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This week in photos: Groundhog Day, blizzard hits NYC, and SpaceX Starship’s fiery crash

Take a look at the world in pictures from a TASS photo gallery

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 12

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holding Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, USA, February 2. Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter weather during this year's event that was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID-19 risks

© AP Photo/Barry Reeger

A man skiing through Times Square during a snowstorm in the Manhattan borough of New York, February 1

© AP Photo/John Minchillo

Riot police officers guarding the area outside the Kazan Cathedral in Nevsky Prospekt Street, Saint Petersburg, February 2

© Peter Kovalev/TASS

Ultra Orthodox Jews taking part in a funeral of a Jewish spiritual leader amid the COVID-19 restrictions in Jerusalem, January 31

© REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

The SpaceX Starship SN9 explodes into a fireball after its high altitude test flight from test facilities in Boca Chica, US, February 2

© REUTERS/Gene Blevins

Kabul police officers removing the wreckage of a damaged car in the aftermath of a bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, February 1. At least one civilian and a security force member were killed and one other injured after a magnetic improvised explosive device explosion targeted an army vehicle in Kabul

© EPA-EFE/HEDAYATULLAH AMID

Disabled dogs in mobility aids running during a daily walk at The Man That Rescues Dogs Foundation in Chonburi, Thailand, January 26

© REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Volunteers delivering testing kits to a resident who is wearing a clown mask as local authorities deploy COVID-19 testing in an effort to track down a South African coronavirus variant found in the area in Woking, UK, February 2

© Leon Neal/Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron holds an umbrella as Slovakia's Prime Minister Igor Matovic speaks to the medias before a working lunch at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 3

© AP Photo/Thibault Camus

Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin attending an exhibition of goods by Kalmykia's agricultural producers, Elista, Russia, February 2

© Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS

A capsized ship lying on its side at the destroyed port area at the six months mark since the day of the explosion, in Beirut, Lebanon, February 3

© EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A shop selling scarves in the city of Lijiang, China, February 3. The Old Town of Lijiang is a UNESCO Heritage Site

© Artyom Ivanov/TASS

Punxsutawney Phil’s appearance on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a huge blizzard blankets New York City with snow, and SpaceX’s Starship test flight ends in fiery crash are among some of the developments captured in this week's photos.

Former Ukrainian Deputy PM Yarema to go on trial at Russian court martial in absentia

He is charged with aiding terrorism

Russian ambassador slams Germany’s supplies of lethal weapons to Kiev as mistake

Neither Russia nor Germany will disappear from the European map, Sergey Nechayev noted

Former Ukrainian Deputy PM Yarema to go on trial at Russian court martial in absentia

He is charged with aiding terrorism

Russian embassy in UK says London’s role in Ukraine conflict rising

On May 2, Reuters published an interview with Cameron where he said Ukraine has the right to use UK-provided weapons to strike targets inside Russia

Russia open for proposals on Ukrainian settlement, rejects blackmail — Foreign Ministry

Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position is also "well known," adding that "Russia’s position is consistent"

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns troops about 'new round of war' coming

Previously, Russian Defense Minister Sergey announced, that, in 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 111,000 troops and 21,000 weapons and vehicles

Europe facing 'triple existential risk,' Macron warns

According to the French leader, "a new geopolitical, economic and societal paradigm for Europe" is needed to address these challenges

Indonesia, Saudi Arabia to convince EU to prevent confiscation of Russian assets — FT

The confiscation risk is that "if we just start ignoring the principles [of international law - TASS], they can equally be used against us by other states and that we set a precedent that can have unintended effects down the line," Philippa Webb said

Dollar will be worth nothing unless issue of country’s national debt solved, Musk says

Earlier, Vitor Gaspar, director of the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department, said that the growth of the US national debt spurred side effects across the globe

Slovakia to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Marek Estok stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict

‘Peace formula’ on Ukraine to succeed if West halts arms supplies — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted by Josep Borrell who asserted that without Western arms supplies Kiev would capitulate in two weeks

