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Bundestag elects Merz as FRG chancellor in second round of voting — broadcast

Friedrich Merz secured 325 votes, surpassing the 316 needed for a majority, while 289 deputies opposed his candidacy, with one abstention

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz AP Photo/ Markus Schreiber

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

© AP Photo/ Markus Schreiber

BERLIN, May 6. /TASS/. The Bundestag has elected Christian Democratic Union leader Friedrich Merz as Germany's Chancellor in a decisive second-round vote. The session was streamed live on the parliament’s official website.

Merz secured 325 votes – surpassing the 316 needed for a majority – while 289 deputies opposed his candidacy, with one abstention. "I accept the results of the vote," Merz stated, following his earlier failure in the first round earlier on Tuesday.

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Inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV underway at St. Peter’s Square

Not only Muslims interested in Islamic banking — Association of Russian Banks

Anatoly Kozlachkov said that non-Muslim citizens are considering it to be a better option for them

US Congress may tighten sanctions against Moscow — Rubio

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Kiev recognizes Russia's swap proposal makes sense — MFA

The diplomat pointed to remarks by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga, who said the talks "made sense" "only for the sake" of the exchange under which both countries would hand over 1,000 prisoners to each other

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Vladimir Putin and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov warmly congratulated each other on the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War

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They are building up several defense lines

Russia, Ukraine agree to 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange — Ukrainian defense minister

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Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol, the IDF press service added

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Russia to prepare document on Ukraine with demands for ceasefire — Rubio

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Trump says India ready to cut tariffs on US by 100%

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Ukraine’s Odessa to protest against political repressions in Ukraine

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General elections in Palestine to take place within year — LAS

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Kremlin refuses to comment on alleged Istanbul negotiation terms

"Negotiations are taking place behind closed doors, just as they should - to ensure they are productive," Dmitry Peskov noted

Lavrov, Rubio discuss results of Istanbul talks in phone conversation — Foreign Ministry

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Serbia, US have ‘historic’ opportunity to strengthen ties — PM

According to Djuro Macut, the sides expressed mutual readiness to intensify contacts between officials

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US pragmatically moves away from 'democratization agenda' — Russian intelligence chief

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US legislators renew calls to pass anti-Russia sanctions after talks — Reuters

It has not been indicated when corresponding bills might be brought up for a vote

Inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV to take place at St. Peter’s Square

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Russia’s special military-op in Ukraine aimed at long-lasting peace — Putin

The president stressed that Russia has ample forces to complete the special military operation and reach the designated objectives

Ukraine loses another F-16 fighter jet — Air Force

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West uses Ukrainians as cannon fodder in pursuing geopolitical goals — foreign intel chief

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Rubio does not rule out that Russia and Ukraine may accept Vatican's meeting proposal

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Battlegroup West destroys 40 UAV control points, eight Starlink stations of Ukraine

The battlegroup also destroyed three Ukrainian field ammunition depots

Austrian representative wins Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Russia has been barred from participating in the contest since 2022 by decision of the European Broadcasting Union

Moscow says Ukraine needs to step away from microphone, come to negotiating table

"No matter how loud these NATO benchwarmers shout from the sidelines, in order to take a shot on goal, the Ukrainian national team needs to take the field," Maria Zakharova said

Lavrov is no longer chain-smoker, says spokeswoman

Sergey Lavrov has cut down on smoking to literally a couple of cigarettes a day, Maria Zakharova says

Belarus, Russia ready for joint exercises, these are defensive in nature — Lukashenko

The Belarusian president said that the countries were not going to attack anyone, contrary to what some people think

Arab League Summit condemns Israeli attacks on Syria

According to Iraq’s INA news agency, the organization urged the international community to unify "our efforts to achieve the interests of the peoples of our region" "condemning the Zionist aggression on Syria"

Robinson helicopter makes hard landing in Moscow Region, pilot unhurt

According to the Investigative Committee, the helicopter made a hard landing near the village of Islavskoye in the Odintsovo District of the Moscow Region

Culture Minister Lyubimova to attend Leo XIV's inaugural mass on Russia's behalf

More than 150 delegations are expected to attend

Trump expresses confidence his meeting with Putin will be organized, held

US President added that his meetings with Vladimir Zelensky were not easy

Ukrainian army demoralized by Russia’s successes on battlefields near Donetsk — expert

Yan Gagin added that Russian servicemen continue to fulfill their combat missions to liberate communities in the DPR

Major prisoner swap meaningful step in talks between Moscow, Kiev — Vucic

The Serbian leader added that he did not expect combat operations to end shortly, noting that he voiced his opinion "more as an analyst than as the president of the republic"

Almaz-Antey to show its latest air defense systems at MILEX-2025 in Minsk

According to the concern’s press service, the Belarusian capital will host models of the state-of-the-art S-350E Vityaz medium-range anti-aircraft missile system

Turkish foreign minister describes current stage of settlement in Ukraine as critical

Hakan Fidan highlighted the steadfast commitment of the parties to peace

Ukraine fails to turn Istanbul talks into show — Russian diplomat

The Russian delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, was ready for dialogue as early as Thursday morning

Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum gathers guests from hundreds of countries

The Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center is hosting an exhibition showcasing the achievements of various countries in different fields

Mexican Navy sailing ship with 200 people on board crashes into Brooklyn Bridge — NYP

The New York City Fire Department has not yet responded to TASS’s request for comment

Orban believes Ukraine agreement to follow Putin-Trump meeting

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