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This week in photos: Looted packages in LA, human-like robot assembly and Tonga volcano

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

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 10

Chinese police officers write a character for good luck at New Year's Eve festival, Jiuquan, February 18. The year of the tiger according to the eastern calendar will come on February 18th

© Hou Chonghui/VCG via Getty Images

Thousands of opened packages lie on railroad tracks after they were stolen from a Union Pacific line carrying Fedex, Amazon, UPS and other freight cars through the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles, January 15

© EPA-EFE/DAVID SWANSON

Servicemen of the engineering assault and evacuation and rescue units of the 1st Guards Engineering Brigade during special combat training, Murom, January 18

© Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defence MinistryTASS

A humanoid robot in the workshop of Promobot, where they are producing the second version of Robo-C-2 with movable face, head, neck and arms that help the device interact with the audience and gesticulate, Perm, January 20. The new model is equipped with a wide range of mimic control, hyper-realistic silicone skin and eyes

© Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

The ultra-Orthodox Jews of the Sadigura Hasidic dynasty celebrate Tu B'Shvat, the New Year of the Trees according to the Jewish calendar, January 16

© AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

A man rides a horse through a bonfire during the Luminarias celebration in the village of San Bartolomei de Pinare, Spain, January 16. The festival takes place on the eve of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals

© EPA-EFE/Raul Sanchidrian

A health worker tests a boy for COVID-19 in Beijing, January 17. On December 13, the first case of human infection with the omicron strain was detected in China, it was recorded in Tianjin, 150 km from the capital. In large cities, authorities have begun mass testing

© Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

The eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai off the coast of the Kingdom of Tonga, which caused a series of tsunamis, January 15. The capital of the island state, as well as part of the resorts and settlements in the west of the island, were badly affected

© CIRA/NOAA/Handout via REUTERS

A child stands on the road after a blizzard in a refugee camp in Syria, January 19. Heavy snow storms hit the northwest of the country, destroying some camps and hindering traffic on the roads

© EPA-EFE/YAHYA NEMAH

A man during Epiphany bathing in a font in Novik Bay on Russky Island, Vladivostok, January 19. The air temperature is -13 degrees Celsius. On January 19, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated the feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany bathing in Russia began on January 18

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

Human-like robot assembly, looted packages in LA, and other stories are among some of the developments captured in this week's photos.

79th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany

Lavrov to attend laying flowers at Russian Foreign Ministry on Victory Day

Maria Zakharova also stressed that Russian diplomatic missions abroad become "centers of historical celebration"

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

It is reported that NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security

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

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

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

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

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

Orban sees Europe 'playing with fire' as it gets dragged in Ukraine conflict

"I am not saying that European leaders are marching toward a war but, every day, they are taking more steps in that direction," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned

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

French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Emmanuel Macron pointed out that "many countries understood" Paris’s approach and agreed "that this position was a good thing"

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

Kiev troops face 'two-week difficult situation' near Chasov Yar in DPR — journalist

Kirill Sazonov noted that the situation is difficult for Ukrainian troops and especially dangerous on the flanks with roads leading to the city under constant fire

Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

The group’s EBITDA amounted to $19 bln in 2023 against $44.9 bln in the previous year

Donetsk official says Ukrainian troops left positions near Arkhangelskoye

Igor Kimakovsky also said Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses at this section of the front

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

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

The entire group of Ukrainian militants was killed in the strike

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

In Malmo, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned for May 9 and 11

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

German MFA summons Russian charges d'affaires following cyberattack accusations

German Cabinet Spokesperson Wolfgang Buchner, in turn, said that "the federal government and its international partners strongly condemn the APT28 group’s campaign against the leaders of the Social Democratic Party of Germany"

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

Car imports via Vladivostok returns to figures before last August

The geography of car imports by individuals remains the same - these are Japan and South Korea

Macron, despite statements, still hesitant to send troops to Ukraine — media

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

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

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

Ban on Russian uranium supplies to have negative effect on US economy — investor

"It will be very hard to replace such volumes within a very short period of time," Navigator Principal Investors CEO Kyle Shostak said

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"

Paris, London should reflect on need for tactical nuclear weapons — Macron

The French leader also emphasized that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons was in the interests of the whole of Europe and the world

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

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

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

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

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"

