US Sanctions Against Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service Have No Practical Sense

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The United States' sanctions against the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) have no practical sense, said the head of the FSKN, Viktor Ivanov on Russian TV-Center channel.
"America's sanctions against our service have no practical sense and the US government only needs them to put more pressure on the President of Russian Federation. Moreover, our colleagues – the drug enforcement police officers of the US – were strongly against such measures, but nobody listened to them," Ivanov said on Saturday.

Georgia Ready to Begin Reconciliation With Abkhazians, Ossetians

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 Georgia wants to begin the process of "real" reconciliation with Abkhazians and Ossetians, said the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, commenting on the decision by Abkhazian President Raul Khadjimba to close five crossing points on border with Georgia.

"Yesterday a new initiative has been voiced by de-facto authorities of Abkhazia. In that respect I would like to note, that since we came to power, we have voiced our intention and readiness to begin the process of real reconciliation with our Abkhazian and Ossetian brothers," Garibashvili told reporters. He has referred to the Abkhazian initiative as "unwise" and noted that such a step might worsen the lives of the locals.
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US Armored Vehicles Arrive in Estonia for Drills

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- Heavy military equipment of the First Brigade of the First Cavalry Division of the US Army has arrived in Estonian town of Tapa, said the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces.

According to the statement by the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces, released on Saturday, nine US Stryker armored fighting vehicles, eight Bradley fighting vehicles and other US military equipment have arrived in Tapa to take part in the three month long drills.  Three Stryker 18 ton wheeled armored transport vehicles were delivered to the Estonian town earlier in September.
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More Than 130 Pilgrims Die During Hajj in Saudi Arabia: Reports

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- More than 130 pilgrims from Arab states have died in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj which has begun on October 2, due to exacerbation of chronic diseases and age-related complications, the International Islamic News Agency reported.

According to the report, released on Saturday, the biggest number of deaths (14) has been registered among the pilgrims, coming from Egypt. Casualties have also been reported among the religious travelers from Iraq, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Somalia, Yemen, Jordan and Mauritania.
Another 213 pilgrims are currently under treatment in the hospitals of Saudi Arabia.