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Opposition rally in Moldovan capital brings together about 60,000 people — organizer

The rally is taking place on the Stephen the Great Boulevard as police sealed off the access to the main square

CHISINAU, October 16. /TASS/. About 60,000 people took to the streets in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau on Sunday to protest at rising prices and performance of the country’s pro-EU government, according to one of the rally’s leaders, Dinu Tsurkanu.

"About 60,000 people convened for the rally in Chisinau," he said.

The rally is taking place on the Stephen the Great Boulevard as police sealed off the access to the main square.

Protesters chant "Down with the government!", "Down with [Moldovan President] Maia Sandu!", "Early elections!", "No to dictatorship!", and set off smoke flares. Parliament members representing the Shor Party and Moldova’s Communist Party are making speeches.

Protests started in Moldova in the summer, taking place in different regions of the country. Protesters accuse the pro-European government of failing to grapple with the economic crisis, rapidly rising prices and falling living standards. Officials are also criticized for their unwillingness to hold talks with Russia to achieve better gas prices and for putting pressure on opposition members, whose leaders were arrested.

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

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US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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

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Russian Aerospace Forces strike five militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

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

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EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

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Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

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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"

Israel assesses effectiveness, consequences of strike on Iran — media

A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the reports of the strike

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Fu Cong denied claims that direct talks with Israel are a vital precondition for Palestine’s UN membership

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Germany moves to exclude Russia from concentration camp liberation celebrations

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

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

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

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

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Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

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

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Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

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US names lack of reforms as reason to block Palestinian membership resolution

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

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

Anatoly Antonov has urged the US "not to open Pandora's Box" and follow Russia’s suit "by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability"

Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Tehran’s two major airports cancel international flights — Mehr

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

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Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

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