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

Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

Speaking of his recent visit to Russia, Ilham Aliyev stressed that it had been "very productive" and "once again demonstrated the strategic nature of allied relations" between the two countries

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

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

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"

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

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

Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

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

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

Accusations of Russia's use of chemical weapons 'unfounded' — Russian mission to OPCW

Earlier, the US State Department said that Russia allegedly used chloropicrin against the Ukrainian armed forces

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

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

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

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"

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"

Washington wants Europe to spearhead anti-Russian struggle — Hungarian official

Balazs Orban stressed that his country was not satisfied with this attitude

Military aid to Ukraine promises lucrative contracts for US industry — Orban

Turkish ministry confirms halting trade with Israel

Turkey's trade sanctions will remain in force until Israel declares a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

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

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

US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Hamas to release Israeli soldiers, hostages under deal with Jerusalem — TV

The document provides for three phases, each of which will last about 40 days

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

Russia holds rehearsal of Victory Day air parade over Moscow

Two groups of aircraft, namely, a flight of Su-27 fighter jets, and Su-25 close support aircraft flew over Moscow’s Red Square, releasing fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag

Russian ministry puts Ukrainian lawmaker Nalivaichenko on wanted persons list

Investigators determined that the lawmaker made threats to Russian servicemen participating in the special military operation during one of his appearances on Ukrainian television

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

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

No decisions in EU to send troops ‘in a direct way into Ukraine’ — Latvia’s top diplomat

"Discussions take place all the time, but again, we only can talk when the decisions are made," Baiba Braze added

Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce suspends ruble payment mechanism

The mechanism of paying in rubles for Italian goods not covered by sanctions was launched by the Chamber for its members in the test mode in February

Turkey to continue efforts for Black Sea to remain calm — defense minister

Turkey strictly complies with the Montreux Convention by not allowing warships into the Black Sea

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 recruits Russian journalists for information warfare training — lawmaker

The State Duma Commission on Investigation into Foreign Interference in Russia's Internal Affairs "paid attention to the updated strategic plan of the US Agency for Global Media" for 2022-2026, which names Russia as an adversary and outlines measures to counter the country in the information space

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

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"

Reuters again publishes its previously withdrawn Cameron’s interview

According to the news agency, the publication was withdrawn to review some of its details, and the news agency promised to publish the new version in due time

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"

Russian troops liberate Berdychi community in DPR over past day — top brass

Russian troops inflicted casualties on four Ukrainian army brigades in the Kherson area over the past day, the ministry reported

Building housing offices, production lines catches fire in Moscow

The flames are covering an area of 2,500 square meters

Russia launches investigation into Falun Dafa spiritual center

Law enforcement agencies told TASS that four members of the outlawed Chinese Falun Gong sect were detained after raids in Moscow

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

Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

Powerful solar flares were registered on April 30 and May 1

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

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"

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

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

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

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

Officials request aircraft to help put out fire in Moscow building

Two traffic police crews have also been asked to be dispatched to the scene

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"

Ukraine deploys reserves due to challenging situation near Ocheretino

Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

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

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

Russia puts former Ukrainian finance minister, national bank chief on wanted list

Charges against them were not specified in the ministry’s database

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

NORAD tracks four Russian military planes off Alaska — statement

"This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," the statement says

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

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

Russia to fully provide itself with critical raw materials by 2030 — official

Surplus minerals will be exported, Head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Yevgeny Petrov said

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

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

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

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

HAMAS leader in Gaza to reject deal with Israel without due guarantees — WSJ

According to the newspaper’s sources, Yahya Sinwar’s primary objective is to release hundreds or even thousands of Palestinians from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages held by HAMAS

Russia puts top Ukrainian security official on wanted list

Secretary of the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Alexander Litvinenko it put on wanted list on unspecified criminal charges

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"

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

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"

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

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

EU eyeing response to Russian decision on assets of Italian, German companies

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier, whereby 100% of participation interests in the Russian entity of Ariston and the Russian entity of BSH Hausgerate are transferred to be managed by Gazprom Butovye Systemy company

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"

Italy to send latest package of military aid to Ukraine before G7 summit in June

According to the report, the aid package for Kiev, Italy's 9th, will include the delivery of a SAMP-T air defense system produced jointly with France

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

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

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

TikTok again restricts app operation in Russia

TikTok has earlier become fully accessible for users of iOS and Android mobile operation systems in Russia