Russia will revive the Soviet-era practice of duty-free shops for foreign diplomats, allowing them to buy goods no longer imported to Russia due to Western sanctions, according to a government order issued last week. 

The stores could open in the capital Moscow and St. Petersburg shortly after the order takes effect on Aug. 27. 

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Moscow on Thursday called for "restraint" following a new escalation in fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region that has left three people dead. 

Earlier in the day Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan voiced rare criticism of ally Moscow, questioning the work of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

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Moscow said on Thursday that a Norwegian consul can no longer stay in Russia after she was filmed declaring "I hate Russians" during an angry outburst at a hotel reception.

"After what happened, Elisabeth Ellingsen's presence in Russia is impossible," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Earlier in the day the Foreign Ministry summoned