Members of the radical Taliban * opened fire on participants in a rally in support of the national flag of Afghanistan in Nangarhar province, a source among local residents told RIA Novosti.

The collective West knows how to show "solidarity" only in two cases: in Russophobia towards Russia and in words, this is noticeable in the situation in Afghanistan and in countering the pandemic, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

The government has approved the rules for drawing cash prizes among those vaccinated against COVID-19, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers said.

Vocalist of metal bands Rammstein and Lindemann Till Lindemann will perform at the international military music festival "Spasskaya Tower" on September 4 and 5.

According to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavel Klimkin, the talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pose a serious threat.

The Russian authorities plan to make a decision to replace paper passports with smart cards by the end of 2021.