EU ambassadors unlikely to agree on use of Russian assets on May 8 — Politico

The EU countries expected a new proposal from Belgium, but it never came, the newspaper says

Kremlin slams Macron's statement about possible sending troops to Ukraine 'very dangerous'

On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Ukraine’s military command throws soldiers into battle without training, says POW

The POW said that the Ukrainian army was experiencing a shortage of personnel

Kiev loses 18 observation posts on right bank of Dnieper in past day — Russian official

The Russian army carried out active defensive operations on the left bank of the Dnieper, conducting precise strikes on enemy military facilities, equipment and artillery weapons on the right bank

Russian tech firm ramps up production of glide bombs — CEO

Rostec is "building up the production of air bombs of all calibers and types," Sergey Chemezov said

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Cameron’s claims about Ukrainian strikes on Russia 'a direct escalation' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov characterized Cameron’s remarks as "yet another very dangerous claim"

Sale potential of new Chinese electric cars in Russia is low — Russian car dealer

It is pointed out that the Russian government has limited the import of cars as part of parallel imports and now, in order to make an official delivery, one should obtain a VTA (vehicle type approval)

Protesters against foreign-agents bill march through central streets in Georgian capital

Hundreds of people went near a church that sits opposite the parliament building and are burning candles on the occasion of coming Orthodox Easter

US has 3-4 years to stand up new capacity to replace Russian uranium imports

The imports ban would also unlock $2.7 bln from previous legislation for building out the domestic uranium industry, Kathryn Huff noted

Ukrainian authorities unable to banish Russian language — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that the Kiev regime banned the Russian language, "ignoring its own constitution"

Turkish parliament passes bill on LNG sales as part of gas hub project — TV

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

Russian troops using FPV drone destroy enemy recon group in LPR — military expert

The entire group of Ukrainian militants was killed in the strike

Egypt, Israel, Qatar, US, Hamas to hold consultations on Gaza in Cairo on May 4

According to the Al Hadath television channel, they are going to reach a deal on the swap of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails

United States removes Emperor Aviation from anti-Russian sanctions list

In addition, seven aircraft associated with this airline were removed from the sanctions list

Trinidad and Tobago recognizes State of Palestine

As of today, 141 out of the 193 UN member states, including Russia, recognize Palestine as an independent nation

Certain countries hope US aid to Ukraine to lower pressure on Russian assets issue — FT

According to the newspaper, certain countries expect this problem to fall by the wayside because Ukraine is in a more stable financial position now

Weapons delivered to Kiev end up in West, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova emphasized that all Western projects similar to Ukraine "ended the same way"

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

"Two plants were constructed in Crimea and one in the Taman Peninsula - the Udarnaya, which we will launch in full as early as in this year," Sergey Chemezov noted

Russian ministry offers new standard of reporting on sustainable development to business

The document was presented at a meeting of an expert council on sustainable development at the Economic Development Ministry headed by Minister Maksim Reshetnikov

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Putin calls T-90M Proryv world’s best main battle tank

"The tank fires to a longer range and more accurately. It also has better protection," the head of state noted

Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia — MFA

In this way Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by the Latvian Foreign Ministry that Kiev had already received from some partners Western weapons with permission to use them for strikes on Russian territory

Russian troops recover first Abrams tank from special military operation zone

It will be put on public display at the Patriot Park on Poklonnaya Hill

Russian senator warns against attempts to hamper Russia’s access to Kaliningrad

"I don’t think that anyone in Finland would venture to impose any restrictions," Alexander Shenzheryuk-Zhidkov noted

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Russian Foreign Ministry calls new US sanctions 'another act of trade war'

Maria Zakharova noted that the new sanctions should be viewed as an attempt by the United States to "maintain leadership in the absence of the opportunity to do this legally"

Russia not to take part in any events on 'Zelensky's formula' — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

Turkey does not intend to transfer S-400 to any country — defense minister

Britain and Spain are not against the sale of fighter jets to Ankara, while Germany, as a member of the consortium that produces the Eurofighter, has not yet approved the deal

