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This week in photos: Tornado aftermath, Miss Universe 2021 and Father Frost's train

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

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 11

Photographers in an American theater look at pictures of the aftermath of a tornado in Kentucky, December 16. The city of Mayfield suffered the most, where the roof of a candle factory collapsed. US President Joe Biden called the disaster strikes the largest in the history of the country

© Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Rescuers help a woman leave her home during a flood, Spain, December 12. In the east of Spain, due to heavy rains, the Ebro River overflowed its banks

© AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos

21-year-old Indian model and actress Harnaz Sandhu won the Miss Universe beauty pageant, Israel, December 12. Any girl of 18-28 years old with a bright appearance and a beautiful figure can take part in the competition. Contestants must not be married or in a civil union or have children

© Amir Levy/Getty Images

Boxers Umar Salamov (left) and Dmitry Bivol during the fight for the WBA Super title at the RCC Boxing Promotions evening at the Uralets cultural and entertainment complex, Yekaterinburg, December 12

© Donat Sorokin/TASS

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands kneels next to his car after becoming world champion after winning the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, December 12

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks with medical staff during a visit to a vaccination center in Ramsgate, December 16. On December 12, the chief sanitary officers of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland announced an increase in the degree of threat posed by the coronavirus from the third level to the fourth out of five existing against the background of the active spread of the omicron strain

© Leon Neal, Pool via AP

People welcome Father Frost's train arriving at the Yekaterinburg railway station, December 13. The mobile residence of Father Frost is a specialized festively decorated train, which includes a reception room, cars for games and quests, a restaurant, and a shop. During the trip, it is planned to visit more than 30 cities of Russia

© Donat Sorokin/TASS

Star Wars fans sit at Gabba Stadium in Brisbane watching a cricket match between teams from Australia and England, December 11

© EPA-EFE/JONO SEARLE

Ballet dancers Lydia Krylova and Edward Shapeko during the "The Immersive Nutcracker - A Winter Miracle" show at the GUM showroom, Moscow, December 15. The Canadian company Storywall Entertainment has created its own high-tech reading of the story based on the fairy tale of Hoffmann and Tchaikovsky's ballet

© Gavriil Grigorov/TASS

Canadian hockey players Philip Maye and Rhys Scarlett during a match at the Channel One Cup, Moscow, December 15. The Russian national ice hockey team won the opening match with Canada with a score of 4:3

© Yuri Kuzmin/POOL/TASS

World skimboarding champion Lucas Fink of Brazil falls off a wave in Portugal, December 11

© AP Photo/Armando Franca

Father Frost's train, Miss Universe 2021, and other stories 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

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

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

Iran confirms acquisition of Russian Mi-28, Su-35, Yak-130 aircraft

The agency said the aircraft were already in Iran and accepted into service

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

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

Russian Economy Ministry expects 7.7% growth of retail trade in 2024

Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov noted that higher growth rates are supported in the first instance by growth of domestic production

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

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"

Hypocrites in US ignore Kiev's crackdown on Orthodox Church — Russian embassy

Instead of condemning Kiev's illegal actions such pseudo-activists are pointing to Russia’s special military operation as an excuse

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

United States removes Emperor Aviation from anti-Russian sanctions list

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

Russian government approves draft agreement on military cooperation with DRC

It provides for the organization of joint drills and exercises, participation in and monitoring drills at the invitation of relevant agencies, visits by warships and warplanes at an invitation or request, training of the military and other formats of cooperation

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

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"

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

Dollar exchange rate down to 93.29 rubles on Moscow Exchange, euro up to 99.4 rubles

The yuan added to 12.851 rubles

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

Dollar almost completely gone from Russia-China trade relations — Lavrov

"The supply of our agricultural products to the Chinese market is growing," the top Russian diplomat noted

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

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

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

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

Turkish government to discuss alternatives to Russian Mir payment system — source

At the moment, there is no information about the decisions made

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

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems

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

The entire group of Ukrainian militants was killed in the strike

Russian international reserves up $2.5 bln in one week exceeding $603.2 bln — Central Bank

Russia’s international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian government

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

Protesters against Georgian foreign-agents bill gather outside hotel close to parliament

Some protesters are marching toward the nearby office of the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party

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"

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

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

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

Ukrainian authorities unable to banish Russian language — Russian diplomat

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

Russian Economy Ministry revises oil export prices outlook down to $65/barrel

Brent oil prices are expected to be $79.5 per barrel in 2024 in average over the year

Trade turnover between Russian Far East, Northeast China to reach $27 bln

According to Yury Trutnev, the trade turnover between Far Eastern regions and northeastern provinces of China is growing steadily

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

Powerful solar flares were registered on April 30 and May 1

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

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

Russia making incremental progress in special operation — US intelligence official

Avril Haines said the supplies accelerated a "reconstitution of Russia's military strength" after a "costly" start of the country’s special military operation

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

Russian Navy frigate to continue test-launches of Tsirkon hypersonic missile — source

The hypersonic missile’s second test-firings are expected to be carried out from the ship in April-May, according to the source

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

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 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

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

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

Russian Railways to reconstruct railroad infrastructure in Cuba

The contract may be signed this or next year

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

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

Sanya's GRP up 3.1% in Q1

The figure amounted to $3.6 billion, according to Sanya Daily with reference to the local bureau of statistics

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

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

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

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

Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

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

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

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

Turkey discusses second nuclear power plant, gas trade hub with Russia — minister

The minister pointed out that Turkey needs to have 20 Gigawatts of power generation in 30 years

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

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"

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

Belarus to build in Murmansk by 2028 terminal to handle 25-30 million tons of cargo

According to the Murmansk Region's Governor Andrey Chibis, the investor will receive extensive support for the project implementation

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

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

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

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

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"

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

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

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

Severstal reports 13% net profit growth under IFRS in Q1 2024

The company’s EBITDA surged by 25% year on year to $707.7 mln, driven by the increase in revenues and higher capacity utilization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

Colombian Foreign Ministry notifies Israel about severance of diplomatic relations

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

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

Trade turnover between Russia, Iran up 20% in 2022 to $4.9 bln, says Chamber of Commerce

It is noted that Russian business feels a high interest in the Iranian direction

Norilsk Nickel affirms production forecast for 2024

The continuing effect of geopolitical risks and the turnaround scheduled at the Nadezhdinsky metallurgic plant for the middle of the year are among causes of production lowering

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

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

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 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

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

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