of Hugo Boss — Industry Ministry

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Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

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Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

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Post-Soviet security bloc holds arms control consultations in Moscow

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Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

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US will have to take Russia into account and find common ground with it — Putin

Russian President said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel journalist Pavel Zarubin

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

Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

Russia dissatisfied with UN’s activity under grain deal — senior diplomat

Alexander Pankin noted that during his visit to New York he did not have any talks with UN officials on the Russian-UN memorandum

US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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

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Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

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Russia’s Viner vows to set up International League of Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

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Top Russian security official meets with counterparts at international security meeting

Nikolay Patrushev met with the heads of delegations from BRICS states

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

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Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

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Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

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