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

No response to embassy’s inquiries about detention of Russians in Finland’s Kajaani

A first-instance court on May 3 ruled to place the three in custody until August 16, the local media said

Idea of cutting Russia off from Kaliningrad is absurd — region’s authorities

Dmitry Lyskov clarified that Russian passenger planes use the same GPS system as European ones and do not experience any difficulties in navigation

G7 considers giving Ukraine $50 bln worth of aid — Bloomberg

The US pushing to sign an agreement when G7 leaders convene in Italy in June

Iran sanctions 5 US companies, 7 individuals for supporting Israel

The sanctions list includes the largest US arms corporations Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, and the company Skydio, which specializes in the production of drones

Ukraine’s military command re-focuses on training mobilized soldiers for defense, says POW

As the POW elaborated, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukrainian army positions was very high and it was hardly probable to hold the positions in these conditions

Putin stresses importance of realistic approaches to national budgetary policy

"I would like to remind that it is fundamentally important for us to maintain responsible, balanced and completely realistic approaches in the budgetary policy sphere, including planning of the main financial document of the country based on budgeting rules," the President noted

EU worried confiscation of Russian assets to unleash flurry of reparations claims — FT

The EU, Canada, the US and Japan froze Russian assets in a total amount of around $300 bln after the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine

Brent oil price down below $83 per barrel on London’s ICE first since March 13

As of 9:40 p.m. Moscow time the Brent price was down by 1.02% at $82.85 per barrel

China may review its US investment after Washington’s new sanctions on Russia — investor

According to Kyle Shostak, the new restrictions imposed by the United States may affect bilateral trade in consumer goods between Russia and China as "Chinese banks will be increasingly selective toward the servicing of Russian and related Chinese counterparties"

FSB eliminates Ukrainian saboteur who arrived in Russia from Lithuania

The saboteur was caught emptying yet another cache full of weapons outside Gatchina in the Leningrad Region which he was planning to use in an attack at a fuel depot in the Tosno District in the same region

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Colombian Foreign Ministry notifies Israel about severance of diplomatic relations

Meanwhile, consulates of both countries in Tel Aviv and Bogota will continue their operation

Russian citizen Vinnik pleads guilty in US court in money-laundering case

His attorney said that his jail term should be less than 10 years

Georgian PM accuses ex-US ambassador of supporting revolutionaries

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, Degnan's actions were intended to promote violence by foreign-funded interest groups and to support revolutionary processes

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

Powerful solar flares were registered on April 30 and May 1

G7 countries privately recognize Russian assets seizure not on the table — FT

Western countries are "exploring alternative ways of extracting funding" for Ukraine from the frozen assets, the newspaper said

Extinguishing fire at Berlin metal factory halted

Firefighters have suspended extinguishing a blaze due to the threat of contaminating local water with chemicals, Bild reported

Freedom of the press dying in West, any dissent snuffed out — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed to the "incessant arbitrariness committed by the Western authorities against the Russian media and journalists, who have fully felt the repressive machine of the neoliberal West"

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

In recent days, Maria Zakharova continued, Ukrainian forces "have been seen using several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles, which were secretly received a month ago, against Crimea"

Electricity supplies to China cannot yet be restored to previous levels — Energy Ministry

According to Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov, the ministry will return to this issue later, as hydro resources accumulate after the rainy season

Export of Russian fish extended to 18 countries in 2023

This year Russian export is to reach $5.6 bln, Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries Ilya Shestakov said

Ukrainian politician names those behind Odessa tragedy in interview with TASS

Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out that in a premeditated act of intimidation, the Kiev regime led by then acting Ukrainian President Alexander Turchinov burned people alive inside Odessa’s Trade Union House

Russia adds over 1 mln tons of grain to intervention fund

Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said earlier that the ministry planned purchasing interventions on the grain market in the volume of up to 2 mln tons, adding that global grain prices and high yield expectations put pressure on domestic grain prices

Russian diplomat sees Kiev preparing for new attack on Crimean Bridge with Western support

According to Maria Zakharova, ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Russia, "the Kiev regime and its Western patrons are plotting new terror attacks on Russian soil," while aiming for the news to "reverberate in the media and have a propaganda effect"

Russian lower house to cancel sessions on May 17, 16, hold them on May 10, 13

The inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin will be held on May 7

Ukraine presumably used US-made Excalibur shell for strike at Tokmak

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

Fire gutting German plant of industrial group making IRIS-T air defense systems

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 3rd

US official supports continued cooperation between Russia, US on space

This is the opinion of the US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance Mallory Stewart

Ukraine's intelligence recognizes impossibility of victory on battlefield

According to Vadim Skibitsky, "meaningful negotiations can begin only in the second half of 2025 at the earliest"

Russian diplomat blasts Cameron for approving strikes on country with nuclear weapons

Maria Zakharova said Russian agencies in charge of defending the country would undoubtedly retaliate if there were any strikes inside Russia

Russia, Africa set to develop defense cooperation further — Kremlin

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing a senior US defense official, that Russian troops had allegedly entered an air base in Niger that is hosting US troops

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

Around 40% of US voters see possibility of civil war in their country — survey

The survey also found that 37% of voters believe another civil war is more likely to happen if incumbent President Joe Biden is re-elected

US mercenaries let their fighting skills 'atrophy,' one of them says after trip to Ukraine

It is reported that a lot of Western soldiers struggle in Ukraine as things were not as they had expected

Sending NATO troops to Ukraine to lead to dangerous escalation — top UK diplomat

David Cameron opined that Ukraine's defeat in a conflict with Russia would create a "very dangerous future" because it would signal to China and Iran that aggression against their neighbors is acceptable

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

It is reported that the US believes Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Iran insists that its missile program is solely for defensive purposes

West attempts to bury Odessa tragedy — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 2nd

Russian troops wipe out German-made IRIS-T air defense system over past day

The Ukrainian army lost over 350 personnel and several items of military hardware in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

"It will allow our armed forces to continue cleaning the territory of Novorossiya from neo-Nazis without interference and without looking back at someone's moronic 'peace initiatives,' and all of us - to carry out meticulous work on the speedy return of our ancestral territories to Russia," Dmitry Medvedev pointed out

Zelensky bowing to Western pressure, ready to give Ukrainian lands away — official

"Contrary to the Ukrainians' interests, Zelensky, blindly obeying the external control of the collective West, wants to give its lands, cities and subsoil to other countries," Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out

Any European country’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict to trigger world war — Szijjarto

Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that Europe is living through an emergency situation, with a war being held

Fire at German plant won’t affect production of IRIS-T air defense systems — Spiegel

It is reported that the defense unit has not been affected

China's investments in Russia’s Far East make up 90% of foreign investments — Deputy PM

Yury Trutnev stressed that the Far Eastern Federal District still maintains economic ties with any of the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region

Military attaches visit trophies exhibition on Poklonnaya Hill

The Russian Defense Ministry opened an exhibition of trophy equipment in front of the Victory Museum on May 1

Hamas delegation setting off for Cairo to reach agreement on Gaza

It is said in a statement posted on the Telegram channel of Hamas that the delegation to the Egyptian capital city will be sent on May 4

Protesters in Georgia plotted to wear police uniform to create provocations, ministry says

The Interior Ministry said that protesters appealed to police officers to join them

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

One Israeli considered hostage died on October 7, body found in Israel — IDF

Libman’s identify was confirmed after a forensics research, carried out by the IDF and the National Forensics Institute of Israel

Russian artillery wipes out Ukrainian field ammo depot near Avdeyevka

Artillery of the Battlegroup Center delivered a strike on the Ukrainian army’s field ammunition depot in the Krasnoarmeisk direction

Russia introduces temporary ban on sugar exports — decree

It will be possible to supply sugar in certain volumes to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union

Rostec plans to build long-haul aircraft in near future — corporation’s CEO

Sergey Chemezov also added that tests of the PD-35 engine are already underway

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"

Lower house may approve Russia’s PM on May 10 — source

The inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for May 7